Purification and characterization of two Ca(2+)-dependent lectins from coelomic plasma of sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus

Two structurally distinct lectins were purified from the coelomic plasma of holothurian, Stichopus japonicus, by affinity chromatography on a porcine stomach mucin-conjugated agarose column, gel filtration on a Superose 6 column, and ion-exchange chromatography on a HiTrap Q-FPLC. The two lectins showed apparent molecular masses of about 400 kDa (SPL-1) and 60 kDa (SPL-2) on gel filtration, but about 17 kDa on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. Both lectins showed hemagglutination activity toward rabbit erythrocytes in the presence of Ca2+ ions. The N-terminal amino acid sequences were highly homologous to but distinct from those of a Ca(2+)-dependent (C-type) lectin named SJL-I purified from the same species. In addition to porcine stomach mucin, the hemagglutination activity of SPL-1 was strongly inhibited by uronic acids such as galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid, while the activity of SPL-2 was inhibited by GalNAc and galactosides. Both lectins were adsorbed on clotted coelomocytes in the presence of Ca2+ but not in the presence of inhibitory sugars or EGTA, suggesting the presence of an endogenous carbohydrate ligand(s) for plasma C-type lectins in the clot. However, coelomocyte clotting occurred normally even in the presence of inhibitory sugars, but was strongly inhibited by synthetic GRGDSP peptide or EGTA, suggesting the participation of integrin but not the lectin-carbohydrate interaction in the clotting events.

[Adenovirus-induced kidney graft pyelonephritis following renal transplantation]

A 16-year-old female received a kidney transplantation from her mother 13 months before she suddenly noticed gross hematuria and painful micturition, and developed high fever with chills. The serum creatinine (S-Cr) level rose from 1.5 to 2.6 mg/dl, but there was no clinical sign of acute rejection. Despite the treatment with antibiotics and gamma-globulin, the the high fever and hematuria did not improve. The adenovirus antibody titer elevated from x8 to x1,024, while adenovirus was not isolated from the urine. On the 15th day of the disease, hematuria disappeared spontaneously and on the 19th day she became afebrile. The S-Cr level also was normalized spontaneously. Histological examination of the graft biopsy on the 14th day, showed severe tubulointerstitial nephritis localized in the renal medulla and full type intranuclear inclusions were revealed in tubular epithelial cells. From these findings, we diagnosed this case as adenovirus-induced kidney graft pyelonephritis associated with acute hemorrhagic cystitis.

Extent and location of cerebral infarcts on multiplanar MR images: correlation with distribution of perforating arteries on cerebral angiograms and on cadaveric microangiograms

The basal gray matter in the cerebrum is supplied by different anatomical groups of perforating arteries, including striate, thalamic, and choroidal arteries. In this pictorial essay we illustrate multiplanar MR imaging of infarctions in those regions and correlate their appearances with cerebral angiographic findings of the same patients when available. We also correlate the extent and location of infarctions on multiplanar MR images with the anatomical distributions of perforating arteries seen on microangiograms of unrelated cadavers. Information conveyed from this correlation will increase understanding of patterns of basal cerebral infarction shown on cross-sectional imaging.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 in lung carcinoma. Correlation with DNA flow cytometric analysis

BACKGROUND

To study the prognosis of patients with lung carcinomas, the efficacy of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ensuring both the proliferative activity defined using Ki-67 labeling and the cell cycle data obtained using flow cytometry was determined.

METHODS

The authors used immunostaining to study frozen and paraffin embedded sections of 165 surgically resected lung carcinomas [squamous cell carcinoma, n = 84; adenocarcinoma, n = 62; large cell carcinoma, n = 15; small cell carcinoma, n = 4] for the presence of PCNA and Ki-67 antibodies. Also studied were two parameter flow cytometric analysis of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated PCNA/propidium iodide for 165 fresh frozen tissues. Clinicopathologic data (sex, age, tumor stage, survival period, histologic type, degree of cell differentiation, and cellularity) were evaluated using the Statistical Analysis System.

