Genetic control of delayed-type hypersensitivity to gold antigens in mice

The genetic control of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to both gold(I) and gold(III) antigens was investigated in various strains of mice. Most mouse strains, with the exception of those with the major histocompatibility complex I-Ab allele, showed a marked DTH response to each antigen; the magnitude of the response to gold(III) was greater than that of the response to gold(I). Moreover, the high responsive trait was dominant. The DTH footpad response was mediated by CD4+ 8-, Ia- T cells. However, CD8+ T cells did not suppress footpad swelling. These results indicate that gold(I) and gold(III) can both stimulate a DTH response in mice.

Antitumor effect of polysaccharide coated liposomal adriamycin on AH66 hepatoma in nude mice

Drug delivery systems play a crucial role in cancer chemotherapy, not only in the achievement of sufficient tumoricidal effect but also in minimizing systemic side effects. We investigated the effect of liposomal adriamycin with tumor recognition molecule, 1-aminolactose (1-AL), on AH66 hepatoma transplanted into nude mice. Adriamycin (ADM) was encapsulated in liposome coating with cholesterol pullulan (CHP) to increase the stability in the blood stream. 1-AL was assembled to the outer layer of CHP-coated liposomal ADM as a tumor recognition molecule. In an in vivo therapeutic study. 1-AL/CHP-coated liposomal ADM restrained tumor growth more when compared with CHP-coated liposomal ADM. Thus, 1-AL/CHP-coated liposome seems to be a carrier of ADM to tumor cells.

[An analysis of type 2 helper T cells in patients with atopic dermatitis]

In order to know the role of type 2 helper T (Th2) cells on patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), peripheral blood mononuclear cells were taken from the patients, stimulated with immobilized anti CD3 monoclonal antibody in the presence of monensin, and stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled anti IL-2 or IL-4 monoclonal antibody, followed by phycoerythrin labeled-anti CD4 monoclonal antibody. The fluorescent intensity was detected by FACScan. The results showed that the frequency of IL-4 producing CD4+ cells from AD patients was significantly higher than that from the healthy controls, whereas that of IL-2 producing CD4+ cells from patients were the same as healthy controls. The frequency of IL-4 producing cells was well correlated to the clinical severity of the disease, but that of IL-2 producing cells did not show any significance. Neither IL-2 nor IL-4 producing CD4+ cells had any relation to the serum IgE levels and the number of eosinophils in the patients. Our results indicate dominance of IL-4 producing CD4+ cells, which means Th2 cells in the peripheral mononuclear cells in the patients with AD, especially severe cases.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1-specific immune responses induced by DNA vaccination are greatly enhanced by mannan-coated diC14-amidine

Use of mannan-coated N-t-butyl-N'-tetradecyl-3-tetradecylamino-propionamidine (diC14-amidine) as an adjuvant for a DNA vaccine encoding glycoprotein 160 of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) enhanced the antigen-specific immune responses. The role of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-12 in the mechanism of adjuvant action was also evaluated. Coating of diC14-amidine with mannan significantly augmented the HIV-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by the immunogenic DNA. HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was also markedly enhanced by the mannan-diC14-amidine cocktail. An immunomodulatory effect of this cocktail was inhibited by treatment with anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody in vivo, which suggests that IFN-gamma plays an important role in inducing cell-mediated immunity by the DNA vaccine containing this adjuvant. The results of both antigen-specific immunoglobulin isotype analysis and cytokine measurement showed that the immunogenic DNA incorporated into mannan-coated diC14-amidine elicits Th1-biased immune responses.

Effect of YM087, a potent nonpeptide vasopressin antagonist, on vasopressin-induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy of cultured vascular smooth-muscle cells

We investigated the effects of YM087, a potent nonpeptide V1A and V2 vasopressin (AVP)-receptor antagonist, in binding and functional studies on rat vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs). V1A AVP receptors on VSMCs were characterized by using the radioligand [3H]AVP. Specific binding of [3H]AVP was time dependent, reversible, and saturable. A single class of high-affinity binding sites with the expected V1A profile was identified. YM087 showed high affinity for V1A receptors with an inhibitory dissociation constant (Ki) value of 0.24 nM. In addition, YM087 potently and concentration-dependently inhibited AVP-induced increase in intracellular free calcium concentration and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. When added to growth-arrested VSMCs, AVP concentration-dependently induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy. YM087 prevented AVP-induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy of these cells in a concentration-dependent manner. YM087 had no agonistic activity in any biological assays used. These results suggest that YM087 displays high affinity for V1A receptors on VSMCs and high potency in inhibiting the AVP-induced physiological response. YM087 is a potent pharmacologic probe for investigating the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of AVP in several diseases.

