Novel zinc chelators with dual activity in the inhibition of the kappa B site-binding proteins HIV-EP1 and NF-kappa B

Both HIV-EP1 (also called PRDII-BF1 or MBP-1), a zinc finger protein, and NF-kappa B, a Rel family protein, bind to kappa B site present in the enhancer of multiple cellular and viral genes involved in immune function and inflammatory response including HIV-1 LTR and human interferon beta gene. When cells are exposed to extracellular stimuli such as virus or phorbol ester, the activity of both HIV-EP1 and NF-kappa B is induced. Thus, kappa B site-directed transcription could be regulated by two distinct proteins in a cooperative way. Novel heterocyclic compounds comprising (dimethylamino)pyridine and histidine units, i.e., 1-4, have been designed and synthesized, aiming at inhibition of these kappa B site-binding proteins to discriminate their functions. These compounds exhibited remarkable zinc-binding capability as revealed by NMR study. Compounds 1 and 2 showed a marked inhibitory effect on the DNA binding activity of HIV-EP1 by removing zinc without interfering with the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. Since it has been demonstrated that zinc somehow influences the DNA binding of NF-kappa B, the effect of these heterocyclic compounds and their zinc complexes on NF-kappa B was examined. Zinc complexes of 3 and 4 exhibited the inhibitory effect on the DNA binding of NF-kappa B and/or homodimeric complexes of p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B without affecting HIV-EP1. Thus, it became possible to inhibit either one of the two kappa B site-binding proteins without inhibiting the other.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prostaglandin I1 analogues, SM-10902 and SM-10906, affect human keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro in a manner similar to PGE1: therapeutic potential for wound healing

The newly synthesized prostaglandin (PG) I1 analogues, SM-10902 and SM-10906, were compared with PGE1 in terms of their biological effects on cultured normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) in order to evaluate their therapeutic potential for cutaneous wound healing. The PGI1 analogues had a direct effect on cell proliferation of HDFs as did PGE1, but inhibited cell growth of NHKs in contrast to the stimulatory effect observed with PGE1. In contrast to NHKs stimulated with PGI1 analogues, which exhibited low levels of adenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). HDFs stimulated with these analogues responded in a dose-dependent manner with extremely high levels of cAMP. Conditioned media (CM) derived from media in which HDFs had been incubated with both the PGI1 analogues promoted NHK proliferation. HDF production of interleukin (IL)-6 increased in response to the PGI1 analogues. Since IL-6 was shown to promote cell growth of NHKs, enhancement of NHK proliferation by CM was thought to be due to IL-6 derived from HDFs stimulated with the PGI1 analogues.

Enhanced production of insecticidal proteins in Bacillus thuringiensis strains carrying an additional crystal protein gene in their chromosomes

A two-step procedure was used to place a cryIC crystal protein gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai into the chromosomes of two B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strains containing multiple crystal protein genes. The B. thuringiensis aizawai cryIC gene, which encodes an insecticidal protein highly specific to Spodoptera exigua (beet armyworm), has not been found in any B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strains. The cryIC gene was cloned into an integration vector which contained a B. thuringiensis chromosomal fragment encoding a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, allowing the B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai cryIC to be targeted to the homologous region of the B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki chromosome. First, to minimize the possibility of homologous recombination between cryIC and the resident crystal protein genes, B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD73, which contained only one crystal gene, was chosen as a recipient and transformed by electroporation. Second, a generalized transducing bacteriophage, CP-51, was used to transfer the integrated cryIC gene from HD73 to two other B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki stains. The integrated cryIC gene was expressed at a significant level in all three host strains, and the expression of cryIC did not appear to reduce the expression of the endogenous crystal protein genes. Because of the newly acquired ability to produce the CryIC protein, the recombinant strains showed a higher level of activity against S. exigua than did the parent strains. This two-step procedure should therefore be generally useful for the introduction of an additional crystal protein gene into B. thuringiensis strains which have multiple crystal protein genes and which show a low level of transformation efficiency.

