[Establishment of a new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Watanabe cells, containing estrogen receptor]

A new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Watanabe cells, was established from the ascitic fluid of a relapsed endometrial adenocarcinoma obtained from a 58-year-old woman; this cell line has been maintained in vitro for more than 3 years and 8 months. The cells formed a monolayer in a mosaic fashion and tended to pile up and formed a hemicyst. The population boubling time was 60.0 hours at the 10th generation. The modal chromosomal number of the cells was in the diploid range. The histology of tumors induced by this cell line in athymic nude mice showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, while the initial tumor was a well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) were demonstrated in the original tumor, whereas ER but not PR were present in the tumors induced in nude mice. CA125, CA19-9 and other tumor markers were positive in culture media of this cell line. The cells showed intrinsic cisplatin-resistance (50% inhibition concentration: > 10 micrograms/ml) at 120 hours of exposure by MTT assay. We believe this cell line will be useful for investigating the mechanisms of progesterone therapy, the biological behaviors of the tumor markers and mechanisms of chemotherapeutic resistance in endometrial carcinoma.

Clinical findings in patients with recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The use of computerized tomography has led to the detection of second intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in some patients. There have, however, only been a few clinical studies of second ICH.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with a second ICH were analyzed according to clinical criteria. These patients comprised 5.9% of all patients admitted to Chugoku Rosai Hospital for ICH between 1984 and 1992.

RESULTS

The mean interval between the first and second ICH was 27.7 months (range 1-144). The incidence of second hemorrhage was especially high within the first year after the initial ICH. Twelve patients bled bilaterally into the basal ganglia or thalamus during either the first or second attack. Most of these patients had poor outcomes and prognoses. The nine patients with good prognoses included patients with high activity of daily living (ADL) prior to the second attack, and those with neurologic grade 1 following the second attack. All of these patients were managed with conservative therapy. The 10 patients who underwent surgery had poor prognoses.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of second ICHs is greater than that of initial ICHs. Many patients who experience a second ICH will have a poor prognosis, possibly worse than expected. Surgical therapy should not be recommended in such patients, since our data suggest that they will not do well even after surgery.

[Carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for hemophilia A using the inversion analysis of the factor VIII gene]

Hemophilia A is an X-linked hemorrhagic disorder caused by heterogeneous mutations in the factor VIII gene. Recently, it was reported that approximately 50% of the cases of severe hemophilia A may be caused by a common inversion in the factor VIII gene. In this study, we analyzed 33 Japanese patients with severe hemophilia A for the presence of this inversion mutation using the non-RI Southern blotting, and detected inversion mutations of the factor VIII gene in 12 patients (36.4%). We also showed that the inversion analysis of the factor VIII gene was useful for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in a hemophilia A family, which we had not been able to diagnose by the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the factor VIII gene. The detection of inversion mutations in the factor VIII gene using non-RI Southern blotting analysis appears to be very useful for the genetic counseling for severe hemophilia A.

Platelet-activating factor induces cell growth through tyrosine phosphorylation pathway in cultured rat mesangial cells

Accumulating evidence suggests that platelet-activating factor (PAF) may play a role in renal pathophysiology. Therefore, in order to investigate this notion further, the effects of PAF on cell growth and tyrosine phosphorylation were analyzed in cultured rat mesangial cells. PAF was found to enhance a time and concentration-dependent increase in phosphotyrosine in several proteins and stimulate 3H-thymidine incorporation. Tyrosine phosphorylation was also enhanced by PAF in protein kinase C (PKC) depleted cells, whereas a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins at the concentration of 1 microgram/ml. PAF stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation at concentrations below 10(-6) M, but exerted progressive inhibition at concentrations above 10(-6) M. Pre-treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) did not affect PAF-enhanced incorporation at lower concentrations of PAF, and reversed the inhibitory effects of PAF at higher concentrations. Finally, genistein pre-treatment completely inhibited PAF-induced cell growth at the concentration of 1 microgram/ml. Both tyrosine phosphorylation and 3H-thymidine incorporation induced by PAF were completely inhibited by pre-treatment with the PAF-receptor antagonist, CV-6209, at the concentration of 10(-5)M. These results suggest that PAF enhancement of tyrosine phosphorylation occurred in a PKC-independent manner and that a tyrosine kinase was associated with PAF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Moreover, they indicate that the phosphoinositide hydrolysis-PKC pathway is not essential for PAF-induced cell proliferation, and that PKC activation may play an inhibitory rather than a stimulatory role in mitogenesis in response to PAF. Our results indicate that the tyrosine phosphorylation pathway induced by PAF may participate critically in downstream mitogenic signaling through the PAF receptor.

