Comparison between histopathologic findings and indocyanine green angiographic findings in Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

PURPOSE

Recently, indocyanine green angiography (IA) was used to examine chorioretinal circulation in posterior uveitis in humans, and abnormal IA findings were reported. However, choroidal pathologic examination in conjunction with these abnormal IA findings has rarely been done. Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is a model for posterior uveitis in humans. The purpose of this study was to correlate abnormal IA findings in Lewis rats with EAU with pathologic findings.

METHODS

Eleven male Lewis rats were immunized with bovine S-antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant with Bordetella pertussis. After immunization, IA was performed by using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Eyes with abnormal IA findings were enucleated and examined histopathologically.

RESULTS

Demonstrated leakage from retinal vessels at the initial stage of disease; a decrease of background fluorescence and of the number of moderate and large vessels of the choroid, and leakage from choroidal vessels at the progressive stage; and hypofluorescent areas at the late stage. Histopathologic examination at the initial, progressive, and late stages revealed inflammation of the inner layers of the retina, a large number of inflammatory cells in the thickened retina and choroid, and impaired choroidal capillaries, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Since a correlation between pathologic findings and IA findings was demonstrated in Lewis rats with EAU, IA may be useful for evaluating the severity of uveitis in humans.

Effects of IL-4 and IL-12 on experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in Brown Norway rats

IL-12 and IL-4 are critical cytokines for Th1 and Th2 differentiation, respectively. To assess the roles of these cytokines in the development of experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC) in Brown Norway (BN) rats, their effects were tested either in vitro or in vivo. Draining lymph node cells from rats immunized with ragweed pollen (RW) in Al(OH)3 were collected and cultured for 3 days with RW in the presence of IL-4, IL-12, or PBS as a control. After harvesting the culture supernatants for cytokine ELISA and the cells for cytokine reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, 10 million cells were injected intravenously into syngeneic recipient rats (n = 12 per group). The rats were challenged with RW by eye drops 4 days after transfer. Eyes were harvested for histology 24 h later. Furthermore, IL-12 (500 ng per injection) or PBS was injected intraperitoneally every other day seven times from the day of active immunization (n = 6 per group). One day after the last injection, rats were challenged and EC was evaluated as above. Transfer of cells with IL-4 in vitro augmented eosinophilic infiltration in the conjunctiva compared with the other two groups, whereas IL-12 in vitro suppressed eosinophilic infiltration and increased lymphocytic infiltration. Interferon-gamma production was augmented by IL-12. IL-4 RNA expression was augmented by IL-4. IL-12 administration in vivo augmented lymphocytic infiltration in the conjunctiva without affecting infiltration of eosinophils. In conclusion, IL-4 and IL-12 either in vitro or in vivo augmented Th2 and Th1 immunity, respectively, thus leading to distinct histological features of EC.

New efficient chiral derivatizing agent, alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro(2-naphthyl)acetic acid (2-CFNA). application to the EE determination of (-)-3-acetoxy-2-fluoro-2-(hexadecyloxymethyl)propan-1-ol

The new chiral derivatizing agent (CDA), alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro(2-naphthyl)-acetic acid (2-CFNA) 1 was prepared in optically pure form by chiral HPLC separation of racemic 2-CFNA methyl ester (2-CFNA Me ester) (+/-)-2. The ester was obtained by fluorination of methyl alpha-cyano(2-naphthyl)acetate with FClO3. 2-CFNA 1 has proven to be a significantly superior CDA for determination of enantiomeric excess (ee) of a primary alcohol when compared to alpha-methoxy-alpha-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid (MTPA, Mosher's agent) and alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro(p-tolyl)acetic acid (CFTA). The ee of (-)-3-acetoxy-2-fluoro-2-(hexadecyloxymethyl)propan-1-ol (-)-9, a fluorinated analog of anticancer active ether lipids, was determined using (+)-2-CFNA (+)-1.

Breakdown of tolerance to a neo-self antigen in double transgenic mice in which B cells present the antigen

Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing a foreign Ag, hen egg lysozyme (HEL), under control of the alphaA-crystallin promoter ("HEL-Tg" mice) develop immunotolerance to HEL attributed to the expression of HEL in their thymus. In this paper we analyzed the immune response in double (Dbl)-Tg mice generated by mating the HEL-Tg mice with Tg mice that express HEL Abs on their B cells ("Ig-Tg" mice). The B cell compartment of the Dbl-Tg mice was unaffected by the HEL presence and was essentially identical to that of the Ig-Tg mice. A partial breakdown of tolerance was seen in the T cell response to HEL of the Dbl-Tg mice, i.e., their lymphocyte proliferative response against HEL was remarkably higher than that of the HEL-Tg mice. T-lymphocytes of both Dbl-Tg and Ig-Tg mice responded to HEL at concentrations drastically lower than those found stimulatory to lymphocytes of the wild-type controls. Cell mixing experiments demonstrated that 1) the lymphocyte response against low concentrations of HEL is due to the exceedingly efficient Ag presenting capacity of the Ab expressing B cells and 2) breakdown of tolerance in Dbl-Tg mice can also be attributed to the APC capacity of B cells, that sensitize in vivo and stimulate in vitro populations of T cells with low affinity toward HEL, assumed to be escapees of thymic deletion. These results thus indicate that T cell tolerance can be partially overcome by the highly potent Ag presenting capacity of Ab expressing B cells.

Indocyanine green angiographic findings in 3 patients with traumatic hypotony maculopathy

PURPOSE

Little is known about the choroidal circulation in human eyes with ocular hypotony. Recently, indocyanine green angiography (IA) became a useful method for examining choroidal circulation. The present study using IA was designed to determine choroidal circulatory disturbances in patients with traumatic hypotony maculopathy.

METHODS

Indocyanine green angiography was performed on 3 consecutive patients (3 eyes) with traumatic hypotony. One patient underwent IA using an infrared fundus camera only during the hypotony stage. The other 2 patients underwent IA using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope before and after recovery of intraocular pressure (IOP).

RESULTS

During the hypotony stage, IA revealed multiple hypofluorescent spots in many parts of the fundus, sector hypofluorescent areas, dilatation, and tortuosity of the choroidal vessels in the posterior pole. These findings had not been detected by fluorescein angiography. After surgical treatment, IOP returned to the normal range and visual acuity improved. Indocyanine green angiography showed improvement of the sector hypofluorescent areas, and dilatation and tortuosity of choroidal vessels in the posterior pole. However, most of the hypofluorescent spots and regional delay of choroidal filling remained.

CONCLUSIONS

Indocyanine green angiography revealed that choroidal circulatory disturbances occurred during the hypotony stage and that some remained during the recovery stage.

Experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in rats induced by immunization with ragweed pollen

BACKGROUND

A study was performed to compare the effects of immunization with ragweed pollen (RW) in two different adjuvants on the characteristics of a previously described model of experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC) in rats.

