[Role of cyclooxygenase metabolites in the increase in pulmonary vascular permeability caused by mechanically activated white blood cells]

To study the role of cyclooxygenase metabolites in changes in the pulmonary vasculature induced by mechanically activated white blood cells (WBCs), the effects of activated and inactive WBCs, and of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, were studied in isolated perfused lungs from Sprague-Dawley rats. WBCs were activated by gentle agitation in a glass container for 10s. Baseline measurements were made, and then activated or inactive WBCs were added to the perfusate. Perfusion was stopped for 90 minutes, and then started again. The effects of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor meclofenamate on the pulmonary vascular filtration coefficient and on pulmonary vascular resistance were also measured. In the group that received activated WBCs, the pulmonary vascular filtration coefficient and the pulmonary vascular resistance were about 2.5 times and 3.3 times higher, respectively, than those in the group that received inactive WBCs. However, this apparent increase in the filtration coefficient caused by activated WBCs was partly blocked by meclofenamate. Histological examination indicated that meclofenamate did not prevent the adhesion of WBCs to the pulmonary vascular endothelium. These date indicate that WBCs that have been made to adhere to vessel walls can induce pulmonary vascular injury via cyclooxygenase products.

[Transport of ions across alveolar epithelial cells in resected human lungs]

Little information is available regarding the effect of ion transport agonists and antagonists on ion transport in the human lung. Therefore, we studied ion transport in lungs resected from patients with lung cancer. A test solution of 45 ml of isosmotic albumin was instilled into one segment of a resected lobe within 10 min of resection. Because protein leaves the air space very slowly, the concentration of alveolar protein over 4 h was used to quantify the volume of alveolar fluid. Ion transport was measured from the changes in ion concentrations and the volume of alveolar fluid. In the basal condition, the net efflux of Na+ and Cl- were 4.66 +/- 0.83 mEq/l/h and 3.52 +/- 0.84 mEq/l/h, respectively. In contrast, the net influx of K+ was 0.44 +/- 0.07 mEq/l/h. Amiloride (10(-5) M), an inhibitor of apical Na+ uptake, ouabain (10(-3) M), an inhibitor of Na(+)-K+ ATPase, and hypothermia (8 degrees C) reduced the efflux of Na+ and Cl-. Ouabain and hypothermia increased the net influx of K+. Terbutaline (10(-3) or 10(-4) M) increased the efflux of Na+ and Cl-, but did not affect the influx of K+. Propranolol (10(-4) M) and amiloride (10(-5) M) inhibited the terbutaline-induced increase in the transport of Na+ and Cl-. Alveolar fluid clearance was closely correlated with Na+ transport and with Cl- transport. However, the values of Na+ transport were greater than those of Cl- transport. These data suggest that Na+ transport is accompanied by Cl- transport and fluid movement out of the alveolar space in resected human lungs.

[Effect of adhesiveness of white blood cells on pulmonary vascular permeability and resistance]

We studied pulmonary vascular injury evoked by mechanically activated white blood cells (WBCs). In isolated perfused rat lungs, changes in pulmonary vascular resistance were measured, and a gravimetric method was used to measure the pulmonary vascular filtration coefficient, which was taken as an index of pulmonary vascular injury. WBCs were activated by gentle agitation in a glass container for 10 sec. The filtration coefficient was measured under baseline conditions, and then inactive or activated WBCs were added to the perfusate. The perfusion was stopped for 90 minutes and then the lungs were reperfused. The expression of CD18 on the surface of WBCs was measured by flow cytometry. The filtration coefficient and the pulmonary vascular resistance in lungs exposed to activated WBCs were about 2.5 times and 3.3 times higher, respectively, than those in the lungs exposed to inactive WBCs. These results indicate increases in resistance and in pulmonary vascular permeability. The results of flow cytometry indicated that the mechanical agitation increased the expression of CD18 on the surface of WBCs. In conclusion, WBCs in which adhesiveness has been increased can induce pulmonary vascular injury and can increase pulmonary vascular resistance.