[A surgical case for the huge chronic expanding hematoma developed in the thoracic cavity]

We report a case of operation against chronic expanding hematoma developed in the pleural cavity of the patient who were treated as anaplastic anemia. 69-year-old man had been underwent thymectomy because of the thymoma and hemogenic pleural effusion 8 years ago. Then, last year, he was pointed out severe thrombocytopenia and underwent transfusion of thrombocyte. In the same period, chest X-ray examination revealed development of the tumor-like shadow in the left lung field. The abnormal shadow has enlarged, so the patient admitted us. X-ray findings revealed the huge tumor occupied completely the left pleural space. He was also pointed out severe pancytopenia (WBC: 2,600/mm3, RBC: 172 x 10(4)/mm3, thrombocyto: 1.9 x 10(4)/mm#), and the examination of bone marrow revealed anaplastic anemia. Thoracotomy was underwent, and the tumor was resected. Pathological diagnosis of the tumor was huge hematoma. Negative pressure in the pleural space would keep the hemorrhage and make hematoma huge. The hematoma in the pleural space should be resected as soon as the diagnosis is decided.

Human dural thickness measured by ultrasonographic method: reflection of intracranial pressure

We measured changes in dural thickness to estimate intracranial pressure. The dural thickness on magnetic resonance imaging with contrast enhancement was compared in a hydrocephalic patient before and after shunt operation. Dural thickness also was measured directly using a micrometer at craniotomy for aneurysmal clipping in 11 patients. A small ultrasound probe (5 MHz) was held against the temporal scalp of 10 volunteers to extract convoluted interference echoes from the dura mater using a computer--based system for fast Fourier transform-Cepstrum analysis and maximum entropy analysis. The degree of intracranial pressure in the supine position was varied in the volunteers with transient neck compression. The enhanced dural thickness of the patient with hydrocephalus, barely visualized before shunt operation, increased after surgery. Dural thickness measurements obtained ultrasonographically in the supine position were similar to direct measurements of thickness. Changes in dural thickness on ultrasonography reflect changes in intracranial pressure.

Stretch-induced enhancement of mechanical power output in human multijoint exercise with countermovement

The relation between the eccentric force developed during a countermovement and the mechanical power output was studied in squatting exercises under nominally isotonic load (50% of 1-repetition maximum). The subjects (n = 5) performed squatting exercises with a countermovement at varied deceleration rates before lifting the load. The ground reaction force and video images were recorded to obtain the power output of the body. Net muscle moments acting at hip, knee, and ankle joints were calculated from video recordings by using inverse dynamics. When an intense deceleration was taken at the end of downward movement, large eccentric force was developed, and the mechanical power subsequently produced during the lifting movement was consistently larger than that produced without the countermovement. Both maximal and mean power outputs during concentric actions increased initially with the eccentric force, whereas they began to decline when the eccentric force exceeded approximately 1.4 times the sum of load and body weight. Video-image analysis showed that this characteristic relation was predominantly determined by the torque around the knee joint. Electromyographic analyses showed no consistent increase in time-averaged integrated electromyograph from vastus lateralis with the power output, suggesting that the enhancement of power output is primarily caused by the prestretch-induced improvement of an intrinsic force-generating capability of the agonist muscle.

Stretch-induced enhancement of mechanical work production in frog single fibers and human muscle

The relations between the velocity of prestretch and the mechanical energy liberated during the subsequent isovelocity release were studied in contractions of frog single fibers and human muscles. During isometric contractions of frog single fibers, a ramp stretch of varied velocity (amplitude, 0.02 fiber length; velocity, 0.08-1.0 fiber length/s) followed by a release (amplitude, 0.02 fiber length; velocity, 1.0 fiber length/s) was given, and the amount of work liberated during the release was measured. For human muscles, elbow flexions were performed with a prestretch of varied velocity (range, 40 degrees; velocity, 30-180 degrees/s) followed by an isokinetic shortening (velocity, 90 degrees/s). In both frog single fibers and human muscles, the work production increased with both the velocity of stretch and the peak of force attained before the release up to a certain level; thereafter it declined with the further increases of these variables. In human muscles, the enhancement of work production was not associated with a significant increase in integrated electromyogram. This suggests that changes in intrinsic mechanical properties of muscle fibers play an important role in the stretch-induced enhancement of work production.