Concurrent blockade of beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors disrupts working memory but not reference memory in rats

In order to clarify the interactions between monoaminergic and cholinergic systems in working and reference memory functions, the effects of administration of the alpha, beta-adrenergic, D1-, D2-dopaminergic or serotonergic receptor antagonist together with the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine on this behavior were examined using a three-panel runway task. Both in working and reference memory tasks, the number of errors (attempts to pass through two incorrect panels of the three panel-gates at four choice points) was significantly increased by 0.32 mg/kg scopolamine, but not by the doses up to 0.18 mg/kg. The beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol at 10 mg/kg had no effect on the number of working memory errors. Combined administration of 10 mg/kg propranolol and scopolamine at 0.1 and 0.18 mg/kg significantly increased the number of working memory errors. However, in a reference memory task, propranolol at 10 mg/kg did not affect the number of errors, whether administered alone or together with 0.1 mg/kg scopolamine. Other monoaminergic receptor antagonists, including the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (3.2 and 10 mg/kg), D1-antagonist SCH23390 (0.032 and 0.056 mg/kg). D2-antagonist sulpiride (100 mg/kg) and serotonin antagonist cinanserin (10 and 32 mg/kg) had no significant effect on working or reference memory errors, whether they were administered independently or in combination with scopolamine at 0.1 mg/kg. These results suggest that beta-adrenergic/muscarinic interactions play an important role in mediating processes involved in working memory performance of rats.

[Tubulointerstitial damage attributable to acute circulatory failure: postischemic acute renal failure]

Renal damage attributable to acute circulatory failure includes prerenal azotemia, postischemic acute renal failure and bilateral renal cortical necrosis. In this review, recent findings of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of postischemic acute renal failure are reviewed. The medullary thick ascending limb of Henle and the proximal straight tubule are extremely susceptible to ischemic damage because of the characteristic anatomical feature of the vasa recta in the medulla. Appropriate supportive treatment and initiation of dialysis early in the course of acute renal failure improve survival. However, the prognosis of acute renal failure with multiple organ failure is poor. Further studies on the precise cellular mechanism of acute renal failure may provide us with some future modes of treatment.

New mutant rabbit strain with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions produced by serial inbreeding

We have investigated the characteristics of the Kurosawa and Kusanagi hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbit, a strain manifesting inherited and persistent hypercholesterolemia and produced by inbreeding from mutants discovered in 1985. These KHC rabbits had abnormally high serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid concentrations 8 to 10 times greater than the concentrations in clinically normal Japanese white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The KHC rabbits also had decreased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, about one-third the value in clinically normal rabbits. In addition, the serum lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns were characterized by a strong, broad beta-lipoprotein band and a diminished alpha-lipoprotein band. Fractionation of lipoprotein lipids revealed increased cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride in the low-density lipoprotein fraction; increased cholesterol and phospholipid in the very low-density lipoprotein fraction; and decreased cholesterol and triglyceride in the high-density lipoprotein fraction. On the basis of incidence of hypercholesterolemia in mating experiments, this abnormality is thought to have been inherited as a single autosomal recessive gene mutation, and analysis of the low-density lipoprotein receptor indicated that the KHC rabbit has a 12-base pair deletion in the low-density lipoprotein receptor mRNA. Macroscopic analysis of the aorta revealed the atheromatous lesions at 2 months of age, drastically increased lesional areas in the total aortic surface at 8 months of age, and a high incidence of coronary atheromas and xanthomas. Light microscopy revealed two typical lesions in the aorta fatty plaque and medical calcification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A family of X-linked motor and sensory neuropathy with a new type of connexin32 mutation]