METHODS

Lewis or Brown Norway (BN) rats were immunized with 100 microg of RW in emulsion with aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3] or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Three weeks later, the animals were challenged with eye drops containing RW in PBS. Twenty-four hours after topical challenge, eyes, blood, and lymph nodes were obtained for histology, measurement of antigen-specific antibodies, and proliferation or cytokine assays, respectively. In addition to active immunization, recipients of RW-primed lymph node cells were challenged and evaluated as above.

RESULTS

RW in both adjuvants induced infiltration with predominantly mononuclear cells in Lewis rats and eosinophils in BN rats. As well as active immunization, eosinophils were detected only in BN rats by adoptive transfer of cells. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to RW were high in immunized Lewis rats when CFA was used as an adjuvant. In contrast, proliferative responses in BN rats were higher when Al(OH)3 was used. RW-specific IgE was detected only in BN rats. There were no significant differences in RW-specific IgG1/IgG2a ratio among the four groups. Lewis rats had higher level of RW-specific interferon-gamma in the culture supernatant.

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristics of EC are different in Lewis and BN rats, dependent on the genetic background of the rat strains. The response to RW was similar to other previously used antigens, such as ovalbumin.

Involvement of superoxide generated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in endotoxin-induced uveitis

BACKGROUND

Although superoxide is thought to be involved in the development of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU), the role of superoxide generation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of peripheral blood PMNs in the development of EIU.

METHODS

EIU was induced in Lewis rats by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in one hind footpad. Superoxide generation was assayed by measuring the reduction of ferricytochrome c (cyt c). EIU severity was assessed by histological examination, and the relationship between the injected dose of LPS in vivo and the intensity of superoxide generation by peripheral PMNs or intraocular PMNs was studied. Twenty-four hours after the injection of LPS (2, 20, or 200 microg/rat), peripheral blood PMNs were collected and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The time course of superoxide generation by PMNs after LPS injection (3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h) was also investigated. To test the possible inhibition of superoxide generation by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, H-7 and staurosporine were added for the incubation. In addition to the measurement of cyt c reduction, western blotting was used to detect PKC activity. The direct effect of LPS on PMNs was tested by priming naive PMNs with LPS in vitro.

RESULTS

The intensity of superoxide generation by PMNs and the severity of EIU were dependent on the dose of injected LPS. No apparent superoxide generation was detected from intraocular PMNs. The time course of superoxide generation was similar to that of EIU severity. H-7 or staurosporine inhibited superoxide generation dose dependently and suppressed phosphorylation of PKC. Priming with LPS in vitro prompted minimal superoxide generation by naive PMNs.

CONCLUSION

Superoxide generation by peripheral blood PMNs but not by intraocular PMNs from rats with EIU was demonstrated, and it is suggested that superoxide generation by PKC cascade might be involved in the pathogenesis of EIU.

Analysis of responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes from sarcoidosis patients to purified protein derivative

PURPOSE

Negative skin test reaction against purified protein derivative (PPD) is one of the important diagnostic criteria for sarcoidosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between negative skin test reaction against PPD and the responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) against PPD in sarcoidosis patients.

METHODS

Sarcoidosis patients (n = 14) with ocular changes were selected for this study. As a control, blood was collected from volunteers without uveitis (n = 10). All subjects in both groups had a history of bacille de Calmette-Guerin vaccination, and 8 of the 14 patients underwent the PPD skin test. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from all patients and separated by gradient centrifugation. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested for their proliferative responses to PPD. To determine the frequency of PPD-specific precursor cells in blood, limiting dilution analysis was used. The frequency was calculated following the Poisson model. The culture supernatants were harvested 3 days after incubation and assayed for interferon (IFN)-gamma production by ELISA.

RESULTS

Four of the 8 patients showed a negative skin test reaction against PPD, while all the healthy volunteers had a positive reaction. Compared to PBLs from healthy volunteers, PBLs from sarcoidosis patients showed weaker responses to PPD. There was no clear difference between these two groups about frequency of precursor cells against PPD and production of IFN-gamma.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative skin test for PPD in sarcoidosis patients does not seem to have any relationship to the low precursor frequency of PPD-specific cells in patient blood.

The role of IL-12 in the induction of late-phase cellular infiltration in a murine model of allergic conjunctivitis

BACKGROUND

The applied murine model of allergic conjunctivitis mimics human disease, and an immediate hypersensitivity reaction (IHR) and a late-phase cellular reaction typically develop in sensitized mice after topical challenge with the allergen.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the role of IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 in the early and late phases of ocular allergy with use of cytokine knockout (KO) mice and neutralizing antibodies.

METHODS

Ragweed-sensitized wild-type or IL-4KO, IL-12KO, IFN-gamma KO, anti-IL-12 mAb-treated, recombinant murine IL-12-treated, and anti-IFN-gamma mAb-treated mice were challenged with the allergen 10 days after the immunization. IHR, cellular infiltration, lymphoproliferative response, and cytokine production from draining lymph nodes were recorded and compared among groups.

RESULTS

We show that IL-12KO mice and anti-IL-12 antibody-treated wild-type animals failed to have a cellular infiltration into the conjunctiva. Treatment with recombinant murine IL-12 also reduced the number of infiltrating PMNs but increased the percentage of mononuclear cells in the conjunctiva compared with controls. IFN-gamma KO mice had a significantly stronger IHR and prolonged infiltration into the conjunctiva after challenge with ragweed than controls.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the presence of IL-12, although better known as a T(H)1-inducing cytokine, is important for the development and the regulation of the late-phase pathologic features in ocular allergy. Furthermore, IFN-gamma is a limiting factor in the late phase of allergy and thus may be important in preventing chronic allergic disease.

[Iatrogenic extrapleural hematoma]

We encountered a rare case of complications at the time of central venous catheterization due to extrapleural hematoma. A 71-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo subtotal gastrectomy. After introduction of general anesthesia, a CVP catheter was inserted from the right jugular vein, but it was removed intraoperatively, because of poor dropping of the infusion fluid. A few minutes later, the blood pressure started to decrease. We considered that this symptom was derived from the surgical procedure, and rapid blood transfusion associated with administration of a vasopressor was performed. Postoperative chest X ray revealed poorly delineated right lung field, and hemothorax was suspected. However thoracic drainage resulted in an extremely small amount of blood-like fluid. The abnormal defect in the right pulmonary field was found to be an extrapleural hematoma by thoracic CT on the first postoperative day. The hematoma was reduced by subsequent management in 7 days, and the patient was discharged from the ICU without any further complications.

A giant cell angiofibroma involving 6q

Giant cell angiofibroma, a recently proposed new clinicopathological entity, arises exclusively in the orbit in adults and histologically exhibits features intermediate between those of giant cell fibroblastoma and solitary fibrous tumor. In a typical case of giant cell angiofibroma, abnormalities of chromosome 6 with a common pattern involving 6q13 were detected together with various other chromosomal aberrations. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of giant cell angiofibroma demonstrating chromosomal abnormalities.