Cationic liposomes are a strong adjuvant for a DNA vaccine of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Liposomes have been widely used to enhance the immune response. In the present investigation, we studied their in vivo immunomodulation of an HIV-1-specific DNA vaccine candidate (pCMV160/REV) constructed with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-conjugated HIV-1 env and rev DNA plasmids. By immunizing with pCMV160/REV and cationic liposomes through various routes (intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intradermal, and intranasal), we induced higher levels of both antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) than by using DNA vaccine alone. The HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was observed to be stronger on immunization with the DNA vaccine and cationic liposome combination. The intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and intranasal inoculation routes were more effective in inducing strong DTH and antibody responses than the subcutaneous and intradermal routes. Taken together, these results suggest that cationic liposomes can be highly effective when used with DNA vaccines and administered by various routes.

The HMC-1 human mast cell line expresses the hepatocyte growth factor receptor c-met

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was originally characterized as a strong inducer of liver regeneration. However, it is now clear that HGF and its receptor, the proto-oncogene c-met, can be expressed in many other tissues, and that HGF can mediate diverse biological activities. We investigated the expression and function of c-met in a human mast cell line (HMC-1). We found that HMC-1 cells express c-met and that c-met expression can be upregulated by treatment of the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Although HGF did not detectably influence the proliferation or morphology of HMC-1 cells, HGF inhibited the cells' ability to release tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in response to stimulation with PMA and the calcium ionophore, A23187. These results add the inhibition of TNF-alpha production to the other recognized effects of HGF/c-met on cellular function.

The conformation formed by the domain after alanine-155 induces inversion of aspartic acid-151 in alpha A-crystallin from aged human lenses

A new cleavage site, which is a post-translational modification, was found between residues His-154 and Ala-155 in alpha A-crystallin from the aged human lens. After trypsin digestion of alpha A-crystallin two peptides that include Asp-151 were obtained and have remarkable differences. That is, the stereo-configuration of the Asp-151 in the normal length peptide was predominately inverted to the D-isomer of beta-aspartyl form (D/L of 5.7). However, the stereoconfiguration of the Asp-151 in the cleavage peptide, that lacks the sequence following Ala-155 to the C-terminus, remained predominately in the L-isomer form as indicated by a D/L value of 0.3. The results suggest that the secondary structure in the region of Ala-155 to the C-terminus may constitute a field that causes the inversion of the Asp-151 to the D-isomer form. Since this kind of cleavage was not found in alpha A-crystallin from young lens, the cleavage between His-154 and Ala-155 is probably the result of aging.

Genetic control of immune response to a synthetic fimbrial antigen of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

The incidence of infection by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, one of the important pathogens in human periodontal diseases, has been reported to be associated with racial background and genetic factors. We attempted to determine the genetic regulation of immune responses to A. actinomycetemcomitans fimbriae, an attachment factor, using various inbred strains of mice. For this purpose, we synthesized an oligopeptide antigen using the amino acid sequence of the fimbriae and conjugated this antigen to branched lysine polymer resin beads. After immunization with the synthetic A. actinomycetemcomitans fimbrial antigen, serum antibody levels and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to the antigen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and footpad swelling responses, respectively. The strains of mice found to be high-IgG responders to the antigen were B10.HTT, B10.RIII, B10.A (5R) and B10.S (9R). These results indicate that mice with E(beta s):E(alpha k), E(beta r):E(alpha r) and E(beta b):E(alpha k) respond strongly to the synthetic peptide. All of the high-IgG responders showed a high DTH response. A cell transfer experiment confirmed that CD4 T cells mediated with DTH response to the synthetic peptide. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate that the immune responses to A. actinomycetemcomitans fimbriae are genetically controlled.

Breast ultrasonography: computer-aided diagnosis using fuzzy inference

On the basis of detailed analysis of ultrasonographic features in 105 breast masses (55 malignant, 50 benign), a computer-aided diagnostic system using fuzzy inference has been developed. Ultrasonographic features of a mass for the input data included shape, border, halo (boundary echoes), internal echoes, posterior echoes, and edge shadows (bilateral shadows). The probability of malignancy was described by an actual number ranging from 0.0 to 1.0. The algorithm of inference was constructed, and a sensitivity of 94.5% and specificity of 76.0% for cancer diagnosis were obtained.