[Analysis of familial aggregation of ovarian and breast cancer in patients with ovarian cancer]

In 118 patients with common epithelial ovarian tumors (carcinomas and tumors of borderline malignancy) treated at Tsukuba University Hospital and Tsukuba-Gakuen Hospital, family histories of ovarian and breast cancer were obtained from medical records or in interviews, and familial aggregation of these cancers was examined. 1. A positive family history was found in 10 patients (8.5%). The high incidences of familial ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer in patients who were previously affected with breast cancer were statistically significant. 2. Patients with serous adenocarcinoma showed a significantly greater rate of positive family history than those with mucinous adenocarcinoma. 3. No significant correlation was seen between the clinical stage and a positive family history. 4. Every patient except one with a positive family history had onset of ovarian cancer after menopause. The age at onset for familial ovarian cancer cases was younger than that for the patients' relatives who were affected previously. 5. There were 14 healthy women considered to be at high risk for ovarian cancer among 5 familial ovarian and 2 familial ovarian and breast cancer aggregations. These preliminary findings suggest that screening for early ovarian cancer should be conducted in high risk relatives of familial cancer patients and women affected with breast cancer previously. More detailed studies are needed to define the occurrence of familial or hereditary ovarian and breast cancers in Japan.

[An immunohistological study on expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (form) in human ovarian carcinoma]

Specimens from 102 cases of ovarian cancer were stained immunohistochemically with a rabbit polyclonal antibody prepared against the placental form of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST-pi). All 28 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 19 of clear cell carcinoma and 4 of malignant transformed dermoid cysts were stained positively with the GST-pi antibody. These tumors are considered to be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents as compared with other epithelial tumors. With regard to the histological grade, the degree of staining was reduced according to the loss of differentiation. An investigation of the relationship between GST-pi stain and the prognosis of the 50 patients with stage 2,3 or 4, according to the Kaplan-Meier method, revealed that the prognosis improved as the staining decreased. In conclusion, results suggested that immunohistochemical staining of GST-pi is correlated with the chemoresistance of the tumor, and may predict the outcome in patients with ovarian cancer.

Variations in mitochondrial tRNA gene organization of reptiles as phylogenetic markers

Amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA regions corresponding to three major clusters of transfer RNA genes from a variety of species representing major groups of birds and reptiles revealed some new variations in tRNA gene organization. First, a gene rearrangement from tRNA(His)-tRNA(Ser)(AGY)-tRNA(Leu)(CUN) to tRNA(Ser)(AGY)-tRNA(His)tRNA(Leu)(CUN) occurs in all three crocodilians examined (alligator, caiman, and crocodile). In addition an exceptionally long spacer region between the genes for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 and tRNA(Ser)(AGY) is found in caiman. Second, in congruence with a recent finding by Seutin et al., a characteristic stem-and-loop structure for the putative light-strand replication origin located between tRNA(Asn) and tRNA(Cys) genes is absent for all the birds and crocodilians. This stem-and-loop structure is absent in an additional species, the Texas blind snake, whereas the stem-and-loop structure is present in other snakes, lizards, turtles, mammals, and a frog. The disappearance of the stem-and-loop structure in the blind snake most likely occurred independently of that on the lineage leading to birds and crocodilians. Finally, the blind snake has a novel type of tRNA gene arrangement in which the tRNA(Gln) gene moved from one tRNA cluster to another. Sequence substitution rates for the tRNA genes appeared to be somewhat higher in crocodialians than in birds and mammals. As regards the controversial phylogenetic relationship among the Aves, Crocodilia, and Mammalia, a sister group relationship of birds and crocodilians relative to mammals, as suggested from the common loss of the stem-and-loop structure, was supported with statistical significance by molecular phylogenetic analyses using the tRNA gene sequence data.

