Expression and regulation of interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 gene in rat Leydig cells

In the present study, we report the cloning of a gene that is differentially expressed in normal adult rat Leydig cells and whose expression is inhibited by hCG but is induced by interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). DNA sequence analysis identified this gene as rat IFNgamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), a member of the -C-X-C- chemokine superfamily of proinflammatory cytokines. High levels of IP-10 messenger RNA (mRNA) were constitutively expressed in freshly isolated and primary cultured Leydig cells. hCG inhibited this expression in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of 1 ng/ml hCG inhibited IP-10 mRNA levels more than 80%. Conversely, IP-10 mRNA levels were markedly increased in response to murine interleukin-1alpha, murine tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and murine IFNgamma by 3.3-, 10-, and 26-fold, respectively. Concomitant addition of murine interleukin-1alpha, murine tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and murine IFNgamma synergistically increased IP-10 mRNA levels by 58-fold. Furthermore, in addition to one previously described rat IP-10 mRNA transcript (1.5 kb), another larger transcript (2.7 kb) was identified by Northern blot in rat Leydig cells. After screening a rat testis complementary DNA library, we obtained a partial structural gene and an intron sequence, which possibly originated from the larger transcript of rat IP-10 mRNA. Histochemical and immunocytochemical staining revealed that purified cells were positive for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and IP-10, confirming that IP-10 is indeed present in Leydig cells. IP-10 antisense oligonucleotides enhanced basal and hCG-induced testosterone formation. This suggests that endogenous IP-10 has an inhibitory effect on Leydig cell steroidogenesis. In conclusion, IP-10 is expressed in rat Leydig cells and may have paracrine and autocrine effects on testicular function.

Mesangiolytic glomerulopathy in severe congestive heart failure

To study the glomerular morphological abnormalities in congestive heart failure (CHF), we analyzed 27 autopsy cases without other causes of renal disease. Their mean age was 59 years, and they showed mild prerenal azotemia. They had generally been treated with digitalis and diuretics, and a few of them with captopril or nifedipine. The abnormal glomerular findings of enlargement, hyperemia, and mesangial thickening were observed at high frequencies (61%, 64%, and 57%, respectively). They characteristically showed mesangiolysis (ML) by the findings of microaneurysms (81%) and mesangial degeneration (70%) such as loose reticular matrix and poor matrix area. In addition, glomerular infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes including macrophages was noted in 70% of the cases. Glomerular enlargement was not correlated with the grade of hyperemia, but it was correlated with the grade of ML index of % glomeruli with microaneurysms (F = 7.22, p < 0.004). There was an inverse relationship between the grades of mesangial thickening and of the ML index (P < 0.005). The number of glomerular leukocytes was positively correlated with mean glomerular size (P < 0.002) and with the ML index (P < 0.03). Notably, the glomerular macrophage-positive cases showed a prominently higher mean ML index than the negative cases (P < 0.005). There was an inverse correlation between the mean glomerular size and the partial oxygen pressure in arterial blood (PaO2; P < 0.01), and a positive correlation between the mean glomerular size and hematocrit (Hct) levels (P < 0.02). The cases positive for mesangiolytic mesangial degeneration showed significantly lower PaO2 values than the cases negative for this lesion (P < 0.04). In the analysis of the various causes of CHF, the patients with congenital cardiac anomalies showed mean levels of the lowest PaO2 (P < 0.02) and the highest Hct (P < 0.03) and histologically the largest mean glomerular size (P < 0.04). There was no difference in the ML index and the glomerular leukocyte number among the subgroups classified by the causes. These results indicate that ML associated with glomerular enlargement is the major glomerular abnormality characteristic in patients with severe CHF and suggest that glomerular infiltration of leukocytes, especially of macrophages, should play an important role in the progression of both ML and glomerulomegaly. The contributions of persistent hypoxia and up-regulated angiotensin II as the causative factors of these glomerular abnormalities in congestive heart failure are discussed.

[Chemical constituents of the stem and root of Syzygium buxifolium Hook. Et Arn]

Six crystalline substances were isolated from the stem and root of Syzygium buxifolium and identified as friedelin, beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid, pomolic acid, oleanolic acid and beta-daucosterol.

[Chemical constituents of Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merr]

Six crystalline substances were isolated from the rhizoma of Pericampylus glaucus and identified as epifriedelinol, melissic acid, palmatic acid, stearic acid, bututic acid and daucosterol.