RESULTS

The percentages of PCNA positive cells per 1000 nuclei were 52% of squamous cell carcinoma; 49% in adenocarcinomas; 76% of large cell carcinoma; and 63% of small cell carcinoma. Positive PCNA staining was significantly correlated with stage, cellularity, and DNA index. Calculation of logistic regression coefficients indicated an association between overall survivals and tumor cellularity (P < 0.0003), percentage of cells stained with PCNA antibody (P < 0.02), DNA pattern (aneuploid versus diploid) (P < 0.009), DNA index (P < 0.009), and percentage of cells in S-phase (P < 0.04). Both cellularity (P = 0.03) and DNA (P = 0.08) retained its independent level of significance by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to clinical stage and histologic differentiation, both cellularity and DNA content may help predict the course of lung carcinomas.

Ganglioside antigen of DU-PAN-2 in a human pancreatic cancer

DU-PAN-2 reactive gangliosides were isolated from the tumor of a patient with pancreatic cancer (duct cell carcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma), having a negative Lewis blood phenotype, and were analyzed by means of TLC-immunostaining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), permethylation study, 1H NMR spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The structures of the gangliosides were found to be NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1'Cer, containing normal and hydroxy fatty acids. By TLC-immunostaining and ELISA with chemically synthesized gangliosides, DU-PAN-2 was demonstrated to react strongly with IV3 alpha NeuAc-Lc4Cer, weakly with IV3 alpha NeuAc-nLc4Cer, and moderately with IV6 alpha NeuAc-Lc4Cer and IV6 alpha NeuAc-nLc4Cer. Thus it was concluded that the DU-PAN-2 reactive ganglioside in the tumor is IV3 alpha NeuAc-Lc4Cer and that DU-PAN-2 has a rather broad specificity.

[Surgical intervention to tuberculous pericarditis: a case report]

A 32-year-old man was hospitalized because of cardiac tamponade with the thickened visceral and parietal pericardial layers. Marked high level of adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) in pericardial fluid strongly suggested the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis, which was later assured by positive smear and culture of the pericardial fluid for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Before rigid adhesion of the pericardial space was established, pericardiectomy was easily performed with satisfactory improvement of the hemodynamic status and physical symptoms of the patient. The present case suggests the efficacy of early surgical intervention to tuberculous pericarditis when it shows a sign of rapid progression to constrictive pericarditis. Furthermore, high ADA in pericardial fluid might be an useful diagnostic modality for tuberculous pericarditis.

Induction of metallothionein synthesis by bismuth in cultured vascular endothelial cells

Metallothionein synthesis induced by bismuth nitrate was characterized using a cell culture system. It was found that bismuth (1-10 microM) significantly increased the intracellular accumulation of metallothionein in bovine aortic endothelial cells without an exhibition of cytotoxicity and a change of either general protein synthesis or proliferative DNA synthesis after a 24-h incubation. A low increase in the metallothionein accumulation was observed in bovine aortic smooth muscle cells; however, porcine kidney epithelial LLC-PK1 cells, human Chang liver cells and two human hepatoma cell lines (HLF cells and Hep-G2 cells) did not respond to bismuth. Other cations including cobalt, lead and zinc at 10 microM failed to induce metallothionein in endothelial cells, although cadmium at 1 microM was a strong inducer. Bismuth accumulated highly in endothelial cells but very slightly in LLC-PK1 cells and Chang liver cells. The present data suggest that bismuth is a selective inducer of metallothionein of vascular endothelial cells and this cell type particularly responds to the cation.