Intranasal immunization of a DNA vaccine with IL-12- and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-expressing plasmids in liposomes induces strong mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses against HIV-1 antigens

A DNA vaccine constructed with the CMV promoter conjugated to env gp160 and rev genes has been shown to induce an effective Th1-type immune response when inoculated via an intramuscular route. In the present study, we obtained high levels of both humoral and cell-mediated immune activity by intranasal administration of this DNA vaccine. The production of mucosal IgA Ab in feces and vaginal fluid was stimulated significantly by intranasal DNA administration. This route of administration resulted in a significant level of HIV-1-neutralizing Abs in feces and serum. Cytokine assays revealed that intranasal administration of this DNA vaccine induces a Th2-type immune response. Interestingly, cationic liposomes greatly enhanced these activities. Abs against HIV-1 were present for at least 10 mo. Coadministration of the DNA vaccine with IL-12- and granulocyte/macrophage-CSF-expressing plasmids induced high levels of HIV-specific CTLs and an increase in delayed type hypersensitivity when administered by the intranasal route. These results clearly demonstrate that intranasal administration of this DNA vaccine with liposomes, together with IL-12- and/or granulocyte/macrophage-CSF-expressing plasmids, induces a strong level of anti-HIV-1 immune response.

Intranasal immunization of a DNA vaccine with IL-12- and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-expressing plasmids in liposomes induces strong mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses against HIV-1 antigens

A DNA vaccine constructed with the CMV promoter conjugated to env gp160 and rev genes has been shown to induce an effective Th1-type immune response when inoculated via an intramuscular route. In the present study, we obtained high levels of both humoral and cell-mediated immune activity by intranasal administration of this DNA vaccine. The production of mucosal IgA Ab in feces and vaginal fluid was stimulated significantly by intranasal DNA administration. This route of administration resulted in a significant level of HIV-1-neutralizing Abs in feces and serum. Cytokine assays revealed that intranasal administration of this DNA vaccine induces a Th2-type immune response. Interestingly, cationic liposomes greatly enhanced these activities. Abs against HIV-1 were present for at least 10 mo. Coadministration of the DNA vaccine with IL-12- and granulocyte/macrophage-CSF-expressing plasmids induced high levels of HIV-specific CTLs and an increase in delayed type hypersensitivity when administered by the intranasal route. These results clearly demonstrate that intranasal administration of this DNA vaccine with liposomes, together with IL-12- and/or granulocyte/macrophage-CSF-expressing plasmids, induces a strong level of anti-HIV-1 immune response.

A solid-phase assay to screen monoclonal antibodies against DNA-binding protein

A method is described for selecting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against DNA-binding protein. The protocol involves a non-radioactive solid-phase DNA binding assay using a 96-well plate. Because the solid-phase assay is highly specific and sensitive, partially purified antigen is sufficient for the immunization, and mAb screening can be performed with crude cell extract as the antigen. MAbs obtained by this method could supershift the DNA-protein complex in the electromobility shift assay, and were sufficient for immunoscreening of a cDNA expression library.

HIV-1-specific cell-mediated immune responses induced by DNA vaccination were enhanced by mannan-coated liposomes and inhibited by anti-interferon-gamma antibody

The adjuvant effect of mannan-coated liposomes on human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) DNA vaccine and the mechanism of this enhancement were studied. Coating of cationic liposomes with mannan significantly enhanced the ability of this vaccine to induce an HIV-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. HIV-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) activity elicited by DNA vaccination was also significantly enhanced with the mannan-liposome cocktail. This mannan-liposome-mediated activity was greatly inhibited by in vivo injection of anti-interferon (IFN)-gamma antibody, which suggests that IFN-gamma plays an important role in this HIV-specific immune response. The results of both isotype-specific antibody and cytokine analysis revealed that mannan-liposome-mediated DNA vaccination enhances Th1-mediated immunity.