Chemokine gene expression in rat pancreatic acinar cells is an early event associated with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatitis are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to identify an early genetic event that correlated with pancreatitis.

METHODS

Differential display of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was conducted on normal pancreas vs. those of animals with secretagogue-induced pancreatitis. Northern blots from normal animals and animals with experimental acute pancreatitis were probed with cloned complementary DNAs for chemokines. Pancreatitis was induced with cerulein and by retrograde injection of bile salts. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify the source of chemokine expression. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was tested for effects on chemokine expression and pancreatitis.

RESULTS

A differentially amplified band was consistently observed early after cerulein hyperstimulation. This band was identified as a portion of the mob-1 gene, an alpha-chemokine. Northern analysis indicated that mRNAs for mob-1 and another chemokine, mcp-1, were induced after cerulein hyperstimulation in vivo. mob-1 mRNA was also induced by retrograde injection of bile salts and by cerulein in acinar cells in vitro. mob-1 protein was localized to exocrine cells in pancreata of diseased animals. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibited both chemokine gene expression and early inflammatory characteristics of pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemokines are induced in acinar cells by treatments that induce pancreatitis and may play an important role in the early stages of the disease.

[Clinical application of ultrasound(US)-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for liver cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical application of US-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for liver cancer.

METHODS

32 patients with 57 nodules of liver cancer were treated, 57 nodules were coagulated by 92 times at 182 different points. Output of one coagulation was 60 W last mg 240-300 sec.

RESULTS

The follow-up period was 5-18 months, averaging 10.4 months. 29 patients remained alive, 3 patients died. After treatment, 85.9%(49/57) of the nodules decreased in size; color blood flow signal disappeared in 78.2(36/46) nodules on color and energy Doppler scans; and there was no enhancement in 76.4%(25/34) tumors on enhanced CT scans. In 13 patients with increased AFP level before therapy, it dropped to normal after treatment in 11 patients. Of 27 patients whoes a good general condition was good, 19 patients gained bodies weight. Repeated biopsy in 14 cases showed complete tumor necrosis with fibrosis in 12.

CONCLUSION

US-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy is able to induce total tumor necrosis of liver cancer in most cases. It can be expected as an important non-operative therapy of liver cancer.

Molecular characterization of a small heat shock/alpha-crystallin protein in encysted Artemia embryos

Molecular chaperones protect cells during stress by limiting the denaturation/aggregation of proteins and facilitating their renaturation. In this context, brine shrimp embryos can endure a wide variety of stressful conditions, including temperature extremes, prolonged anoxia, and desiccation, thus encountering shortages of both energy (ATP) and water. How the embryos survive these stresses is the subject of continuing study, a situation true for other organisms facing similar physiological challenges. To approach this question we cloned and sequenced a cDNA for p26, a molecular chaperone specific to oviparous Artemia embryos. p26 is the first representative of the small heat shock/alpha-crystallin family from crustaceans to be sequenced, and it possesses the conserved alpha-crystallin domain characteristic of these proteins. The secondary structure of this domain was predicted to consist predominantly of beta-pleated sheet, and it appeared to lack regions of alpha-helix. Unique properties of the nonconserved amino terminus, which showed weak similarity to nucleolins and fibrillarins, are enrichments in both glycine and arginine. The carboxyl-terminal tail is the longest yet reported for a small heat shock/alpha-crystallin protein, and it is hydrophilic, a common attribute of this region. Site-specific differences between amino acids from p26 and other small heat shock/alpha-crystallin proteins bring into question the functions proposed for some of these residues. Probing of Southern blots disclosed a multi-gene family for p26, whereas two size classes of p26 mRNA at 0.7 and 1.9 kilobase pairs were seen on Northern blots, the larger probably representing nonprocessed transcripts. Examination of immunofluorescently stained samples with the confocal microscope revealed that a limited portion of intracellular p26 is found in the nuclei of encysted embryos and that it resides within discrete compartments of this organelle. The results in this paper demonstrate clearly that p26 is a novel member of the small heat shock/alpha-crystallin family of proteins. These data, in concert with its restriction to embryos undergoing oviparous development, suggest that p26 functions as a molecular chaperone during exposure to stress, perhaps able to limit protein degradation and thus ensure a ready supply of functional proteins when growth is reinitiated.