Isolation and characterization of the fission yeast gene rpa42+, which encodes a subunit shared by RNA polymerases I and III

Eukaryotic RNA polymerases I and III share two distinct alpha-related subunits that show limited homology to the alpha subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, which forms a homodimer to nucleate the assembly of prokaryotic RNA polymerase. To gain insight into the functions of alpha-related subunits in eukaryotes, we have previously identified the alpha-related small subunit RPA17 of RNA polymerase I (and III) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and have shown that it is a functional homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AC19. In an extension of that study, we have now isolated and characterized rpa42+, which encodes the alpha-related large subunit RPA42 of S. pombe RNA polymerase I, by virtue of the fact that its product interacts with RPA17 in the yeast two-hybrid system. We have found that rpa42+ encodes a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 42 kDa, which shows 58% identity to the AC40 subunit shared by RNA polymerases I and III in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, we have shown that rpa42+ complements a temperature-sensitive mutation in RPC40 the gene that encodes AC40 in S. cerevisiae and which is essential for cell growth. Finally, we have shown that neither RPA42 nor RPA17 can self-associate. These results provide evidence that the two distinct alpha-related subunits, RPA42 and RPA17, of RNA polymerases I and III are functionally conserved between S. pombe and S. cerevisiae, and suggest that heterodimer formation between them is essential for the assembly of RNA polymerases I and III in eukaryotes.

Uveitis induced by lymphocytes sensitized against a transgenically expressed lens protein

PURPOSE

Previously established experimental models for lens-associated uveitis (LAU) are all mediated by antibodies. The present study analyzed the features of a novel experimental intraocular inflammatory eye disease that is mediated by lymphocytes targeted at a lens antigen.

METHODS

Conventional technologies were used to generate three lines of transgenic (Tg) mice, expressing hen egg lysozyme (HEL) under the control of the alphaA-crystallin promoter. To induce intraocular inflammation, these Tg mice were injected with lymphocytes from syngeneic wild-type donors sensitized against HEL. Before their injection, the cells were stimulated in culture with HEL. To release lenticular material, some eyes were capsulotomized. Ocular histopathologic changes were examined by routine methods. Levels of HEL antibody were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas cellular immunity was determined by the lymphocyte proliferation assay.

RESULTS

Intraocular inflammation developed in HEL-Tg mice injected with syngeneic lymphocytes sensitized against HEL. The severity of inflammation was directly related to the number of injected cells, as well as to the accessibility of HEL. The most intense inflammation was seen in Tg mice in which the lens was disintegrated due to high production of HEL. In mice with no apparent lenticular changes the inflammation was enhanced by capsulotomy. The inflammation affected all segments of the eye and persisted for at least 39 days after adoptive transfer of cells. Four days after cell injection, the inflammation consisted of subacute infiltration, with both mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, whereas more chronic infiltration was seen at later times. Vigorous cellular immunity but no antibody to HEL was found in recipient mice, thus demonstrating the exclusive participation of cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of this experimental disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Transgenic mice expressing HEL in their lenses develop intraocular inflammation after injection of syngeneic lymphocytes sensitized against HEL. This experimental disease is a novel cell-mediated model for LAU.

The gene for the embryonic stem cell coactivator UTF1 carries a regulatory element which selectively interacts with a complex composed of Oct-3/4 and Sox-2

UTF1 is a transcriptional coactivator which has recently been isolated and found to be expressed mainly in pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells (A. Okuda, A. Fukushima, M. Nishimoto, et al., EMBO J. 17:2019-2032, 1998). To gain insight into the regulatory network of gene expression in ES cells, we have characterized the regulatory elements governing UTF1 gene expression. The results indicate that the UTF1 gene is one of the target genes of an embryonic octamer binding transcription factor, Oct-3/4. UTF1 expression is, like the FGF-4 gene, regulated by the synergistic action of Oct-3/4 and another embryonic factor, Sox-2, implying that the requirement for Sox-2 by Oct-3/4 is not limited to the FGF-4 enhancer but is rather a general mechanism of activation for Oct-3/4. Our biochemical analyses, however, also reveal one distinct difference between these two regulatory elements: unlike the FGF-4 enhancer, the UTF1 regulatory element can, by its one-base difference from the canonical octamer-binding sequence, selectively recruit the complex comprising Oct-3/4 and Sox-2 and preclude the binding of the transcriptionally inactive complex containing Oct-1 or Oct-6. Furthermore, our analyses reveal that these properties are dictated by the unique ability of the Oct-3/4 POU-homeodomain that recognizes a variant of the Octamer motif in the UTF1 regulatory element.

Suppression of induction of experimental immune mediated blepharoconjunctivitis by tolerogenic conjugates of the antigen and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol

AIM

Covalent conjugates consisting of diverse antigens coupled to optimal numbers of monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) molecules have been shown to suppress antigen specific antibody formation. In this study, the possibility was examined that the same conjugates might prevent experimental immune mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC, formerly EAC) which had been shown to be caused by CD4(+) T cells-that is, to cell mediated immunity.

METHODS

6-8 week old male Lewis rats were used. The test groups of rats received two intravenous injections, each of 300 microg, of a conjugate of ovalbumin mPEG (OVA(mPEG)(11)) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 14 and 28 days before the single immunisation with OVA in complete Freund's adjuvant. The rats were challenged 3 weeks later by eye drops containing OVA; 24 hours later they were sacrificed, and their eyes, blood, and lymph nodes were harvested for histological examination and determination of anti-OVA antibody titres and levels of cellular immunity. Two control groups received PBS or OVA in PBS before immunisation. Furthermore, the possibility that OVA(mPEG)(11) may have induced OVA specific suppressor cells was tested by establishing the effects of the co-transfer of splenocytes from OVA(mPEG)(11) treated rats with OVA primed lymph node cells on the manifestations of EC.

RESULTS

Either PBS or OVA pretreated rats, which had not received OVA(mPEG)(11), developed high levels of antibodies and cell mediated immune responses to OVA, and application of eye drops led to blepharoconjunctivitis with massive cellular infiltration. In contrast, pretreatment with OVA(mPEG)(11) prevented cellular infiltration into the lids and conjunctivas, as well as the formation of detectable humoral and cellular immunity against OVA. Co-transfer of splenocytes from OVA(mPEG)(11) treated rats with OVA primed lymph node cells suppressed the cellular infiltration on application of OVA on the conjunctiva.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that intravenous injection of OVA(mPEG)(11) conjugates suppressed both humoral and cellular immunity by the effects of antigen specific suppressor cells, thus leading to the inhibition of development of EC.

