The role of aldose reductase in sugar cataract formation: aldose reductase plays a key role in lens epithelial cell death (apoptosis)

Since aldose reductase is localized primarily in lens epithelial cells, osmotic insults induced by the accumulation of sugar alcohols occur first in these cells. To determine whether the accumulation of sugar alcohols can induce lens epithelial cell death, galactose-induced apoptosis has been investigated in dog lens epithelial cells. Dog lens epithelial cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's mimimum essential medium (DMEM) supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum (FCS). After reaching confluence at fifth passage, the medium was replaced with the same DMEM medium containing 50 mM D-galactose and the cells were cultured for an additional 2 weeks. Almost all of the cells cultured in galactose medium were stained positively for apoptosis with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferance-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Agarose gel electrophoresis of these cells displayed obvious DNA fragmentation, known as a ladder formation. All of these apoptotic changes were absent in similar cells cultured in galactose medium containing 1 microM of the aldose reductase inhibitor AL 1576. Addition of AL 1576 also reduced the cellular galactitol levels from 123+/-10 microgram/10(6) cells (n=5) to 3.9+/-1.9 microgram/10(6) cells (n=5). These observations confirm that galactose induced apoptosis occurs in dog lens epithelial cells. Furthermore, the prevention of apoptosis by an aldose reductase inhibitor suggests that this apoptosis is linked to the accumulation of sugar alcohols.

Soluble CD44 in human ovarian follicular fluid

PURPOSE

In the present study, we investigated the existence of soluble CD44 (sCD44) in human follicular fluid, the relationship between the concentration of sCD44 and that of other hormonal parameters, and the prognostic value of sCD44 in follicular fluid in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.

METHODS

A total of 63 follicular fluid specimens from patients (n = 30) participating in our IVF programs was analyzed by RIA and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The mean concentration (+/- SE) of sCD44 in follicular fluid was 265.4 +/- 7.8 ng/ml. The variation of the follicular fluid concentration of sCD44 was strictly associated with that of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (r = 0.572, P < 0.0001). The mean concentration of sCD44 in follicular fluid was significantly higher in follicles containing subsequently unfertilized oocytes than that in those containing oocytes that had undergone fertilization (P = 0.0428). In the analysis of each follicle that contained an oocyte subsequently fertilized, the mean concentration of sCD44 was significantly higher in follicular fluid with the subsequently good-quality embryos than in that with the subsequently poor-quality embryos (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that the concentration of sCD44 in follicular fluid reflects the development of embryos derived from the same follicle, so the sCD44 in human follicular fluid may be useful in the assessment of the prognostic value of IVF programs.

Vaccination with calpain induces a Th1-biased protective immune response against Schistosoma japonicum

A large subunit of calpain, a calcium-activated neutral proteinase, from Schistosoma japonicum was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. When BALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant calpain (r-calpain) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant, a significant reduction in the number of recovered worms and also in egg production per female worm was observed (P<0.01). Spleen cells of the immunized mice showed enhanced production of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) by activated CD4(+) T cells. Considering our observation of elevated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in immunized mice, r-calpain-induced IFN-gamma seemed to upregulate the production of nitric oxide by macrophages and subsequently mediated the killing of schistosomulae in the lung. On the other hand, spleen cells of immunized mice showed only faint interleukin-4 production in response to r-calpain in vitro, suggesting that immunization with r-calpain alters the Th1-Th2 balance in murine hosts even during a Th2-promoting S. japonicum infection. Furthermore, histopathological study of the livers of immunized mice showed that granulomas formed around eggs were diminished in both size and number. Egg production by female worms was clearly decreased in immunized mice, suggesting that r-calpain also has antifecundity effects. Taken together, these results point to S. japonicum calpain as a potential vaccine candidate for both worm killing and disease prevention, possibly through the induction of a strong Th1-dominant environment in immunized mice.

Sites of expression of mRNA for lysenin, a protein isolated from the coelomic fluid of the earthworm Eisenia foetida

Lysenin is a 33-kDa protein of 297 amino acids that was originally purified from the coelomic fluid of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. It binds specifically to sphingomyelin. In this study, we attempted to identify the site of synthesis of lysenin in the earthworm. We detected the expression of mRNA for lysenin and the presence of immunoreactive lysenin in the large coelomocytes and in the free large chloragocytes present in the lumen of the typhlosole, a depression in the dorsal wall of the intestine. These coelomocytes and chloragocytes seemed to be mature and separate from the chloragogen tissue that lined the typhlosole. The free large chloragocytes in the typhlosole contained numerous vacuoles. The nuclei were small and irregular in shape, and glycogen granules and mitochondria were occasionally found between vacuoles. The chloragocytes of the chloragogen tissue that surrounded the coelomic side of the intestine and the dorsal blood vessel did not react with the lysenin antiserum and no expression of lysenin mRNA was detected in these cells. Furthermore, no evidence of the protein or of the mRNA was found in the cells of the pharyngeal gland. Our findings suggest that lysenin is produced in the free large chloragocytes in the lumen of the typhlosole.

