p53 regulates the expression of the tumor suppressor gene maspin

Maspin has been shown to inhibit tumor cell invasion and metastasis in breast tumor cells. Maspin expression was detected in normal breast and prostate epithelial cells, whereas tumor cells exhibited reduced or no expression. However, the regulatory mechanism of maspin expression remains unknown. We report here a rapid and robust induction of maspin expression in prostate cancer cells (LNCaP, DU145, and PC3) and breast tumor cells (MCF7) following wild type p53 expression from an adenovirus p53 expression vector (AdWTp53). p53 activates the maspin promoter by binding directly to the p53 consensus-binding site present in the maspin promoter. DNA-damaging agents and cytotoxic drugs induced endogenous maspin expression in cells containing the wild type p53. Maspin expression was refractory to the DNA-damaging agents in cells containing mutant p53. These results, combined with recent studies of the tumor metastasis suppressor gene KAI1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), define a new category of molecular targets of p53 that have the potential to negatively regulate tumor invasion and/or metastasis.

LHRH neuronal migration: heterotypic transplantation analysis of guidance cues

During embryonic development, the olfactory placode (OP) differentiates into the olfactory epithelium (OE). Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons migrate out of the OE in close association with the olfactory nerve (ON) to the telencephalon. LHRH neuronal migration and ON extension to the telencephalon may be independent events which are correlated but do not represent a causal relationship. However, we hypothesize that LHRH neurons are dependent on ON axons to migrate to the brain. To test this hypothesis, we ablated the right trigeminal placode and replaced it with an OP from another chick embryo. After several days' additional incubation, the embryos were fixed, sectioned, and immunostained with antibodies against LHRH or N-CAM. The ectopic OPs were well integrated into the host and developed into relatively normal appearing OEs. The ONs extended from the OE to several different sites: the lateral rectus of the eye, the ciliary ganglion, and the trigeminal ganglion. In all cases, LHRH neurons were found in the OE and ON, regardless of where the ON terminated. When the ON extended to the trigeminal ganglion, LHRH neurons could clearly be seen entering the metencephalon. Our results support the idea that LHRH neurons are dependent on the ON for guidance as they appear to follow the nerve even when it extends away from the brain. The cues which direct the ON and LHRH neurons to the telencephalon do not appear to be unique to this brain region.

Cytogenetic characteristics and p53 gene status of human teratocarcinoma PA-1 cells in 407-445 passages

To study why the human teratocarcinoma cell line PA-1 maintains a stable near-diploid karyotype even after it has been cultured for more than twenty years, p53 gene status of the cell line in 407-445 passages were investigated in detail by DNA sequence analysis and a yeast function status assay. Direct sequence analysis of RT-PCR products showed both wild and mutated bands (p53 codon 239 mutation). Consistent with the above results, the functional assay showed that one allele of the p53 gene was active (wild), while the other was inactive (mutant). In addition, the PA-1 cells expressed the p21 protein to a lesser extent than normal human fibroblasts. Though many lines of evidence have shown that mutant p53 works dominant-negatively, our results suggest that mutation in a p53 allele alone can not induce cytogenetic instability.

[Applications of porous polymeric materials and its biocompatibility]

With the barrier materials, guided tissue regeneration materials and hybrid artificial organs as the representafive materials, the applications of polymer skeletal materials in biomedical fields are introduced in this paper. Based on the results of the induced carcinoma, collagenous encapsulation and chronic inflammation around implanted polymers, the effects of polymers topography on biocompatibility are discussed, and the importance of topographical compatibility of materials is emphasized.