A 28-year-old man had complaints of muscle weakness in both his legs and fingers. Moderate degrees of symmetrical atrophy adn weakness of the bilateral lower limbs, moderate degree of muscle atrophy was also noticed distal to the lower one third of the upper thigh. A moderate degree of weakness of the anterior tibial, extensor digitorum and peroneus muscles was also noted. Pes cavus deformity was evident bilaterally. Knee jerk was normal, and Achilles tendon reflex was absent without pathologic reflexes. He could not walk on his heels. Vibratory sensation was severely decreased in the toes, and both touch and pain sensations were slightly decreased on the dorsum of the feet. The median motor nerve conduction velocity was 28.9 m/sec with a prolonged distal latency. An amplitude of M-wave evoked by electrical stimulation of the median nerve 1 mV. No M-wave was obtained from stimulation of the tibial nerve, and no sensory nerve action potentials were elicited from electrical stimulation of the median and sural nerves. Histologic studies of the biopsied sural nerve revealed the occasional presence of internodes with a thin myelin sheath and a decrease in the density of large myelinated fibers. Small and atypical onion-bulbs were occasionally observed by electron microscopy. Based on the neurological examination and nerve conduction study of the family members, a sister, mother and grandmother of the proband were found to be mildly affected without any disability in their daily activities. However, the father and an uncle on the mother's side of the proband were normal. Therefore, we concluded clinically that this family had HMSN type I with autosomal dominant inheritance or X-linked HMSN. In the studies of fluorescence in situ hybridization and restriction fragment length polymorphism of the genomic DNA of the proband, a DNA duplication in chromosome 17p11.2-12 was not observed. A single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis of the genomic DNA encoding connexin32 (Cx32) revealed the abnormal band different from that of the control. A sequence analysis of the genomic DNA obtained by use of the polymerase chain reaction was also performed. It revealed that there was a mutant allele, a cytosine to thymine substitution of the nucleotide position 140, which caused a substitution of leucine for serine at amino acid position 26. The proband's mother was heterozygous for the mutant allele and the normal allele. This type of Cx32 mutation was different from any type of Cx32 mutation reported in the literature. The mutation in this family is located in the first transmembrane portion of Cx32, and may alter the function of Cx32 protein, as well as lead to the functional and structural abnormalities of the myelin sheath at the nodes of Ranvier and Schmidt-Lanterman's incisures, where Cx32 is present. This is the first Japanese X-linked HMSN family showing a new type of mutation of Cx32 gene with clinical findings and a histologic evaluation of the sural nerve.

Transforming growth factor-beta and matrix protein expression in acute and chronic rejection of human renal allografts

Because the increased tissue expression of TGF-beta underlies fibrosis in many diseases, it was hypothesized that sustained elevated transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta overexpression might be responsible for fibrosis in chronic rejection of the renal allograft. To test this hypothesis, biopsies were obtained from 5 patients with acute rejection, 5 patients with chronic rejection, 10 normal individuals, and 10 patients with kidney disease. The tissues were examined by immunofluorescence for the three TGF-beta isoforms (1, 2, and 3) and the two matrix proteins induced by TGF-beta that serve as markers of fibrosis: fibronectin extradomain A positive (EDA+) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). The tubulointerstitium from all cases of acute rejection and chronic rejection showed highly significant increases in immunostaining for the three TGF-beta isoforms (P < 0.001), fibronectin EDA+ (P < 0.005), and PAI-1 (P < 0.001). In the glomeruli, only TGF-beta 1 expression achieved statistical significance (P < 0.005) in acute rejection, whereas in chronic rejection, all three TGF-beta isoforms (p < 0.001) in addition to fibronectin EDA+ (p < 0.001) and PAI-1 (p < 0.001) were elevated. There was both cellular and matrix staining of the TGF-beta isoforms. In striking contrast, control kidney tissues were negative or only weakly positive. Because TGF-beta was present both in acute and in chronic rejection but not in control tissues and because acute rejection episodes are a good predictor for chronic rejection, these results suggest that TGF-beta may play a role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in chronic rejection.

