Conversion of 12-membered d3- and l3-CoIII3CdII3 metallorings into a 24-membered d3l3-CoIII6CdII6 metalloring

A unique example of a heterometallic coordination system, in which metalloring sizes are controlled via homochirality vs. heterochirality, is reported.

NF-κB p65 and p105 implicate in interleukin 1β-mediated COX-2 expression in melanoma cells

Inflammatory and microenvironmental factors produced by cancer cells are thought to directly or indirectly promote cancer cell growth. Prostaglandins, including prostaglandin E2, have key roles as a microenvironment factor in influencing the development of tumors, and are produced by the rate limiting enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). In this study, we used canine melanoma cells treated with the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and investigated the transcriptional factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling in IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression. IL-1β induced prostaglandin E2 release and COX-2 mRNA expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In the cells treated with the NF-κB inhibitors BAY11-7082 and TPC-1, IL-1β-mediated prostaglandin E2 release and COX-2 mRNA expression were inhibited. IL-1β also provoked phosphorylation of p65/RelA and p105/NF-κB1, which are members of the NF-κB families. The IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of p65 and p105 was attenuated in the presence of both NF-κB inhibitors. In melanoma cells transfected with siRNA of p65 or p105, IL-1β-mediated COX-2 mRNA expression was inhibited. These findings suggest that canonical activation of NF-κB signaling plays a crucial role for inflammatory states in melanoma cells.

Partial loss of function of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor in a patient with white matter abnormalities

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Mutations in colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) cause adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP). Patients with ALSP can be misdiagnosed as having acute ischemic stroke due to hyperintensity lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Mutant CSF1R proteins identified in ALSP show a complete loss of autophosphorylation of CSF1R.

METHODS

We conducted mutation screening of CSF1R in 123 patients with definite acute ischemic cerebrovascular syndrome and positive family history of stroke. The pathogenicity of identified variants was evaluated using functional analyses. The levels of autophosphorylation of CSF1R in response to treatment with ligands of CSF1R were examined in cells transfected with wild-type and mutant CSF1R.

RESULTS

We identified eight CSF1R variants, six were known non-pathogenic polymorphisms, whereas the other two were missense variants inducing substitution of amino acid residues (p.Glu573Lys and p.Gly747Arg). Functional assay showed that the levels of autophosphorylation of p.Gly747Arg were similar to those of wild-type when treated with ligands. The autophosphorylation of p.Glu573Lys was detectable, but significantly decreased compared with those of wild-type CSF1R (P < 0.001, two-way anova with Bonferroni). The clinical presentation of the patient with p.Glu573Lys was consistent with cerebral embolism. The patient did not have typical clinical findings of ALSP. However, periventricular white matter abnormalities, unrelated to the recent infarct, were evident on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to ALSP-associated missense mutations, CSF1R p.Glu573Lys variant in a patient with acute ischemic cerebrovascular syndrome showed a partial loss of autophosphorylation of CSF1R; its clinical significance warrants further investigation.

Diagnostic criteria for adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia due to CSF1R mutation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To establish and validate diagnostic criteria for adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) due to colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) mutation.

METHODS

We developed diagnostic criteria for ALSP based on a recent analysis of the clinical characteristics of ALSP. These criteria provide 'probable' and 'possible' designations for patients who do not have a genetic diagnosis. To verify its sensitivity and specificity, we retrospectively applied our criteria to 83 ALSP cases who had CSF1R mutations (24 of these were analyzed at our institutions and the others were identified from the literature), 53 cases who had CSF1R mutation-negative leukoencephalopathies and 32 cases who had cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) with NOTCH3 mutations.

RESULTS

Among the CSF1R mutation-positive cases, 50 cases (60%) were diagnosed as 'probable' and 32 (39%) were diagnosed as 'possible,' leading to a sensitivity of 99% if calculated as a ratio of the combined number of cases who fulfilled 'probable' or 'possible' to the total number of cases. With regard to specificity, 22 cases (42%) with mutation-negative leukoencephalopathies and 28 (88%) with CADASIL were correctly excluded using these criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

These diagnostic criteria are very sensitive for diagnosing ALSP with sufficient specificity for differentiation from CADASIL and moderate specificity for other leukoencephalopathies. Our results suggest that these criteria are useful for the clinical diagnosis of ALSP.