Lipopolysaccharide potentiates the effect of hepatocyte growth factor on hepatocyte replication in rats by augmenting AP-1 activity

The liver regenerates by replication of differentiated hepatocytes after damage or removal of part of the liver. Although several growth factors and signaling pathways are activated during regeneration, it is unclear as to which of these are essential for hepatocyte replication. We show here that low- (1 mg/kg) and high- (10 mg/kg) dose hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced replication of 2.1% and 11.1% of hepatocytes in rats, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an inducer of the acute phase response, augmented hepatocyte replication in response to low- and high-dose HGF by 4- and 2-fold, respectively. HGF alone induced moderate levels of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), resulting in moderate levels of AP-1-DNA binding activity. The combination of LPS + HGF increased JNK and AP-1-DNA binding activity more than levels seen with LPS or HGF alone. The activation of Stat3 that was observed after administration of LPS + HGF, but not HGF alone, could contribute to increased transcription of AP-1 components. Because phosphorylation of the c-Jun component of AP-1 by JNK increases its ability to activate transcription, the AP-1 in hepatocytes from animals treated with LPS + HGF may be more active than in rats treated with LPS or HGF alone. LPS may contribute to hepatocyte replication by potentiating the effect of HGF on the activation of both AP-1-DNA binding and transcriptional activity.

Activation of p53 in MDM2-overexpressing cells through phosphorylation

Overexpressed MDM2 inactivates wild-type (wt) p53 in various human tumors. However, whether and how the wild-type p53 can be activated by anticancer drug treatment in the presence of excess MDM2 is still unclear. In the present study, we showed that the topoisomerase II inhibitor of widely used anticancer drugs etoposide and doxorubicin activated wt p53 in BL2, a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line which overexpressed MDM2. Activation of p53 was followed by apoptosis in BL2 cells, while the same drug treatment did not induce apoptosis in Raji cells, another Burkitt's lymphoma cell line which carried mutant p53. Activation of p53 was accompanied by phosphorylation of p53 at Ser-15 and elevated p21 and MDM2, both of which were at least partly blocked by wortmannin, a kinase inhibitor against proteins with a PI3 kinase domain. Although MDM2 protein was rapidly cleaved and degraded after anticancer drug treatment, cotreatment with caspase inhibitor Z-VAD blocked degradation, while wt p53 remained activated, suggesting MDM2 degradation not to be essential for the activation of p53. Treatment with proteasome inhibitor stabilized p53 without being further phosphorylated. This p53 was co-immunoprecipitated with MDM2, but p53 activated by etoposide or doxorubicin barely complexed with MDM2. These results suggest that the wild-type p53 in MDM2-overexpressing cells can be activated by anticancer drugs through phosphorylation of p53, alleviating inhibitory action by MDM2, and activating caspases which in turn downregulates MDM2. The activation of p53 in MDM2-overexpressing tumor cells, which does not require the downregulation of MDM2, may have important implications in cancer therapy.

Yeast functional assay of the p53 gene status in 11 cell lines and 26 surgical specimens of human hepatocellular carcinoma

The structural abnormalities of the p53 gene have frequently been detected in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). To ascertain whether or not functional inactivation of this gene also occurs in HCCs, the transactivation of p53 gene products in 11 HCC cell lines maintained in our laboratory and 26 HCC surgical specimens was examined by yeast functional assay (functional analysis of separated alleles in yeast: FASAY), which determines the functional status of the individual p53 alleles. The p53 gene product was inactivated in 8 of 11 (72.7%) HCC cell lines and in 12 of 26 (46.2%) HCC surgical specimens. The inactivation frequency of the gene was 37.5%, 36.4%, and 71.4% in well, moderately, and poorly differentiated HCCs, respectively. In HCC surgical specimens larger than 5 cm in diameter, the inactivation frequency was 83.3% while in those smaller than 2. 5 cm, it was 14.3%. These results show that functional inactivation of p53 gene products often occurs in HCCs and that the inactivation frequency of the gene in HCCs is well correlated with differentiation degree and tumor size, suggesting that the inactivation of p53 gene products plays a role in progression from well to poorly differentiated HCC.

KN-62 provides neuroprotection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in neurons

AIM

To study the effects of KN-62, an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CCDPK II), on the damage of cortical neurons and mechanisms of the loss of CCDPK II activity induced by sodium glutamate (Glu).

METHODS

CCDPK II activity was measured by 32P incorporation and backphosphorylations of endogenous proteins were studied by autoradiography.

