Cyclosporin A and FK506 prevent the derepression of the IL-2 gene in mitogen-induced primary T lymphocytes

In resting primary T lymphocytes the interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene is silenced by a repressor binding to the Pud element spanning positions -292 to -264 upstream of the cap site. Upon T-cell activation, this silencer is displaced by a positive transcription factor (TF) and the gene is derepressed and transcribed. Cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506 interfere with normal derepression of the IL-2 gene. Both drugs exert no direct effect on basal transcription of the IL-2 or control viral genes. Direct addition does not abolish the active state of positive TFs present in proteins from activated T cells. However, if T cells are activated in the presence of either drug, their proteins not only fail to derepress, but efficiently and irreversibly silence IL-2 transcription. DNA-protein binding data show that proteins present in drug-treated cells form retarded complexes corresponding in size to the silencer and positive TF. Thus, in drug-treated cells a functional silencer persists, and a positive TF-like factor appears which is functionally abnormal. Moreover, drug-treated T cells appear to form a component that prevents functioning of normal positive TF.

Direct gene transfer to the liver with herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors: transient production of physiologically relevant levels of circulating factor IX

We have used gene transfer vectors derived from a replication-defective mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) expressing the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), or canine factor IX (cFIX) from the immediate early promoter of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) to infect mouse liver by direct injection or through the portal vein. By either route, high levels of transgene expression were demonstrated by the detection of immunoreactive HBsAg or cFIX in the circulation and by histochemical detection of beta-gal activity in situ. The results were striking in that the serum level of cFIX reached 10% of the normal murine levels. Although the level of transgene expression from the hCMV promoter was transient, a significant number of persistent vectors could be rescued from the livers of recipient mice up to 2 months after inoculation. Replacement of the hCMV promoter with the HSV-1 latency-associated transcript (LAT) promoter resulted in reduced but prolonged expression of both HBsAg and cFIX. The very high level of factor IX expression suggests that clinically useful gene transfer may eventually be feasible through direct vector delivery to the liver.

[Use of airway stent subsequent to endoscopic Nd-YAG laser treatment in central airway obstruction]

Ten cases of central airway obstruction mainly caused by extrinsic compression due to the growth of extratracheal malignant tumors or longitudinal extension of tracheal adenoid cystic carcinomas, underwent palliative intubation subsequent to endoscopic Nd-YAG laser treatment. Mean length of the severe stenosis in these cases was 4.4 cm (3-7 cm). Sole application of endoscopic Nd-YAG laser to the stenosis failed relief of the symptom and an immediate palliative intubation was recommended. Mean time of the temporary intubation was 7 days (4-11 days). Airway was maintained by this intubation and also retained enough after extubation. Therefore, it seemed that, in a palliative treatment of the central airway severe stenosis, usefulness of the combination management of Nd-YAG laser with following temporary intubation was revealed. However, in order to maintain the airway for recurrence of the obstruction, use of indwelling airway stents seemed a better application. The longest period of follow-up in the cases treated by indwelling airway stents was 6 months and one of the cases is a now in comfortable state.

Induction of cytochrome P450 isozymes in human amnion FL cells and its application to the biological detection of mutagens

Using AHH, EROD, ECOD and APND as marker enzymes and 3-MC, beta-NF, NE and PB as inducers, inducible cytP450 IA and IIB gene expression was demonstrated in the human amnion FL cell line; these cells possess a broad spectrum of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Maximum induction was observed following co-treatment with 3-MC and NE. Both constitutive and induced AHH were proved to have the characteristics of cytP448-dependent mixed-function oxygenases. Induced cytP450 isozyme activity remained at a high level for 24-36 h after removal of the inducer. The induced FL cells were demonstrated to activate common promutagens/procarcinogens in UDS and ADPRT-mediated decrease of NAD content assay systems. This new design can be used as a simplified mutagen screening system: no supplemental liver microsomal activation system is needed.

[Anti-inflammatory activities and effect of rhizoma Alismatis on immune system]

10 and 20 g/kg ig of Rhizoma Alismatis (RA) markedly decrease the clearance rate of charcoal particles in mice, but have no significant effect on the weight of immune organs, or on the content of serum antibody hemolysin and immunoglobulin G and the delayed footpad edema induced by sheep red blood cell. The contact dermatitis of mouse pinnae immunized with dinitrochlorobenzene is inhibited by RA when it is given before challenge. In addition, RA 20g/kg suppresses the swelling of mouse rinnae induced by xylene and the proliferation of granuloma induced by cotton-pellet in rats. However, the content of vitamin C in the adrenal of rats is not clearly affected by RA.

[Pharmacological studies on the Chinese drug radix Angelicae dahuricae]

Several species of the Chinese drug Angelica dahurica from different habitats have been studied in terms of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic actions and acute toxicity. The medical value of these species is reported in this paper as a guideline for their clinic application.

The ryanodine receptor/junctional channel complex is regulated by growth factors in a myogenic cell line

The ryanodine receptor/junctional channel complex (JCC) forms the calcium release channel and foot structures of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The JCC and the dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor in the transverse tubule are two of the major components involved in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in skeletal muscle. The DHP receptor is believed to serve as the voltage sensor in E-C coupling. Both the JCC and DHP receptor, as well as many skeletal muscle-specific contractile protein genes, are expressed in the BC3H1 muscle cell line. In the present study, we find that during differentiation of BC3H1 cells, induced by mitogen withdrawal, induction of the JCC and DHP receptor mRNAs is temporally similar to that of the skeletal muscle contractile protein genes alpha-tropomyosin and alpha-actin. Our data suggest that there is coordinate regulation of both the contractile protein genes (which have been studied in detail previously) and the genes encoding the calcium channels involved in E-C coupling. Induction of both calcium channels is accompanied by profound changes in BC3H1 cell morphology including the development of many components of mature skeletal muscle cells, despite lack of myoblast fusion. Visualized by electron microscopy, the JCC appears as "foot structures" located in the dyad junction between the plasmalemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum of the BC3H1 cells. Development of foot structures is concomitant with JCC mRNA expression. Expression of the JCC and DHP receptor mRNAs and formation of the foot structures are inhibited specifically by fibroblast growth factor.

