Inhibition of rheumatoid synovial fibroblast proliferation by antisense oligonucleotides targeting proliferating cell nuclear antigen messenger RNA

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents to inhibit synovial cell growth in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Fibroblast-like cells established from RA synovium were stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and treated with antisense or sense oligonucleotides targeting proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) messenger RNA (mRNA). Proliferation of these cells was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Effects of antisense oligonucleotides on the expression of mRNA and protein were evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.

RESULTS

Antisense oligonucleotides targeting PCNA inhibited IL-1-stimulated fibroblast proliferation, whereas sense oligonucleotides had no effect. Both mRNA and protein levels of PCNA were suppressed in the cells treated with antisense oligonucleotides, indicating that the antiproliferative effect was occurring through an antisense mechanism.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that antisense strategies designed to suppress PCNA expression have potential use as therapeutic agents for RA.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of serotonin-immunoreactive photoreceptors in the pineal organ of the river lamprey, Lampetra japonica

Serotonin-immunoreactive (5-HT IR) photoreceptors are present in the pineal complex (pineal and parapineal organ) of the river lamprey, Lampetra japonica. They are so-called modified pineal photoreceptors and have been regarded as photoneuroendocrine cells which secrete melatonin. We reconstructed 5-HT IR cells with a computer to demonstrate their three-dimensional structures from optical sections taken by a confocal laser scanning microscope. The 5-HT IR cell possesses a basal process, and it appears that the process does not branch out. These processes contact each other at the basal region of the end vesicle, and a process extends to the soma of the neighboring 5-HT IR cell. These findings were obtained by three-dimensional analysis with a computer, which is a useful technique to demonstrate the interaction between cells. We suggest that the 5-HT IR photoreceptors interact with one another.

Melatonin excretion rhythms in the cultured pineal organ of the lamprey, Lampetra japonica

Pineal organ of the lamprey, Lampetra japonica, is essential to keep the circadian locomotor activity rhythm as previously reported. In this paper, we tried to show that an endogenous oscillator is located and is working in the pineal organ. When the pineal organs were excised and cultured in a plastic tube with M199 medium at 20 degrees C, melatonin secretion rhythms were clearly observed under both light-dark and continuous dark conditions. The circadian secretion of melatonin continued for more than five cycles under the continuous dark condition. This indicates that the pineal organ has an endogenous oscillator and that the melatonin secretion rhythm is controlled by this oscillator. These findings suggest the possibility that the locomotor activity rhythm of the lamprey is under the control of the oscillator in the pineal organ.

Differential pattern of the circadian rhythm of serum melatonin in young and elderly healthy subjects

The daily profile of serum level of melatonin was studied in 10 young and 13 elderly subjects. All of the subjects were physically and psychiatrically healthy and did not have any clinical symptoms related to rhythm disturbance. Blood samples were taken every 3 h for 1 day and serum melatonin levels were determined by RIA. All except for 1 of the elderly subjects exhibited a clear circadian rhythm of serum melatonin level with a nocturnal peak. In both subject groups, the melatonin rhythm showed significant diurnal variation. There was no significant difference in the total melatonin level per day between young and elderly groups, suggesting that there was no influence of aging on daily total melatonin secretion. However, there was a marked difference in the features of the melatonin rhythm between the two groups, i.e., a rapid decline of the melatonin level from the nocturnal peak in the elderly group, suggesting that the off-set time of melatonin secretion advances with aging. Our findings suggest that the pattern of melatonin rhythm alters significantly without clear clinical symptoms in the process of senescence.

Sleep characteristics of Japanese working men who score alexithymic on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale

This study examined the relationship of sleep characteristics including insomnia with scores on alexithymia in a sample of 171 Japanese working men. Levels of nonrestorative sleep and daytime sleepiness reported on a sleep questionnaire were significantly associated with scores on Depression and Confusion on the Profile of Mood States for Japanese men who had a high mean score on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

The synovial expression and serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-11, leukemia inhibitory factor, and oncostatin M in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M (OSM) and their major cellular sources in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as well as the correlation of circulating levels of these IL-6-type cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP).

