Usefulness of surface phenotype study of intrathyroidal lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration cytology in autoimmune thyroid disease and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid

OBJECTIVES

The surface phenotypes of intrathyroidal lymphocytes have been studied in various thyroid diseases. In most of the previous reports, intrathyroidal lymphocytes were obtained by surgical operation. We evaluated the usefulness of surface phenotype study of intrathyroidal lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of Graves' disease, chronic thyroiditis, and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

Eighty-seven untreated patients including 24 with Graves' disease, 59 with chronic thyroiditis, and 4 with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid, and 2 treated patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid were studied. Surface phenotypes of the peripheral lymphocytes and the intrathyroidal lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration were analyzed using a FACScan and the monoclonal antibodies: anti-Leu5b/CD2, Leu4/CD3, Leu3a/CD4, Leu2a/CD8, and Leu12/CD19. Percentages of cells positive for each monoclonal antibody were calculated. In one case with malignant lymphoma, monoclonal antibodies to surface-immunoglobulin markers were also studied.

RESULTS

In peripheral lymphocytes, the percentage of positive cells in each phenotype was almost normal in each disease. In intrathyroidal lymphocytes, the percentage of CD19 positive cells was increased, and the percentage of CD2 and CD3 positive cells was reduced compared to those of peripheral lymphocytes in each disease. The percentage of intrathyroidal CD19 positive cells was remarkably high in malignant lymphoma, constituting more than 70% of cells. In Graves' disease, a relative decrease in the percentage of intrathyroidal CD4 positive cells and an increase in CD8 positive cells compared to peripheral lymphocytes were observed. In 2 treated patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid, the intrathyroidal CD19 positive cells almost disappeared in a patient shortly after successful treatment, and reappeared to constitute 76% of cells in a patient in relapse. In one case with malignant lymphoma in which monoclonal antibodies to surface-immunoglobulin markers were studied, the clonality of the affected cells could be demonstrated; more than 70% of the cells were positive for kappa light-chain and mu and delta heavy-chain. This finding was proved by subsequent immunohistochemical study based on open biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Surface phenotype study of intrathyroid lymphocytes obtained by fine needle aspiration has limited utility in the evaluation or diagnosis of Graves' disease and chronic thyroiditis. However, this simple rapid method is very helpful in the diagnosis and follow up of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.

Antiarrhythmic effects of a novel class III drug, KCB-328, on canine ventricular arrhythmia models

KCB-328 is a newly synthesized class III drug. To determine whether this drug has antiarrhythmic or proarrhythmic effects, we used canine ventricular arrhythmia models induced by coronary ligation and reperfusion, programmed electrical stimulation (PES), two-stage coronary ligation, digitalis, or epinephrine. KCB-328, in an intravenous infusion of 0.5 mg/kg/30 min, prolonged the QTc interval only 11%, but had antiarrhythmic effects on the reentry arrhythmias induced by PES (12 of 12 dogs with old myocardial infarction; p < 0.05). KCB-328, in an infusion of 1 mg/kg/h, suppressed the occurrence of fatal ventricular fibrillation (VF) induced by coronary ligation and reperfusion under either halothane anesthesia (p < 0.05) or pentobarbital anesthesia (p < 0.05). Under the halothane anesthesia, KCB-328 alone showed proarrhythmic effects [i.e., induction of ventricular premature contractions (VPCs)], but it did not induce a more severe effect such as torsades de pointes-type ventricular tachycardia (VT). In addition, KCB-328 had weak antiarrhythmic effects on the automaticity arrhythmias induced by 24-h coronary ligation but was effective neither on 48-h coronary ligation arrhythmias nor on the digitalis- and epinephrine-induced arrhythmias. Our results indicate that KCB-328 has powerful antiarrhythmic effects with fewer proarrhythmic potencies.

Autoimmune enteropathy with severe atrophic gastritis and colitis in an adult: proposal of a generalized autoimmune disorder of the alimentary tract

BACKGROUND

We describe the case of an adult with autoimmune enteropathy consistent with both severe atrophic gastritis accompanying antral stenosis and colitis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The patient, positive for anti-intrinsic factor antibody, had intractable diarrhea and protein-losing enteropathy. In the ileum inflammatory cells were observed infiltrating the lamina propria along with villus atrophy, and similar inflammation was also found in the lamina propria of the colon and stomach, with complete loss of specialized glands. The myenteric ganglion cells of the hypertrophied muscularis propria in the stenosed antrum showed degeneration with surrounding T-lymphocyte infiltration. There were more CD8+ than CD4 lymphocytes in the lamina propria of the stomach and colon.

