Partial characterization of a unique 84-kDa polypeptide stimulated by ascorbic acid in skin fibroblasts

Ascorbic acid stimulated the synthesis of a noncollagenous 84 kDa polypeptide by up to 3.5-fold in primary cultures of chick skin fibroblasts. Stimulation was observed with concentrations ranging 0.4 to 50 micrograms/ml and was dose-dependent within the concentrations up to 10 micrograms/ml during 24 h treatment under conditions in which procollagen synthesis was increased. This protein was found to be translated with a molecular size of 84 kDa in an in vitro cell-free translation experiment, indicating that the 84 kDa polypeptide was a primary translate. The stimulation was accompanied by a 1.7-fold increase in translational activity of the mRNA for this polypeptide. Its synthesis rapidly reduced when the cells were serially passaged until the third subcultivation, whereas procollagen synthesis remained essentially constant. These results indicate that the stimulation of this unique 84 kDa polypeptide by ascorbic acid was modulated at least in part at a translational level and its synthesis appears to be related to in vitro cellular aging.

Modulations of elastin expression and cell proliferation by retinoids in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Effects of retinoid derivatives (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and etretinate) on elastin expression and cell proliferation in chick embryonic vascular smooth muscle cells were compared. Retinoic acid and etretinate inhibited cell proliferation to a greater extent than retinol and retinal. Retinol showed no significant effect on cell proliferation or elastin synthesis. Retinoic acid exhibited the most pronounced stimulatory effect on elastin synthesis with a maximum stimulation of 2.8-fold at the concentration of 10(-6) M for 24-48 h treatment. A comparable increase in elastin mRNA level was observed in the case of retinoic acid treatment. When the cells were serially passaged to the third subcultivation, elastin synthesis declined with increasing number of cell passages. Retinoic acid reversed this decline of elastin synthesis. The results indicate that retinoic acid was potentially active and retinol was inactive for both inhibition of cell proliferation and stimulation of elastin synthesis. The inhibitory activities of the four compounds for cell proliferation appear to parallel the stimulatory activities for elastin synthesis. The stimulation of elastin expression by retinoids may thus be closely related to the inhibition of cell proliferation.

Portal vein aneurysm in the liver associated with multiple vascular malformations

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) includes focal dilatation of the portal vein, and was formerly thought to be a rare disease. We report a 46-year-old man with chronic aggressive hepatitis and intrahepatic portal vein aneurysm communicating with the hepatic vein. Hemangiomas in the liver and intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) were also found. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of PVA in a patient with congenital intracranial AVM. As the PVA in this patient communicated with the hepatic vein, and as hemangiomas in the liver and intracranial AVM were also present, the pathogenesis in this patient seems to have been congenital anomaly of the vasculature.

Minoxidil stimulates elastin expression in aortic smooth muscle cells

Minoxidil was found to inhibit the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the proliferating phase, but not in the quiescent phase. Treatment of proliferating or quiescent cells with minoxidil resulted in a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of elastin synthesis specifically. Maximum stimulation (fourfold) occurred in cells treated with 1 mM minoxidil for 48 h. The stimulation of elastin synthesis was accompanied by a proportional increase in elastin mRNA level, and it was partially prevented by a K+ channel blocker (tetraethylammonium) and completely prevented by high K+ salt (0.1 M). Minoxidil had no significant effect on the extent of prolyl hydroxylation in newly synthesized elastin. These results indicate that minoxidil stimulates elastin synthesis at a pretranslational level by a mechanism unrelated to cell proliferation but one that may involve K+ efflux. As a pharmacological agent capable of stimulating elastin expression, minoxidil would be a useful drug for the treatment of abnormal elastin metabolism.

[Development of L-threo-DOPS, a norepinephrine precursor amino acid]