Effects of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on oocyte quality in terms of the incidence of apoptotic granulosa cells

PURPOSE

The aim was to investigate which ovarian hyperstimulation protocol performed in the same patients causes development of oocytes of good quality.

METHODS

Twenty normo-ovulatory women underwent three different controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Patients underwent follicle aspiration after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The total number of retrieved oocytes, the number of mature oocytes, and the rate of mature oocytes were examined. Recovered granulosa cells were stained with Hoechst 33258 and examined by fluorescence microscopy to estimate the incidence of apoptotic cells.

RESULTS

The total number of oocytes and the number of mature oocytes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) + human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) + hCG and hMG + hCG cycles were higher than those in the natural cycle (P < 0.0001). The rate of mature oocytes in hMG + hCG cycle was the highest among the three protocols (P < 0.04). In the mural granulosa cells, the incidence of apoptotic cells in the GnRHa + hMG + hCG cycle was significantly higher than those of the natural (P < 0.002) and hMG + hCG cycles (P = 0.0002). The incidence of apoptotic cumulus granulosa cells in the GnRHa + hMG + hCG cycle was significantly higher than those of natural and hMG + hCG cycles (P < 0.002). Moreover, the incidence of apoptotic cumulus granulosa cells in the hMG + hCG cycle was significantly lower than that in the natural cycle (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that hMG + hCG is the most appropriate controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocol among the three examined with regard to oocyte quality.

IL-15 and IL-15 receptor selectively regulate differentiation of common mucosal immune system-independent B-1 cells for IgA responses

We show in this report a new regulatory role for IL-15 and IL-15R in the development of B-1 cells and their differentiation into IgA-producing cells. Mucosal IgA levels were found to be inhibited by anti-IL-15 mAb treatment in vivo, but enhanced by administration of rIL-15, while serum IgA levels remained unaffected. Mucosal B-1 cells preferentially proliferated in response to IL-15 in vitro. When mucosal B-1 and B-2 cells were separated into surface (s)IgM(+)sIgA(-) and sIgM(-)sIgA(+) fractions, IL-15R-specific mRNA was found to be predominant in both sIgM(+)sIgA(-) and sIgM(-)sIgA(+) B-1 cells at a much higher level than B-2 cells. Further, incubation of these different subsets of B-1 and B-2 cells with IL-15 resulted in greater enhancement of the corresponding receptor expression by B-1 subset when compared with B-2 fraction. Interestingly, de novo isolated sIgM(+)sIgA(-) B-1, but not sIgM(+)sIgA(-) B-2, cells were already class-switched cells because the germline Calpha transcript was detected and was then further enhanced by IL-15. IL-15 also supported differentiation of both sIgM(+)sIgA(-) and sIgM(-)sIgA(+) B-1 cells into IgA-producing cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-15 is a critically important cytokine for the differentiation of both sIgM(+),IgA(-) and sIgM(-)sIgA(+) B-1 cells expressing IL-15R into IgA-producing cells in mucosal tissues.

A simple screening method for detecting bindings between oligopeptides and HLA-DR molecules on filter papers: possible application for mapping of putative helper T-cell epitopes on MSP1 of Plasmodium falciparum

Binding capacities of synthetic peptides to HLA-DR molecules were tested on filter papers to identify putative helper T-cell epitopes on a malarial protein. The antigen tested was the merozoite surface glycoprotein 1 (MSP1) of Plasmodium falciparum, a vaccine candidate targeting the asexual erythrocytic stage. Bindings between synthetic oligopeptides and HLA-DR molecules were tested. Such bindings were not non-specific, and a known helper T-cell epitope peptide showed positive binding to the restricting HLA-DR molecule. By using this screening system, we observed the unequal distribution of HLA-DR-binding peptides in 10 out of 17 MSP1 blocks tested. Block #6 of MSP1 seemed to show the highest frequency in the positive binding; on the other hand, blocks #1 and #17, both of which were thought to be vaccine candidate regions, contained fewer HLA-DR binding peptides. This was not inconsistent with the results that block #17 was less stimulatory to peripheral T cells than block #6. The peptides with positive binding to HLA-DR showed actual epitope activities when we tested peptide-driven proliferation of human bulk T-cell lines, and association between the two parameters was statistically significant (P<0.001). For more detailed information for vaccine development, peptides with both IgG- and HLA-DR binding activities were mapped in block #17 of MSP1. Together with these results, we demonstrate that our simple screening system seems to provide essential information for vaccine development through uncovering locations of putative epitopes for human helper T cells.