RESULTS

1) KN-62 provided partial protection against excitotoxical damage only before Glu (100 mumol.L-1, 10 min) treatment. 2) KN-62 markedly suppressed the loss of CCDPK II activity induced by Glu from 48.0% to 90.6%. 3) Backphosphorylation of endogenous proteins (especially the 50 kDa protein) reduced to 78.2% of control after treatment with Glu, and the reduction was protected with KN-62 added before Glu.

CONCLUSION

KN-62 provided the protection against excitotoxicity and the loss of CCDPK II activity as well as backphosphorylation of endogenous proteins induced by Glu. The neuroprotection provided by KN-62 was due to the inhibition of autophosphorylation of CCDPK II.

Activation of recombinant bovine matrix metalloproteinase-20 and its hydrolysis of two amelogenin oligopeptides

Enamelysin is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-20) secreted by ameloblasts, previously shown to hydrolyze recombinant amelogenin. The purpose of this study was to use recombinant MMP-20 to further investigate the specific hydrolysis of peptide fragments containing cleavage sites for tyrosine-rich amelogenin peptide (TRAP) and leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP). MMP-20 cDNA was isolated from a subtracted bovine cDNA library, reconstructed into pRSET A vector, and overexpressed in BL21 Escherichia coli. The recombinant MMP-20 was purified using Mono-S ion exchange and nickel affinity chromatography. The proteinase was renatured by dialysis against buffer containing 50 microM zinc and 5 mM calcium and autolysed to form several active fragments. The varying sizes and activities of the activated enzyme fragments appeared to be due to sequential autolysis at different location of the carboxyl terminus of the intact enzyme. Two synthetic peptides corresponding to amelogenin amino acid sequences 36-49 and 181-188 were hydrolyzed by the activated rMMP-20. Mass spectrometry and amino acid composition analysis showed that the cleavage sites were between the tryptophan and leucine (45 and 46) for TRAP and between proline and alanine (186-187) for LRAP. These results indicate that MMP-20 can be autoactivated, and activated MMP-20 has a functional role in the initial cleavage of amelogenin.

Maintenance of near-diploid karyotype of PA-1 human ovarian teratocarcinoma cells due to death of polyploid cells by chromosome fragmentation/pulverization

Chromosome instability (polyploidy or aneuploidy) is one of the characteristics of malignant tumors. Human teratocarcinoma cell line PA-1, which was established more than 10 years ago, consists of a majority of near-diploid cells and a minority of polyploid cells, indicating that it is karyologically very stable. In the present study we investigated this genomic stability from the view point of cytogenetics. Cleavages and breaks in the chromosome were found in the metaphase of PA-1 polyploid cells, accompanied by the formation of polynucleosomal DNA fragments. These findings were absent in the near-diploid cells. In addition, polyploid cells did not show colony-formation ability by in situ analysis of cytogenetics in each colony. Thus, the maintenance of the near-diploid karyotype in PA-1 cells may be due to a blockage in the M-phase of the polyploid cells by functional mitotic checkpoints, if any, leading to cell death due to inability to enter the next cell cycle.

[Aspirin inhibited the adhesion of platelets to neutrophil in patients with acute myocardiac infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and mechanism of aspirin(ASA) on platelet-neutrophil adhesion.

METHODS

Using rosette forming assay to observe the effect of ASA on the binding of platelets to neutrophil and radioimmunoassay to observe the effect of ASA on the thrombin-induced expression of GMP-140 on the surface of human platelets.

RESULTS

Patients with acute myocardial infarction showed a significant increase in neutrophil-platelet adhesion (63.3 +/- 7.8)%, (n = 20, P < 0.001) as compared with normal subjects(16.5 +/- 2.6)% (n = 20). Thrombin promoted adhesion by increasing the expression of GMP-140 on the surface of human platelets. When the concentration of thrombin was 0.5 U/ml, the rate of neutrophil-platelet adhesion and the number of molecular of GMP-140 on the surface of platelet was (64.2 +/- 4.2)%, and (1.80 +/- 0.20) x 10(3) per platelet respectively. At high concentration, ASA significantly inhibited thrombin (0.5 U/ml) stimulated platelets binding to neutrophils and expressing GMP-140 on their surface. When the final concentration of ASA was 500,5000 micrograms/ml, the ratio of thrombin-stimulated platelets binding neutrophils was (34.7 +/- 3.8)%, (21.2 +/- 3.6)% respectively (n = 20, P < 0.01); the number of molecular of GMP-140 expressing on the surface of platelet was (1.02 +/- 0.24) x 10(3), (0.68 +/- 0.18) x 10(3) per platelet respectively (n = 9, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It contributes to the antithrombosis of ASA that inhibiting platelet-neutrophil adhesion by down expression of GMP-140 on the surface of human platelets.

hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility

The human homologue of the yeast OGG1 gene, hOGG1, has been cloned, and its genetic structure has been determined. Several polymorphisms in the hOGG1 gene were detected in the Japanese populations, and among them, the Ser-Cys polymorphism at codon 326 has been shown to have a functional difference in complementation of mutant Escherichia coli that is defective in the repair of 8-hydroxyguanine. Activity in the repair of 8-hydroxyguanine is greater in hOGG1-Ser326 protein than in hOGG1(326) protein. Because many environmental carcinogens produce 8-hydroxyguanine residue and mismatching to this modified base potentially causes oncogenic mutations, the capacity to repair these lesions can be involved in cancer susceptibility in human beings. We, therefore, examined allele distributions of the Ser326Cys polymorphism in a case-control study of male lung cancer in Okinawa. The analyses based on 241 cases and 197 hospital controls disclosed the following findings. (a) Those with the Cys/Cys genotype were at an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma and nonadenocarcinoma compared to those with the Ser/Cys and those with the Ser/Ser genotypes combined. The odds ratios adjusted for age and smoking history were 3.01 (95% confidence interval, 1.33-6.83) and 2.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-4.54), respectively. (b) The odds ratios for other histological subtypes of lung cancer or those in total were not significant. Those for Cys/Cys or Ser/Cys genotype against Ser/Ser did not reach statistical significance in any cell type. (c) The distributions of this polymorphism varied for different populations (Chinese, Japanese, Micronesians, Melanesians, Hungarians, and Australian Caucasians), with much less prevalence of Cys allele in the latter three populations. Although our sample size was limited, these results indicate that the Ser326Cys variant may be related to squamous cell lung cancer susceptibility. The Cys/Cys genotype appears to be more susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma, although the risk is less than that previously reported to be associated with the CYP1A1 gene. Further studies are needed to assess the importance of the interpopulation variation to cancer susceptibility.

Development and characterization of an SV40 immortalized porcine ameloblast-like cell line

Enamel is secreted as a protein matrix by the ameloblasts. These same cells then control the maturation of the enamel matrix, secreting proteinases that hydrolyze proteins as mineralization progresses, until mature enamel containing less than 1% protein by weight remains. Further understanding of the factors that control ameloblast function and differentiation requires an in vitro cell culture system. In this study, we report immortalization of enamel organ epithelial cells and the selection of a cell line with characteristics of ameloblasts. Porcine enamel organ cells were dissected from unerupted porcine molars, cultured in serum-free medium, and passaged twice. These cells were transfected with an origin-of-replication defective SV40 plasmid by calcium phosphate precipitation, and a cell line with mRNA expression characteristic of ameloblasts was cloned. This cell line (PABSo-E) expressed mRNA for amelogenin, matrix metalloproteinase-20 (enamelysin), and enamel matrix serine proteinase 1 (EMSP1), but not ameloblastin. PABSo-E cells have been passaged more than 55 times, while continuing to maintain characteristics of ameloblasts. These cells will be useful for future studies of ameloblast function.