CONCLUSIONS

The CD8+ (suppressor-cytotoxic) T lymphocytes may have played an important role in the production of lesions in the stomach, small intestine, and colon, so we propose this case as an example of a generalized autoimmune disorder of the alimentary tract.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in wild terrestrial mammals and birds from Chubu region, Japan: interspecies comparison of the residue levels and compositions

In order to understand the residue levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs) and their accumulation patterns in wildlife inhabiting Chubu region, Japan, the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), DDT compounds (DDTs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in 8 species of terrestrial mammals and 10 species of birds. In view of feeding habits, the contamination levels of OCs were found to be higher in omnivorous mammals than in herbivorous ones, and in fish-eating ones and raptores than in omnivorous birds. In fox and dog, PCB-180 (2, 2', 3, 4, 4', 5, 5'-heptachlorobiphenyl) was the most dominant PCB congener, while in the other species PCB-153 (2, 2', 4, 4', 5, 5'-hexachlorobiphenyl) was the most persistent. The ratios of lower chlorinated PCB congeners (tri- to tetra-) to total PCBs were larger in fish-eating birds than in the other birds. The results indicate that the compositions of PCB congeners would reflect the differences of feeding habits and xenobiotic metabolizing systems among each species.

Accumulation Features of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Resident and Migratory Birds from South India

Persistent organochlorines such as DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in whole-body homogenates of resident and migratory birds collected from South India. Organochlorine contamination pattern in birds varied depending on their migratory behaviour. Resident birds contained relatively greater concentrations of HCHs (14-8,800 ng/g wet wt) than DDTs and PCBs concentrations. In contrast, migrants exhibited elevated concentrations of PCBs (20-4,400 ng/g wet wt). The sex differences in concentrations and burdens of organochlorines in birds were pronounced, with females containing lower levels than males. Inland piscivores and scavengers accumulated greater concentrations of HCHs and DDTs while coastal piscivores contained comparable or greater amounts of PCBs. Global comparison of organochlorine concentrations indicated that resident birds in India had the highest residues of HCHs and moderate to high residues of DDTs. It is, therefore, proposed that migratory birds wintering in India acquire considerable amounts of HCHs and DDTs. Estimates of hazards associated with organochlorine levels in resident and migratory birds in India suggested that Pond Heron, Little Ringed Plover, and Terek Sandpiper may be at risk from exposure to DDTs.

Intracranial facial nerve neurinoma: surgical strategy of tumor removal and functional reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Three cases with intracranial facial neurinoma underwent tumor removal and facial nerve reconstruction with or without tympanoplasty. Surgical strategy for each case was tailored to: (1) the site of main tumor mass, (2) its extension along the facial nerve, and (3) involvement of the auditory organs.

METHODS

Surgeries adopted in the three cases were: transpetrosal approach with intracranial-intratemporal facial nerve anastomosis, middle fossa and transmastoid approach with intratemporal facial nerve anstomosis and tympanoplasty, and middle fossa and transmastoid approach with intracranial-intratemporal facial nerve anastomosis and tympanoplasty. The greater auricular nerve was used as the nerve graft for all three cases.

RESULTS

In the follow-up period of 8-13 months there was no tumor recurrence; facial function was scored 20/90 in modified May's scoring system in each case, but two are still in the process of functional recovery. One of the two cases who underwent tympanoplasty showed complete recovery of hearing within 1 month, and the other showed worsened hearing, which was not serviceable at 3 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Systematic surgical approach for tumor removal, facial nerve reconstruction, and auditory reconstruction should be considered in cases with intracranial facial neurinoma due to its varied clinical features.

