High total TGF-beta 2 levels in normal human tears

Mature and total TGF-beta 2 levels were determined in normal human tears, from 37 volunteers, using a quantitative "sandwich' enzyme immunoassay technique. Since this ELISA method recognizes only mature TGF-beta 2, total TGF-beta 2 levels in tears were measured after acid activation. Aqueous humor samples from 9 patients with cataract were also tested as controls. Mature and total TGF-beta 2 in aqueous humor (AH) averaged 182 pg/ml and 737 pg/ml, respectively. The levels of mature TGF-beta 2 in normal human tears ranged from 36 to 71 pg/ml (mean: 55 pg/ml). And the levels of total TGF-beta 2 ranged from 3446 to 14910 pg/ml (mean: 7854 Pg/ml), a very high level. Percentage of mature TGF-beta 2 ranged 0.4 to 1.3% (mean: 0.9%). It is reported for the first time that there are very high levels of total TGF-beta 2 in normal human tears.

Isolation and chromosomal localization of the human cone cGMP phosphodiesterase gamma cDNA (PDE6H)

By comparing lists of 3'-directed partial cDNA sequences (gene signatures) randomly collected from various tissues, genes unique to each tissue can be identified. A full-size cDNA clone, corresponding to one such tissue-specific gene signature that recurred only in a retina library, was isolated and analyzed. This clone encoded 83 amino acids highly homologous to the bovine blue cone cGMP phosphodiesterase gamma subunit. The retina-specific expression of this gene was confirmed by multiple tissue Northern blotting, and its cone specificity was confirmed by in situ hybridization to a human retina specimen. From these results, we concluded that this clone (HGMW-approved symbol PDE6H) encodes for the gamma subunit of human cone-specific cGMP phosphodiesterase, and it was assigned to chromosome 12p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Applications of retrovirus-mediated expression cloning

We have recently established a novel expression cloning system using retroviral vectors. The system is based on a high-efficiency packaging cell line, BOSC23, and a simplified retroviral vector, pBabeX, carrying no selection marker. cDNA libraries, constructed in the pBabeX vector, are transiently transfected into BOSC23 cells. The supernatant contains more than 3X10(6)/mL, which would cover large complexities of cDNA libraries. The retrovirus stock gave 100% infection efficiency in NIH3T3 cells and 5-40% infection efficiency in various hematopoietic cell lines. In contrast to the conventional expression cloning system, in which it is necessary to transfect cDNA libraries transiently into particular cell types such as COS cells, retrovirus-mediated expression cloning allows us to transduce cDNAs into a wide variety of cell types. This method therefore makes it possible to select cells expressing a cDNA of interest by various functional assays. When combined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-driven random mutagenesis, this system is also useful in searching for mutations of various molecules that will result in alterations of their functions.

Corneal endothelial changes in schizophrenic patients with long-term administration of major tranquilizers

PURPOSE

To examine corneal endothelial changes in schizophrenic patients who underwent long-term administration of major tranquilizers.

METHODS

We performed slit-lamp examination and endothelial specular microscopy on 100 eyes of 50 schizophrenic patients (range, 31 to 68 years old; mean, 54 years) who underwent long-term (12 to 44 years) treatment with major tranquilizers. We also studied 50 eyes of 25 patients (range, 31 to 65 years old; mean, 53 years) with no history of corneal disease, as a control group of similar age. Mean cell density, coefficient of variation, and percentage of hexagonal cells were calculated and statistically compared between patients and controls using an unpaired t-test.

RESULTS

Slit-lamp examination disclosed pigmentation of the cornea in nine eyes of five patients and pigmentation of the lens in 25 eyes (25%) of 35 patients. Corneal pigmentary changes were seen only in patients with lenticular changes. No eyes showed corneal edema. In contrast, no corneal abnormalities were seen in any control eye. Specular microscopic analysis showed mean cell density of 3,484.4 +/- 462.6 cells/mm2, coefficient of variation of 0.31 +/- 0.06 and percentage of hexagonal cells to be 60.2% +/- 7.5% in the patient group, and 3,291.3 +/- 384.4 cells/mm2, 0.32 +/- 0.07, and 60.6% +/- 7.0%, respectively, in the control subjects. There were no statistically significant differences between patient and control eyes in these three factors. The nine eyes with corneal pigmentation showed no significant differences in these three factors as compared with the control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that long-term treatment with major tranquilizers is not associated with morphometric abnormalities of the corneal endothelium.