Abstract P2-01-20: The non-invasive treatment for sentinel lymph node metastasis by photodynamic therapy using a verteporfin solubilized phospholipid polymer aggregate

Introduction:

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become a standard procedure for axillary lymph node evaluation in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. Recent trial suggested that patients with 1or 2 sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) involvement could be treated with SLNB alone.

Although SLNB is much less invasive procedure comparing with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), it is still associated with complications such as lymph edema, numbness and pain.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer is a non-invasive optical therapeutic method in which the topical or systemic delivery of photosensitizing drugs is followed by its subsequent activation with broadband red light.

In this study, the usefulness of PDT for treating SLN metastasis was evaluated in murine model.

Materials and Methods:

Verteporfin, a hydrophobic photosensitizer (PS) forms a soluble conjugate in aqueous medium with a water-soluble and amphiphilic PMB polymer as a solubilizer. The PMB forms stable and well-dispersed molecular aggregate when its concentration is over 1.0 mg/mL based on the hydrophobic interactions among polymer chains. The verteporfin can form conjugate (PMB-vertepoffin) with hydrophobic domain in the PMB aggregate. The PMB-verteporfin was injected at dorsum manus of BALB/c nude mice. The concentrations of verteporfin in tissues were determined by measuring the fluorescence emitted at 700 nm (with excitation at 430 nm). To develop a murine SLN metastasis model, 5 x 105 human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells with stable expression of GFP were injected to the forearm of BALB/c nude mice. Seven days after inoculation of cancer cells, 20 μL of PMB-verteporfin was injected at dorsum manus of BALB/c nude mice and 75 J of light energy was delivered using a 640 nm diode laser for a total treatment time of 1 min. Fifty-three mice were randomly assigned to the combination of PMB-verteporfin injection and light exposure (A), light exposure alone (B), PMB-verteporfin injection alone (C), and no treatment (D) groups. Ten days after PDT, brachial lymph nodes, which were considered as SLNs were harvested and evaluated by stereoscopic fluorescence microscope. And, DNA was extracted from harvested lymph node. Human Alu family sequence was detected by 7300 Real Time PCR system (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad CA USA) to estimate metastatic volume.

Results:

The concentration of verteporfin in SLN was siginificantly higher than other organs including lung, liver, kidney and brachial skin.

The group A significantly reduced the SLN metastasis (13%) comparing with , group B (57%), group C (46%) and group D (52%).

The Ct value in a PCR of the combination of group A (Ct=29.17) significantly reduced the SLN metastasis comparing with group B (Ct=22.45, p=0.018), group C (Ct=25.58, p=0.018) and group D (Ct=25.54, p=0.005).

Conclusions:

These data suggested that PDT using PMB as a nanotransporter of verteporfin could be a minimally invasive treatment of SLN metastasis in breast cancer, and represent a potential alternative procedure to SLNB.

Citation Format: Shimada K, Matsuda S, Jinno H, Konno T, Ito A, Arai T, Ishihara K, Kitagawa Y. The non-invasive treatment for sentinel lymph node metastasis by photodynamic therapy using a verteporfin solubilized phospholipid polymer aggregate [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-20.

Expression and Function of Interleukin-1β-Induced Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Renal Tubular Cells

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden loss of renal function. Early recognition of AKI, especially in critically ill patients, is essential for adequate therapy. Currently, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is considered to be an effective biomarker of AKI; however, the regulation of its expression and function in renal tubular cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulation of the expression and function of NGAL in IL-1β-treated Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as a model of renal tubular cells. IL-1β induced a disturbance in the localization of E-cadherin and zonaoccludin-1 (ZO-1). The transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) also decreased 5 days after IL-1β treatment. IL-1β induced NGAL mRNA expression and protein secretion in a time- and dose-dependent manner, which occurred faster than the decrease in TER. In the presence of ERK1/2 and p38 inhibitors, IL-1β-induced NGAL mRNA expression and protein secretion were significantly attenuated. In the presence of recombinant NGAL, IL-1β-induced disturbance in the localization of E-cadherin and ZO-1 was attenuated, and the decrease in TER was partially maintained. These results suggest that NGAL can be used as a biomarker for AKI and that it functions as a protector from AKI.

Clinical and genetic characterization of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia associated with CSF1R mutation

Background and purpose

The clinical characteristics of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) related adult‐onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) have been only partially elucidated.