Monophosphoryl lipid A enhances both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to DNA vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type 1

To enhance immunity induced by DNA vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), we evaluated the efficacy of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), an adjuvant of bacterial origin. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly injected with immunogenic DNA, encoding the env and rev genes of the HIV-1(IIIB) strain, formulated with MPL dissolved in different vehicles (MPL in stable emulsion and MPL in aqueous formulation). The sera from mice immunized with the two preparations of MPL revealed 2(6) to 2(9) times higher HIV-1-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers than the sera from mice immunized without MPL. In virus neutralization tests for HIV-1(IIIB), by p24 assay and antifusion assay of infected MOLT-4 cells, MPL tends to elicit antibody more protective than antibody elicited without adjuvant. MPL also elicited stronger delayed-type hypersensitivity and cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte activity against HIV-1(IIIB) compared to DNA alone. HIV-1-specific IgG subclass analysis showed that MPL tends to facilitate IgG2a production, suggesting enhancement of a predominant T-helper-type-1 response, and this enhancement may help to facilitate protective-antibody induction. Furthermore, a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay was employed to determine whether MPL affected the gene expression process. Interestingly, both MPL preparations reduced CAT activity in the muscle injected with CAT expression vector but increased anti-CAT antibody production. These results indicate that MPL acts as an effective adjuvant for immunogenic DNA injection despite reduced expression of encoding protein in muscle. We conclude that MPL has a strong adjuvant effect on DNA vaccination against HIV-1.

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency with gamma delta T cells

A patient with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) was found to have a deletion mutation of a four base pair in the transmembrane domain of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain gene, a subunit shared by the receptors for IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 (common gamma chain; gamma c). He had very few alpha beta T cells but had a considerable number of gamma delta T cells in his peripheral blood. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that the gamma delta T cells in his peripheral blood were not of maternal origin. He had received a Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination before recognition of the disease, and the BCG infection remained quiescent with no reaction for 19 months. After successful bone marrow transplantation, the site of the BCG vaccination showed a reaction, and live BCG were detected. It is useful to consider the relationship between the existence of gamma delta T cells and BCG in this case, and it is suggested that gamma delta T cells may be, in a given situation, less dependent on the gamma c chain than are alpha beta T cells.

Sparfloxacin in the treatment of leprosy patients

Seven men (age range, 20-33 years) with leprosy visited our dermatologic clinic at Yokohama City University Hospital (Table 1) and were entered into a trial of sparfloxacin (SPFX), 100-200 mg daily for up to 1 year. Five patients were Japanese Brazilians or Paraguayan from South America, and two patients were Filipinos. Examination procedures included a detailed medical history, pretreatment, clinical examinations, and body charting of the characteristic skin lesions, areas of anesthesia, and enlarged peripheral nerves. There were no deformities observed in any patient. All had presented with eruptions and neurologic problems. The diagnosis of leprosy and its type were determined by the above examination, skin smear, and histopathologic study, as well as Mitsuda reaction. The first patient came from the Philippines and presented to our clinic in 1993. There were many elevated erythemas with central healing on his whole body. Sensory nerves were impaired. His type was lepromatous (LL) leprosy. The second patient was followed for only 1 month because of a change in residence. The third and fourth patients were brothers. The fifth patient came from Paraguay. The sixth patient was from the Philippines. The seventh patient came to our clinic in April 1995.

Management of primary intracranial germinomas: diagnostic surgery or radical resection?

Because intracranial germinomas are readily curable with radiation and chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone, the role of radical surgery has become debatable. This study assesses the optimum degree of surgical resection for intracranial germinomas. Twenty-nine patients who underwent surgery for germinoma were retrospectively analyzed (male/female ratio 27:2, median age 18 years). Among these 29 patients there were 10 solitary pineal, seven solitary neurohypophyseal/hypothalamic, and 12 multifocal or disseminated tumors. Biopsy samples were obtained in 16 patients (stereotactically in eight, transsphenoidally in four, and via frontotemporal craniotomy in four). Partial resection was attained in five patients (via a frontotemporal approach in three and occipitotranstentorially in two). Gross-total resection was achieved via an occipitotranstentorial route in eight patients with pineal masses. After surgery, 10 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone, and 19 received radiation and chemotherapy; complete remission was achieved in all 29 patients. The overall tumor-free survival rate was 100% at a median follow-up period of 42 months. There was no significant difference in outcome related to the extent of surgical resection. Postoperative neurological improvement was seen in only two patients, whereas transient postoperative complications, mainly upgaze palsy, were observed in six. One patient experienced a slight hemiparesis, bringing the surgical morbidity rate to 3% (one of 29). It is concluded that radical resection of intracranial germinomas offers no benefit over biopsy. The primary goal of surgery should be to obtain a sufficient volume of tumor tissue for histological examination. If there is strong evidence of germinoma on radiological studies, biopsy samples should be obtained. When a perioperative histological diagnosis of pure germinoma is made during craniotomy, no risk should be taken in continuing the resection.