The effects of erythromycin on human peripheral neutrophil apoptosis

Erythromycin is reported to have an anti-inflammatory action, which may account for its clinical effectiveness in treating chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract such as diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) and chronic sinusitis. The evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of erythromycin, we examined apoptosis of isolated neutrophils incubated with and without erythromycin. As a result, erythromycin augmented neutrophil apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximal effect at 10 micrograms/ml and above. The percentage of neutrophil apoptosis at 12 h was 79.2 +/- 2.3% in medium with 10 micrograms/ml of erythromycin compared with 51.2 +/- 4.1% in control medium (p < 0.005). In a manner similar to that of erythromycin, another macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin, also increased neutrophil apoptosis. However, there was no effect on apoptosis induced by treatment with josamycin (macrolide antibiotic), ampicillin (beta-lactam.) and cefazolin (cephalosporin antibiotic), or gentamycin (aminoglycoside). These findings suggest that erythromycin shortens neutrophil survival by accelerating neutrophil apoptosis.

A human myeloid cell line producing stem cell growth factor, KPB-M15, secretes another growth factor active on murine hematopoietic progenitor cells

Human stem cell growth factor (SCGF) produced by a myeloid cell line, KPB-M15, exhibits species-specific hematopoietic activities. However, KPB-M15-conditioned medium induced colony formation of mouse bone marrow cells. KPB-M15-derived colony-stimulating activity (CSA) was purified through Butyl-Toyopearl 650c and Cu2+ chelating-Sepharose 6B chromatography. TSK-G3000SW gel filtration of the purified preparation presented 3 distinct peaks around Vo, 150 kD and 85 kD. Gel fractions extracted from SDS-PAGE had macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-specific amino acid sequences. PCR, Northern hybridization and ELISA demonstrated that KPB-M15 cells secreted a significant amount of M-CSF and IL-6. Anti-M-CSF but not anti-IL-6 antibody abrogated CSA in KPB-M15-CM. IL-6 hardly synergized with M-CSF to enhance colony formation. Collectively, M-CSF is a sole CSA for murine hematopoietic progenitor cells in KPB-M15-CM. This is the first report of a human myeloid cell line, KPB-M15, constitutively producing M-CSF in addition to SCGF and IL-6. It can be useful in investigating the mechanism of production of M-CSF.

Schistosoma mansoni infection cancels the susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi through induction of type 1 immune responses in A/J mice

Susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi depends on the relative dominance of T(h)1/T(h)2 responses in host mice. A T(h)2-dominant response during the early phase of infection in susceptible A/J mice causes a fatal disease course due to severe malaria. Schistosoma mansoni is a potent inducer of a T(h)2-dominant response not only to the parasite antigens, but also to other antigens concurrently existing in the host animals. In spite of S. mansoni infection, these A/J mice escape death from malaria and showed accompanied enhanced production of IFN-gamma to malaria antigens. Treatment with anti-IFN-gamma mAb in S. mansoni-infected A/J mice abolished the resistance to malaria, indicating that IFN-gamma was responsible for the resistance to P. chabaudi in S. mansoni-infected A/J mice. Results in this study show that under certain circumstances, S. mansoni infection can promote type 1 immune responses in A/J mice that normally develop T(h)2 responses.