Phage-display library selection of high-affinity human single-chain antibodies to tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens sialyl Lewisx and Lewisx

mAbs against tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens have the potential to play a prominent role in cancer immunotherapy. However, it has not been possible to fully exploit the clinical utility of such antibodies primarily, because those of adequate affinity could be derived only from murine sources. To address this problem, we prepared a single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody library from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 20 patients with various cancer diseases. Completely human high-affinity scFv antibodies were then selected by using synthetic sialyl Lewisx and Lewisx BSA conjugates. These human scFv antibodies were specific for sialyl Lewisx and Lewisx, as demonstrated by ELISA, BIAcore, and flow cytometry binding to the cell surface of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that at least four unique scFv genes were obtained. The Kd values ranged from 1.1 to 6.2 x 10(-7) M that were comparable to the affinities of mAbs derived from the secondary immune response. These antibodies could be valuable reagents for probing the structure and function of carbohydrate antigens and in the treatment of human tumor diseases.

Carotenoid glycoside esters from the thermophilic bacterium meiothermusruber

The thermophilic bacterium Meiothermus ruber produces a series of carotenoid glycoside esters. The major carotenoid has been identified as 1'-beta-glucopyranosyl-3,4,3',4'-tetradehydro-1', 2'-dihydro-beta,psi-caroten-2-one (1). It is acylated at the 6' '-position of the glucose unit by a series of C10-C17 fatty acids. The structure of 1 was established by spectral means, including complete assignment of the 1H and 13C NMR resonances by inverse 2D NMR spectroscopy. These carotenoids are thought to play roles in stabilizing membranes of this thermophilic organism.

Making artificial antibodies: a format for phage display of combinatorial heterodimeric arrays

The gene VII protein (pVII) and gene IX protein (pIX) are associated closely on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage that is opposite of the end harboring the widely exploited pIII protein. We developed a phagemid format wherein antibody heavy- and light-chain variable regions were fused to the amino termini of pVII and pIX, respectively. Significantly, the fusion proteins interacted to form a functional Fv-binding domain on the phage surface. Our approach will be applicable to the display of generic peptide and protein libraries that can form combinatorial heterodimeric arrays. Consequently, it represents a first step toward artificial antibodies and the selection of novel biological activities.

[Changes of surface roughness and glossiness of the composite resins during polishing]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of surface roughness and glossiness of the composite resins during polishing.

METHODS

Nine conventional composite resins were evaluated. Composite specimens were polymerized on celluloid strip, so, smooth surfaces were obtained for each specimen, then the smooth surface of the specimens were sequentially polished with diamond polishing papers grits #240, #320, #400, #600, #800 and #1200. The roughness and glossiness of the central surface at 60 degrees reflex angle were measured.

RESULTS

The results showed that the values of roughness decreased steadily when specimens were polished with sequential polishing paper from coarse to fine one. A further polishing with grit #800, the values of roughness resumed to the pre-polishing values in all the composite specimen. The change of values of glossiness is very small within polishing with #240-#600. A further polishing with grit #800 and #1200, the values of glossiness increased jumpily. The values of glossiness of five composite resins reached or surpassed the level of pre-polishing.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that fine surface would not be gained until the composite resins were polished with grit #800 and #1200 polishing paper.

Intramuscular injection of an adenoviral vector expressing hepatocyte growth factor facilitates hepatic transduction with a retroviral vector in mice

Retroviral vectors can result in therapeutic and stable levels of expression of proteins from the liver. However, most retroviral vectors transduce only dividing cells, and hepatocytes are normally quiescent. The goal of this study was to determine if an adenoviral vector could transiently express hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in order to induce hepatocyte replication and facilitate retroviral vector transduction of the liver. Intramuscular injection of an adenoviral vector that expressed human HGF from the cytomegalovirus promoter (Ad.CMV.HGF) resulted in moderate levels of HGF in blood and liver, and replication of 3 to 12% of hepatocytes. No cytopathic effect was observed in the liver, and a control adenoviral vector induced no or lower levels of replication. When a retroviral vector expressing beta-galactosidase cDNA was injected into a peripheral vein during the peak period of hepatocyte replication induced by intramuscularly administered Ad.CMV.HGF, 8% of hepatocytes were transduced. We conclude that intramuscular injection of Ad.CMV.HGF is a safe and effective way to induce transient systemic expression of HGF and hepatocyte replication, and to facilitate transduction of hepatocytes with a retroviral vector.