threo-Dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS) is a synthetic amino acid which can be decarboxylated by L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase to yield natural form of norepinephrine (l-NE), a principal neurotransmitter in both central and peripheral (sympathetic) nervous systems. Like L-Dopa as an agent for dopamine precursor therapy, DOPS was expected to have a potential as an agent for NE precursor therapy. Previous studies carried out by several groups in early 1970s, however, reached a negative conclusion that threo-DOPS was not an effective precursor of NE in the brain because of its low NE-increasing activity and weak pharmacological action. Since the latter half of 1970s, on the contrary, three Japanese research groups have successfully shown the possibility of DOPS as a useful NE-precursor. That is, Tanaka (Kobe Univ.) showed that L-threo-DOPS is the real l-NE precursor among four DOPS-enantiomers, and that it has several pharmacological activities such as a slow-onset and long-lasting pressor effect, an inhibitory effect on harmaline-induced tremor and so on. Hayashi and Suzuki (Osaka Univ.) found through the mobility study on familial amyloid polyneuropatchy (FAP) that the progress of the disease develops NE-deficiency (NE-D), that severe orthostatic hypotention in FAP might be due to NE-D, and that L-DOPS has favorable effects on this symptom. Narabayashi (Juntendo Univ.) found that NE-D develops in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), that a freezing phenomenon in these patients might be associated with NE-D, and that L-DOPS improves the phenomenon. Based on these findings, the development of L-DOPS for registration had been undertaken by Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., and an approval was given to it in 1989 as an agent for the treatment orthostatic hypotention in FAP or Shy-Drager syndrome and freezing phenomenon in PD. Preclinical and clinical studies done in the R&D confirmed that L-DOPS markedly restored NE-D and improved related-syndrome in the NE-deficient animals/patients, and that its actions were slow-onset, long-lasting and gentle. The R & D of L-DOPS described in this paper includes studies on industrial production, efficacy pharmacology (mode of action), metabolism and clinical trial of this agent.

[The simultaneous evaluation of preoperative cardiopulmonary functions of esophageal cancer patients in the analysis of expired gas with exercise testing]

By analyzing expired gas with exercise testing, we examined the relationship between test results and postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. The analysis was evaluated for its accuracy and reliability in comparison with general pulmonary function tests including spirometry, flow volume curves, diffusing capacity and arterial blood gas analysis. Enrolled were 52 of patients admitted between a period from 1991 to 1993 for thoracic esophageal cancer, who underwent a radical operation of right thoracolaparotomy. Patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative cardiopulmonary complications; one with complications (group C, n = 11) and the other without complication (group NC = 41). The two groups were compared in maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max)/m2, anaerobic threshold (AT)/m2, VC/m2, %VC, FEV1.0/m2, V25/m, V50/V25, %DLCO and PaO2. In the results, there were significant differences between the two groups only in VO2 max/m2 (p < 0.001), AT/m2 (p < 0.001), and V50/V25 (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two groups in VC/m2, %VC, FEV1.0/m2, FEV1.0%, V25/m, %DLCO or PaO2. The above results suggest that analysis of expired gas with exercise testing is able to measure easily both cardiac and pulmonary reserve forces, which conventional pulmonary function tests are unable to do, and is evaluating surgical indications for esophageal cancer patients and predicting postoperative cardiopulmonary complications.

A novel gelatinolytic enzyme secreted by amelanotic cells isolated from B16 melanoma cell line

Mouse B16 melanoma cells are of heterogenous populations and consist of melanotic and amelanotic cells. Two clones, M3 (melanotic) and A7 (amelanotic), were screened from B16 melanoma cells using a microscope, and gelatinolytic activities in these clones were studied with zymography. Gelatinolytic enzyme was found in the cultured medium of A7 cells, but not in M3 cells. The enzymes with apparent molecular weights of 70, 140 and 280 kDa were detected and found to form complexes: a dimer or more than dimer. Their enzyme activities were not inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The optimal pH of this enzyme was found to be at neutral pH. Preferential expression of this novel gelatinolytic enzyme in amelanotic melanoma will be related to tumorigenic and metastatic phenotype of amelanotic melanoma.

[Pre-operative screening tests for lung cancer using the analysis of expired gas with exercise testing--principally VO2 max/m2]

The analysis of expired gas with exercise testing was conducted preoperatively with lung cancer patients in order to examine the relationship between maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and postoperative complications, determining the cut-off of VO2 max/m2. The usefulness of the test as a preoperative screening test for both pulmonary ventilation and circulation was evaluated in comparison to pulmonary ventilation tests with spirometry and pulmonary circulation tests with Swan-Ganz catheter. Preoperative VO2 max/m2 was calculated from VO2 max in 111 patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy of more than one lobe. Also preoperatively conducted were pulmonary ventilation tests by spirometry and pulmonary circulation tests using the Swan-Ganz catheter to measure VC, %VC, FEV1.0, FEV1.0%, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PPA) and cardiac output coefficient (C.I.). Form theses measurements, VC/m2, FEV1.0/m2 and total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPVR) were calculated. After the cut-off values of VO2 max/m2 were set tentatively at three stages, 600, 650 and 700 ml/min/m2 based on the incidence of postoperative complications, the 111 patients were divided into two groups in each cut-off value; one with VO2 max/m2 greater than the cut-off value and the other less than the cut-off value. Comparison of measurements obtained by spirometry between the two groups disclosed significant differences (p < 0.001) in VC/m2, %VC and FEV1.0/m2 in all cut-off values. Similarly, comparison of measurements obtained using the Swan-Ganz catheter between the two groups yielded significant differences (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01) in PPA and TPVR in all cut-off values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coordinate modulation of melanogenesis and type I trimer collagen secretion by type I collagen substratum during reversible conversion between melanotic and amelanotic cells in mouse B16 melanoma