Reliability of the task-related component (P3b) of P3 event-related potentials

Within session and between session reliabilities of the task-related component (P3b) of the P3 measures (amplitude, area and latency) and their habituation across eight sessions separated by 7-10 days, except for an interval of 1 month between the 6th and 7th sessions, were studied based on the difference waves, which were obtained by subtracting the ignored infrequent event-related potentials (ERP) from the target ERP elicited by a standard auditory oddball paradigm with eyes-open or eyes-closed conditions in 10 normal subjects. The within session reliabilities represented as Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were 0.57-0.66 for the three measures except for those for the latency and amplitude under the eyes-closed condition. The between session reliabilities expressed as intraclass correlation coefficients (R) ranged from 0.54 to 0.60 except for that for latency under eyes-closed conditions. Long-term habituation occurred within the first six sessions for the P3b amplitude and area, and dishabituation took place in the 7th session after an interval of 1 month, whereas no such phenomenon was observed for the P3b latency. Implications of the present results are discussed in terms of the clinical application of the P3 measures.

Messenger RNA expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) during ocular development

The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are believed to act as molecular chaperones which appear to play some roles in regulation of normal protein folding and also in preventing damage to protein structures under various conditions of environmental stress. We examined the expression of the major HSP families, HSP60, 70 and 90 families and small HSP32, at the mRNA level in ocular development. Expression of HSP32, HSP60, HSP70, HSP84, HSP86 and heat shock cognate protein (HSC)70 mRNAs was examined by in situ hybridization. HSC70, HSP84, HSP86 and HSP60 mRNAs were expressed strongly in all ocular tissues during early stages 3 to 5, corresponding to embryonic day (E)11.5 to E14.5. At stages 6 to 7 (E15.5 to E18.5), the expression of these four mRNA species was decreased markedly in most ocular tissue, while in the retina strong HSC70 and HSP86 mRNA expression was still detected. HSP32 and HSP70 mRNAs were not detected at any stage. These results suggest that the expression of HSPs is developmentally regulated through ocular organogenesis, and the proteins may play some important roles in ocular development.

Efficient screening of retroviral cDNA expression libraries

Expression cloning of cDNAs was first described a decade ago and was based on transient expression of cDNA libraries in COS cells. In contrast to transient transfection of plasmids, retroviral gene transfer delivers genes stably into a wide range of target cells. We utilize a simple packaging system for production of high-titer retrovirus stock from cDNA libraries to establish a cDNA expression cloning system. In two model experiments, murine interleukin (IL)-3-dependent Ba/F3 cells were infected with libraries of retrovirally expressed cDNA derived from human T-cell mRNA or human IL-3-dependent TF-1 cell line mRNA. These infected Ba/F3 cells were selected for the expression of CD2 by flow cytometry or for the alpha subunit of the human IL-3 receptor (hIL-3R alpha) by factor-dependent growth. CD2 (frequency, 1 in 10(4)) and hIL-3R alpha (frequency, 1 in 1.5 x 10(5)) cDNAs were readily detected in small-scale experiments, indicating this retroviral expression cloning system is efficient enough to clone low-abundance cDNAs by their expression or function.

The word frequency effect in recognition memory versus repetition priming

The role of word frequency in recognition memory and repetition priming was investigated by using a manipulation of attention. In Experiment 1, the lexical decision task produced greater repetition priming for low-frequency words than for high-frequency words following either the attended or the unattended study condition. The recognition memory test, on the other hand, showed a low-frequency word advantage only following the attended study condition. Furthermore, this advantage was limited to the measure of recognition memory based on conscious recollection of the study episode. In Experiment 2, a speeded recognition memory test replicated the pattern obtained with the unspeeded recognition memory test in Experiment 1. These results argue against the view that the word frequency effects in recognition memory and repetition priming have the same origin. Instead, the results suggest that the word frequency effect in recognition memory has its locus in conscious recollection.