[A successful cadaveric renal-transplantation in a patient whose serum inorganic fluoride concentrations were extremely elevated during sevoflurane anesthesia]

We gave general anesthesia using sevoflurane to a patient undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation. Although the maximum inorganic fluoride concentration in the serum was unexpectedly high (74 uM) in the perioperative period, urine output from the transplanted kidney started simultaneously with reperfusion of the kidney and renal functions also recovered swiftly. Enzyme induction caused by anticonvulsants, which had been administered prior to operation, was assumed to be the cause of the elevation in serum inorganic fluoride concentrations in the patient. We recognized that inorganic fluoride ion is not a primary factor to aggravate functions of the transplanted kidney and concluded that sevoflurane could be selected as a volatile anesthetic used in renal transplant surgery.

Carboxy-terminally truncated form of a coactivator UTF1 stimulates transcription from a variety of gene promoters through the TATA Box

We have recently isolated a novel transcriptional coactivator, UTF1, which is expressed mainly in pluripotent embryonic stem cells (Okuda, A., Fukushima, A., Nishimoto, M., Orimo, A., Yamagishi, T., Nabeshima, Y., Kuro-o, M., Nabeshima, Y., Boon, K., Keaveney, M., Stunnenberg, H. G., and Muramatsu, M. EMBO J. 17, 2019-2032, 1998). The UTF1 does not activate transcription nonspecifically, but boosts the level of transcription strictly in a specific upstream factor, ATF-2, dependent manner in mammalian cells. However, when expressed in yeast cells, the UTF1 displays a distinct activity, being able to augment the activity of minimal promoter bearing only the TATA element. Thus, these results indicate that certain domains of UTF1 render the factor inactive in terms of stimulating transcription through the basal transcription machinery in the absence of promoter-bound ATF-2 in mammalian cells. Here we report that the region bearing the leucine zipper motif is responsible for such biochemical properties of the UTF1. Indeed, UTF1 lacking functional leucine zipper is able to rather promiscuously stimulate transcription from a number of basal gene promoters such as those of hsp70 and E1B genes in mammalian cells. We have also shown that this activation is executed through TATA box by the experiments using a TBP allele with an altered TATA-binding specificity. Moreover, we have found that Dr1-mediated repression of transcription can be overcome by expression of this mutant UTF1, indicating that the observed stimulation of transcription is at least in part due to its action as an anti-repressor.

Inhibitory effects of FK506 on the development of experimental allergic/immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in Lewis rats by systemic but not by topical administration

BACKGROUND

FK506 has been used for treatment of cell-mediated immune disorders such as graft rejection in transplantation or Behçet disease. To evaluate the effectiveness of FK506 in another ocular disease model, we injected FK506 in rats with experimental allergic/immune-mediated blepharo conjunctivitis (EAC) the induction mechanism of which depends on cell-mediated immunity.

METHODS

Lewis rats were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) in emulsion of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). We injected 2 (n = 6), 20 (n = 6) or 200 (n = 5) microg of FK506 intramuscularly daily from the day of immunization (day 0) to day 6. Control rats were not treated with FK506 (n = 4). In addition, we injected 200 microg of FK506 from day 7 to day 13 (n = 12) to compare the timing of FK506 administration (day 0 to day 6, n = 12; control, n = 12). Twenty-one days after immunization, all rats were challenged with OVA by eye drops, and 24 h later they were killed after clinical evaluation and their eyes, blood and draining lymph nodes were harvested for histology, antibody titers and proliferation assay or flow cytometric analysis. In another set of experiments, rats that had received OVA-primed lymph node cells did (n = 9) or did not (n = 9) receive additional FK506 by injection daily for 4 days. Four days after transfer, these rats were challenged with OVA and evaluated as mentioned. To investigate possible suppression of disease by topical administration of FK506, both actively immunized and passively immunized rats received OVA together with 0.3% (weight/volume) of FK506 (n = 16) or vehicle (n = 10) by eye drops and 24 h after challenge, rats were evaluated as mentioned.

RESULTS

Development of disease, induced by either active or passive immunization, was inhibited in the group treated with 200 microg of FK506, regardless of timing of administration. Cellular proliferative responses to OVA were inhibited only in this group. Flow cytometry demonstrated a decrease of about 20% in the proportion of all cells made up by CD4-positive T cells. Topical administration of FK506 inhibited the development of EAC, though not significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic treatment with 200 microg of FK506 either in the induction or the effector phase inhibits the development of EAC in Lewis rats. Topical administration is not so effective as systemic administration.

Genetic background determines the nature of immune responses and experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC)

PURPOSE

Experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC) was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3]. To investigate the affect of genetic factors on the susceptibility of EC, we tested different strains of rats for the development of EC.

METHODS

Lewis and Brown Norway (BN) rats were immunized once with 100 microg of OVA in CFA or Al(OH)3. Three weeks later they were challenged with OVA in eye drops; 24 hours after the challenge they were sacrificed and their eyes, blood, and lymph nodes were harvested for histological studies, measurement of OVA-specific antibodies (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgE), and proliferation or cytokine assay, respectively. ELISA was used to detect OVA-specific IgG; passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was used for detecting IgE.

RESULTS

EC, OVA-specific IgG, and cellular immunity were induced in Lewis rats by using either adjuvant, whereas IgE was not produced by either adjuvant. In contrast, IgE was produced in BN rats using either adjuvant, whereas cellular immunity was evoked only when CFA was used. Less cellular infiltration as well as cellular proliferation was detected in BN rats immunized with Al(OH)3. In both strains, Al(OH)3 induced a higher IgG1/IgG2a ratio than did CFA. More interferon-gamma by stimulation with OVA was noted in Lewis rats compared to BN rats, whereas interleukin-4 was detected only in BN rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of EC evaluated by cellular infiltration was dependent on OVA-specific cellular immunity. Genetic background is more important than adjuvants in determining the nature of EC and immunity.

Enhanced secretion of insulin plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis of coronary arteries: elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with effort angina

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the relation between insulin and coronary atherosclerosis and restenosis of the coronary arteries, by performing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

BACKGROUND

Insulin is known to promote atherosclerosis of the arteries and has been implicated in the development of restenosis after PTCA.

METHODS

Of 210 angina patients who underwent PTCA, newly detected lesions in 35 consecutive nondiabetic subjects without previous intervention on the same main coronary arteries were analyzed after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and follow-up coronary angiography. Atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated by pattern, severity and extent. Restenosis was defined as loss of gain, the percentage of loss of the initial gain in the coronary diameter achieved by PTCA > or = 50%.