KCB-328: a novel class III antiarrhythmic agent with little reverse frequency dependence in isolated guinea pig myocardium

The effects of 1-(2-amino-4-methanesulfonamidophenoxy)-2-[N-(3,4-dimethoxypheneth yl)-N-methylamino] ethane hydrochloride (KCB-328), in comparison with those of dofetilide, were studied on the action potentials (APs) of isolated guinea pig papillary muscles. KCB-328 (0.003-3 microM) concentration-dependently prolonged the AP duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) at 1- and 3-Hz pacing, and the concentration-response relations at 1 and 3 Hz resemble each other. Dofetilide (0.001-1 microM) also produced the concentration-dependent prolongation of APD90 but more pronouncedly at 1 than at 3 Hz, demonstrating the reverse frequency-dependent effect. KCB-328 at 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1 microM increased APD90 by 11 +/- 1, 19 +/- 1, 25 +/- 1, and 29 +/- 1% at 3 Hz and by 9 +/- 1, 19 +/- 2, 27 +/- 2, and 33 +/- 2% at 1 Hz, respectively. Prolongation of the effective refractory period (ERP) by each drug is parallel to those of APD90 at each pacing frequency. KCB-328 modified neither the maximal velocity of depolarization, amplitude of AP, and resting membrane potential in the fast APs, nor any parameters of the slow APs. In a separate experiment, the effects of KCB-328 on the ERP of contractile response (ERPc) of excised guinea-pig papillary muscles also were studied at 1 and 3 Hz. KCB-328 (0.01-10 microM) lengthened the ERPc in a concentration-dependent and frequency-independent manner as in the electrophysiologic results. This frequency-independent ERPc prolongation by KCB-328 was not influenced by increased extracellular K+ concentration from 4 to 10 mM. These results suggest that KCB-328 might be a selective class III agent with effects that are relatively frequency independent.

A prospective randomized study of amoxycillin and omeprazole with and without metronidazole in the eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori

A combination of amoxycillin and omeprazole is often used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. A three-drug regimen comprising metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole has been proposed as an alternative therapy. In a prospective, randomized, comparative study, we evaluated these two regimens with respect to safety and efficacy in patients with H. pylori infection. Sixty patients with peptic ulcer (gastric, 32 patients; duodenal, 28 patients) who had a history of ulcer recurrence were randomly assigned to dual therapy with amoxycillin (500 mg three times daily for 2 weeks) and omeprazole (20 mg once daily for 8 weeks) or to triple therapy with metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for 2 weeks) plus amoxycillin and omeprazole, given in the same dosages as dual therapy. Forty-eight patients completed the protocol; treatment was discontinued because of side effects in nine patients, and three patients dropped out of the study. On the basis of all patients treated, the rate of H. pylori eradication was significantly higher for triple therapy 20/23 cases, 87.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.664-0.972) than for dual therapy 13/25, 52.0%; 0.313-0.722; P < 0.05). On an intention-to-treat basis, the difference between the groups in the rate of H. pylori eradication was marginally significant (P = 0.06 [0.028-0.512]). Side effects were reported by five patients receiving triple therapy (skin rash, one; nausea, two; headache, one; abdominal pain, one), and four patients receiving dual therapy (skin rash, two; abdominal pain, one; diarrhoea, one). All side effects resolved spontaneously after termination of treatment. There was no significant difference in safety between the two regimens. Triple therapy with metronidazole, amoxycillin, and omeprazole was significantly more effective for the eradication of H. pylori than dual therapy with amoxycillin and omeprazole alone. The safety of these regimens was similar, and triple therapy was found to be clinically acceptable.

Intramolecular cross-linking of the extrinsic 33-kDa protein leads to loss of oxygen evolution but not its ability of binding to photosystem II and stabilization of the manganese cluster

The extrinsic 33-kDa protein of photosystem II (PSII) was intramolecularly cross-linked by a zero-length cross-linker, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide. The resulting cross-linked 33-kDa protein rebound to urea/NaCl-washed PSII membranes, which stabilized the binding of manganese as effectively as the untreated 33-kDa protein. In contrast, the oxygen evolution was not restored by binding of the cross-linked protein, indicating that the binding and manganese-stabilizing capabilities of the 33-kDa protein are retained but its reactivating ability is lost by intramolecular cross-linking of the protein. From measurements of CD spectra at high temperatures, the secondary structure of the intramolecularly cross-linked 33-kDa protein was found to be stabilized against heat treatment at temperatures 20 degrees C higher than that of the untreated 33-kDa protein, suggesting that structural flexibility of the 33-kDa protein was much decreased by the intramolecular cross-linking. The rigid structure is possibly responsible for the loss of the reactivating ability of the 33-kDa protein, which implies that binding of the 33-kDa protein to PSII is accompanied by a conformational change essential for the reactivation of oxygen evolution. Peptide mapping, N-terminal sequencing, and mass spectroscopic analysis of protease-digested products of the intramolecularly cross-linked 33-kDa protein revealed that cross-linkings occurred between the amino group of Lys48 and the carboxyl group of Glu246, and between the carboxyl group of Glu10 and the amino group of Lys14. These cross-linked amino acid residues are thus closely associated with each other through electrostatic interactions.