Effects of hypothermia and hyperpotassium on alveolar fluid clearance in the resected human lung

The effect of hypothermia and hyperpotassium on alveolar fluid clearance in the resected human lung was examined by instilling an isosmotic albumin solution with a potassium concentration of 0.3 mEq/l or 20 mEq/l into one segment of a resected lobe within 10 min of surgical removal for bronchogenic carcinoma. The experiments were carried out at 37 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and and 8 degrees C over 4 hr, after which the alveolar fluid was aspirated. Alveolar fluid clearance was calculated by a simple equation using the changes in the albumin concentration of the alveolar fluid. It was found that although hypothermia at 8 degrees C abolished alveolar fluid clearance completely, alveolar fluid clearance at 25 degrees C was not different from that at 37 degrees C. Moreover, although the potassium concentration increased in the alveolar fluid at 37 degrees C and 8 degrees C, hyperpotassium did not affect the alveolar fluid clearance. These findings indicate that the net transport of potassium leans to influx from the alveolar epithelial cells into the alveolar spaces when the alveolar potassium concentration is low, and to efflux from the alveolar spaces when the alveolar potassium concentration is high. Thus, we conclude that hypothermia abolishes alveolar fluid clearance in resected human lungs, but that the potassium concentration in alveolar fluid does not affect alveolar fluid clearance.

[Effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on pulmonary hypertension and lung vascular remodeling in a rat monocrotaline model of human pulmonary hypertension]

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been shown to be a potent pulmonary vasodilator in humans and in many animals. The effects of PGE1 on the development of pulmonary hypertension and on pulmonary vascular remodeling were studied in a rat monocrotaline (MCT) model of human pulmonary hypertension. By 3 weeks after injection, MCT (80 mg/kg S.C.) had resulted in high values of mean pulmonary arterial pressure and of the ratio of right ventricular weight to left ventricle+septum weight (RV/LV+S). PGE1 inhibited the development of pulmonary hypertension (300 micrograms/kg) and right ventricular hypertrophy (300 and 100 micrograms/kg) induced by MCT. Three weeks after the injection, the media walls of pulmonary arteries in lungs from rats given MCT were significantly thicker than those from lungs of control rats. PGE1 (300, 100, and 30 micrograms/kg) resulted in significantly less of this morphologic change, in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that PGE1 inhibits the development of pulmonary hypertension associated with lung vascular thickening induced by MCT. PGE1 may be useful for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in humans.

A new and efficient method to generate human IgG monoclonal antibodies reactive to cancer cells using SCID-hu mice

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are very useful for treatment of cancer, but they are difficult to obtain since immunization of humans is not a practical proposition at present. As an approach to circumvent this problem, we have simultaneously inoculated cancer tissues and regional lymph node cells obtained from lung cancer patients into SCID mice to allow in vivo stimulation of human lymphocytes against autologous cancer tissues. Human immunoglobulins, especially IgG, were observed in the SCID-hu sera, and some showed high reactivity to lung cancer cell lines. Testing of human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines obtained from SCID-hu spleen and thymus for antibody activity revealed 16-45% of them to be reactive to lung cancer cells. These percentages are high as compared with previous reports. Furthermore, we could establish 4 human IgG mAbs reactive to lung cancer cell lines. These results indicate successful stimulation of specific human lymphocytes in vivo, which thereby enables efficient generation of human monoclonal antibodies using SCID-hu mice.

[Assessment of nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) in bronchial dysplasia and roentgenographically occult bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma]

Mean argyrophil nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) per nucleus were determined on columnar epithelium, bronchial dysplasia, roentgenographically occult squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with roentgenographically findings in 76 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded resected specimens. 1) Mean Ag-NOR counts per nucleus (mean +/- standard deviation) were 1.67 +/- 0.30 in 10 columnar epitheliums, 2.74 +/- 0.41 in 13 lesions with bronchial dysplasia, 3.75 +/- 0.59 in 57 lesions with roentgenographically occult squamous cell carcinoma and 4.44 +/- 0.51 in 14 lesions with squamous cell carcinoma with roentgenographically findings. There were significant differences between each two groups. 2) In lesions with squamous call carcinoma, mean Ag-NOR counts per nucleus of T2, T3 or T4 tumor were significantly higher than those of T1 tumor. Mean Ag-NOR counts per nucleus of N1 or N2 tumor were significantly higher than those of N0 tumor.

[A case of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis diagnosed by open lung biopsy]

A 59-year-old man had an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film. He was admitted to Tohoku-chuou Hospital, and a lung lesion in the right lower lobe was diagnosed as a benign nodule. A new nodular lesion appeared on a chest X-ray film taken two months after his discharge from the hospital. Both lesions were in the same lobe; the older one was in segment 9 and the newer one was in segment 10. For the lesion in segment 10, malignancy was not ruled out, so open lung biopsy (right lower lobectomy) was done. With the findings of angitis and focal necrosis surrounded by granulomas consisting of epthelioid cells and multinuclear giant cells, the new lesion in segment 10 was diagnosed as necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis. The older lesion in segment 9 was a tuberculoma. We conclude that in this case the open lung biopsy was necessary to diagnose necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis in lung.

[Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-induced pulmonary vasodilation mediated by EDRF/NO in isolated perfused rat lungs]

We studied the effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) on the pulmonary circulation in isolated perfused rat lungs. VIP caused pulmonary vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was inhibited by pretreatment with L-N omega-nitro-arginine (L-NNA), a competitive inhibitor of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF/NO), but not by meclofenamate, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Addition of L-arginine, a substrate of EDRF/NO, after treatment with L-NNA reversed VIP-induced pulmonary vasodilation. These results indicate that VIP causes pulmonary vasodilation, and they suggest a role for EDRF/NO in VIP-induced pulmonary vasodilation in isolated rat lungs.

[Hydraulic conductivity of the visceral pleura with hemodynamic lung edema in dogs]

Hydraulic conductivity of the visceral pleura was measured in situ in anesthetized dogs. There were two groups: control (n = 7), and edema (n = 5). The 7th intercostal space of the left thorax was opened. In each group, a hemispherical capsule, filled with physiological salt solution, was attached to the visceral pleura of left lobe by negative pressure made with a vacuum pump. In the edema group, pulmonary venous pressure was increased by ligation of the pulmonary vein. The transpleural fluid flow (V) was measured at different intracapsular pressures (delta P). The hydraulic conductivity was calculated from the relation between the fluid flow rate (v) and the intracapsular pressure, i.e., the slope of the linear regression line. The hydraulic conductivities in the control and edema groups were 1.49 +/- 0.68 and 3.19 +/- 1.13 nL.min-1.cmH2O-1.cm-2, respectively. We conclude that the pleural tissue may play an important role in hydraulic conductivity of the visceral pleura when pulmonary venous pressure is high.

[Neutrophil elastase in postoperative pleural effusion of patients who had undergone pulmonary resections]

We determined whether activity of neutrophil elastase increases in pleural effusion after lobectomy for the neoplasm in the lung. Samples of pleural effusion were obtained 3 and 24 h postoperatively and samples of the peripheral blood were obtained preoperatively, 3 h, 24 h, and 1 w postoperatively, then the neutrophil counts, the levels of neutrophil elastase and alpha 1-antitrypsin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the activity of neutrophil elastase using succinyl-(L-alanine) 3-p-nitroanilide were measured. We found that the levels of neutrophil elastase increased 170 times greater in pleural effusion than in peripheral blood 3 h after lobectomy. However, the levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin did not increase in pleural effusion. The activity of neutrophil elastase increased to 0.54 +/- 0.1 mumol/min/l in pleural effusion 3 h after lobectomy, however the activity of neutrophil elastase was under the sensitivity level of detection in the peripheral blood after lobectomy. In conclusion, there is an imbalance between the levels of neutrophil elastase and alpha 1-antitrypsin in pleural effusion after lobectomy, the imbalance resulting in the increased activity of neutrophil elastase which probably is relating to tissue injury in the pleural spaces.

Elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity induced by parathyroid hormone in osteoblast-like cells from the spinal hyperostotic mouse TWY (twy/twy)

We have examined the alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity of primary calvaria-derived osteoblast-like cells from the twy (tip-toe walking Yoshimura) and normal ICR control mouse. The twy mouse displays elevated osseous formation particularly in the spine, and the pathophysiological features resemble that of human ankylosing spinal hyperostosis. In the proliferative stage of cultured bone cells, parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulation induced the elevation of AP activity of both twy and ICR mouse-derived cells. When they reached confluence, the AP activity of ICR mouse-derived cells ceased to increase with PTH stimulation. The twy mouse-derived cells, however, continued to respond to PTH, with the enzyme activity increasing even in the confluent, stationary stage. PTH stimulation also increased the intracellular cAMP content of twy mouse-derived cells but it did not influence that of ICR mouse-derived cells in the stationary stage. Moreover, stimulation with dibutyryl cAMP, but not with phorbol myristate acetate, increased the AP activity of both twy and ICR-derived bone cells irrespective of culture conditions, either in the proliferative or in the confluent stage. These data suggest that the protein kinase A-mediated pathway plays a pivotal role in bone cells with PTH stimulation, and that the uninhibited AP activity observed in twy mouse-derived bone cells might be due to some deviating process between the PTH ligand/receptor interaction and cAMP generation.