Ocular surface abnormalities in aniridia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine ocular surface abnormalities in aniridia.

METHODS

We prospectively studied the ocular surface in nine consecutive patients (18 eyes) with virtually total aniridia. Of the 18 eyes, two eyes (two patients) were excluded from the study because severe surgical damage was likely to be the main cause of their corneal abnormalities. Six volunteers whose eye examinations yielded normal results served as control subjects. Detailed slit-lamp biomicroscopic examinations were performed to assess corneal findings and confirm the presence or absence of the palisades of Vogt. Goblet cell density on the peripheral corneal epithelium and inferior conjunctival epithelium was calculated via impression cytology and was statistically compared between aniridic eyes and control eyes.

RESULTS

All 16 aniridic eyes had superficial corneal opacification and vascularization of either the peripheral or entire cornea. Palisades of Vogt were completely absent all around the limbal area. Goblet cell density on the peripheral cornea and inferior conjunctiva showed a statistically significant increase in the aniridic eyes (226 +/- 169 cells/mm2 and 406 +/- 203 cells/mm2), as compared with the control eyes (O cells/mm2 and 181 +/- 89 cells/mm2) (P = .0005 and P = .0102).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that, in the aniridic eye, conjunctival epithelium invades the cornea because of corneal epithelial stem cell deficiency.

Clinical evaluation of corneal epithelial barrier function with the slit-lamp fluorophotometer

We designed a simple and quantitative method for the clinical evaluation of corneal epithelial barrier function using a slit-lamp fluorophotometer and applied it to healthy volunteers and dry-eye patients. The fluorophotometric method used was as follows: Three microliter of 0.5% fluorescein solution was applied to the cornea in the untouched fashion. Ten minutes after instillation, the ocular surface was washed. Twenty minutes afterward, corneal fluorescence intensity was measured and converted into fluorescein concentration. Corneal condition was classified into four grades: no superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) anywhere on the cornea (grade 0); no SPK at the central cornea (grade 1), mild SPK at the central cornea (grade 2), and severe SPK at the central cornea (grade 3). In the volunteers, corneal condition was classified as grade 0 and fluorescein uptake (ng/ml) was 22.4 +/- 16.9 (mean +/- SD, n = 86). In dry eye, fluorescein uptakes showed significant increase in accordance with SPK severity: grade 1: 96.4 +/- 51.2 (n = 13); grade 2: 318.6 +/- 146.0 (n = 11); and grade 3: 1479.1 +/- 671.9 (n = 10) (each p < 0.0005). This simple method with the slit-lamp fluorophotometer can be used for the clinical grading of SPK in dry eye or other ocular surface diseases.

Antibacterial properties of AM-1155, a new 8-methoxy quinolone

AM-1155 is a new 8-methoxy quinolonecarboxylic acid with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. It inhibited more than 90% of clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis, most of the Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Haemophilus influenzae at the concentration of 0.39 mg/L. AM-1155 was 2- to 16-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against Gram-positive organisms including methicillin-resistant staphylococci. The antibacterial activity of AM-1155 was almost equal to that of sparfloxacin against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. AM-1155 also showed a good activity against anaerobes. The protective efficacy of AM-1155 against experimental systemic infections with Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens in mice was almost equal or superior to that of sparfloxacin. AM-1155 was 5- to 28-times more effective than ciprofloxacin, in terms of ED50 at one week, in staphylococcal and streptococcal infections.

Keratinocyte growth factor accelerates corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo

PURPOSE

To examine whether the topical application of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) can enhance corneal epithelial healing in vivo. In addition, the distribution of S-phase cells in KGF-treated and control corneas was investigated during regeneration and under normal conditions.