Transcriptional repression of smooth-muscle alpha-actin gene associated with human papillomavirus type 16 E7 expression

To explore the role of the E7 viral oncogene from human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) in the regulation of cytoskeletal organization, we investigated alterations in particular cytoskeletal components in rat embryonal fibroblasts and three transformants of rat embryonal fibroblast cells produced by transfections with HPV16 E7 alone (TF1), HPV16 E7 plus adenovirus type 5 E1B (TF3), and HPV16 E7 plus activated Ha-ras (TF4). Marked reductions in smooth-muscle (SM) alpha-actin content and disrupted organization of stress fibers detected by anti-SM alpha-actin antibody were evident in all the transformants. These cytoskeletal manifestations were associated with a significant reduction in the mRNAs in these cells. Transcriptional repression by the E7 gene was observed after transient transfection of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene with SM alpha-actin gene promoter. Nucleotides -123 to -39 of the SM alpha-actin gene promoter were required for the HPV16 E7 transcriptional repression as shown by the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. The downregulation of this actin isoform mediated by the E7 oncoprotein may play an important role in cell transformation by HPV16.

[A case of renal cell carcinoma in a young adult]

Renal cell carcinoma in young adults under the age of forty is rare. A case of renal cell carcinoma in a 22-year-old female is presented. Microhematuria was pointed out in the patient by a health check up system and an ultrasonogram revealed a solid mass 5 cm in diameter in the lower pole of the right kidney. The patient was referred to our clinic in January, 1994. An abdominal CT showed a solid and well bordered mass in the right kidney. Renal tumor biopsy was revealed renal cell carcinoma. Right radical nephrectomy was performed on February 9, 1994. From 1986 to 1994, 4 cases of renal cell carcinoma in young adults, other than this case, have been treated in our clinic. All of them have been healthy for more than 6 years, suggesting a good prognosis.

New tumor clips for the removal of large or deep-seated tumors: technical note

We describe newly developed tumor-holding clips, which have been applied in more than 50 patients with large or deep-seated tumors. We devised various kinds of standard tumor clips by modifying Sugita aneurysm clips. Our new tumor clips permit gentle, steady, and easy retraction of the tumor in any direction without disturbance of the operative field. With the use of these clips, a surgeon can operate with both hands. From our experience of removing more than 50 tumors, we confirm that our tumor clips are useful for the removal of large or deep-seated tumors.

Nitric oxide synthase protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is still controversial. To determine the role of NO in the propagation of myocardial injury in a coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion model, we examined the effect of a competitive NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), with and without L-arginine, on the size of the infarct resulting from coronary artery occlusion (30 min) followed by reperfusion (48 hr) in rabbits. L-NAME (300 micrograms/kg, as a bolus, and 100 micrograms/kg/min, i.v.) with and without L-arginine (30 mg/kg, as a bolus, and 10 mg/kg/min, i.v.) was administered immediately before coronary occlusion to 60 min after reperfusion. The infarct size in the L-NAME-treated rabbits (75.1% +/- 5.0%, n = 7), assessed as a percentage of infarcted region/ischemic region, was significantly larger than that of control rabbits (51.2% +/- 7.4%, n = 7; P < .05). The increase in infarct size was significantly attenuated by the treatment with L-NAME and L-arginine (62.0% +/- 4.0%, n = 7). However, the infarct size for the treatment with L-NAME and D-arginine (76.7% +/- 5.7%, n = 6) did not differ from that in the L-NAME-treated rabbits. There was no significant difference in the infarct size between L-arginine-treated (60.1% +/- 7.3%, n = 6) and control rabbits. Rate-pressure products, as an index of myocardial oxygen consumption, were comparable in all the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Heterogeneity of lipopolysaccharide chain size of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from different clinical sources--with reference to gentamicin-susceptibility and serotype]

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compositions of P. aeruginosa isolated from from clinical sources such as blood, urine, pus, sputum, and feces were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and aminoglycoside-susceptibility and serotype of these isolates were investigated in this study. Fifty-nine isolates tested were divided into three groups according to the difference in their LPS compositions; 35 strains with the long-LPS chain (B-band LPS), 14 strains with the short chain (A-band LPS) and 10 LPS-deficient strains. The relationship between the LPS compositions and their sources of 59 strains were investigated. The majority of clinical isolates (12 of the 13 strains) from the blood samples possessed the long-LPS chain (B-band LPS) and the remaining possessed the short-LPS chain (A-band LPS). About 67% each of the isolates from urine and feces possessed the long-LPS chain, and the minor part of both groups possessed the short-LPS chain. In isolates from both sputum and pus samples, the long- and short-LPS chains were found at almost the same rate, and the LPS-deficient isolates were found in the sputum samples at a considerably high rate of 42%. The 19 of the 35 isolates with the long-LPS chain were susceptible to gentamicin (54%) and 12 isolates were resistant (34%). On the other hand, the 14 isolates with the short chain were divided roughly into three groups, gentamicin-resistant, and -susceptible groups and intermediate groups. It was also notable that 7 of the 10 LPS-deficient isolates were resistant to gentamicin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of inhaled beclomethasone on height growth and bone metabolism in children with asthma]