RESULTS

Patients with restenosis had a significantly higher extent index (a marker of atherosclerosis), insulin area, ratio of insulin area to glucose area, insulinogenic index and minimal lumen diameter after PTCA than those without restenosis (p=0.001, 0.011, 0.002, 0.016 and 0.041, respectively). Simple regression analysis revealed that only the ratio of insulin area to glucose area (a relative marker of enhanced insulin secretion) significantly correlated with the extent index (p=0.035). Extent index, insulin area, the ratio of insulin area to glucose area and insulinogenic index significantly correlated with loss of gain (p=0.001, 0.010, 0.002 and 0.032, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that extent index and the ratio of insulin area to glucose area significantly correlated with loss of gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced secretion of insulin during the OGTT might be useful as a predictor of coronary atherosclerosis and of restenosis after elective PTCA in nondiabetic patients with effort angina.

A new antitumor agent amrubicin induces cell growth inhibition by stabilizing topoisomerase II-DNA complex

Amrubicin is a novel, completely synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline derivative. Amrubicin and its C-13 alcohol metabolite, amrubicinol, inhibited purified human DNA topoisomerase II (topo II). Compared with doxorubicin (DXR), amrubicin and amrubicinol induced extensive DNA-protein complex formation and double-strand DNA breaks in CCRF-CEM cells and KU-2 cells. In this study, we found that ICRF-193, a topo II catalytic inhibitor, antagonized both DNA-protein complex formation and double-strand DNA breaks induced by amrubicin and amrubicinol. Coordinately, cell growth inhibition induced by amrubicin and amrubicinol, but not that induced by DXR, was antagonized by ICRF-193. Taken together, these findings indicate that the cell growth-inhibitory effects of amrubicin and amrubicinol are due to DNA-protein complex formation followed by double-strand DNA breaks, which are mediated by topo II.

Comparison of genetic susceptibility to experimental allergic/immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis between Lewis and Fischer rats

BACKGROUND

Fischer rats were less susceptible to experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) than Lewis rats, although both strains have the same MHC molecules. The purpose of this study was to compare the susceptibility of experimental allergic/immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EAC) between these two strains.

METHODS

Male Lewis and Fischer rats were immunized with either ovalbumin (OVA) or OVA peptide (OVA323-339) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Three weeks later, they were challenged with OVA by eye drops. Twenty-four hours later, after clinical evaluation, they were killed and eyes, blood and lymph nodes were harvested for histology, antibody titer and proliferation assay, cytokine production or flow cytometric analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Fischer rats developed mild EAC compared with Lewis rats. Cellular proliferative responses, IFN-gamma production of culture supernatant and serum IgG specific for OVA were basically the same between the two strains. The same OVA peptides were selected as immunodominant. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the same cellular profile of lymph node cells in the two strains.

CONCLUSION

EAC in Fischer rats was milder than that in Lewis rats, although no apparent differences in immunological parameters between these two strains were detected. These data suggest that factors unrelated to immunological parameters may depend on the susceptibility of EAC.

Characterization of functional domains of an embryonic stem cell coactivator UTF1 which are conserved and essential for potentiation of ATF-2 activity

We have recently cloned a cDNA encoding an embryonic stem cell transcriptional coactivator termed UTF1 from the mouse F9 teratocarcinoma cell line (Okuda, A., Fukushima, A., Nishimoto, M., Orimo, A., Yamagishi, T., Nabeshima, Y., Kuro-o, M., Nabeshima, Y., Boon, K., Keaveney, M., Stunnenberg, H.G., and Muramatsu, M. (1998) EMBO J. 17, 2019-2032). Here we have cloned a cDNA for human UTF1 and identified two highly conserved domains termed conserved domain (CD)1 and CD2. Human UTF1, like that of mouse, binds to ATF-2 and the mutagenesis analyses reveal that the leucine zipper motif within the CD2 of the UTF1 and metal binding motif of ATF-2 are involved in this interaction. The factor also binds to TATA-binding protein containing complex. By means of immunoprecipitation analysis, we mapped two domains which are independently able to bind to the complex. Importantly, both domains are located within the conserved domains (one in CD1 and the other in CD2). Furthermore, transient transfection analyses point out the importance of these domains for activating ATF-2. Thus, these results suggest that these two conserved domains identified here play important roles in activating specific transcription at least in part by supporting physical interaction between the upstream factor, ATF-2, and basal transcription machinery.

Analysis of effects of stimulation in vitro of ovalbumin primed lymph node cells on adoptive transfer of experimental immune mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in Lewis rats

AIM

To analyse the role of stimulation in vitro of lymphocytes on the augmentation of experimental immune mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC, formerly EAC) in Lewis rats induced by adoptive transfer.

METHODS

Two weeks after immunisation with ovalbumin (OVA), rat draining lymph nodes were collected and 50 x 10(6) cells were injected into naive syngeneic recipients either directly or after culture in vitro with OVA, concanavalin A (Con A), or purified protein derivative (PPD) for 3 days. Four days after injection the rats were topically challenged with OVA. 24 hours later, they were sacrificed and eyes and spleens were harvested for histology and proliferation assay. In some experiments, naive recipient rats were irradiated with 7 Gy gamma ray before transfer. The expression of adhesion molecules and cytokine profile of OVA primed lymph node cells were also investigated.

RESULTS

Both infiltrated cell number and splenocyte proliferation in the recipients of stimulated cells were higher than those of unstimulated cells. In vitro stimulation with OVA or Con A induced a severe cellular infiltration, while stimulation with PPD did not. Irradiation markedly diminished cellular infiltration. Stimulation in vitro upregulated the CD4/CD8 ratio by four times and augmented expression of CD25, I-A, ICAM-1 molecules on OVA primed lymph node cells by about five times. IFN-gamma was detected in OVA primed cells by stimulation in vitro, while IL-4 mRNA was extinguished by stimulation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Augmentation of EC by stimulation in vitro of transferred lymphocytes might depend on the upregulation of expression of cell surface molecules and cytokine shift as well as augmented antigen specificity.

Immunotolerance against a foreign antigen transgenically expressed in the lens

PURPOSE

To extend our knowledge concerning immunotolerance against autologous lens crystallins, transgenic (Tg) mice that express a foreign antigen in their lens were generated, and the immune response against the antigen in these mice was analyzed.

METHODS

Conventional techniques were used to generate lines of Tg mice that express soluble (S-) or membrane-bound (M-) hen egg lysozyme (HEL) under the control of the alphaA-crystallin promoter. The presence of HEL in various organs was determined by the particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect mRNA transcripts of the molecule. To examine the development of immunity (or tolerance), Tg mice and their wild-type controls were immunized with HEL (25 microg) in Freund's complete adjuvant and 14 days later were tested for immune response against the antigen. Cellular immunity was measured by the lymphocyte proliferation assay and cytokine production, and humoral immunity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Eyes of the high copy number M-HEL Tg mice were dystrophic, with disrupted lens, whereas no morphologic changes were detected in the eyes of the other Tg mouse lines. All Tg mice exhibited tolerance to HEL by their cellular and humoral immune compartments. The state of immunotolerance to HEL was retained in the Tg mice for as long as 10 months after removal of the main depot of this protein, by enucleation. Measurable amounts of HEL were found in the eyes of all Tg mice, but the protein could not be detected in the serum or in other organs by the sensitive PCFIA (with a threshold of 1 ng/ml). Yet, HEL mRNA was found in the thymus of the Tg mice, suggesting that minute amounts of the protein are expressed in this organ.