Purification and characterization of a non-hemorrhagic metalloprotease from Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus venom

A non-hemorrhagic metalloprotease (protease L4) was purified from the venom of Chinese Mamushi (Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus) by gel filtration and anion-exchange chromatography. Protease L4 has the molecular weight of 22,000 and its optimum pH was 8.5. The protein was stable in the pH range of 5-9 and below 40 degrees C. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by metal-chelating agents and some metal ions. Calcium ion activated the activity dose-dependently, but had only a minor effect on the thermal and pH stability. L4 showed fibrinogenase activity, hydrolyzing only the A alpha chain of fibrinogen. The protease cleaved preferentially at the N-terminal of Leu and His residues of some peptides.

Some binding properties of the envelope of Porphyromonas gingivalis to hemoglobin

Porphyromonas gingivalis was found to bind to hemoproteins (hemoglobin, myoglobin, catalase, cytochrome c) and the binding properties of the envelope of P. gingivalis to hemoglobin were investigated. Maximum amount of hemoglobin bound to 1 mg of the envelope was 58 micrograms. No significant binding was observed at 4 degrees C and the binding was inhibited strongly by tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, Leupeptin, EDTA and partially by meta-periodate. Heating of the envelope at 70 degrees C for 15 min resulted in complete loss of the binding activity. The binding activity of the envelope was not influenced by the treatment with the endogenous proteases. The envelope saturated with hemoglobin could no longer bind to other hemoproteins tested, indicating that binding site for these hemoproteins are common.

The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor produced in the human lung and its effect on liquid movement in the rabbit lung

Levels of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were determined in the plasma and resected lung tissue from patients who underwent pulmonary resection. Moreover, the effect of recombinant human (rh) G-CSF on the permeability of pulmonary endothelium and on liquid clearance from the alveolar spaces was investigated in rabbits. The plasma levels of G-CSF increased from 30 pg/ml preoperatively to 409 +/- 236 pg/ml 3 h postoperatively (P < 0.05), while the levels of G-CSF in the resected lung tissue were increased in the alveolar fluid, to 1,834 +/- 1,054 pg/ml, and in the pulmonary blood, to 5,466 +/- 2,019 pg/ml. It was found that rh G-CSF 25 micrograms administered into the subcutaneous tissue of rabbits increased extravascular lung water to 3.45 +/- 0.26 vs 2.98 +/- 0.20 in control experiments (P < 0.05); however, rhG-CSF 0.75 microgram/kg administered into the alveolar spaces did not affect liquid clearance from the alveolar spaces. The findings of this study led us to conclude that G-CSF is synthesized in the human lung and increases the permeability of pulmonary endothelium, but not liquid clearance across the alveolar epithelium.

Use of the sandwich method with an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene prosthesis and Marlex mesh in sternal reconstruction: report of a case

A 52-year-old Japanese man with a slow-growing chondroma originating from the sternal bone was referred to our hospital. A subtotal resection of the sternum was performed, hereafter termed the "sandwich method," and an originally designed prosthesis made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and Marlex mesh was used for reconstruction. The postoperative course was uneventful without any symptoms due to paradoxical movement of the chest or regional abscess, and no disturbance in the movement of the upper limbs, such as a surgical sequelae, was observed.

Property and amino acid sequence of a subtilisin inhibitor from seeds of beach canavalia (Canavalia lineata)

A subtilisin inhibitor was purified from the seeds of Canavalia lineata by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ultrafiltration on a YM-30 membrane, column chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl and SP-Toyopearl, followed by reverse-phase HPLC. The inhibitor (CLSI-I) is a low molecular weight protein (M(r) about 6500) containing no half-cystine residue, and quite stable as to extreme heat and pH treatment. CLSI-I inhibited subtilisin-type serine proteases including S. griseus alkaline protease. The amino acids of CLSI-I were sequenced by manual Edman degradation after enzymatic digestion with Achromobacter lyticus lysyl endopeptidase and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. CLSI-I contains 65 amino acid residues and showed a high homology to potato inhibitor I family proteins.

Tumor doubling time and prognostic assessment of patients with primary lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Relationships between tumor doubling time (DT) and other prognostic factors and the risk of death related to these factors are not yet fully understood.