Application of vitrification to human embryo freezing

To solve the problem of multiple pregnancies during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer procedure, excess embryos must be cryopreserved for embryo transfer in future. We applied the vitrification method to cryopreservation of human embryos. A total of 31 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were analyzed at the Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, Japan. The patients were introduced to IVF treatment and had an excess of valuable embryos to be frozen after the transfer of three fresh embryos that did not result in establishing a pregnancy. Excess human 8- to 16-cell stage embryos were exposed to vitrification solution and then frozen in liquid nitrogen. The cryoprotectant was removed by washing the embryos in media containing different concentrations of cryoprotectant. Three days after LH surge and/or 2 days after ultrasonographic ovulation the embryos were transferred. The rate of poor quality embryos significantly increased and the rate of good quality embryos decreased after thawing the embryos frozen by the vitrification method. In menstrual cycles with good quality embryo transfer, a higher rate of pregnancies was established than in the cycles in which fair or poor quality embryos were the highest grade of embryos transferred into the uterus. In total, 5 pregnancies were established from 31 embryo tansfers; 4 pregnancies were in cycles associated with the transfer of good quality embryos, and 1 pregnancy was in a cycle in which the highest grade of embryo was fair. When compared with slow embryo freezing methods, vitrification has marked advantages for clinical application in terms of cost and time. Vitrification will be an alternative method for embryo freezing.

Strongyloides venezuelensis: heparin-binding adhesion substances in immunologically damaged adult worms

Immunologically damaged Strongyloides venezuelensis adult worms were examined for their mucosal invasion ability and secretion of heparin-binding adhesion substances. S. venezuelensis was expelled from male Wistar rats 4 to 5 weeks after infection. Four-week-old adult worms were smaller and had fewer eggs than 1-week-old adult worms. One-week-old, 4-week-old, and 5-week-old adult worms equally established in the recipient mouse intestine when surgically implanted. Adult worms of 4 and 5 weeks of age secreted adhesion substances as much as 1-week-old adult worms. There was no difference in the heparin-binding activities and the lectin-binding profile of adhesion substances among adult worms of different ages. The rate of secretion of adhesion substances from the mouth was also identical. Heparin-binding activities were detected in crude adult worm proteins; however, proteins of 5-week-old adult worms had weaker heparin-binding activities than those of 1-week-old adult worms. Western blotting revealed that a number of heparin-binding proteins were lost in 5-week-old adult worms. A heparin-binding protein of 42. 0 kDa, which was consistently expressed in adult worms, was a possible component of heparin-binding adhesion substances which are secreted from the mouth.

Spontaneous rupture of bladder diverticulum after postoperative radiotherapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a case report

We present a case of spontaneous rupture of bladder diverticulum three years after postoperative whole pelvic irradiation (50.4 Gy) for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The patient had suffered from a neurogenic bladder after hysterectomy, but excretory urography revealed no abnormalities. Bladder diverticulum was found two years later. Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder is one of the late complications associated with radiotherapy, although it is very rare. Postoperative neurogenic bladder may also be associated with rupture. We should be aware of this rare complication in patients who receive pelvic irradiation.

Protective mechanisms against the intestinal nematode Strongyloides venezuelensis in Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice

Mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum were resistant to the intestinal nematode, Strongyloides venezuelensis. The numbers of adult S. venezuelensis recovered from mice were significantly decreased when infections were given from 6 weeks after S. japonicum infection. Larval recovery from the lungs showed that significant numbers of subcutaneously inoculated S. venezuelensis larvae were eliminated by 3 days in S. japonicum-infected mice (P < 0.0001), while histology revealed that this was associated with massive eosinophilic infiltration in the lungs. In addition, adult S. venezuelensis worms implanted in the duodenum of S. japonicum-infected mice could not establish in the intestine. This failure was associated with mucosal mastocytosis. Activation of eosinophils and intestinal mast cells was correlated with elevated expression of mRNA for interleukin (IL)-3, IL-4, and IL-5 in S. japonicum-infected mice. Sera from S. japonicum-infected mice recognized S. venezuelensis larva antigens as strongly as those from S. venezuelensis-infected mice, although transfer of sera from S. japonicum-infected mice to normal recipient mice did not protect them from S. venezuelensis challenge infection. It was concluded that the mechanisms for larval killing and adult worm expulsion of S. venezuelensis in S. japonicum-infected mice were identical to those seen in infections with S. venezuelensis only.

Epitope-specific impairment of production of antibody against merozoite surface glycoprotein 1 of Plasmodium falciparum in symptomatic patients with malaria

We analyzed the relationships between levels of antibody specific for merozoite surface glycoprotein-1 (MSP1) of Plasmodium falciparum and clinical manifestations in humans. We prepared recombinant MSP1 proteins representing block 3 (M3), block 6 (M6), blocks 1-6 (M1/6), and block 17. When we divided the slide-positive individuals in Guadalcanal into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, the former group showed lower IgG levels against M6 and block 17, but not against M3, than did the asymptomatic group (P < 0.01). The possibility of nonspecific suppression was unlikely, given that the levels of antibody against poliomyelitis virus observed in the two groups were almost the same. Among the IgG subclasses tested, production of cytophilic IgG3 seemed to be dominant. When we analyzed epitopes recognized by antibodies against block 17, a peptide (SSSNFLGIS) was preferentially recognized by sera from asymptomatic individuals. These results suggest that clinical symptoms occurring during falciparum malaria seem to be associated with the development of levels of antibody against particular epitopes on MSP1, which is under the control of an immunoregulatory mechanism.