Downstream technique study of human tumor necrosis factor alpha and its mutant

The study of downstream techniques for recombinant human necrosis factor alpha (rhTNF alpha) and its mutant (Lys2)-rhTNF alpha led to the results of approximately 50 g wet recombinant E. coli per liter with high expression level (> 50%) harvested from autocontrolled fed-batch culture in 15 L fermentor (B. Braun). The rhTNF alpha and (Lys2)-rhTNF alpha expressed are totally soluble. Followed by the process of ultrasonication, ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-sepharose FF, CM-sepharose FF), and molecular sieve (Sephacryl S-200), a yield of approximately 1 g pure recombinant protein from 1 L broth is obtained. The purity is up to 98%. The specific activity of rhTNF alpha and (Lys2)-rhTNF alpha are approximately 1.5 x 10(8) IU/mg and approximately 6 x 10(8) IU/mg, respectively.

Study of activity of promoter from mouse alpha 2(I) procollagen gene

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the segment and sequence in mouse alpha 2(I) procollagen gene which are responsible for high transcriptional activity during fibrogenesis.

METHODS

This study was focused on further fractional analysis of 2 kb-length mouse alpha 2(I) procollagen gene promoter activity. Six chimeric genes were constructed in which various lengths of sequences between 2000 bp upstream of the start of transcription of the mouse alpha 2 (I) procollagen gene and 54 bp downstream of this site were fused to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. These recombinant plasmids were transfected transiently to collagen-producing cells (NIH/3T3) and non-collagen-producing cells (COS7) with liposomal transfection method. The activities of putative promoters were observed and compared by means of CAT measurement in the transfected cells.

RESULTS

The highest and partial cell specific CAT expression was observed in construction driven by -780 to bp fragment. The construction containing sequence deleted the proximal 500 bp from the transcription start site and part of exon I, and resulted in the lowest CAT expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Some essential elements might exist in the 500 bp fraction proximal to transcription start site and part of exon I in mouse alpha 2(I) procollagen gene. The high potential promoter sequence between -780 bp from the start of transcription site and bp from this site is of great significance in our following study of searching for specific DNA-binding proteins in activated collagen-producing cells.

[Study on seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among upper digestive tract cancer patients and their kindreds]

OBJECTIVE

In order to analyse the association between Hp infection and the risk of upper-digestive tract cancer.

METHODS

In Huaian and Pizhou cities, Jiangsu province, Hp IgG quantitative-enzyme-immunoassay methods was used to identify IgG to H.pylori in the serum of 312 cases of upper-digestive tract cancer patients and their kindreds.

RESULTS

(1) The level of IgG to H. pylori and the IgG positive rate (50.0%) in gastric cancer patients were both higher than that of cardia and esophageal cancer patients (P > 0.05, chi 2 test) but no significant differences were observed between cardia and esophageal cancer patients, 3 types of cancer patients and their kindreds; (2) the overall positive rates of both patients and kindreds in gastric cancer families (27.1%) were significantly higher than that of cardia or esophageal cancer families (P < 0.05) but no significant differences were observed between cardia and esophageal groups.

CONCLUSION

H.pylori infection was not thought to be correlated with the development of gastric cancer, although higher clustering of Hp infection in families afflicted with gastric cancer was noticed.

Establishment and cellular characteristics of a hepatocyte cell line (OUMS-31) derived from an acatalasemic mouse

Liver cell lines with very low catalase activity were established from an acatalasemic mouse. Hepatocytes isolated by a collagenase-liver-perfusion technique were cultured in Williams' E medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The acatalasemic liver cell line showed approximately 20% of the catalase activity of a normal mouse liver cell line, whereas its glutathione peroxidase activity was approximately equal to that of the normal liver cell line. DNA sequence analysis of this cell line showed the same mutation in the catalase gene as is seen in the acatalasemic mouse. Our observation of intracellular content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radical and increased susceptibility of the cells to H2O2 were compatible with the existence of low catalase activity in the acatalasemic mouse. This hepatocyte cell line should be useful for studying effects of oxidative radical stress at the cellular level.