Methods

Clinical data from CSF1R mutation carriers who had been seen at our institutions or reported elsewhere were collected and analysed using a specific investigation sheet to standardize the data.

Results

In all, 122 cases from 90 families with CSF1R mutations were identified. The mean age of onset was 43 years (range 18–78 years), the mean age at death was 53 years (range 23–84 years) and the mean disease duration was 6.8 years (range 1–29 years). Women had a significantly younger age of onset than men (40 vs. 47 years, P = 0.0006, 95% confidence interval 3.158–11.177). There was an age‐dependent penetrance that was significantly different between the sexes (P = 0.0013). Motor dysfunctions were the most frequent initial symptom in women whose diseases began in their 20s. Thinning of the corpus callosum, abnormal signalling in pyramidal tracts, diffusion‐restricted lesions and calcifications in the white matter were characteristic imaging findings of ALSP. The calcifications were more frequently reported in our case series than in the literature (54% vs. 3%). Seventy‐nine per cent of the mutations were located in the distal part of the tyrosine kinase domain of CSF1R (102 cases). There were no apparent phenotype−genotype correlations.

Conclusions

The characteristics of ALSP were clarified. The phenotype of ALSP caused by CSF1R mutations is affected by sex.

Diagnostic Value of Brain Calcifications in Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia is a rare neurodegenerative disease resulting from mutations in the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor gene. Accurate diagnosis can be difficult because the associated clinical and MR imaging findings are nonspecific. We present 9 cases with intracranial calcifications distributed in 2 brain regions: the frontal white matter adjacent to the anterior horns of the lateral ventricles and the parietal subcortical white matter. Thin-section (1-mm) CT scans are particularly helpful in detection due to the small size of the calcifications. These calcifications had a symmetric "stepping stone appearance" in the frontal pericallosal regions, which was clearly visible on reconstructed sagittal CT images. Intrafamilial variability was seen in 2 of the families, and calcifications were seen at birth in a single individual. These characteristic calcification patterns may assist in making a correct diagnosis and may contribute to understanding of the pathogenesis of leukoencephalopathy.

Concise preparation of fluorine-containing carbocycles involving the Diels–Alder reaction using fluorinated alkene or diene derivatives

The Diels–Alder reactions of trifluorovinyl substances with various dienes or 2,3-difluorobuta-1,3-dienes with various dienophiles proceeded well to give the corresponding trifluorinated cyclohexenes or vic-difluorocyclohexenes in acceptable yields, respectively.

Activation of MEK/ERK pathways through NF-κB activation is involved in interleukin-1β-induced cyclooxygenease-2 expression in canine dermal fibroblasts

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression and lipid mediator prostaglandin E2 release and in a time- and dose-dependent manner in canine dermal fibroblasts. The MEK inhibitor U0126 and the ERK inhibitor FR180204 clearly inhibited IL-1β-induced prostaglandin E2 release and COX-2 mRNA expression. IL-1β enhanced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which was attenuated by inhibitors of MEK and ERK. The NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 also suppressed IL-1β-induced prostaglandin E2 release and COX-2 mRNA expression. Treatment of fibroblasts with IL-1β led to the phosphorylation of p65 and degradation of IκBα occurred, indicating that IL-1β treatment activated NF-κB. MEK and ERK1/2 inhibitors had no effect on the phosphorylation of p65 subunit induced by IL-1β, whereas the NF-κB inhibitor completely blocked IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. We also observed that IκBα-knockdown enhanced the phosphorylation of p65 and ERK1/2. These findings suggest that stimulation of MEK/ERK signaling pathway by NF-κB activation regulates IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression and subsequent prostaglandin E2 release in canine dermal fibroblasts.

An efficient approach to gem-difluorocyclopropylstannanes via highly regio- and stereoselective hydrostannylation of gem-difluorocyclopropenes and their unique ring-opening reaction to afford β-fluoroallylic alcohols

gem-Difluorocyclopropylstannanes, prepared via the hydrostannylation of gem-difluorocyclopropenes, were treated with MeLi and then quenching agents, to give (Z)-β-fluoroallyllic alcohols, ethers, esters, and amides.