Molecular chaperones and the cytoskeleton

Heat shock proteins, first observed because they are preferentially synthesized by organisms exposed to heat or other physiological stress, are also synthesized constitutively. These proteins are divided into several families, namely, HSP100, 90, 70, 60 (chaperonin), and the small heat shock/alpha-crystallin proteins. They enjoy a wide phylogenetic distribution and are important because they function as molecular chaperones, able to mediate many cellular processes through an influence on higher order protein structure. For example, molecular chaperones assist in the transport of proteins into mitochondria and chloroplasts, as well as influencing clathrin lattice dynamics, viral replication and transcriptional activation. Under conditions of stress, some molecular chaperones prevent denaturation of proteins while others may dissociate protein aggregates, refolding monomers derived therefrom or directing their proteolytic destruction. We present in this review an analysis of the emerging literature on the relationship between molecular chaperones and the cytoskeleton, a collection of polymeric structures consisting of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. A recent development in this field is identification of the TCP-1 complex as the eukaryotic cytoplasmic chaperonin which directs folding of cytoskeletal proteins such as alpha/beta/gamma-tubulin, actin and centractin. Moreover, the TCP-1 complex is a centrosomal component, apparently involved in the nucleation of microtubules. Other molecular chaperones recognize one or more cytoskeletal elements and in most cases they modulate the assembly of and/or provide protection for their constituent proteins. For example, HSP70 protects the centrosome and perhaps intermediate filaments during heat shock, and like HSP90, it binds to microtubules. Small heat shock proteins interact with microfilaments and intermediate filaments, affect their polymerization and guard them from heat shock by a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism. We conclude that molecular chaperones have different but cooperative roles in the formation and function of the eukaryotic cell cytoskeleton.

Determination of the parameters of surface layers on glasses by p-polarized reflectances

The relationship between the incidence angle of a p-polarized beam and the reflectance ratio on both sides of glass or other transparent material is very sensitive to surface layer parameters such as refractive index, extinction coefficient, and thickness, especially when the refractive indexes of the surface layers and the flat host are nearly the same. We provide some primary experimental results and the numerical simulation on the basis of the theory of thin-film optics. By data fitting, we determine the parameters of the glass surface layer with this method, which has the advantages of simplicity of both equipment and understanding.

Increased prevalence of mitochondrial DNA deletions in skeletal muscle of older individuals with impaired glucose tolerance: possible marker of glycemic stress

To determine the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and age-related impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), mtDNA from skeletal muscle of 19 volunteers, ages 55-75 years, with either IGT or diabetes and 17 age- and sex-matched control subjects was analyzed using a long-extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with a quantitative PCR. We found the common 4,977-bp deletion in 84% of the IGT/diabetes group compared with only 41% in the control group (P < 0.02). Multiple other deletions of different sizes were identified in 13 out of 19 IGT/diabetes patients (68%) compared with 2 out of 17 control subjects (12%) (P < 0.002). Because of the heterogeneity and variation in the mutations identified, we propose that these mtDNA mutations were the result rather than the cause of IGT. The increase in type and frequency of mtDNA deletions in diabetes and IGT patients may be related to oxidative damage by oxygen free radicals. These may be produced in greater amounts as a result of hyperglycemia or may be more abundant because of an abnormality in the scavenging of free radicals by antioxidants.

Mob-1, a Ras target gene, is overexpressed in colorectal cancer

Mutations in the ras oncogenes have been linked to many different cancers. In contrast to the extensive body of knowledge related to the genetics of ras activation, relatively little is known of the transcriptional events triggered by ras. In previous work we have used differential display to identify Mob-1, a member of alpha-chemokine family, as one of the immediate transcriptional targets following Ras activation. Here, we provide additional experimental evidence to support this finding by the use of an inducible H-ras expression system, the treatment of Ras farnesyl transferase inhibitor and activation of endogenous Ras by serum growth factors. We further demonstrate that IP-10, the human homolog of Mob-1, is overexpressed in the majority of colorectal cancers.