METHODS

Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels for IL-6, IL-11, LIF, and OSM were determined by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Cells isolated from the synovium of RA patients expressed mRNA for IL-6, IL-11, LIF, and OSM at higher levels than did synovial cells from osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and spontaneously released greater quantities of these proteins in culture. Fibroblast cell lines derived from RA synovium were able to produce IL-6, IL-11, and LIF, but not OSM, when stimulated with IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. OSM was found to be produced spontaneously by synovial tissue macrophages. IL-6, IL-11, LIF, and OSM were present in synovial fluid from the RA patients; levels of IL-6, LIF, and OSM were present in significantly greater quantities in RA patients than in OA patients. However, only IL-6 was significantly elevated in the serum of RA patients and correlated with the serum CRP level, while other IL-6-type cytokines were not detected.

CONCLUSION

IL-6, IL-11, LIF, and OSM are all produced in large amounts at the site of disease activity, but IL-6 derived from synovial fibroblasts may be the major hormone-like mediator that induces the hepatic synthesis of acute-phase proteins in RA.

Diurnal changes of blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature during sleep in the rat

We have studied diurnal changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and body temperature (Tb) during wake (W), non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) and REM sleep (REMS) in the rat. Although HR and Tb show a similar sinusoidal diurnal variation during all vigilance states, the diurnal profile for the MAP is vigilance-state dependent. During W, MAP values are higher during the dark phase, during NREMS, no significant diurnal change is seen, and during REMS, the MAP exhibits a reversed diurnal change, being higher during the light phase. The low frequency component (0.25 - 0.725 Hz) in the power spectral density of the blood pressure, and index of sympathetic activity, is also higher during the light phase than the dark phase in REMS. The present findings suggest that diurnal changes in MAP in the rat result from the wake rhythm, and that the mechanism for the diurnal control of MAP may be different from that for HR or Tb.

Serum and BAL Clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) levels and CC10-positive bronchiolar cells are decreased in smokers

Cigarette smoking has diverse effects on the structure and function of the lung. Smoking appears to reduce the levels of Clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) in the alveolar lining fluid, but the influence of smoking serum on CC10 levels is still debated, and it has not been clear whether smoking reduces the number of CC10-producing lung cells. The aims of this study were to clarify the influence of smoking on CC10 levels in the alveolar lining fluid and bloodstream, and on the number of CC10-producing lung cells. CC10 concentrations were measured in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal and polyclonal antibody, and the immunohistochemical expression of CC10 was examined in the lungs of nonsmokers and smokers using the monoclonal antibody, TY-5, against CC10/human urinary protein-1. CC10 concentrations in sera and in BAL fluids from healthy smokers were significantly lower than in healthy nonsmokers. Immunohistochemical expression of CC10 was found exclusively in nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells. As compared to that of nonsmokers, the mean percentage of CC10-positive bronchiolar epithelial cells was significantly decreased in lung tissue specimens obtained from smokers who had normal results in pulmonary function tests. It was concluded that smoking reduces the proportion of Clara cell 10 kDa protein-producing bronchiolar epithelial cells, resulting in decreased levels of Clara cell 10 kDa protein in the lower respiratory tract and in the bloodstream. The protein is a new blood biochemical and immunohistochemical marker, reflecting structural changes in peripheral airways induced by cigarette smoking.

[Juvenile cerebral infarction with familial hyperlipoproteinemia (a)--case report]

A 34-year-old male with a history of angina pectoris suddenly developed weakness in the right upper and lower limbs, and consulted our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested cerebral infarction. Cerebral angiography revealed stenosis at the M1 portion of the left middle cerebral artery. Hypertension, diabetes, tobacco or hyperlipidemia were not considered as risk factors for cerebral infarction. The lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] level was high. In the present case, medication with a nicotinic acid agent, niceritrol, for hyperlipoproteinemia and low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis were performed. Concerning family history, the patient's mother and younger sister had hyperlipoproteinemia. Recent studies have reported that increased Lp(a) levels are an independent risk factor even in cerebral infarction and coronary artery disease. Measurement of Lp(a) levels and treatment for increased Lp (a) levels may be important.

Expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in hepatocellular carcinoma

It is well known that a urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a key protein in the plasminogen activation system, which plays a proteolytically important role in the invasion and metastasis of various cancer cells. To assess the expression of uPAR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed the expression of uPAR messenger RNA (mRNA) and the protein in 31 pair-samples of solitary HCC and nontumorous liver tissues from the same patients. Fifteen samples exhibited no histological potential of recurrence, such as portal involvement or intrahepatic metastasis (group A), and 16 samples exhibited such histological features (group B). Seventy-one percent of the cases showed uPAR signals, and these signals were mainly localized at the cytoplasm of the tumor cells and tended to be at the front of invasive foci. 87.5% of the cases in group B showed uPAR signals against 53.3% of the cases in group A (P < .05). The rate of recurrence in the uPAR positive/negative cases in group A was 75.0% and 14.3%, respectively (P < .05). In non-neoplastic cases, e.g., chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis, weak uPAR mRNA and protein signals were detected in hepatocytes neighboring the portal tracts, suggesting that this protein plays some role in such cases. The present study indicates that uPAR plays an important role at least in its initial stage in invasion and metastasis of HCC, and that uPAR expression can be a candidate predictor of these factors.

Effect of vitamin B12 on the sleep-wake rhythm following an 8-hour advance of the light-dark cycle in the rat

We have studied the effect of vitamin B12 (VB12) on the sleep-wake rhythm following an 8-h advance of the light-dark (LD) cycle in the rat. The electroencephalogram and electromyogram were recorded on chart paper via a two-channel telemetry system. Infusion of VB12 (Mecobalamin; 0.25 microgram/h) or saline into the abdominal cavity was performed using an implanted miniosmotic pump. Before the phase shift, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean daily amount of each vigilance stage. Following the phase advance, in the saline group, wake gradually decreased and nonrapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep and REM sleep increased. In the VB12 group, no significant change was seen in any of the vigilance states, except for REM sleep on day 3. The results suggest that VB12 may maintain homeostasis of sleep and/or wake amount following an 8-h advance of the LD cycle in the rat.

K(ATP) channels contribute to the cardioprotection of preconditioning independent of anaesthetics in rabbit hearts

The contribution of ATP sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels to the infarct-size limiting effect of preconditioning is considered to be anaesthetic-dependent in the rabbit heart. It has previously been reported that ischaemic preconditioning prevents ischaemia-induced reductions in activities of sarcolemmal adenylate cyclase (AC) and Na+, K(+)-ATPase. Anaesthetic dependency of the role of K(ATP) channels in the preservation of these enzyme activities, induced by ischaemic preconditioning, as well as that induced by activation of A1-adenosine receptors, was examined in rabbits anaesthetized with either pentobarbital or ketamine-xylazine and subjected to 20 min of regional ischaemia. Adenylate cyclase and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activities were lower in the ischaemic than in the non-ischaemic region of the hearts in control rabbits, but not in animals subjected to ischaemic preconditioning, or those pretreated with the A1-adenosine receptor agonist R(-)-N6-(2-phenylisopropyl) adenosine. The protective effects of both ischaemic preconditioning and A1-adenosine receptor activation were prevented by 6 mg/kg, but not 3 mg/kg, of the K(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide, in rabbits anaesthetized with pentobarbital, while these effects were prevented by 3 mg/kg of the blocker in rabbits anaesthetized with ketamine-xylazine. Moreover, K(ATP) channel opener, cromakalim, prevented the ischaemia-induced decreases in enzymatic activities in rabbits subjected to either type of anaesthesia. Thus, although the antagonistic effect of glibenclamide is blunted under pentobarbital, compared to ketamine-xylazine anaesthesia, K(ATP) channels contribute to preservative actions independent of the type of anaesthesia in the rabbit heart.