Indication of reactor ν(e) disappearance in the Double Chooz experiment

The Double Chooz experiment presents an indication of reactor electron antineutrino disappearance consistent with neutrino oscillations. An observed-to-predicted ratio of events of 0.944±0.016(stat)±0.040(syst) was obtained in 101 days of running at the Chooz nuclear power plant in France, with two 4.25 GW(th) reactors. The results were obtained from a single 10 m(3) fiducial volume detector located 1050 m from the two reactor cores. The reactor antineutrino flux prediction used the Bugey4 flux measurement after correction for differences in core composition. The deficit can be interpreted as an indication of a nonzero value of the still unmeasured neutrino mixing parameter sin(2)2θ(13). Analyzing both the rate of the prompt positrons and their energy spectrum, we find sin(2)2θ(13)=0.086±0.041(stat)±0.030(syst), or, at 90% C.L., 0.017<sin(2)2θ(13)<0.16.

Rat placentation: an experimental model for investigating the hemochorial maternal-fetal interface

The rat possesses hemochorial placentation with deep intrauterine trophoblast cell invasion and trophoblast-directed uterine spiral artery remodeling; features shared with human placentation. Recognition of these similarities spurred the establishment of in vitro and in vivo research methods using the rat as an animal model to address mechanistic questions regarding development of the hemochorial placenta. The purpose of this review is to provide the requisite background to help move the rat to the forefront in placentation research.

Expression profiling of the ephrin (EFN) and Eph receptor (EPH) family of genes in atherosclerosis-related human cells

Ephrin B1 and its cognate receptor, Eph receptor B2, key regulators of embryogenesis, are expressed in human atherosclerotic plaque and inhibit adult human monocyte chemotaxis. Few data exist, however, regarding the gene expression profiles of the ephrin (EFN) and Eph receptor (EPH) family of genes in atherosclerosis-related human cells. Gene expression profiles were determined of all 21 members of this gene family in atherosclerosis-related cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The following 17 members were detected in adult human peripheral blood monocytes: EFNA1 and EFNA3 - EFNA5 (coding for ephrins A1 and A3 - A5); EPHA1, EPHA2, EPHA4 - EPHA6 and EPHA8 (coding for Eph receptors A1, A2, A4 - A6 and A8); EFNB1 and EFNB2 (coding for ephrins B1 and B2); and EPHB1 - EPHB4 and EPHB6 (coding for Eph receptors B1 - B4 and B6). THP-1 monocytic cells, Jurkat T cells and adult arterial endothelial cells also expressed multiple EFN and EPH genes. These results indicate that a wide variety of ephrins and Eph receptors might affect monocyte chemotaxis, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis. Their pathological significance requires further study.

Impact of Severe Coronary Disease Associated or Not Associated with Diabetes Mellitus on Outcome of Interventional Treatment Using Stents: Results from HERZ (Heart Research Group of Kanazawa) Analyses

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a drug-eluting stent (DES) leads to less re-stenosis than PCI using a bare metal stent (BMS), however there is still controversy whether use of a DES for severe coronary disease leads to an acceptable outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study 8159 lesions were treated in 6739 patients (mean age 68.9 years) with coronary artery disease. Use of a DES significantly decreased the re-stenosis rate compared with BMS in both DM (9.6% versus 21.3%) and non-DM (9.5% versus 17.1%) patients. The re-stenosis rate was significantly higher in DM than in non-DM patients in the BMS group but not in the DES group. There was no statistically significant difference in event-free survival after stenting of patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease between the BMS and DES groups. It was concluded that, compared with BMS, DES reduced re-stenosis in patients with DM, however, we advise careful treatment after using DES for severe coronary disease, including LMCA lesions, in patients with DM.

Intrauterine fate of invasive trophoblast cells

Invasion of trophoblast cells into the uterine spiral arteries and the uterine wall is characteristic of hemochorial placentation. In the rat, trophoblast cells penetrate through the uterine decidua and well into the metrial gland. In this report, we examined the fate of these invasive trophoblast cells following parturition. Invasive trophoblast endocrine cells were retained in the postpartum mesometrial uterus in the rat. The demise of invasive trophoblast cells was followed by the appearance of differentiated smooth muscle cells surrounding blood vessels previously lined by invasive trophoblast cells and an infiltration of macrophages. Regulation of intrauterine trophoblast cell fate was investigated following premature removal of the fetus or removal of the fetus and chorioallantoic placenta. The presence of the fetus affected the distribution of invasive trophoblast cells within the uterus but did not negatively impact their survival. Premature removal of all chorioallantoic placentas and associated fetuses from a uterus resulted in extensive removal of intrauterine trophoblast cells. In summary, the postpartum demise of intrauterine invasive trophoblast cells is a dynamic developmental event regulated in part by the removal of trophic signals emanating from the chorioallantoic placenta.