A role of mast cell glycosaminoglycans for the immunological expulsion of intestinal nematode, Strongyloides venezuelensis

We examined effects of mast cell glycosaminoglycans on the establishment of the intestinal nematode, Strongyloides venezuelensis, in the mouse small intestine. When intestinal mastocytosis occurred, surgically implanted adult worms could not invade and establish in the intestinal mucosa. In mast cell-deficient W/Wv mice, inhibition of adult worm invasion was not evident as compared with littermate +/+ control mice. Mucosal mastocytosis and inhibition of S. venezuelensis adult worm mucosal invasion was tightly correlated. To determine effector molecules for the invasion inhibition, adult worms were implanted with various sulfated carbohydrates including mast cell glycosaminoglycans. Among sulfated carbohydrates tested, chondroitin sulfate (ChS)-A, ChS-E, heparin, and dextran sulfate inhibited invasion of adult worms into intestinal mucosa in vivo. No significant inhibition was observed with ChS-C, desulfated chondroitin, and dextran. ChS-E, heparin, and dextran sulfate inhibited adhesion of S. venezuelensis adult worms to plastic surfaces in vitro. Furthermore, binding of intestinal epithelial cells to adhesion substances of S. venezuelensis, which have been implicated in mucosal invasion, was inhibited by ChS-E, heparin, and dextran sulfate. Because adult worms of S. venezuelensis were actively moving in the intestinal mucosa, probably exiting and reentering during infection, the possible expulsion mechanism for S. venezuelensis is inhibition by mast cell glycosaminoglycans of attachment and subsequent invasion of adult worms into intestinal epithelium.

[Arytenoid dislocation caused by endotracheal intubation]

We experienced arytenoid dislocation in a 17-year-old man with no significant medical history, who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under general anesthesia. After induction of anesthesia, the trachea was easily intubated with an 8.0 mm cuffed endotracheal tube. The operation lasted approximately four hours. The patient was extubated uneventfully. On the first operative day, the patient complained of hoarseness. Four weeks had passed before the diagnosis of right arytenoid cartilage dislocation was made by fiberoptic laryngoscopy. Voice therapy was started. Three weeks after starting voice therapy, the patient's voice was restored almost to the preoperative status.

Aortoesophageal fistula caused by foreign body

Aortoesophageal fistula is rare. A woman who developed aortoesophageal fistula after swallowing a fish bone developed hematemesis. 7 days later, we resected a false aneurysm near the left subclavian artery and repaired this section twice. Despite these measures, the woman died on hospital day 21. The clinical diagnosis was massive hematemesis from an infected aortic wall. The method of diagnosis, control of infection, and operative repair of aortoesophageal fistula are discussed.

[Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors--intranasal procedures]

We have been performing intranasal procedures and postoperative nasal treatments in patients undergoing microscopic transseptal pituitary surgery for the past twenty years. This surgery is safe and minimally invasive and has become the standard procedure for removing pituitary adenomas. Recent advances in optical technology have increased the use of endoscopy in endonasal sinus surgery. Several methods for endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery have been reported. Here, we report the results for 31 patients (34 operations) who were treated with endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery. This technique enables the area of surgery to be visualized without requiring a sublabial incision or septal ablation to be performed. Five of the cases were for recurrences after microscopic surgery. A transsphenoidal surgical approach via a unilateral nasal cavity was used in 32 cases. For the remaining two cases, a transsphenoidal surgical approach via bilateral nasal cavities was used in 1 case, and a transethmoidal-transsphenoidal surgical approach via a unilateral nasal cavity was used in 1 case. Excellent results comparable to those of microscopic transseptal surgery were obtained. Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery was found to have the following advantages: low-invasiveness, a wide and clear surgical view, and a relatively short operating time in the nose and sinus, especially for recurrent cases. This endoscopic procedure should therefore be considered as the first choice for pituitary surgery.

Moderate and severe endometriosis is associated with alterations in the cell cycle of granulosa cells in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether folliculogenesis is impaired in patients with endometriosis.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.