6-Methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate and its homologues as food-originated compounds with antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Cruciferae plants, banana and coriander each showed antibacterial activity. The highest activity among the food-stuffs tested was found in the stems of wasabi. An ethereal extract from wasabi stems had potent antibacterial activity and we isolated the active compound from the extract. Instrumental analysis identified the compound as 6-methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate. Some homologues of 6-methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate were also active against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

The Two Nuclei in the Dikaryon of the Homobasidiomycete Coprinus cinereus Change Position after Each Conjugate Division

We constructed a common-AB diploid strain of Coprinus cinereus and mated this to a compatible haploid strain to construct a diploid-haploid dikaryon. We examined the positions of the diploid and haploid nuclei in the apical and subapical cells of the dikaryon by fluorescence microscopy and microfluorometry. In 60% of apical cells the leading nucleus (the nucleus proximal to the hyphal apex) was diploid and the second nucleus (the nucleus distal to the apex) was haploid, whereas in the remaining 40% of apical cells the order of the two nuclei was reversed. It was also observed that in 97% of hyphae examined the order of the diploid and haploid nuclei was reversed between the apical cell and the subapical cell. Based on these observations, we conclude that the two nuclei alternate in taking the leading and second positions in the apical cell at almost every conjugate division in the dikaryon. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

In vitro inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 and enzyme activity by butyltin compounds in marine mammals

The present study attempted to examine the in-vitro inhibition of hepatic microsomal P450 content and activity by butyltins in marine mammals and discussed on their possible effects in animals in the wild. Decreases in P450 content and the activities of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD, catalyzed by CYPIA subfamily) and penthoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD, catalyzed by CYP2B subfamily) by tributyltin (TBT) were observed in in-vitro experiments using hepatic microsomes of a pinniped and a cetacean. Among P450 family, EROD activity is more sensitive to TBT than P450 content and PROD activity, indicating a specific mode of action of TBT on different P450 forms. On the other hand, dibutyltin and monobutyltin have no inhibitory effect on EROD activity at concentrations less than 0.5 mM, indicating that the inhibition of enzyme activity in hepatic microsome of marine mammal is mainly by TBT. TBT concentrations that affect P450 contents and activities are above 10 times higher than the values found in the liver of various marine mammals.

Simultaneous determination of cysteine sulfinic acid and hypotaurine in rat tissues by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA) and hypotaurine (HT) were determined by electrochemical detection with a glassy carbon electrode at 0.95 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The separation of CSA and HT was accomplished by coupled-column liquid chromatography, consisting of an anion-exchange column and a cation-exchange column. For the determination of CSA and HT in rat tissues, a column-switching system was introduced to remove interferences from late-eluting endogenous substances. The limits of determination were 0.05 microM for both sulfinic acids. The average precisions (C.V.) over the concentration range of 0.05 to 5 microM were 4.3% for CSA and 4.2% for HT.

Identification of a new mouse beta-chemokine, thymus-derived chemotactic agent 4, with activity on T lymphocytes and mesangial cells

Thymus-derived chemotactic agent 4 (TCA4), a new member of the beta-chemokine family, was cloned from a mouse thymic cDNA library. High levels of TCA4 mRNA are expressed in thymus; lower levels of message are found in spleen, heart, and kidney. Anti-TCA4 antibodies were used to localize sites of TCA4 expression within lymphoid tissues. In the thymus, UEA-1+ medullary epithelial cells, some endothelial cells, and additional undefined stromal elements were stained with anti-TCA4. TCA4 was also expressed as a meshlike network in splenic white pulp and in the medullary region of the lymph nodes. In addition, some lymph node and splenic blood vessels stained with anti-TCA4 antibodies. Rel B NFkappaB-deficient mice lack a transcription factor required for the generation of dendritic cells and the development of an organized thymic medulla. Rel B-deficient animals express very low levels of TCA4 in the thymus and little or no TCA4 in the periphery. At subnanomolar concentrations, TCA4 is a chemoattractant of mature T cells; the potential role of this novel chemokine in facilitating normal lymphocyte traffic is discussed. TCA4 is also a chemoattractant of cultured mesangial cells. Neutralizing anti-TCA4 mAb was used to demonstrate the specificity of TCA4-mediated cell migration. Finally, competitive binding studies with a SV40-transformed mouse mesangial cell line demonstrated that other murine beta-chemokines (monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, and thymus-derived chemotactic agent 3) do not compete for TCA4 binding.