CONCLUSIONS

The unresponsiveness to HEL in the Tg mice seems to be due to a "central" mechanism of tolerance, mediated by a minuscule amount of HEL in the thymus. Conversely, the much larger amounts of HEL in the peripheral depot, the eyes, play a minor role if any in the tolerogenic process. It is further proposed that a similar mechanism of central tolerance is responsible for the immunotolerance against autologous lens crystallins.

Characterization of the immunopathogenic responses to ovalbumin peptide 323-339 in experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in Lewis rats

PURPOSE

We recently reported the essential role of cellular immunity on the induction of experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC, formerly EAC) by using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen in Lewis rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible induction of EC by immunization with an OVA peptide (OVA 323-339).

METHODS

Lewis rats were immunized with various doses of OVA or OVA 323-339 in complete Freund's adjuvant. Three weeks later they were challenged with OVA or OVA 323-339 by eye drops; 24 h after challenge, eyes including lids, lymph nodes and blood were harvested after clinical evaluation. An OVA 323-339-specific cell line (S816) was established by periodical stimulation with this peptide. Pathogenicity of S816 was tested by adoptive transfer of S816 into syngeneic recipient rats after challenge with OVA or OVA 323-339.

RESULTS

All rats immunized with OVA 323-339 developed EC after challenge with OVA or OVA 323-339. Rats immunized with OVA 323-339 at doses as low as 0.01 microg had severe clinical scores. OVA-primed rats also developed EC after challenge with OVA 323-339. OVA-primed lymph node cells responded to OVA but not to OVA 323-339. OVA 323-339-primed lymph node cells responded to OVA 323-339 but not to OVA and produced IFN-gamma by stimulation with either OVA or OVA 323-339 (three- to fourfold more than with OVA-primed lymph node cells). Recipient rats of S816 developed severe EC after challenge with either OVA or OVA 323-339.

CONCLUSION

OVA 323-339 was identified as a potent pathogenic peptide in EC.

Expression of ocular autoantigens in the mouse thymus

PURPOSE. The occurrence of eye diseases of autoimmune nature, as well as experimental models of these diseases, has been attributed to the sequestration of ocular antigens from the immune system, that prevents the development of tolerance against these antigens. Here, we tested this assertion by examining whether transcripts of certain ocular antigens are constitutively expressed in the thymus, the site of central tolerance induction.

METHOD

RNA was isolated from the eyes and thymi of two mouse strains and analyzed for the expression of genes encoding four retinal and three lens proteins by reverse transcribed-polymerase chain reaction. Southern blot and DNA sequence analyses.

RESULTS

We detected gene transcripts of S-Antigen (S-Ag), interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, opsin, recoverin, lens major intrinsic protein (MIP), alphaA-, alphaA(-ins)- and gamma-crystallins in the thymi of BALB/c and FVB/N mouse strains. DNA sequence analysis of the thymic MIP and S-Ag transcripts confirmed their identity to the lens and retinal proteins, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reveal that transcripts of several ocular-specific proteins are expressed in the thymus and suggest that the commonly held view that ocular-specific antigens are sequestered from the immune system should be modified.

UTF1, a novel transcriptional coactivator expressed in pluripotent embryonic stem cells and extra-embryonic cells

We have obtained a novel transcriptional cofactor, termed undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1), from F9 embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells. This protein is expressed in EC and embryonic stem cells, as well as in germ line tissues, but could not be detected in any of the other adult mouse tissues tested. Furthermore, when EC cells are induced to differentiate, UTF1 expression is rapidly extinguished. In normal mouse embryos, UTF1 mRNA is present in the inner cell mass, the primitive ectoderm and the extra-embryonic tissues. During the primitive streak stage, the induction of mesodermal cells is accompanied by the down-regulation of UTF1 in the primitive ectoderm. However, its expression is maintained for up to 13.5 days post-coitum in the extra-embryonic tissue. Functionally, UTF1 boosts the level of transcription of the adenovirus E2A promoter. However, unlike the pluripotent cell-specific E1A-like activity, which requires the E2F sites of the E2A promoter for increased transcriptional activation, UTF1-mediated activation is dependent on the upstream ATF site of this promoter. This result indicates that UTF1 is not a major component of the E1A-like activity present in pluripotent embryonic cells. Further analyses revealed that UTF1 interacts not only with the activation domain of ATF-2, but also with the TFIID complex in vivo. Thus, UTF1 displays many of the hallmark characteristics expected for a tissue-specific transcriptional coactivator that works in early embryogenesis.

Usefulness of enhanced insulin secretion during an oral glucose tolerance test as a predictor of restenosis after direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction in patients without diabetes mellitus

To determine predictive factors of the development of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 25 nondiabetic nonobese patients aged <80 years old and 57 consecutive patients with successful direct PTCA with acute myocardial infarction were subjected to a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and underwent follow-up coronary angiography 4 months later. The relation between the development of restenosis (late loss index: the decrease in the absolute minimal lumen diameter [MLD] at follow-up coronary angiography divided by MLD measured 1 day after PTCA) and the results of OGTT together with basic patient characteristics like age, body mass index, plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were analyzed. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that neither age, body mass index, nor plasma lipids correlated with late loss index, but only insulin area (p = 0.041) and insulin area/glucose area (p = 0.038) significantly correlated with the development of restenosis; a stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the insulin area was the only independent predictor of restenosis (p = 0.019). These results suggest that enhanced insulin secretion in response to glucose plays an important role in the development of restenosis after direct PTCA in non-diabetic patients, which may be through the direct action of insulin on smooth muscle cells of the coronary artery. This study also suggests the importance of performing OGTT for patients undergoing PTCA for the prediction of the development of restenosis.

Transcriptional regulation of rat calbindin expression during development determined by bacterially expressed protein

Calbindin-D9k expression in intestinal mucosal cells reveals a specific pattern during development in rats. It shows a low basal level in suckling and adult rats, but after weaning at 21 d of age, increases to three times that of the basal level for several days only, around 24 d. We attempted to clarify whether the regulation of developmental change was at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. The calbindin-D9k protein and mRNA concentrations during pre- and postweaned development were determined by Western blot and Northern blot analysis, respectively, and compared with calcium binding activity by 45Ca. For Western blot analysis, a corresponding antibody was raised in rabbit using a bacterially expressed fusion protein, glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18), and calbindin-D9k. Calbindin-D9k cDNA was linked to a GST gene within a molecule of vector plasmid and a fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. There were significant (p < 0.001) correlations between calbindin-D9k protein, mRNA concentrations and calcium-binding activity: r = 0.90 for protein vs. mRNA, r = 0.93 for protein vs. binding activity and r = 0.95 for mRNA vs. binding activity. These results indicate that calbindin-D9k expression during postnatal development is regulated at the transcriptional level.