Two clones, melanotic (M3) and amelanotic (A4) cells, were isolated from B16 mouse melanoma cells. The two clones exhibited distinct phenotypes in cell morphology, melanogenesis, and secretion of extracellular matrix, with preferential secretion of type I trimer collagen in A4 cells. Grown on type I collagen substratum, M3 cells were converted to cells exhibiting similar phenotypes to A4 cells. Subsequent culture of A4-like cells on plastic dishes resulted in the recovery of the initial M3 phenotypes. These results indicate that the reversible conversion between melanotic and amelanotic cells in B16 melanoma cells in vitro is controlled by type I collagen substratum and that modulation of cell shape, melanogenesis, and type I trimer collagen secretion during conversion were all coordinately and reversibly regulated. The results provide evidence that extracellular matrix can control the cell phenotypes in mouse B16 melanoma. Modulation of type I trimer collagen secretion by type I collagen substrate could be a useful model for studying the alpha 1(I) chain-specific regulatory mechanism.

Monoallelic expression of normal mRNA in the PIT1 mutation heterozygotes with normal phenotype and biallelic expression in the abnormal phenotype

The combined deficiency of thyrotropin, growth hormone and prolactin, caused by PIT1 abnormality manifests in the homozygous or heterozygous state. We studied a patient having an allele with Arg271Trp mutation, which produces clinical symptoms in heterozygotes by a dominant-negative effect. However, in the family, her father, grandmother and aunts had the same mutation without clinical symptoms, although the proband had typical phenotypic expression. We analyzed the PIT1 transcript in peripheral lymphocytes by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and found monoallelic expression of normal allele in the father and grandmother and skewed pattern of biallelic expression in the proband. The phenotypic expression of PIT1 abnormality may depend on different transcription of the PIT1 gene.

Vascularized iliac bone graft based on a pedicle of upper lumbar vessels for anterior fusion of the thoraco-lumbar spine

A new option for the use of a vascularized iliac bone graft, based on the upper (first or second) lumbar vessels, has been developed. As a pedicled graft, this supero-posteriorly-based vascularized iliac bone graft can reach the vertebrae from T8 to the sacrum, and the lower sternum and thoracic cage. In this report, the vascular anatomy of the flap and clinical experience using it for anterior spinal fusion are described.

Polar lipids of a non-alkaliphilic extremely halophilic archaebacterium strain 172: a novel bis-sulfated glycolipid

Extremely halophilic archaebacteria which require high salt concentrations for growth and survival contain glycerol diether analogues of phospholipids and sulfated glycolipids as major membrane polar lipids. A non-alkaliphilic, non-pigmented rod-shaped extreme halophile, isolated from sea sand in Japan and designated 'strain 172', was found to contain two phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylglyceromethylphosphate (PGP-Me), derived from both C20-C20- and C20-C25-glycerol diethers, and a novel major glycolipid (designated SGL-X). This glycolipid has been identified as a bis-sulfated diglycosyl C20-C20- or C20-C25-glycerol diether, on the basis of its TLC mobility, positive-staining behavior with sugar and sulfate-staining reagents, its mole ratio sulfate/glycolipid = 2.2, and by spectrometric analysis (IR and FAB-MS) of the intact and the desulfated SGL-X. The sugars were identified as mannose and glucose, after acid hydrolysis of SGL-X, by paper chromatography of the free sugars and GC-MS of the derivatized sugars (alditol acetates). Permethylation analysis and 1H- and 13C-NMR analysis established the position and configuration of the sugar linkages and the positions of the sulfate groups. The final structure of SGL-X (now designated S2-DGD-1) is proposed to be: 2,3-diphytanyl- or phytanyl-sesterterpenyl-1-[2,6-(HSO3)2-alpha-Manp-1--> 2- Glcp]-sn-glycerol. This lipid is the first bis-sulfated glycolipid to be reported in extremely halophilic archaebacteria, and is the first in the biosphere that possesses two sulfate groups attached to the same monosaccaride.