[Inhibitory effects of hydroquinone-alpha-glucoside on melanin synthesis]

Inhibitory effects of hydroquinone-alpha-glucoside (HQ-alpha-G) on the melanogenesis were investigated and compared with those of arbutin. The levels of inhibitory effects of HQ-alpha-G and arbutin on the tyrosinase activity were nearly the same. Inhibitory effects of both compounds on the melanogenesis, were studied using cultured B16 melanoma cells, and HQ-alpha-G was also found to have a similar effect to that of arbutin without inhibiting cell growth. In this experiment, while HQ-alpha-G hardly inhibited cell growth at 1 mM, arbutin inhibit it significantly at the same concentration. From these results it is suggested that HQ-alpha-G as well as arbutin inhibited the melanogenesis by affecting tyrosinase rather than by killing melanocytes. Furthermore, the melanogenesis of guinea-pigs with brown hair was reduced to about 80% by applying them each compound. The great differences in toxicity to normal human keratinocyte were not recognized between these two glucosides. It is, therefore, considered that HQ-alpha-G is an effective and safe ingredient for cosmetics.

The effect of MS-818, a pyrimidine compound, on the regeneration of peripheral nerve fibers of mice after a crush injury

One of the pyrimidine compounds, 2-piperadino-6-methyl-5-oxo-5,6- dihydro(7H)pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (MS-818), has neurotropic effects in vitro. Therefore, we studied the effect of MS-818 on the regeneration of the peroneal nerve in C57BL/6J mice after a crush injury. Two test groups, which received a daily intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg MS-818, respectively, were compared with controls, which received daily intraperitoneal injections of physiological saline, over a 14-day period. The maximum foot-width ratio (crushed side/uncrushed side) was obtained on days 1, 8 and 14 after the crush injury, and the various morphometric parameters were evaluated at both 5 and 10 mm distal to the proximal portion of the crush site. The significant effects of MS-818 included a larger maximum foot width (P < 0.04) and a greater number of unmyelinated axons per nerve at both levels (P < 0.003) in both test groups than in controls. MS-818 had no significant effects on body weight, the increase of total transverse fascicular area after the crush injury, the total number of myelinated fibers with their size distributions, or the number of nuclei of Schwann cells and macrophages. Therefore, we conclude that MS-818 promotes axonal sprouting and elongation after a crush injury in mice.

[Effect of argatroban on flap survival length]

The effect of argatroban, an anti-thrombin agent, on a 1.5 x 6.0 cm caudally-based flap raised on the backs of Wistar female rats was studied. Argatroban was administered to one group via an implanted osmotic pump, and nothing was administered to a control group. In experiment 1, the effect was evaluated by survival length (ratio of length to width) and a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the argatroban group and the control group. In experiment 2, at 3 spots along the midline (M1, M2, M3) in each group, ISO2 (a parameter of oxygen saturation) and IHb (a parameter of hemogrobin concentration) were measured with a reflectance spectrophotometer, and FLOW (a parameter of blood flow) and MASS (a parameter of blood mass) were measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter. M1 was a distal spot of flap, M2 was a proximal spot on the flap and M3 was a spot beside the flap used as a control. At M1, flaps in both groups became necrotic. At M2, flaps in the argatroban group survived, whereas those in the control group became necrotic, and each parameter indicated improvement in blood circulation only in the argatroban group. Thus, argatroban, which antagonizes thrombin, can improve microvascular circulation in congestive tissue and consequently help the flap survive. Argatroban has advantages over other agents that have been given to increase the length of the surviving experimented flap. In comparison with heparin, the coagulation time is easier to control. Also argatroban does not dilate peripheral vessels, which may be a demerit of alprostadil. Argatroban also promotes the reaction of plasminogen activator. The serum concentration of argatroban in this study was almost equal to that used clinically. Therefore, argatroban may be useful when elevating a flap clinically.