Noninvasive quantitative evaluation of early atherosclerosis and the effect of monatepil, a new antihypertensive agent. An interim report

In two studies on the same group of patients we evaluated noninvasive methods of assessing atherosclerosis and determined the effect of the new calcium channel-blocking agent monatepil on the progression of early atherosclerosis in humans. Computed tomography (CT) of the lower abdominal aorta and ultrasonography of the carotid arteries were used as noninvasive methods to determine the extent of atherosclerosis. To evaluate the CT images, we developed a new medical image analysis program. This enabled aortic calcification volume (ACV) to be quantified using plain CT images, and aortic wall volume (AWV) and aortic wall and calcification volume (AWCV) to be quantified from contrast CT images. Interobserver coefficients of variation of ACV, AWV, and AWCV (n = 8) were 4.7, 2.4, and 5.0%, respectively. In the monatepil study, the effect of the drug on serum lipid profiles was evaluated. Preliminary results show that shortly after monatepil administration, total serum cholesterol levels decreased significantly from 253.8 +/- 35.6 to 244.8 +/- 38.6 mg/dL (P < .009) and triglyceride levels tended to decrease. A positive correlation between the change in total cholesterol and changes in mean platelet volume was found (P = .028). Fasting immunoreactive insulin levels decreased in the four patients in which they were determined. Although this is a preliminary study, results indicate that CT of the lower abdominal aorta in combination with our new analysis program may be a precise, reproducible means of assessing early atherosclerosis. We have also shown that monatepil significantly decreases total cholesterol levels. However, the long-term effects of monatepil on the progression of atherosclerosis remain to be determined.

Improvement of glucose tolerance by bezafibrate in non-obese patients with hyperlipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance

Glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity and hypertension may have a close interrelation based on insulin resistance. We selected 28 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) patients with hyperlipidemia. The IGT patients demonstrated hypertriglyceridemia associated with hyperinsulinemia, a typical manifestation of insulin resistance. Administration of bezafibrate at 400 mg/day for 4 weeks to the IGT patients with hypertriglyceridemia resulted in an improvement of the plasma glucose level and insulin response to 75 g oral glucose loading associated with a concomitant decrease in non-esterified fatty acids. The ratio of the level of serum C-peptide to that of insulin after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was augmented after 4 weeks of bezafibrate administration. However, reduction of the cholesterol level with pravastatin did not alter these parameters. These results suggest that treatment to reduce the level of serum triglycerides, but not that of cholesterol, may have a beneficial effect for improving insulin resistance even in the non-obese subjects with IGT and decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Glucose effectiveness in two subtypes within impaired glucose tolerance. A minimal model analysis

To clarify the event that is involved in the pathogenesis of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), we studied 15 individuals with IGT and 15 subjects with normal tolerance using the minimal model approach. Our IGT subjects were characterized by normal insulin secretory responses to oral glucose and mild impairments in insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG) at basal and zero insulin. Next, we classified our IGT subjects into two subpopulations: one with normal insulin sensitivity (SI: 0.92 +/- 0.11 x 10(-4) min-1.pmol/l-1 and the other with insulin resistance (SI:0.31 +/- 0.06 x 10(-4)min-1.pmol/l-1, P < 0.05). The populations did not differ with respect to body mass index and fasting plasma glucose level. Basal plasma insulin level was higher in the insulin-resistant group (84.8 +/- 23.3 pmol/l) than in the insulin-sensitive group (48.7 +/- 6.8 pmol/l), but the difference was not statistically significant. The absolute insulin secretory responses to oral glucose were significantly higher in the resistant group (83,205 +/- 17,787 pmol/l x min) than in the sensitive group (24,727 +/- 3,591 pmol/l x min, P < 0.01), whose absolute responses were similar to those of normal control subjects (24,576 +/- 2,767 pmol/l x min). No significant difference was observed in SG between the resistant (0.016 +/- 0.002 min-1) and sensitive (0.013 +/- 0.002 min-1, P > 0.05) type of IGT, but SG was significantly type of IGT, but SG was significantly decreased in both groups compared with normal control subjects (0.023 +/- 0.002 min-1, P < 0.05-0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nonkallikrein arginine endopeptidase in the human submaxillary gland: purification and characterization of the enzyme