METHODS

Tumor doubling time of primary lung carcinomas of 174 patients, detected in a limited number of local municipalities during a limited period, was calculated using the Schwartz formula. Survival rate of the 174 patients was compared with reference to categories of prognostic factors (univariate analyses) and significant factors affecting survival were identified by multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

Tumor doubling time had a log normal distribution. There was a significant difference in mean DT in relation to sex, smoking history, presence of symptoms, cell type, primary tumor factor, and stage. Univariate analyses showed a significant difference in survival in relation to DT, age, sex, method of tumor detection, smoking history, symptoms, therapy, cell type, primary tumor (T) factor, regional lymph node (N) factor, distant metastasis (M) factor, and stage. Multivariate analyses using the Cox's proportional hazard model in a stepwise fashion identified a final set of five significant variables: N factor (P = 0.0001); therapy (P = 0.0016); M factor (P = 0.0017); T factor (P = 0.0018), and DT (P = 0.0152).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor doubling time was an independent and significant prognostic factor for lung cancer patients.

Expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase genes in the developing brain of mouse and rat

We have examined the expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase genes in the embryonic brain of mouse and rat with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Several receptor and cytoplasmic types of tyrosine phosphatase genes were detected. Among them a novel gene was identified from mouse and rat brain, respectively. The partial amino acid sequences reveal that the new genes found in the developing brain of mouse and rat are homologous each other. Since they retain conserved phosphatase sequences, they may represent a family of protein tyrosine phosphatase gene that is commonly expressed in rodent brain.

Alveolar fluid clearance in the resected human lung

Although the mechanisms responsible for alveolar liquid clearance have been studied in several species, there has not been any information regarding the effect of ion transport agonists or antagonists on alveolar liquid clearance in the human lung. Therefore, we studied alveolar liquid clearance in the recently resected human lung from patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer. A test solution of 40 ml of isosmolar albumin solution was instilled into one segment of a resected lobe within 10 min of resection. Because protein leaves the air spaces very slowly, the concentration of alveolar protein over 4 h was used to quantify alveolar liquid clearance. Basal alveolar liquid clearance was 12 +/- 2% over 4 h. Amiloride (10(-5) M), an inhibitor of apical Na+ uptake, and ouabain (10(-3) M), an inhibitor of Na,K-ATPase activity, reduced alveolar liquid clearance by 40 and 49%, respectively (p < 0.005). Terbutaline (10(-3) or 10(-4) M) doubled alveolar liquid clearance to 28 +/- 9% over 4 h (p < 0.05). Propranolol (10(-4) M) and amiloride (10(-5) M) inhibited the terbutaline-induced increase in alveolar liquid clearance. In conclusion, (1) alveolar liquid clearance in the human lung can be markedly reduced by inhibition of apical sodium channel uptake or Na,K-ATPase activity, and (2) beta-adrenergic stimulation markedly increases the rate of alveolar liquid clearance in the resected human lung without pulmonary perfusion.

[Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on transport of protein and liquid from alveolar spaces in anesthetized rabbits]

We determined the effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on transport of protein and liquid across the alveolar epithelium in anesthetized rabbits. Following the injection of 3 microCi of 131I-albumin in anesthetized rabbits as a vascular marker, we instilled 3 ml/kg of 5% albumin solution with 10(7) or 10(9) CFU P. aeruginosa, 3 microCi of 125I-albumin and 3 mg of Evans blue into the alveolar spaces of the right lung. The rabbits were ventilated with 60-100% oxygen and 1-2% halothane over 8 h. We removed the lungs and aspirated the alveolar fluid 8 h after instillation. We measured protein concentration in instilled and aspirated alveolar fluid, and radioisotope counts in alveolar fluid, homogenized lung and plasma. Then we calculated the influx and efflux of radioisotope across the alveolar epithelium. Liquid clearance from the alveolar spaces and the lungs was calculated using protein concentration of alveolar fluid and extravascular lung water. In the experiments with 10(9) CFU P. aeruginosa, we found that 125I-albumin remaining in the lungs decreased and 125I-albumin in plasma increased. Lung liquid clearance decreased by 15%. However, protein and liquid clearance in the experiments with 10(7) CFU P. aeruginosa or autologous serum were not different from those in the control experiments. P. aeruginosa was cultural from blood, right pleural effusion, and liver in the experiments with 10(9) CFU P. aeruginosa, but not in the experiments with the alveolar epithelium, but decreases clearance of liquid from the alveolar spaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)