Roles of aquaporin-3 water channels in volume-regulatory water flow in a human epithelial cell line

Membrane water transport is an essential event not only in the osmotic cell volume change but also in the subsequent cell volume regulation. Here we investigated the route of water transport involved in the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) that occurs after osmotic swelling in human epithelial Intestine 407 cells. The diffusion water permeability coefficient (Pd) measured by NMR under isotonic conditions was much smaller than the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) measured under an osmotic gradient. Temperature dependence of Pf showed the Arrhenius activation energy (Ea) of a low value (1.6 kcal/mol). These results indicate an involvement of a facilitated diffusion mechanism in osmotic water transport. A mercurial water channel blocker (HgCl(2)) diminished the Pf value. A non-mercurial sulfhydryl reagent (MMTS) was also effective. These blockers of water channels suppressed the RVD. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry demonstrated predominant expression of AQP3 water channel in this cell line. Downregulation of AQP3 expression induced by treatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides was found to suppress the RVD response. Thus, it is concluded that AQP3 water channels serve as an essential pathway for volume-regulatory water transport in, human epithelial cells.

Exercise-induced systolic dysfunction in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and mutations in the cardiac troponin genes

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate left ventricular (LV) function reserve in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with and without cardiac troponin gene mutations before transition to the dilated phase.

METHODS

LV ejection fraction (EF) was continuously evaluated in 52 patients with non-obstructive HCM during supine ergometer exercise using radionuclide ventricular function monitoring with a cadmium telluride detector (VEST). On the basis of genetic analysis, patients were divided into two groups: 10 with cardiac troponin gene mutations (group A) and 42 without these gene mutations (group B).

RESULTS

Exercise duration, peak exercise load, and heart rate during exercise did not differ between the two groups. The differences from baseline to peak exercise ofthe LV end-diastolic volume decreased similarly in the twogroups. In contrast, the difference of the LV end-systolicvolume in group A increased significantly compared withgroup B (17.7% (SD 12.7%) vs 3.4% (SD 13.2%);p=0.0031). Consequently, the difference of LVEF ingroup A decreased significantly in contrast with group B(-14.1% (SD 11.1%) vs -1.2% (SD 11.7%); p=0.0025).Additionally, the changes in LVEF and stroke volumedecreased significantly more in group A than in group B(-22.2% (SD 18.6%) vs -1.1% (SD 17.8%); p=0.0017and -12.9% (SD 21.7%) vs 12.3% (SD 24.4%);p=0.0042, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that HCM patientswith cardiac troponin gene mutations may displayexercise-induced LV systolic dysfunction more frequentlythan HCM patients without this abnormality

Adenosine A2A receptor mediated protective effect of 2-(6-cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine on retinal ischaemia/reperfusion damage in rats

AIMS

To determine the effect of 2-(6-cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine (2-CN-Ado), an adenosine A2A receptor agonist, on retinal ischaemia/reperfusion damage in rats.

METHODS

Retinal ischaemia/reperfusion damage was induced by elevating the intraocular pressure of one eye to 130 mm Hg for 60 minutes and returning it to normal. 7 days later, retinal ischaemia/reperfusion damage was histologically quantified by measuring the thickness of retinal layers. Intraocular pressure was measured by pressure transducer.

RESULTS

Retinal ischaemia/reperfusion caused cell loss in the ganglion cell layer and thinning of the inner plexiform and nuclear layer. Both ocular topical and intravenous administration of 2-CN-Ado caused a reduction of retinal ischaemia/reperfusion damage. A selective A2A receptor antagonist, 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-(3-chlorostyryl) xanthine (CSC), but not a selective A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), or a selective A2B receptor antagonist, alloxazine, reduced the protective effect of 2-CN-Ado. While ocular topical administration of 2-CN-Ado caused a sustained reduction of intraocular pressure, intravenous administration of 2-CN-Ado showed a transient ocular hypotensive effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that 2-CN-Ado attenuates retinal ischaemia/reperfusion damage, and at least some of this protective effect of 2-CN-Ado might be mediated via activation of the adenosine A2A receptor.