The two major species of arginine endopeptidase present in the soluble fraction of human submaxillary gland are glandular kallikrein and another enzyme tentatively named nonkallikrein arginine endopeptidase. In this study, we purified the latter enzyme to homogeneity and examined its catalytic properties. The newly found enzyme was clearly distinguishable from human tissue kallikrein in its molecular nature, action toward various synthetic substrates, and kinin-generated activity. The specificity of the action of the enzyme was further investigated using various basic amino acid-containing peptides as model substrates. HPLC analysis of peptide fragments produced, followed by their amino acid analysis, revealed that the enzyme preferentially hydrolyzed the Arg-Arg or Arg-Lys bonds in dynorphins A 1-10, 1-9, and 1-8, beta-neoendorphin, adenorphin, and neurotensin.

Glutathione regeneration in calcium-loaded erythrocytes: a possible relationship among calcium accumulation, ATP decrement and oxidative damage

Glutathione (GSH) regeneration was studied in rabbit erythrocytes which were loaded with calcium using ionophore A23187. Calcium-loading induced by A23187 and various concentrations of CaCl2 caused a dose-dependent depression in red cell GSH regeneration. The lowered GSH regeneration was mainly due to reduction of ATP level. In an experiment using haemolysate, the effect of calcium per se was negligible, while magnesium strongly affected GSH regeneration by controlling the rate of hexokinase reaction. These results indicate a possibility that cation perturbation, metabolic decay and oxidative damage are all interrelated in the erythrocyte aging process.

Structure of cell wall mannan of Candida kefyr IFO 0586

We conducted a structural analysis of the antigenic cell wall mannoprotein (mannan) isolated from Candida kefyr (formerly Candida pseudotropicalis) IFO 0586. The result of two-dimensional homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn analysis of this mannan indicates that the molecule is constructed from alpha-1,2- and alpha-1,6-linked mannopyranose residues. Upon alkali treatment (beta-elimination reaction), this mannan released two alpha-1,2-linked mannooligosaccharides, biose and triose. The structure of the alkali-stable mannan (outer chain) moiety was investigated by acetolysis. The structures of the resultant oligosaccharides, biose and triose, from the outer chain moiety were found to be the same as those of the alkali-released ones. Further, the treatment of the parent mannan with an Arthrobacter GJM-1 exo-alpha-mannosidase gave a linear mannan consisting solely of alpha-1,6-linked mannopyranose residues. These results indicate that the mannan forms the long backbone of the alpha-1,6 linkage, with a large number of short alpha-1,2-linked oligomannosyl side chains forming a comblike structure. Moreover, we investigated the serological properties of this mannan by performing an inhibition assay of a slide agglutination reaction with mannooligosaccharides and polyclonal factor sera (Candida Check; Iatron). The result indicates that the factor 1 serum preferentially recognizes the alpha-1,2-linked oligomannosyl side chains in this mannan. On the other hand, the fact that the mannan does not contain an antigenic determinant(s) corresponding to factor 8 suggests that the epitope(s) of this factor resides in other molecules on the cell surface of this strain.

A method for selective isolation of the amino-terminal peptide from alpha-amino-blocked proteins

A method for selective isolation of the amino N-terminal peptide from an alpha-amino (N alpha)-blocked protein is presented. The method consists of four steps. First, epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues in the protein are succinylated. Second, the derivatized protein is digested by either enzymatic or chemical cleavage. Third, the digest is subjected to reaction with cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose. Only the N-terminal-blocked peptide fails to react, while the other peptides are covalently bound to the Sepharose. Fourth, uncoupled peptides are purified by reversed-phase chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the peptide including the blocking group can be determined by mass spectrometry. These procedures were successfully tested with three known N alpha-blocked proteins including bovine brain S100 protein, horse cytochrome c, and ovalbumin.