[Unexpected anuria during Miles' operation in a renal-transplant patient]

We report a case of 33-yr-old-male after orthotopic renal transplantation 18 years ago, presenting with sudden anuria during Miles' operation. This anuria was caused by temporal compression of the transplanted kidney by retractor, neither by acute renal failure, the rejection nor the damage of the ureter by the surgical procedure. This case indicates that in the anesthetic management after renal transplantation, we have to be careful about renal dysfunction due to surgical procedure or positioning, in addition to side effects and pharmacokinetics of drugs used perioperatively.

[Is laparoscopic cholecystectomy minor invasive surgery?]

We conducted a comparative study to investigate whether or not laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less invasive and safer than abdominal subcostal laparotomy, using findings in blood pressure, heart rate, blood gas and endocrinological functions. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the patients' hospitalization period and expense for surgery were markedly reduced. However, those patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy had increases in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma cortisol and norepinephrine concentrations; it was assumed that these increases might be the result of reduced venous return to the heart which accompanied increased intra-thoracic and abdominal pressures, with reduction of cardiac output. In conclusion, since laparoscopic surgery is very advantageous for patients, we consider that for the success of this surgical procedure, it will be necessary to conduct safe anesthetic managements as well as to select patients carefully.

The role of cellular immunity both in the induction and effector phases of experimental allergic blepharoconjunctivitis (EAC) in rats

In allergic conjunctivitis, the early phase reaction has been studied extensively both in humans and animals. Although cellular infiltration is the main feature of the late phase reaction, the role of cellular immunity remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of cellular immunity both in the induction and effector phases of experimental allergic blepharoconjunctivitis (EAC). To analyse the involvement of cellular immunity in the induction phase, 6-8-week-old male Lewis rats were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), TiterMaxR (TM), aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3], or without any adjuvant. Three weeks after immunization, the rats were challenged with OVA by eye drops, and 24 hr later they were euthanized and their eyes, including the lids, blood, and lymph nodes were harvested for analysis of disease and immune responses. The results indicated that adjuvants were necessary to induce disease as well as both cellular and humoral immunity. Al(OH)3, CFA and TM induced stronger disease and cellular immunity than IFA. The intensity of disease correlated with that of cellular immunity. To further investigate the involvement of cellular immunity in EAC, lymph node cells collected from immunized rats were adoptively transferred into naive syngeneic recipients that were challenged 4 days later with OVA. EAC developed in the recipients of lymph node cells that were also stimulated in culture with OVA. These recipient rats developed cellular infiltration in the lid and conjunctiva, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that cellular immunity played a major role in the development of EAC, both in the induction and effector phases.

Histopathologic features of neovascularization in sickle cell retinopathy

PURPOSE

To examine the histopathologic and morphometric features of neovascular lesions in human proliferative sickle cell retinopathy.

METHODS

Postmortem ocular tissue was obtained from three subjects (aged 20, 28, and 40 years) with SS hemoglobinopathy and prepared for adenosine diphosphatase flat-embedding. Morphometric analysis was performed before serial sectioning.

RESULTS

Numerous active and autoinfarcted lesions were found that represented virtually all stages in the life cycle of preretinal neovascularization. These formations ranged from single small loops extending from arteries and veins along the retinal surface to the typical complex, elevated sea fan formations. Sea fans developed at hairpin loops and at arteriovenous crossings. There was an average of 5.6 connections between sea fans and retinal vessels; of these, 45% were arteriolar, 52.5% were venular, and 2.6% were at the capillary level. Six of eight sea fans were located at arteriovenous crossings. Autoinfarction appeared to occur initially within the sea fan capillaries. The average height of sea fans was 123 microns above the retinal surface.

CONCLUSIONS

Preretinal neovascularization in sickle cell retinopathy can arise from both the arterial and venous sides of the retinal vasculature and can assume a variety of morphologic configurations. Multiple feeding arterioles and draining venules are common, and autoinfarction appears to occur initially at the preretinal capillary level rather than at feeding arterioles. Arteriovenous crossings may be a preferential site for sea fan development.

Lactase decline in weaning rats is regulated at the transcriptional level and not caused by termination of milk ingestion

Lactase activity declines during postnatal development in rats, but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism of this phenomenon. We attempted to clarify whether the regulation was at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level and to examine the effects of dietary factors on that regulation. Newborn rats were divided into two groups, prolonged nursing and weaning, at d 21. The prolonged nursing rats were nursed for a further 6 d, whereas weaning rats were separated from their dams and fed nonpurified diet for the same period. The patterns of declining lactase protein and mRNA concentrations during weaning were determined by Western blot and Northern blot analyses, respectively, and compared with lactase activity. There were significant (P < 0.001) correlations between them: r = 0.97 for specific activity vs. protein, r = 0.99 for specific activity vs. mRNA and r = 0.96 for protein vs. mRNA. The lactase activity per milligram DNA showed a pattern similar to that of the specific activity. This result argues against the decline in lactase activity being due to the dilution caused by newly synthesized materials during the weaning period and suggests transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, the prolonged nursing rats showed the same results as weanlings for lactase protein, mRNA, specific activity and activity per milligram DNA. These observations indicate that the regulation of lactase expression is at the transcriptional level and that it is not affected by the termination of milk ingestion.

An HTLV-I carrier with Graves' disease followed by uveitis: isolation of HTLV-I from thyroid tissue

We report a long-term (14-year) follow-up of a human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-infected male who was successively afflicted with Graves' disease followed by uveitis. HTLV-I proviral DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the thyroid tissue and HTLV-I was isolated from thyroid tissue by coculture with peripheral blood lymphocytes from an HTLV-I-uninfected healthy female. This case study supports a close relationship between Graves' disease and uveitis in an HTLV-I carrier.

Isolation of a cDNA encoding a widely expressed novel zinc finger protein with the LeR and KRAB-A domains

We have isolated a human cDNA clone representing a novel human gene. The predicted 683-amino-acid protein, designated FPM315, contains nine C2H2-type zinc finger motifs and two regions homologous to the LeR domain, a finger-associated structural domain, and the A element of the Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) domain involved in transcriptional repression. The FPM315 mRNAs were expressed in all human tissues so far examined. A cross-species genomic hybridization indicates that the FPM315 gene is highly conserved among eukaryotes. These data suggest that FPM315 might play an important role in basic cellular processes.