Identification of a new mouse beta-chemokine, thymus-derived chemotactic agent 4, with activity on T lymphocytes and mesangial cells

Thymus-derived chemotactic agent 4 (TCA4), a new member of the beta-chemokine family, was cloned from a mouse thymic cDNA library. High levels of TCA4 mRNA are expressed in thymus; lower levels of message are found in spleen, heart, and kidney. Anti-TCA4 antibodies were used to localize sites of TCA4 expression within lymphoid tissues. In the thymus, UEA-1+ medullary epithelial cells, some endothelial cells, and additional undefined stromal elements were stained with anti-TCA4. TCA4 was also expressed as a meshlike network in splenic white pulp and in the medullary region of the lymph nodes. In addition, some lymph node and splenic blood vessels stained with anti-TCA4 antibodies. Rel B NFkappaB-deficient mice lack a transcription factor required for the generation of dendritic cells and the development of an organized thymic medulla. Rel B-deficient animals express very low levels of TCA4 in the thymus and little or no TCA4 in the periphery. At subnanomolar concentrations, TCA4 is a chemoattractant of mature T cells; the potential role of this novel chemokine in facilitating normal lymphocyte traffic is discussed. TCA4 is also a chemoattractant of cultured mesangial cells. Neutralizing anti-TCA4 mAb was used to demonstrate the specificity of TCA4-mediated cell migration. Finally, competitive binding studies with a SV40-transformed mouse mesangial cell line demonstrated that other murine beta-chemokines (monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, and thymus-derived chemotactic agent 3) do not compete for TCA4 binding.

[Cross-reactivity between bromelain and soluble fraction from wheat flour]

It is revealed that patients allergic to a water-soluble fraction from wheat flour were sensitive to pineapple enzyme, bromelain. Since bromelain has a high similarity to other SH-proteases such as papain, it may imply that the patients may recognize varieties of other SH-proteases as the epitope.

[Etiological analysis of thrombophilia]

We have established a system for etiological analysis of thrombophilia which includes assays of antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, plasminogen, fibrinogen, heparin cofactor II and lupus anticoagulants as well as gene analysis. The analysis conducted on 115 patients with venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis and small vessel thrombosis revealed that forty-one patients(36% of the examined patients) were accompanied with decreased activities of protein S, protein C, antithrombin III and plasminogen. Eleven candidate causal mutations were found by gene analysis. These studies indicate that a comprehensive examination is instrumental in identifying and confirming the etiology in patients with thrombophilia.

[Direct surgical management of giant and large intracerebral aneurysms, associated with intraluminal thrombus and/or atherosclerotic thickening of aneurysmal neck]

Direct surgical management of giant or large cerebral aneurysms remains one of the most challenging topics in the neurosurgical field. Surgical results have remained unsatisfactory. We review 22 cases of large or giant aneurysms with intraluminal thrombus and/or atherosclerotic thickening of the aneurysmal neck that have received direct surgical management in our department during the period from 1984 to 1996. As initial symptoms, ten patients presented with mass effect, five with ischemic attack, and three with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Sixteen aneurysms were supratentorial and six were in the posterior fossa. Direct neck clipping was attempted in sixteen cases. Two giant basilar aneurysms among them were clipped under deep hypothermia with cardiac arrest. Simple trapping of the parent artery was performed in three aneurysms and trapping with bypass graft was also carried out in three aneurysms. Ten patients made an excellent clinical recovery. Eleven patients suffered mild to severe disability. One death resulted from brain stem infarction, not directly related with surgical management. Appropriate preoperative assessment and intraoperative management of the associated thrombus and atherosclerotic change of the aneurysmal neck are essential for obtaining acceptable surgical results of large or giant cerebral aneurysms.