METHODS

A 10-mm diameter epithelial defect was made in the center of rabbit corneas. A 50-microliters aliquot of 10 micrograms/ml human keratinocyte growth factor (hKGF) was then applied topically five times a day. The same volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) vehicle was applied to the contralateral eye as a control. Each corneal epithelial defect was subsequently photographed every 12 hours and was measured by a computer-assisted digitizer. For the S-phase cell analysis, entire corneas were labeled with 3H-thymidine and were subjected to autoradiography at 24 hours after wounding or in the normal cornea at 24 hours after the application of KGF or PBS.

RESULTS

Topical application of 10 micrograms/ml hKGF significantly accelerated corneal epithelial wound healing when compared with controls. In the S-phase cell analysis, KGF did not have any effect on normal corneal epithelial cells. However, in the regenerating cornea, the number of S-phase cells in the KGF-treated limbal epithelium was twofold higher than in the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical application of KGF accelerated corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo and increased cell proliferation in the limbal epithelium of the regenerating cornea.

Enhancing effect of platelet-derived growth factors on migration of corneal endothelial cells

To investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in corneal wound healing, we examined the effect of human natural PDGF, recombinant PDGF-BB, and PDGF-AA on the migration of rabbit corneal endothelial cells. In a modified Boyden chamber in fetal bovine serum-free conditions, natural PDGF and PDGF-BB, at a concentration of 1-3 or 10 ng/ml, enhanced the migration of endothelial cells, whereas at a higher concentration (10 or 30 ng/ml), this enhanced migration was suppressed; the optimal concentration range for enhancing migration was 3-10 ng/ml. PDGF-AA did not enhance the migration. Natural PDGF and PDGF-BB activity was found for up to 6 h after the beginning of culture, and was completely blocked by anti-PDGF neutralizing antibodies. A checkerboard assay demonstrated that PDGF-BB had a chemotactic effect on the corneal endothelial cell migration. These results suggest that natural PDGF and PDGF-BB, but not PDGF-AA, are involved in corneal wound healing by stimulating the migration of corneal endothelial cells.

Possible role of herpes simplex virus in the origin of Posner-Schlossman syndrome

PURPOSE/METHODS

We conducted this study to determine if the herpesviruses are possible etiologic agents in Posner-Schlossman syndrome. We aspirated aqueous humor samples from patients during acute attacks of the syndrome. Ten normal aqueous humor specimens from patients undergoing cataract surgery were used as controls. DNA was extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification and Southern blot hybridization.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

All three specimens were positive for amplified genomic fragments of herpes simplex virus and negative for varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus. Ten normal aqueous specimens were negative for all three. Herpes simplex virus may play a role in the origin of Posner-Schlossman syndrome.

[Quantitative evaluation of corneal epithelial barrier function in corneal epithelial edema]

Corneal epithelial barrier function in patients with corneal epithelial edema was evaluated by fluorophotometry. Fluorescein uptake through the intact corneal epithelium was 28.1 +/- 2.7 ng/ml (n = 35, mean +/- SE (standard error), calculated from the standard line) at 30 minutes after instillation of 3 microliters of 0.5% sodium fluorescein (20 minutes after eye washing with 20 ml of BSS PLUS). Fluorescein uptake by the cornea in 7 patients with corneal epithelial edema and 6 patients with corneal stromal edema without epithelial edema were 2,489.7 +/- 1,045.6 ng/ml and 99.3 +/- 25.0 ng/ml, respectively, showing a significant increase when compared to normal corneal epithelium (p < 0.0005). Moreover, in patients with corneal epithelial edema, the corneal epithelial barrier function showed significant decrease in comparison with those having corneal stromal edema without epithelial edema (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate a significant decrease in the corneal epithelial barrier function in the epithelial edema.