PATIENT(S)

Thirty women participating in an IVF program.

INTERVENTION(S)

The patients were divided into four groups according to the cause of their infertility: tubal factor (T), n = 7; male factor (M), n = 7; idiopathic (I), n = 7; and endometriosis (E), n = 9. Granulosa cells were obtained from the follicular fluid of each patient and analyzed by flow cytometry.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The percentage of granulosa cells in each cell-cycle stage.

RESULT(S)

The mean (+/- SD) rate of apoptosis in the granulosa cells obtained from the patients with endometriosis was the highest among the four groups (T = 11.7% +/- 3.3%; M = 5.6% +/- 3.8%; I = 9.6% +/- 5.1%; and E = 18.6% +/- 9.6%). The percentage of S-phase granulosa cells was significantly higher in the patients with endometriosis than in all the other patients combined (E = 12.5% +/- 6%; T + M + I = 9.3% +/- 2.9%). The percentage of G2/M-phase granulosa cells was significantly lower in the endometriosis group than in the other three groups combined (E = 2.3% +/- 2.5%; T + M + I = 4.6% +/- 2.1%).

CONCLUSION(S)

Endometriosis impairs the cell cycle in granulosa cells. This phenomenon may have a detrimental effect on folliculogenesis.

Complete nucleotide sequence of a plant tumor-inducing Ti plasmid

Crown gall tumor disease in dicot plants is caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring a giant tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid. Here, for the first time among agrobacterial plasmids, the nucleotide sequence of a typical nopaline-type Ti plasmid (pTi-SAKURA) was determined completely. In total, 195 open reading frames (ORFs) were estimated in the 206479 bp long sequence. 20 genes for conjugation, three for replication, 22 for pathogenesis and 37 for genetic colonization of host plants were found within two-thirds of the plasmid. These genes formed seven functional gene clusters with narrow inter-cluster spaces. In the remaining one-third of the plasmid, novel genes including homologs of mutT, Rhizobium nodQ and Sphingomonas ligE genes were found, which are likely to be responsible for the broad host range. Restriction fragment length variation indicates extreme plasticity of the part required for conjugational gene transfer and the above-mentioned one-third of the plasmid, even among closely related Ti plasmids.

Cloning and molecular characterization of calpain, a calcium-activated neutral proteinase, from different strains of Schistosoma japonicum

cDNA coding for calpain of Schistosoma japonicum were cloned and sequenced, and serological basis of host responses to calpain were analyzed. cDNA of calpain from S. japonicum of two different isolates, Yamanashi strain (Sj-J) and Hunan strain (Sj-C), were 2, 468 bp and 2, 465 bp in length, including the same number (2, 274) of open reading frame. Nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence between the two calpains are 99.1% and 98.8% identity, respectively. Sj-J and Sj-C calpains were considered to be translated as a preproenzyme, and a 746-amino acid mature enzyme contains eight motifs without a signal peptide at the N-terminal based on the deduced amino acid sequences. mRNA for calpain were detectable in different developmental stages, however, sera obtained from mice immunized with recombinant calpain showed enhanced binding to cercarial antigen. Human sera from S. japonicum-infected individuals recognized the large subunit of schistosomal calpain, and light-infected sera showed stronger reactivities to the recombinant calpain than moderate/high infection cases. When we tested synthetic peptides, there were four common human B cell epitopes in schistosomal calpain, all of which are shared with S. mansoni. Together with these results, calpain of S. japonicum seems to be not only a vaccine candidate, but also a target antigen for immunodiagnosis of human schistosomiasis.

Medium-chain triglycerides modulate ileitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid

BACKGROUND

It is important to develop an appropriate animal model for further investigation into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We therefore investigated a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) ileitis model. Dietary fat in Crohn's disease is still a controversial risk factor for IBD. We therefore also studied the effects of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and long-chain triglycerides (LCT) on TNBS ileitis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An intraileal injection of TNBS induced ulceration and inflammation with thickening of the intestinal wall, which were characterized histologically by infiltration of polymorphic nuclear leucocytes and by granuloma formation. The mucosal damage score and serum sialic acid levels reached their highest 7 days after the TNBS injection and then gradually decreased. The mucosal damage series in the MCT group was significantly lower than in the LCT group, and levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) tended to be lower in the MCT group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that TNBS enteritis might be useful as an IBD animal model and that MCT modulates intestinal inflammation and is less damaging than LCT.