Thrombophilia found in patients with moyamoya disease

Sixteen patients with Moyamoya disease and four with quasi-Moyamoya disease were investigated in order to elucidate the presence of thrombophilia. The assay system for diagnosing thrombophilia consisted of assessing both the activity and antigen levels of antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, fibrinogen and plasminogen as well as detecting lupus anticoagulants. The analysis revealed that one third (four definite cases and three quasi-cases) of the examined patients demonstrated either congenital or acquired thrombotic tendency. Protein C deficiency was found in two definite cases and in two quasi-cases among whom one quasi-case was identified to have a hereditary type I Protein C deficiency. Protein S deficiency was found in one definite case and in one quasi-case. Type II plasminogen deficiency was found in one quasi-case, and lupus anticoagulant was present in one quasi-case. Based on these findings, an evaluation of thrombophilia should thus be performed when both diagnosing and treating suspected cases of Moyamoya disease.

cDNA cloning of a short type of multidrug resistance protein homologue, SMRP, from a human lung cancer cell line

Members of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily are involved in the energy-dependent transport of a wide variety of substrates including anticancer agents across the membranes. We have cloned a cDNA fragment including a novel ABC sequence from a cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, PC-14/CDDP, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using degenerate primers and screened a cDNA library using the cDNA fragment as a probe. A full-length cDNA clone, BM4.8, was obtained. Sequence analysis showed that the cDNA encoded a short type of multidrug resistance protein homologue, SMRP, by computed homology search. SMRP was composed of 946 amino acids and had two ABCs with walker A and B motifs. This gene was mapped on chromosome 3 at band q27 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and was found to be expressed in various tissues by Northern blot analysis.

Murine astrocytes express a functional chemokine receptor

Elevated levels of chemokines have been observed in various diseases of the CNS. Little is known, however, about how these chemokines affect parenchymal cells of the CNS. The current studies examine astrocyte chemotaxis to the mouse chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha). Murine astrocytes demonstrate directed migration along a chemical gradient in response to 10(-10)-10(-8) M MIP-1alpha. Peak chemotactic responses are noted at 10(-9) M. MIP-1alpha-induced astrocyte migration is specifically inhibitable with pertussis toxin, suggesting a role for Galphai proteins in the signaling process. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization were used to identify expression of the murine CCR1 MIP-1alpha receptor on astrocytes. Astrocytes contain mRNA for CCR1, but messages for CCR4 and the orphan chemokine receptor MIP-1alphaR-like#1 were not detected. The combined results suggest that a functional chemokine receptor is expressed on resident cells of the CNS. We speculate that the interactions of chemokines with astrocytes are involved in inflammatory reactions of the CNS.

Effects of skin surface temperature distribution of thermal manikin on clothing thermal insulation

Effects of the distribution of skin surface temperature were investigated on thermal insulation of clothing for whole and each body part. The experiments were carried out with a thermal manikin in a climatic chamber. The two types of clothing ensemble were measured. The measurement with nude thermal manikin were also conducted. The three variations of skin temperature distribution were set with the thermal manikin. The values of the thermal insulation of nude skin surface (Ia), the total thermal insulation of clothing (It) and the basic thermal insulation of clothing (Icl) were measured with this thermal manikin under each skin temperature distribution. As a result, the values of Ia and It were not affected by skin temperature distributions of the range of typical experimental conditions. However, It is necessary to carefully use the values of the thermal insulation of clothing for the body parts, because these values were more influenced by the skin temperature distribution than those for the whole body.

Functional expression of the CXC-chemokine receptor-4/fusin on mouse microglial cells and astrocytes

The mRNA for the seven-transmembrane-spanning G protein-coupled receptor fusin/CXCR-4 is expressed in primary mouse astrocyte cultures and the transformed mouse microglial cell line, N9. Cell surface expression of fusin in these cells was confirmed by staining with a polyclonal anti-fusin Ab. The functional capacity of this chemokine receptor was examined by evaluating the calcium responses following stimulation of glial cells with the CXC-chemokine, stromal-derived cell factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha). Both astrocytes and microglial cells mobilized calcium following stimulation with chemically synthesized SDF-1alpha. SDF-1alpha- and carbachol-mediated calcium responses of astrocytes were partially inhibited by treatment with pertussis toxin (PTx), suggesting receptor coupling to a combination of G alpha(i) and other G proteins. In contrast, the calcium responses of microglial cells to SDF-1alpha were completely PTx sensitive, while responses to carbachol stimulation were PTx resistant. The ability of SDF-1alpha to induce glial cell migration was also examined. Synthetic SDF-1alpha was a potent chemoattractant for mouse microglial cells at ligand concentrations of 10 to 500 ng/ml; peak responses were noted at 100 ng/ml. In contrast, astrocytes did not migrate toward a gradient of SDF-1alpha. The failure of SDF-1alpha to induce astrocyte migration was specific, as another chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, triggered astrocyte chemotaxis.