Expression and regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 by human eosinophils

Several recent studies have identified eosinophils as a cellular source of various cytokines, indicating that eosinophils play not only an effector role, but also a regulatory role within the allergic inflammatory cell network. In this study, we demonstrate that eosinophils can generate and secrete monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a prototype of C-C chemokines. Eosinophils generated immunoreactive MCP-1 in response to such diverse stimuli as C5a, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and ionomycin, but MCP-1 production was not induced by interleukin (IL)-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. C5a- and FMLP-induced eosinophil MCP-1 production was absolutely dependent on pretreatment with cytochalasin B. Eosinophils elaborated significantly more MCP-1 than neutrophils. Immunoreactive MCP-1 was detected at 6 h of incubation with C5a or FMLP. Expression of MCP-1 mRNA reached a maximum within the first 3 h after stimulation and then declined rapidly to a very low and stable level by 18 h. Pretreatment with IL-5 markedly amplified C5a-induced MCP-1 production, and the enhancement occurred at the pretranslational level. Eosinophil-active chemokines such as eotaxin failed to induce MCP-1 generation, even when eosinophils were primed by IL-5. Since MCP-1 exerts a potent histamine-releasing effect on human basophils, our results indicate that eosinophils may regulate basophil mediator release with possible consequent contribution to the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation via a paracrine mechanism.

Transcription of the Trypanosoma brucei spliced leader RNA gene is dependent only on the presence of upstream regulatory elements

The spliced leader (SL) RNA plays a key role in mRNA maturation in trypanosomatid protozoa by providing the SL sequence, which is joined to the 5' end of every mRNA. As a first step towards a better understanding of the biogenesis and function of the SL RNA, we expressed a tagged SL RNA gene in a cell-free system of procyclic Trypanosoma brucei cells. Transcription initiates at + 1 can be detected as early as 1 min after addition of extract. Transcription of the SL RNA gene in vitro, as well as in permeable cells, is mediated by an alpha-amanitin/tagetitoxin resistant complex, suggesting a promoter that is intermediate between a classical RNA polymerase II and RNA polymerase III promoter. An analysis of the promoter architecture of the SL RNA gene revealed that regulatory elements are located upstream of the coding region and that the SL sequence, in contrast to the nematode SL sequence, is not required for T. brucei SL RNA gene transcription.

Eosinophilopoietic factors prime eosinophils for increased interleukin-8 generation

Recent studies have identified eosinophils as a cellular of various cytokines, indicating that eosinophils play not only an effector role but also a regulatory role within the allergic inflammatory cell network. Because eosinophilopoietic factors are known to stimulate various functions of eosinophils, we examined the effect of interleukin (IL)-5 on chemoattractant-induced IL-8 generation from eosinophils. Although IL-5 alone induced little or no IL-8 production from eosinophils, short-term preincubation with IL-5 markedly enhanced the eosinophil IL-8 generation caused by C5a plus cytochalasin B (CB). IL-3 also potentiated C5a-induced IL-8 generation. Both factors were active at picomolar concentrations. Furthermore, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments revealed that the enhancement occurred at the pretranslational level. Since eosinophils in allergic inflammation are believed to be activated by these eosinophilopoietic factors, eosinophil-derived cytokines may play more important roles in the allergic inflammatory cell network than has been previously supposed.

[A case of pleural metastasis of invasive thymoma with pulmonary metastasis responding to chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone]

The patient, a 48-year old male, was seen with hoarseness in December 1990. A chest radiograph and chest CT scan showed an anterior mediastinal mass. Median sternotomy revealed epithelial thymoma with involved partial lung and pericardium. After surgery, he received external radiation to the mediastinum. One year later he was given another 40 Gy external radiation in the cervical and mediastinal recurrence region. In May 1994, a chest CT scan revealed an extrapleural and bilateral lung mass. Histological examination revealed recurrent epithelial thymoma in the left cervical muscle biopsy, so treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone were begun. A dose of 100 mg/body/day of cyclophosphamide and a dose of 10 mg/body/day of prednisolone were administered every 2 week. Complete remission was induced with four cycles of this treatment of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. The chemotherapy was thus continued for 20 cycles in 14 months. This chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone appeared to be useful and safe for recurrent thymoma at the outpatient clinic level.