[Unexpected hydrothorax occurring after a long gynecological laparoscopic surgery--a case report]

We experienced a case of the hydrothorax occurring after a long gynecologic laparoscopical surgery. The patient was a 36-year-old woman, weighing 51 kg and 151 cm in height. She had received a gynecological laparoscopy with no complication 5 years before. She showed no abnormalities in the preoperative examinations. The operative course was uneventful. Upon completion of the surgery, we examined the chest X-ray, and found the hydrothorax in the right thoracic cavity. A 16 gauge Angiocath was inserted into the 4th intercostal space, and found 770 ml of fluid containing saline solution, which had been used for irrigating around the uterus. We presumed the saline, which was withdrawn from the right thoratic space, had originated from vertebrocostal trigone in the diaphragm. Because blood gas data were improving, the tracheal tube was extubated. We emphasise that the routine chest X-ray examination is necessary after pneumoperitoneum of long duration.

Functional transplant of megabase human immunoglobulin loci recapitulates human antibody response in mice

We constructed two megabase-sized YACs containing large contiguous fragments of the human heavy and kappa (kappa) light chain immunoglobulin (Ig) loci in nearly germline configuration, including approximately 66 VH and 32 V kappa genes. We introduced these YACs into Ig-inactivated mice and observed human antibody production which closely resembled that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and repertoire. Diverse Ig gene usage together with somatic hypermutation enables the mice to generate high affinity fully human antibodies to multiple antigens, including human proteins. Our results underscore the importance of the large Ig fragments with multiple V genes for restoration of a normal humoral immune response. These mice are likely to be a valuable tool for the generation of therapeutic antibodies.

Protective effect of mucosal administration of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhM-CSF) on mucosal infection of Sendai virus in mice

We investigated the protection confered by the mucosal administration of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhM-CSF) against mucosal infection of Sendai virus in mice. In an experimental infection model using Sendai virus, an intranasal (i.n.) administration of rhM-CSF (20 micrograms per mouse) 2 days before injection induced significant protection against a lethal infection of this virus. Also, its antiviral activity was dependent upon the dose of rhM-CSF. However, a subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of rhM-CSF with an effective dose (20 micrograms per mouse) i.n. did not confer protection. In a time course analysis of virus growth in the lungs, mice given rhM-CSF. i.n. significantly inhibited the early period of infection, compared with the untreated mice. Moreover, the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in lung wash fluids from the rhM-CSF-treated mice was higher than that of the untreated mice. These results suggested that the mucosal (i.n.), but not the systemic (s.c.) administration of rhM-CSF augments host resistance against mucosal infection with Sendai virus, and that its prophylactic activity is related to growth inhibition of the virus and enhanced IFN-gamma secretion in the lungs.

Permissive recognition of immunodominant determinants of the retinal S-antigen in different rat strains, primates and humans

The majority of antigenic peptides exhibit restriction in their interaction with the MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells of different haplotypes. Certain peptides, however, are "permissive': they bind strongly to different MHC molecules and are selected as the immunodominant epitopes by animals using these MHC gene products. Here we show for the first time that several peptides from four regions of the sequence of human S-antigen (H-SAg), a retinal-specific protein, demonstrate high levels of permissiveness. Each of these peptides was found to be immunodominant in at least some of four inbred rat strains and five cynomolgus monkeys, immunized with whole H-SAg. Moreover, some of these peptides were recognized by lymphocytes from four normal controls and four patients with uveitis who responded against the H-SAg molecule. On the other hand, the permissive peptides stimulated marginal or no response in cultures of Lewis rats injected with adjuvant alone, or rat and human cell lines specific to other antigens, thus demonstrating that these peptides do not carry any non-specific mitogenic activity. One peptide, 29, which was found immunodominant in the monkeys, the uveitis patients and Lewis rats, is highly immunopathogenic in this rat strain. No good correlation between immunodominance and immunopathogenicity was found with other H-SAg peptides. The finding of cross-species permissiveness among peptides of H-SAg and similar observations with myelin proteins suggest that permissiveness could be quite prevalent among peptides of immunopathogenic antigens.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with esophageal hiatal hernia accompanied with chest pain]

We experienced the perioperative management of the esophageal hiatus hernia (sliding type). As the patient had had severe and frequent chest pain attacks and abnormal ECG, it was essential to evaluate the degree of cardiac and pulmonary functions. To prevent aspiration pneumonia, the patient had been placed on intravenous hyperalimentation and H2-blocker, and tracheal intubation was performed by rapid anesthetic induction technic without using awake or crash intubation methods. The intraoperative course was uneventful and the chest pain diminished immediately after the operation. In summary, the key points were as follows; (1) accurate evaluation of cardiac and pulmonary functions, and (2) prophylaxis for aspiration pneumonia at the time of anesthetic induction.

Effect of MDP-Lys(L18) as a mucosal immunoadjuvant on protection of mucosal infections by Sendai virus and rotavirus

To examine the effect of MDP-Lys(L18), a derivative of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), as a mucosal immunoadjuvant, we investigated its activity to augment host resistance against mucosal infections by Sendai virus and rotavirus in mice. In an experimental infection model using suckling mice (10-day-old) inoculated perorally (p.o.) with 1.5 x 10(6) p.f.u. mouse-1 of rotavirus strain SA11, intrarectal (i.r.) as well as p.o. administration of MDP-Lys(L18) (50 micrograms mouse-1) prior to virus infection markedly reduced rotavirus-induced diarrhea. Furthermore, when MDP-Lys(L18) was administered p.o. (1 mg mouse-1), i.r. (300 micrograms mouse-1) or intranasally (i.n., 100 micrograms mouse-1) various days before Sendai virus infection (2.6 x 10(4) HAD mouse-1), all the mucosal administration of MDP-Lys(L18) significantly protected a lethal infection of Sendai virus, showing a dose-dependent manner. However, the efficacy of MDP-Lys(L18) to induce the prophylactic activity against the viruses somewhat varied according to the administration route and timing. In time course analysis of virus isolation in vivo, the mice administered with MDP-Lys(L18) exhibited a significant reduction of both viruses in the lungs for Sendai virus and in the bowels for rotavirus. These results suggest that MDP-Lys(L18) is a potent mucosal immunoadjuvant to enhance nonspecific host resistance against two mucosal infectious viruses, Sendai virus and rotavirus.

Human lymphocyte responses against epitopes of a self antigen: a follow-up at different time points

This study was aimed at examining the changes that may occur with time in the lymphocyte responses of an individual against peptide determinants of self antigens. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from the same donor at seven different time points during a 10-month period and tested for their proliferative responses against whole human S-antigen and 40 overlapping peptides derived from the sequence of this uveitogenic retinal protein. Lymphocytes collected at different dates varied in their responsiveness to all tested antigens, as well as in the pattern of their response against individual peptides. The latter variability was expressed by differences in the hierarchical order of the most stimulatory peptides for lymphocytes collected at the seven time points. Despite the variability in their stimulatory capacity, six of the peptides exhibited their immunodominance by eliciting proliferation in lymphocytes collected at all time points. Our results thus indicate that data collected from a single sample of blood may be insufficient to accurately assess the level of cellular response to autologous antigens.