Clinical evaluation of plasma exchange and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin in a patient with Isaacs' syndrome

The clinical effects of plasma exchange and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) were evaluated in a 41 year old woman with Isaacs' syndrome. After double filtration plasma exchange, symptoms almost disappeared for two to three weeks and the recorded continuous muscle action potentials were considerably decreased. Symptoms recurred within a few months. On the other hand, IVIg worsened the symptoms of the disorder: during and after IVIg at a dose of 0.2 g/kg/day (total 50 g), widespread myokymia, pseudomyotonia, and muscle cramps gradually increased. Symptoms improved after another course of plasma exchange.

[A case of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism with normal plasma aldosterone concentrations for 5 years after onset: a 12-year follow-up study]

We report a 54-year old man diagnosed as idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) at least 12 years after the onset. At the age of 42, he showed hypertension (162/100mmHg), hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, low plasma renin activity (PRA) and normal plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in a supine posture. Both PRA and PAC were elevated after a 2-hour ambulation following furosemide (60mg) injection. Since the accumulation of radioactivity following 131I-aldosterol injection with combined administration of dexamethasone was equally detected in both adrenal areas, he was diagnosed as low-renin essential hypertension (LREH). Blood pressure (BP) decreased to the normal range after treatment with nifedipine (40mg/day). At the age of 47, however, BP was hypertensive (164/106mmHg) serum potassium (K) level was normal. Although PAC was normal in a supine posture, it increased after a 2-hour ambulation following furosemide (60mg) injection. PRA after the stimulation was still suppressed despite the increase in PAC. At the age of 54, BP was 172/94mmHg. Serum K level was 3.4mEq/L. PRA was suppressed below 0.1 ng/ml/hr, while PAC was above the normal range (170pg/ml) in a supine posture. Serum cortisol and urinary excretion of 17-OHCS and 17-KS were within normal limits. PRA was still suppressed below 0.1 ng/ml/hr after a 2-hour ambulation following furosemide (60mg) injection, but PAC was markedly increased (330pg/ml). There was a diurnal rhythm of aldosterone, which was parallel to that of ACTH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Two pulmonary tuberculosis cases with HIV infection]

It was reported that HIV-infected persons were at much higher risk to develop active tuberculosis than HIV-none-infected persons, about 10% of whom might develop active tuberculosis through their lives, almost identical percentage of HIV-infected persons had developed active tuberculosis annually. In Japan, 2838 HIV-infected persons including 621 AIDS-cases were reported by the end of June 1993. Oct. Ten HIV-infected cases of active mycobacteriosis have been reported in literatures or on scientific meeting. We experienced two tuberculosis cases with HIV-infection recently and will report herein.

FIRST CASE

A 23 years-old male student of Japanese-language school from Myammer. He was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and cough. His chest X-ray film taken on admission showed left hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes swelling, calcification of left hilar lymph node and infiltration in middle lung field. Sputum smear for acid fast bacilli was strongly positive. The cultured isolates were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis by DNA probe methods and were susceptibility tests were sensitive to all antituberculous drugs. Tuberculin skin reaction was negative. Laboratory data on admission: serum albumin level was 2.7 g/dl, A/G ratio was 0.75, CRP was 26.4 dg/ml, HBe antigen and antibody were positive, HIV antibody was positive by PA method and Western blot method, total lymphocyte count was 410/microliters, total T lymphocyte count was 303/microliters, total B lymphocyte count was 29/microliters, CD4+ T lymphocyte count was 37/microliters, CD8+ T lymphocyte count was 279/microliters, CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 0.1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of tri-n-butyltin on intracellular Ca2+ concentration of mouse thymocytes under Ca(2+)-free condition

Effect of tri-n-butyltin at concentrations ranging from 100 nM to 1 microM on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration of mouse thymocytes was examined under Ca(2+)-free conditions in comparison with those of 50 nM A23187, 100 nM thapsigargin and 10 microM cyclopiazonic acid, using the fluorescent dye for intracellular Ca2+, fluo-3. Tri-n-butyltin persistently increased the intensity of fluo-3 fluorescence while A23187, thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid produced a transient augmentation of the fluorescence. Pretreatment with A23187 greatly decreased the fluorescence responses induced by 1 microM tri-n-butyltin. However, the effect of thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid on the tri-n-butyltin-induced response was much weaker than that of A23187. In the presence of tri-n-butyltin, the transient response produced by A23187 was greatly prolonged. Results may suggest that tri-n-butyltin increases the membrane Ca2+ permeability of the intracellular organelles (cellular calcium stores) and decreases the Ca2+ pump activity of thymocyte membrane, resulting in a sustained increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration under Ca(2+)-free concentration.