Antiplatelet functions of a stable prostacyclin analog, SM-10906 are exerted by its inhibitory effect on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and cytosolic Ca++ increase in rat platelets stimulated by thrombin

The mechanism of the antiplatelet functions of SM-10906, the active form of the 3-oxa-methano-prostaglandin (PG) I1 analog SM-10902, was examined in rat platelets. SM-10906 activated adenylate cyclase in crude membrane fractions, and inhibited platelet aggregation and release of adenine nucleotides stimulated by thrombin. SM-10906 also inhibited malondialdehyde production induced by thrombin, but not that induced by arachidonic acid. This may account for its inhibitory effects on phospholipase A2. SM-10906 prevented thrombin-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production, Ca++ mobilization from intracellular Ca storage and 45Ca++ influx into platelets, which were all reversed by pretreatment with the adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine. PGI2 and PGE1 have the same antiplatelet profiles in the order of PGI2 > or = SM-10906 > PGE1. These results indicate that SM-10906 as well as PGI2 and PGE1 may exert antiplatelet activities by stimulating adenylate cyclase to prevent thrombin-induced phospholipase C and A2 activations and increase in cytosolic Ca++ level.

Novel dithiane analogues of tiapamil with high activity to overcome multidrug resistance in vitro

Dithiane analogues of tiapamil are highly active as modifiers of P-glycoprotein mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in vitro. In an assay using the P-glycoprotein over-expressing cell line KB-8-5, the most active analogues for decreasing vincristine resistance were the racemate Ro 11-5160 and its two enantiomers, Ro 44-5911 (R) and Ro 44-5912 (S). In the KB-8-5 assay, the resistance modification index (RMI) of Ro 11-5160 was approximately 12-fold higher than those of the most active reference compounds tested, dipyridamole, cepharanthine, reserpine and cyclosporin A, when compared at concentrations equal to one-tenth of the IC50 of each compound (RMI0.1). The enantiomers have similar resistance modifying activities, but the (S) enantiomer Ro 44-5912 is somewhat more active, fully reverting the vincristine sensitivity of KB-8-5 cells to the level of the parental KB-3-1 cells at a concentration of 2 microM. The (R) enantiomer attained this level of modification at a concentration of 3.5 microM. These concentrations are both well below their IC50 values for KB-8-5 cells (150 microM). The enantiomers appear to interact with P-glycoprotein because they inhibited [3H]azidopine and [3H]-vinblastine binding to plasma membrane fractions prepared from resistant K562/ADR cells. However, in addition to their resistance modifying activities with KB-8-5 cells, these compounds also decreased the IC50 values of vincristine and doxorubicin with KB-3-1 cells that do not express detectable levels of P-glycoprotein. Ro 44-5911 overcame doxorubicin and vincristine resistance in three colorectal cancer cell lines (DLD-1, WiDr and COLO 201) that express P-glycoprotein. No effect was seen with the 3 colorectal cell lines on the IC50 values of three drugs not related to the MDR phenotype, 5-fluorouracil, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine and cis-diaminodichloroplatinum (II). The in vitro vasodilatory activity of these dithianes, measured with strips of rat aorta contracted with KCl, was about 5% of that of verapamil. These results suggest that diathianes could be useful agents for MDR modification in vivo.

A simple method based on PCR for detecting the relative mRNA amounts of the four mouse IgG subclasses

A simple method based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for detecting the relative mRNA amounts of the four mouse IgG subclasses in total RNA samples and is described in this report. The main features of this method are, first, cDNA amplification including VH through the constant region(CH2 domain) of each IgG subclass with a set of consensus PCR primers(VH1BACK and 32P-labeled C gamma 32), and secondly, cleavage of the amplified DNA fragments with BamHI and XhoI endonucleases which act at distinct cleavage sites in the constant region of each IgG subclass. The radioactive intensities of the different sized fragments separated on polyacrylamide gel were used to show the relative amounts of IgG subclasses at the RNA level. This method provides clear detection of each IgG subclass using RNA samples from tissues in which Ig-producing cells are rare.

Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases

Over 35 years, data and knowledge have internationally evolved from biochemical, biomedical and clinical research on vitamin Q10 (coenzyme Q10; CoQ10) and cancer, which led in 1993 to overt complete regression of the tumors in two cases of breast cancer. Continuing this research, three additional breast cancer patients also underwent a conventional protocol of therapy which included a daily oral dosage of 390 mg of vitamin Q10 (Bio-Quinone of Pharma Nord) during the complete trials over 3-5 years. The numerous metastases in the liver of a 44-year-old patient "disappeared," and no signs of metastases were found elsewhere. A 49-year-old patient, on a dosage of 390 mg of vitamin Q10, revealed no signs of tumor in the pleural cavity after six months, and her condition was excellent. A 75-year-old patient with carcinoma in one breast, after lumpectomy and 390 mg of CoQ10, showed no cancer in the tumor bed or metastases. Control blood levels of CoQ10 of 0.83-0.97 and of 0.62 micrograms/ml increased to 3.34-3.64 and to 3.77 micrograms/ml, respectively, on therapy with CoQ10 for patients A-MRH and EEL.

[Two cases of post-encephalitic epilepsy characterized by auditory cognitive dysfunction; comparison with "a peculiar type of post-encephalitic/encephalopathic epilepsy"]

Two cases of post-encephalitic epilepsy mainly characterized by auditory cognitive dysfunction were reported. In acute phase they only showed slight pleocytosis of CSF, and serum antiviral antibodies were all negative. Although their seizures were partial seizures with secondary generalization, their EEG and radiographic imaging did not show any lesions. Their waking state EEG continuously showed slowing with decrease of alpha activities. After clusters of convulsions, they showed delirium and aggressiveness. Both of them were thought to have post-encephalitic epilepsy with pathogen unknown and they were compatible with "a peculiar type of post-encephalitic/encephalopathic epilepsy" reported by Fukuyama and Awaya. The presented two cases were characterized by auditory cognitive dysfunction and intractable epilepsy with secondary generalization.

[Observation of the chamber angle in primary angle-closure glaucoma with an ultrasound biomicroscope]

We observed the chamber angle in 47 eyes of 29 patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma using ultrasound biomicroscopy in dark and illuminated conditions. All observations were made before surgical intervention and without any drugs affecting pupillary reaction. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was repeated following laser iridotomy in 23 of the eyes. Out of 115 angle locations examined where no synechiae had been found by pressure gonioscopy, appositional angle closure was seen at 65 locations (57%) in 33 eyes (70%) in dark conditions. At 30 angle locations in 18 eyes, the appositional closure began in the vicinity of Schwalbe's line. After iridotomy, appositional closure was not observed even in dark conditions. Ultrasound biomicroscopy in dark conditions seems to be a promising procedure to visualize appositional angle closure in eyes with a narrow angle.

[A case of integrative visual agnosia]

We report a 78-year-old right-handed man with integrative visual agnosia (Humphreys et al.) that was associated with bilateral medial occipito-temporal infarction. The patient showed superior altitudinal hemianopsia, alexia, prosopagnosia, cerebral achromatopsia, and object agnosia. Elementary perception and information processing supposed to be executed by the stream to the parietal lobe were intact, since he was able to perceive the position and speed of moving object (catching the flying ball). He could not categorize neither real objects nor line drawings by sight. However, copying and matching of them was accurate, suggesting that his agnosia was an associative type (Lissauer). Detailed neuropsychological examinations revealed that his agnosia was due to a disturbance in integrating local form features into a perceptual whole. In addition, this patient showed difficulty in retrieval of objects from memory. However, it is unlikely that this disturbance itself was a cause of this particular form of agnosia.