Drug discovery, development and deployment: a report from the 28th Joint Conference of the U.S.-Japan Parasitic Diseases Panels, Baltimore, Maryland, July 1993

The 28th Joint Conference of the Parasitic Diseases Panels of the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Medical Sciences Program held in Baltimore, Maryland focused on current research within both countries on antiparasitic chemotherapy. This meeting report summarizes presentations of work in progress on antiparasitic drugs currently in use and drugs under development or in clinical trials, as well as reports on potentially unique parasite characteristics that may provide targets for development of future therapeutics.

Amyloid beta-protein precursor-rich platelet microparticles in thrombotic disease

We investigated the association of amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP) and platelet derived microparticles in 20 normal controls and 91 patients with various diseases causing a thrombotic tendency. Compared with the controls, the mean percentage of APP-positive microparticles was significantly greater in the patients with cerebral infarction (39.1 +/- 17.7%, p < 0.001), diabetes (31.1 +/- 12.6%, p < 0.001), and uremia (30.1 +/- 14.7%, p < 0.01), but not in those with hypertension (8.2 +/- 6.3%, p = NS). Sixteen patients with cerebral infarction, 20 with diabetes, and 11 with uremia had microparticles with very high APP levels. In normal controls, 7.2 +/- 3.7% of the microparticles were positive for P-selectin, while the percentage in cerebral infarction, diabetes, uremia, and hypertension was respectively 43.5 +/- 15.1%, 40.0 +/- 12.8%, 31.8 +/- 12.2%, and 11.6 +/- 7.3%. There was a significant correlation between P-selectin and APP positivity of microparticles. Our results suggest that microparticle APP may have a regulatory influence on coagulation abnormalities.

Rebamipide, a novel antiulcer agent, attenuates Helicobacter pylori induced gastric mucosal cell injury associated with neutrophil derived oxidants

The effect of rebamipide, a novel antiulcer compound, on Helicobacter pylori activated neutrophil dependent in vitro gastric epithelial cell injury was investigated. Luminol dependent chemiluminescence (ChL), which detects toxic oxidants from neutrophils exhibited a 12-fold increase when the bacterial suspension of H pylori was added to the isolated human neutrophils. This change was significantly attenuated by rebamipide at a concentration less than 1 mM, showing that rebamipide may inhibit oxidant production from H pylori elicited neutrophils. To assess whether rebamipide attenuates gastric mucosal injury, we tested its inhibitory action on H pylori induced gastric mucosal damage associated with neutrophils in vitro. Rabbit gastric mucosal cells were monolayered in culture wells and coincubated with human neutrophils and H pylori, and the cytotoxicity index was then calculated. Cultured gastric cells were significantly damaged when they were incubated with human neutrophils activated by H pylori. This cellular damage was attenuated by rebamipide in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, spectrophotometrical measurement showed that rebamipide (1 mM) inhibits urease activity by 21.7%. As monochloramine (an oxidant yielded by reaction of neutrophil derived chlorinated oxidant and ammonia) is proposed as an important toxic molecule in this model, the current findings suggest that the preventive effect of rebamipide on H pylori elicited neutrophil induced gastric mucosal injury may result from its inhibitory actions on the neutrophilic oxidative burst as well as H pylori derived urease activity.

A clean-up method for analysis of trace amounts of microcystins in lake water

A clean-up method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was developed to pursue trace amounts of microcystins in lake water. The method consisted of the combined usage of octadecyl silanized (ODS) silica gel and silica gel cartridges. In the first clean-up process, the retention behavior of microcystin RR on ODS silica gel cartridge was carefully observed together with microcystin LR, and 10% water-methanol was chosen as the best solvent system to elute microcystins from the ODS silica gel cartridge. Because many impurities still remained in the desired fraction from the raw water even after the clean-up with ODS silica gel, an additional clean-up process was developed using various cartridges. As a result of extensive experiments, the second clean-up process using silica gel cartridge was established, and the impurities were effectively eliminated. The present method including a tandem cartridge system allowed a precise analysis of microcystins in water samples from three different lakes at a 0.02 ppb level.