Enhancement of growth of rabbit corneal endothelial cells by PDGF

The effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the growth of rabbit corneal endothelial cells and the expression of PDGF receptor mRNA in these cells were examined in the present study. When rabbit corneal endothelial cells were cultured in the presence of natural PDGF, recombinant PDGF-BB, and PDGF-AA for 1, 3, and 5 days, natural PDGF and recombinant PDGF-BB enhanced the growth of the endothelial cells, but PDGF-AA did not. This growth promotion was suppressed by anti-PDGF antibody. PDGF enhanced also the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the cells. When PDGF was combined with epidermal growth factor (EGF), the additive effect was recognized. The expression of the PDGF receptor mRNA was found in the endothelial cells by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. It was concluded from these results that PDGF enhanced the growth of the corneal endothelial cells and that the PDGF receptor mRNA was expressed in these cells. These results suggest that PDGF may regulate corneal endothelial cell growth.

[A case of bilateral multiple lung metastases from breast cancer successfully treated with carboplatin]

A 57-year-old female was admitted for right breast tumor. Modified radical mastectomy (Kodama method) was carried out. A prophylactic postoperative radiation was undertaken because of large tumor (T4b) and histologic metastasis to a Rotter's lymph node. At the end of irradiation, bilateral lung metastases were found on chest CT gram. The combination endocrine chemotherapy using MPA 600 mg and UFT 3 capsules p.o. daily and ADM 10 or 20 mg i.v. every two weeks was performed on an outpatient basis. As the lung metastases were increased four months later, carboplatin 150 mg i.v. was replaced with ADM. Four months later, the metastases almost disappeared on CT gram. These results suggested the possibility of one of the therapeutic options for metastatic breast cancer.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1, -beta 2 and -beta 3 mRNA expression in human cornea

The expression of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 precursors mRNA transcripts in in vivo human corneal cells were studied. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was generated from poly A+RNA extracted from in vivo human corneal epithelial cells, stromal keratocytes and endothelial cells. With the cDNAs as template, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using specific primers of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 precursors, synthesized by choosing specific nucleotide sequences in the latency-associated peptide region of each precursor. Southern blot analysis of the PCR products was carried out. In corneal epithelial cells, TGF-beta 2 mRNA transcript was strongly expressed; TGF-beta 1 and -beta 3 mRNA transcripts were also expressed; stromal keratocyte samples expressed TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 mRNA transcripts but not TGF-beta 3 mRNA transcript. Endothelial cells expressed all three transcripts. The present study, together with the authors' previous immunohistochemical study demonstrates that both protein and mRNA of TGF-beta 2-LAP are present in human corneal epithelium, indicating that TGF-beta 2 may play a crucial role in corneal epithelial cell layers.

Bradycardia- and tachycardia-dependent termination of ventricular bigeminy: mechanism of ventricular extrasystoles with fixed coupling

Fourteen men with intermittent ventricular bigeminy were selected for this study because coupling intervals of the extrasystoles were considerably long and usually fixed, and bradycardia-dependent (10 cases) and/or tachycardia-dependent (12 cases) termination of bigeminy occurred. In all cases, when the heart rate ranged between two certain values, ventricular bigeminy with fixed-coupled extrasystoles was sustained. In all cases showing bradycardia-dependent termination, bigeminy was suddenly terminated with no changes in coupling of the preceding extrasystoles when the heart rate was decreased below a certain lower value. In all cases showing tachycardia-dependent termination except one, when the heart rate increased beyond a certain higher value, coupling intervals gradually lengthened until bigeminy was terminated. These findings strongly suggest the possibility that, in a considerably large number of clinical cases, ventricular extrasystoles with fixed coupling are caused by longitudinal dissociation of conduction in the reentrant pathway of extrasystoles.

[Corneal autofluorescence in patients with diabetic retinopathy]

Corneal autofluorescence was investigated by fluorophotometry in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and healthy volunteers, and evaluated as to its correlation with diabetic retinopathy. The corneal autofluorescence of diabetes patients, which was significantly higher than that of healthy controls, correlated significantly with the severity of retinopathy. In addition, the corneal autofluorescence of burned-out retinopathy patients was significantly lower than that of proliferative retinopathy patients. These results suggest that corneal autofluorescence is correlated with retinal ischemia and that corneal autofluorescence can be an indicator of the activity of diabetic retinopathy. Corneal autofluorescence may originate in the accumulation of some factor induced by retinal ischemia within the corneal stroma.