Role of alternative splicing of the rat erythropoietin receptor gene in normal and erythroleukemia cells

An alternatively splicing of the rat erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) gene was identified in normal and erythroleukemia cells by the reverse transcription PCR method. Insertion of a 105 bp fragment at the region corresponding to the extracellular domain of rat EpoR was found. The insert sequence, which encodes additional 21 amino acids, is similar to that previously found in the mouse EpoR gene, however, has an additional 27 bp direct repeat. Due to the presence of a stop codon in the insert, the alternative transcript is translated to a truncated and soluble form of EpoR which is preferentially expressed in liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and bone marrow cells as well as cultured erythroleukemia cells. These findings suggest that alternative splicing of the EpoR gene may play an important role in proliferation and differentiation of rat erythroid cells.

[Pathogenesis and combined treatment of sterility in men with varicocele]

To investigate the pathogenesis of sterility in men with varicocele and summarize the effects of combined treatment, we anallyed ultrastructure of testicular specimens in 21 cases. With combined surgical and medicinal treatment, 16 men (76.2%) made their wives pregnant during a period of 2 years after the operation. Electron microscopy disclosed glycogen infiltration of sertoli cells, and decreased spermatogenesis especially involving the middle and late stages. Defective carbohydrate and energy metabolism in the testis is suggested as the key point in the pathogenesis of sterility, and a combined surgical and medicinal treatment is beneficial to the increase of pregnant rate.

Purification, structure and in vitro molecular-chaperone activity of Artemia p26, a small heat-shock/alpha-crystallin protein

Encysted brine-shrimp gastrulae bring their metabolism to a reversible standstill during diapause and quiescence, demonstrating a remarkable resistance to unfavourable environmental conditions. For example, mortality of Artemia embryos under normal temperature and hydration is very low, even after two years of anoxia, and embryos commonly experience complete desiccation as part of their developmental program. Previous evidence from our laboratories indicated that p26, an abundant low-molecular-mass cyst-specific protein capable of translocation into the nucleus, may have a protective function in Artemia cysts. p26 was purified to apparent homogeneity and a continuous sequence of 141 of its amino acids was determined by peptide sequencing, revealing that it is a member of the small-heat-shock/alpha-crystallin family of proteins. As determined by molecular-sieve chromatography and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation, native p26 is a multimer of about 27 monomers with a molecular mass of approximately 700 kDa. Inactivation of citrate synthase was less when the enzyme was heated in the presence rather than the absence of p26. Additionally, the renaturation of heat-inactivated citrate synthase was promoted by p26. These results indicated that p26 possesses molecular-chaperone activity, a property of other small heat-shock/alpha-crystallin proteins. Our findings demonstrate that p26 has the potential to protect the macromolecular components of Artemia embryos, either as they encyst or upon exposure to environmental extremes. Protection may depend upon the ability of p26 to function as a molecular chaperone.

Alternative splicing of the erythropoietin receptor gene correlates with erythroid differentiation in rat hematopoietic and leukemic cells

An alternative splicing of the rat erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) gene was identified in normal and erythroleukemia cells. A 105 bp insert was found at a region corresponding to the extracellular domain of EpoR. The alternative transcript was translated to a soluble EpoR (EpoR-S) expressed in spleen, bone marrow, and cultured erythroleukemia cells in addition to the full-length EpoR (EpoR-F). One of the rat erythroleukemia sublines, K4DT, which partially lost erythroid phenotypes and manifested monocyte/macrophage characteristics also lacked EpoR-S expression. Thus, expression of EpoR-S may play an important role in differentiation of rat erythroid cells.

Regulation of S100P expression by androgen

BACKGROUND

The growth and function the normal prostate is dependent on the presence of androgen. As prostate tumors progress there is a loss of androgen-dependent cell growth. The identification of the genes that are regulated by androgens may be of pathological and clinical significance.

METHODS

In this study the differential display method was used to identify genes regulated by androgen in an androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP-FGC.

RESULTS

A gene whose expression is down-regulated in LNCaP-FGC cells after 30 hr of androgen deprivation has been identified. This gene is a previously identified member of the S100 gene family of calcium-binding proteins, namely S100P. Here we show that S100P expression is regulated by the synthetic androgen R1881, but not by serum growth factors. It is dysregulated in the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP-R, DU145, and PC3.

CONCLUSIONS

The data indicate that S100P may play a role in the etiology of prostate cancer.