To evaluate the influences of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), 7.3-30.9 (15.5 +/- 6.5) micrograms/kg/day, on bone metabolism and height growth, we performed a longitudinal study for 6 months in 34 children with asthma aged between 3 and 15 years. Bone mineral density estimated by digital image processing method (DIP) and serum level of osteocalcin did not show any significant change, but height growth was slightly suppressed in the patients who inhaled more than 15 micrograms/kg/day of BDP. We concluded that the decision to prescribe inhaled BDP should be made on the balance of the clinical effects and the improvement of quality of life against the possibility of side effects.

[Establishment of a cisplatin-resistant new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Sawano cells]

A new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Sawano cells, was established from an endometrial adenocarcinoma from a 61-year-old woman and has been maintained in vitro for more than 2 years and 10 months. The cells were found to form a monolayer in a mosaic fashion and to tend to pile up. Population doubling time was 43.2 hours at the 10th generation. The modal chromosomal number of the cell fell in a diploid range. Histology of the tumor induced in athymic mice showed it to be a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma which closely resembled the original human tumor. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were not demonstrated in the in vitro culture cells and in the tumors induced in nude mice, though they were positively demonstrated in the original tumor. The cells had intrinsic cisplatin-resistance (50% inhibition concentration:6.63 micrograms/ml) at 120 hours of contact. We believe this cell line with help us to investigate the biological mechanisms of CDDP resistance.

Synthesis of saframycins. X. Transformation of (-)-saframycin A to (-)-saframycin Mx type compound with the structure proposed for saframycin E

Treatment of (-)-saframycin A (1a) with selenium oxide in acetic acid afforded (-)-saframycin G (1g), and a catalytic reduction and regioselective oxidation sequence afforded the saframycin Mx type compound (3). We applied this methodology to the transformation of (+/-)-5-hydroxysaframycin B (11) to the hydroquinone (1e). Acetylation of 1e with acetic anhydride in pyridine gave the triacetate (13), which is identical with the triacetyl derivative of natural saframycin E.

Fasting plasma insulin level is an important risk factor for the development of complications in Japanese obese children--results from a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study

It is not known what types of factors may contribute to the development of complications in obese children. In the current investigation, we have performed a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study in Japanese obese children to clarify the relationship of the extent of obesity, fat distribution, insulin resistance, and aging to the development of obesity-related complications. In the cross-sectional study of 329 obese boys and 142 obese girls aged 7 to 15 years, the fasting plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level was significantly higher than that of 46 non-obese boys and 48 non-obese girls (boys, 13.4 +/- 6.7 v 4.9 +/- 1.9 microU/mL, P < .001; girls, 14.0 +/- 5.9 v 4.8 +/- 1.8, P < .001). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that fasting plasma IRI correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TG), uric acid (UA), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in obese boys, and with TG, SBP, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in obese girls, and negatively with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in both obese boys and girls. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that fasting plasma IRI was independently and positively correlated with FPG, TG, and SBP in obese boys. Fasting plasma IRI in obese girls was positively correlated with TG, SBP, and DBP, and negatively with HDL-C. FPG decreased significantly in non-obese children at the onset of puberty, but it remained unchanged in obese children. Fasting plasma IRI and the IRI to glucose ratio increased with age in obese children, whereas they did not show any significant changes in non-obese children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Selection of three out of 24 anti-cancer agents in poorly-differentiated gastric cancer cell lines, evaluated by the AUC/delta IC50 ratio

The purpose of this study was to screen 24 anti-cancer drugs, either in use or in clinical study, using four cell lines, all of which originated from poorly-differentiated gastric cancers. The MTT assay was used at 1, 6, 24 or 72 h exposure times as the chemosensitivity test. We also examined P-glycoprotein expression, mdr-1 gene amplification and the modifier effect of verapamil. All four cell lines generally showed the same chemosensitivity pattern, while GCIY cells showed mdr-1 gene amplification and P-glycoprotein expression, and KATOIII cells showed the multidrug resistant pattern without P-glycoprotein expression. Both cell lines acquired higher chemosensitivity after verapamil addition. All IC50 data (with or without verapamil) were multiplied by exposure time (delta IC50) and compared with the clinical 'area under the concentration curve (AUC)'. SN-38 with/without verapamil, cisplatin with verapamil and pirarubicin with/without verapamil seemed to be the best candidates for poorly-differentiated gastric cancer chemotherapy. Plant alkaloids could also be candidates. With further experiments, we may be able to deduce commonly effective chemotherapy for poorly-differentiated gastric cancer from these drugs.