[Histopathologic study on resected hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter hepatic arterial chemo-embolization]

21 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were surgically resected about 14 or 21 days after transcatheter hepatic arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) mostly for histopathologic assessment of effectiveness. Results showed that complete necrosis of all the tumor bulk was seen in one case (case no. 8) in this series. Partial necrosis of the tumor mass was demonstrated in 19 cases. In 6 cases, the necrotic area was over 50%. In 8 cases, it was between 25-49% and in 5 cases it was below 25%. This strongly indicates a certain effectiveness of TACE on HCC. However, the presence of viable residual tumor in 20 cases, including one with complete viability of the tumor (case no. 1), also suggested the necessity of surgical resection. The case of complete necrosis was related to the frequency of the catheter arriving at the tumor, to the types of embolizing drug, and to the morphopathologic features of the tumor.

[Determination of coumarins in radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after processing]

This paper reports the contents of coumarins in Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after processing. By CS-930 TLC scanner, the total contents have been determined to be 0.190%, 0.571%, 0.178% and 0.421% respectively.

Selective extraction of outer-membrane proteins from membrane complexes of Pseudomonas maltophila by chloroform-methanol

An organic phase partitioning method is described for the selective purification of outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) from the total membrane complex of the opportunistic human and sheep pathogen, Pseudomonas maltophila. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed that OMPs purified by chloroform-methanol treatment of the total membrane complex were not only identical to OMPs extracted from outer-membrane vesicles separated by sucrose gradient density centrifugation, but also possessed little or non-detectable levels of inner-membrane contaminants. Further analysis by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting established that OMPs extracted by organic phase partitioning with chloroform-methanol retained antigenicity and serological activity indistinguishable from OMPs that were present in outer-membrane vesicles resolved by isopycnic sucrose density centrifugation of sarkosyl-treated membrane complexes.

[Effects of oleanolic acid on immune system and type I allergic reaction]

Oleanolic acid (OLA)50, 100 mg/kg sc antagonised the inhibitory effect of cortisone on the weights of spleen and thymus, decreased the clearance rate of charcoal particles in mice. The production of serum specific antibody hemolysin was not clearly affected by OLA. The administration of OLA 100 mg/kg enhanced the development of serum antibody immunoglobulin G in mice and showed marked inhibition on the hemolytic activity of the total complement by classical pathway in guinea pigs. In addition, the homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice or rats and the degranulation of mast cells of calvarial periosteum in rats were significantly prevented by OLA 50, 100 mg/kg. The increased capillary permeability in the rat skin caused by intradermic injection of histamine was also reduced by OLA 100 mg/kg. These results indicate that OLA inhibited the type I allergic reaction.

[Anti-inflammatory effect of fructus Ligustri Lucidi]

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) inhibits the edema of hind Paw induced by injection of 1% carrageenin 0.1 ml, fresh egg 0.1 ml or 2.5% formaldehyde 0.1 ml in rats, and suppresses the increased vascular permeability induced by 0.7% acetic acid in mice and the proliferation of granuloma induced by cottonpellet in rats. The swelling of ear induced by xylene in mice and the content of prostaglandin E in inflammatory tissue of rats are also decreased by FLL. FLL increase the weight of adrenal in rats, but has no marked effect on the weight of thymus of rats.

Semliki Forest virus capsid protein acts as a pleiotropic regulator of host cellular protein synthesis

The Semliki Forest virus capsid (C) protein was introduced into various target cells by electroporation-, liposome-, and erythrocyte-ghost-mediated delivery. Data are presented which show that the incorporated C protein is biologically active and, at low concentrations (10(3) to 10(4) molecules per cell), markedly induces host cellular protein synthesis (average value, up to 90%). On the other hand, high concentrations (10(5) to 10(6) molecules per cell) led to a significant inhibition (average value, up to 60%). The cellular response to C protein was found to be identical in P3X63Ag8 suspension cells, CV-1 cells, and GpBind4 cells. Following electroporation-mediated delivery of C-protein molecules, both induction and repression of cellular protein synthesis were immediate, whereas with liposome-mediated delivery these events were delayed by about 1 h. Maximum stimulation and repression occurred between 0 and 1 h after delivery of C protein and decreased thereafter to reach control values at about 4 h. The analysis of the proteins synthesized suggests that low amounts of microinjected C protein are responsible for the induction of classes with specific Mrs, whereas high amounts lead to an inhibition of overall protein synthesis.

Effect of graded low-dose noradrenaline infusions on noradrenaline clearance in normals and essential hypertensives

1. In normal subjects and essential hypertensives, plasma noradrenaline (NA) levels, and NA clearance (3H-NA constant infusion), were measured during graded infusion of NA. 2. Plasma levels of NA were similar in both groups, with parallel increases to levels approximately three times basal, but still in the upper normal range. 3. Clearance did not increase in either group with increasing plasma NA levels. There was no correlation between plasma NA achieved and NA clearance, which was similar in hypertensives and normotensives. 5. Insofar as plasma clearance reflects tissue clearance, these studies provide no support for the contention that altered NA metabolism might predispose to elevated NA levels in essential hypertension.