Hypothalamic and olfactory control of sexual behavior and partner preference in male rats

Sexually active male rats prefer a sexually receptive female to a nonreceptive female, and partner-preference tests provide one way of studying sexual motivation. Surgical deafferentation of the olfactory bulbs from all the known chemosensory systems of the nasal septum renders rats anosmic. In Experiment 1, we show that, although bulb deafferentation of male rats decreases some aspects of sexual performance, most deafferented males copulate and partner preference is not affected. In Experiment 2, we show that large excitotoxin lesions of the preoptic hypothalamus eliminate copulation, an effect that is correlated with damage to the anterior portions of the medial and lateral preoptic area. Lesions also decrease partner preference, an effect that is correlated (r = 0.82) with damage to a small part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Most males who do not copulate after hypothalamic lesions show a persistent, albeit reduced, preference for receptive females over nonreceptive females. This preference appears to depend on olfactory ability because bulb deafferentation of lesioned, noncopulating males virtually eliminates partner preference.

Two differentially expressed genes in normal human prostate tissue and in carcinoma

Alterations in transcriptional control may contribute directly to carcinogenesis. Using the differential display technique in prostate cancer cells compared to normal prostate epithelial cells, we identified a down-regulated gene and an up-regulated gene in cancer cells. The down-regulated gene encodes human epithelial tropomyosin (TMe1), a member of the family of actin filament-binding proteins. The up-regulated gene encodes cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc (COSVIc), a protein of the respiration chain in the mitochondrial inner membrane. The differential display pattern was confirmed by Northern hybridization in both prostate tissue and cell lines. In situ hybridization of malignant prostate epithelial tissue using a digoxigenin-labeled antisense riboprobe detected strong staining for mRNA of COSVIc, as opposed to very weak staining in normal prostate epithelium. The expression pattern of COSVIc may be a useful marker for studying the alteration of energy metabolism in cancer cells and for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Electrochemiluminescence-based detection of beta-lactam antibiotics and beta-lactamases

Bacterial resistance to clinically administered beta-lactam antibiotics is usually caused by beta-lactamases, enzymes that hydrolytically inactivate the antibiotics. This paper describes the use of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) to detect beta-lactam antibiotics and their hydrolysis by beta-lactamases. All 10 tested antibiotics were detected on the basis of their ability to participate in an ECL reaction with ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine). In every case, antibiotic-promoted ECL changed when the antibiotic was hydrolyzed by beta-lactamases or NaOH. Standard curves of antibiotic concentration versus ECL intensity showed that antibiotics could be quantitated to low micromolar concentrations. Substrate profiles were generated for four beta-lactamases using six structurally diverse beta-lactam antibiotics. ECL-based antibiotic detection was accomplished in untreated whole milk, and beta-lactamases were detected in crude bacterial broth culture. Because several structurally diverse antibiotics were detectable by ECL, this method may become valuable for the detection of many or all beta-lactam antibiotics and their inactivation by beta-lactamases.

Ultrasound-guided internal radiotherapy using yttrium-90-glass microspheres for liver malignancies

Treatment of liver malignancies, in particular hepatocellular carcinoma, remains a serious problem because of the difficulty of delivering adequate therapeutic agents to the lesions while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. In an attempt to overcome this obstacle, intratumoral injection of 90Y, a beta-emitter, was performed.

METHODS

Twenty-seven hepatocellular carcinomas and six liver metastases were studied, most of which had failed other therapeutic modalities. Guided by ultrasound, 90Y-glass microspheres (GMS) were carefully injected into predetermined tumor sites. The procedure was repeated at 3--4-wk intervals where indicated. Echographic, clinical and laboratory follow-up was conducted at regular intervals.

RESULTS

Twelve to 32 mo after treatment, 27 patients were still alive, with dramatic improvement of their clinical condition: 90.6% of the tumor foci became smaller, with echogenic or blood flow changes on liver sonograms. Serum titers of alpha-FP in 10 of 13 patients returned to normal levels. Repeat biopsy in nine patients showed complete tumor destruction in eight. Six patients died of either end-stage disease or wide dispersion of the tumor.

CONCLUSION

The intratumoral administration of 90Y-GMS under ultrasound guidance yielded a higher cure rate for liver malignancy with no severe side effects. The higher radiation dosage delivered by injected 90Y to the periphery of the lesions (up to 28,215-75,720 cGy) was thought to account for the successful outcome. These results show that intratumoral radionuclide injection is feasible for treatment of malignant lesions inside the body.