The role of p53 inactivation in human cervical cell carcinoma development

We investigated the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and p53 gene mutation in 47 primary uterine cervical cancers. HPV DNA sequences were present in 43 cancers (91.5%), and one of these cancers contained a p53 gene mutation. In addition, one of the remaining four HPV-negative cancers also contained a p53 gene mutation. As a result, p53 inactivation corresponded to the development of 44 of the primary uterine cervical cancers studied (93.6%). We obtained both primary and recurrent tumours from four cases. In two of these cases, the HPV genomes that were present in an episomal state in the primary tumours were observed to have disappeared in the recurrent tumours. One of these recurrent tumours also contained a p53 gene mutation, which suggested the possibility that p53 inactivation was required in order to maintain the aggressive behaviour in this cancer either by an HPV infection or by a p53 gene mutation. No MDM2 gene amplification was observed in the tumours that carried neither HPV DNAs nor p53 gene mutations.

Localization of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in the smooth muscle cells and macrophages of human atherosclerotic plaques

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a potent chemoattractant and mitogen for smooth muscle cells (SMC) in culture. To elucidate whether HB-EGF is implicated in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis, we examined immunohistochemical localization of HB-EGF in human aortic walls and atherosclerotic plaques. The medial SMC of the aorta in babies and children synthesized HB-EGF protein, while the number of SMC producing HB-EGF was dramatically decreased in young and middle-aged adults. In atherosclerotic plaques, however, marked production of HB-EGF protein was detected in SMC and macrophages of the plaques. Furthermore, EGF receptors, to which HB-EGF is known to bind, were detected in plaque SMC. These data suggest that HB-EGF may be implicated in the migration and proliferation of SMC that occurs in the normal development of arterial walls, and in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Molecular cloning and site-directed mutagenesis of glutathione S-transferase from Escherichia coli. The conserved tyrosyl residue near the N terminus is not essential for catalysis

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was purified from Escherichia coli K-12, and its N-terminal sequence was determined to be MKLFYKPGAXSLAS. The gene encoding this sequence was cloned and mapped at 1731-1732 kilobases on the E. coli gene map. It encoded a polypeptide of 201 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,860. The overexpressed product of the gene was confirmed to have GST activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and ethacrynic acid and GSH-dependent peroxidase activity toward cumene hydroperoxide. The relative molecular mass of the gene product was determined to be 40,000 by gel chromatography and 25,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating a homodimeric structure. The deduced amino acid sequence was 54% identical with that of Proteus mirabilis GST. Although the homologies between the GSTs from E. coli and mammals were low, many of the residues assigned to be important for the enzymatic function or structure in mammalian cytosolic GSTs were found to be conserved in E. coli GST. Therefore, E. coli GST is considered to have diverged from the same ancestor with other cytosolic GSTs. A specific tyrosyl residue in the vicinity of the N terminus is conserved in all of the known cytosolic GSTs and has been shown to function as a catalytic residue in alpha, mu, and pi class GSTs from mammals. Although Tyr5 in E. coli GST appeared to be the counterpart of the catalytic residue, its replacement with phenylalanine did not significantly affect the enzymatic activity. Therefore, this apparently conserved tyrosyl residue is not essential for catalytic activity in E. coli GST.

Developmental changes of neurotrophin-3 level in the mouse brain detected by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay

Levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the mouse brain were measured by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The monoclonal antibody, 3W3, was labeled with beta-galactosidase, followed by measurement of galactosidase activity. The detection limit of the EIA system was 0.4 pg/well (4 pg/ml). At 1 and 8 weeks of age, the highest level of NT-3 was detected in the hippocampus, a relatively high level also observed in the cerebellum. In contrast, in the cortex, the striatum, the diencephalon, the midbrain, and the brainstem, NT-3 levels were low. Furthermore, we examined the developmental changes of NT-3 level in the hippocampus and the cerebellum. In the hippocampus, the NT-3 levels were more than 20 ng/g tissue from 1 week to 14 weeks of age, but at 20 weeks of age the level decreased to about half. In the cerebellum, although the NT-3 level was high at 1 week of age, the levels were gradually decreased to one-fourth by 20 weeks of age. In peripheral tissues, a large amount of NT-3 protein was observed in the heart.