The significance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone test for predicting fertility after varicocelectomy

To predict the surgical outcome in 30 infertile men with varicocele, endocrinologic evaluation by the GnRH test was performed before and 6 months after the high ligation of the left internal spermatic vein. Semen analysis was performed and the levels of basal T and PRL were examined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. In the pregnancy group, the preoperative excessive response of LH to the GnRH test decreased significantly after surgery. Significant reduction in the LH response is considered to be a valuable parameter for predicting fertility.

Induction of autoimmune disease by graft-versus-host reaction across MHC class II difference: modification of the lesions in IL-6 transgenic mice

We examined the effect of IL-6 on the development of autoimmune diseases (primary biliary cirrhosis, Sjögren's syndrome) employing murine graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) model with MHC class II disparity. For this purpose, we used IL-6 transgenic (B6.6) mice in which a high level of IL-6 was detected. C57Bl/6 (B6) spleen T cells were injected into B6.6 mated with B6.C-H-2bm12 (bm12) mutant mice ((bm12 x B6.6)F1) and GVHR with MHC class II disparity was induced. The transgenic hybrid mice with GVHR showed a larger spleen index and contained a higher serum level of IL-6 than those without GVHR. Autoimmune-like lesions in transgenic recipients became weakened compared with those in non-transgenic (bm12 x B6)F1 recipients. In contrast, levels of antimitochondrial antibodies in (bm12 x B6.6)F1 GVHR group were significantly higher than that of (bm12 x B6)F1 GVHR group. These results indicate that IL-6 excessively produced in vivo might regulate the progression of autoimmune diseases.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoprecipitation studies on anti-goblet cell antibody using a mucin producing cell line in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Circulating anti-goblet cell antibody and its corresponding antigen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease were investigated. Anti-goblet cell antibody in the serum was examined by immunocytochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using a colonic cancer cell line, HT29-18-N2, which differentiates into intestinal goblet cells. The frequencies of anti-goblet cell antibody detected by immunocytochemistry were 14 in 48 patients with ulcerative colitis (29%) and five in 15 patients with Crohn's disease (33%). By ELISA, the frequencies of anti-goblet cell antibody were 38% in ulcerative colitis and 33% in Crohn's disease. This antibody did not relate directly to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), although the serum samples positive for anti-goblet cell antibody were commonly positive for ANCA in ulcerative colitis. Immunoprecipitation and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) study showed that the antibody in the ELISA positive serum samples recognised a > 200 kD goblet cell antigen, which remained unchanged after reduction, indicating that it consists of single chain polypeptides. These results suggest that there is a subgroup of inflammatory bowel disease that has circulating anti-goblet cell antibody reactive with a > 200 kD antigen. The antibody detected by newly established ELISA will be a disease marker for this group and the identification of the corresponding antigens may be important for the understanding of the underlying immune abnormalities.

Application of an alpha-sidechain length-specific monoclonal antibody to immunoaffinity purification and enzyme immunoassay of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha from human urine

2,3-Dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha) is a major urinary metabolite of PGI2 (prostacyclin) and one of the most reliable parameters of PGI2 production in vivo. A mouse was immunized with 2,3-dinor-6-keto-20-carboxy-PGF1 alpha conjugated to bovine serum albumin for preparation of a monoclonal antibody which recognized the difference in the alpha-sidechain length of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and its 2,3-dinor-metabolite. A sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay was developed by the solid-phase competition method with 2,3-dinor-6-keto-20-carboxy-PGF1 alpha labeled with peroxidase protein. The detection range of the assay was 14-1200 fmol (IC50 = 120 fmol). The cross-reactivities of the antibody with 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-PGF1 alpha, and other arachidonate metabolites were less than 0.01%. An immunoaffinity column was prepared by coupling the anti-2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha antibody to BrCN-activated Sepharose 4B. Human urine was applied to an octadecylsilyl silica cartridge, and the extract was applied to the immunoaffinity column. This procedure allowed an efficient separation of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha from unidentified urinary substances which interfered with immunoassay. Validity of the results obtained by the enzyme immunoassay was confirmed by GC/MS employing selected ion monitoring for quantification.