Eotaxin is a potent chemotaxin for human basophils

We studied the effect of eotaxin, a novel eosinophil-active CC chemokine with high target cell specificity, on human basophils. Eotaxin induced higher levels of chemotactic response with a lower ED50 compared with RANTES in basophils; half-maximal migration occurred at a concentration of approximately 3 nM. On the other hand, it exerted only a marginal effect on either histamine release or leukotriene C4 generation. In addition, nested PCR amplification experiments revealed the expression of CC CKR3, a putative receptor for eotaxin, on basophils. Since accumulation of both basophils and eosinophils is an important aspect of allergic inflammation, eotaxin potentially plays a pathogenic role in allergic disorders by inducing migration of both of these cell types.

Absolute and spectral sensitivities in dark- and light-adapted Pagothenia borchgrevinki, an Antarctic nototheniid fish

Functional properties of the retina of Pagothenia borchgrevinki, an Antarctic nototheniid fish that lives beneath the 2.5-3 m thick sea-ice in water of -1.8 degrees C temperature, were analyzed electrophysiologically at Scott Base (77 degrees 50'S; 166 degrees 45'E). The waveform of the ERG was monophasic in the dark-adapted state and showed an off-response of opposite polarity in the light-adapted condition. Responses of the light-adapted retina were smaller than those of the dark-adapted eye, although both photopic and scotopic components were observed. Spectral sensitivity measured by monochromatic photostimulation at 14 different wavelengths across the 400-700-nm range showed a single maximum at 490 nm. The spectral sensitivity curve is consistent with a rhodopsin photopigment. The dark-adapted retina exhibited a photon flux density threshold of approximately 2 x 10(9) photons cm-2 s-1) when monochromatic flashes of 500 nm wavelength and 250 ms duration were used. When the stimulus consisted of 1 s white light, a minimum energy flux density of approx. 2 x 10(-4) microW/cm2 was necessary to elicit a detectable response. It was concluded that the visual system of P. borchgrevinki was in tune with the dominant downwelling spectral irradiance and that, due to retinal thermal noise reduction in the cold environment, no great need for particular anatomical adaptations to further enhance sensitivity existed.

Mothers' low care in the development of alexithymia: a preliminary study in Japanese college students

We examined the influences of perceived parental bonding on scores on alexithymia in a sample of 232 college students. Ratings on mothers' care, a scale of the Parental Bonding Inventory were significantly and negatively correlated with scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and also with ratings on Difficulty Describing Feelings but not Difficulty Identifying Feelings and Externally Oriented Thinking. These results were replicated in another sample of 156 college students. Although our findings were based on simple correlations, they suggest that perceived mothers' low care is related to adults' scores on alexithymia, in particular, the construct, Difficulty Describing Feelings.

Effects of job strain on helper-inducer (CD4+CD29+) and suppressor-inducer (CD4+CD45RA+) T cells in Japanese blue-collar workers

BACKGROUND

The effects of job strain on helper-inducer (CD4+CD29+) T cells and suppressor-inducer (CD4+CD45RA+) T cells are not clear.

METHODS

The subjects were 65 male blue-collar workers in a chemical plant in Japan. Perceived job stressors were assessed using the Japanese version of Job Content Questionnaire, i.e., job demands, job control, supervisor support and coworker support. Blood samples were taken from these subjects, and number and percentage of total lymphocytes were calculated for total T cells, helper (CD4+) T cells, suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells, helper-inducer (CD4+CD29+) T cells and suppressor-inducer (CD4+CD45RA+) T cells using the double-staining fluorescence.

RESULTS

Job control significantly and positively correlated with number and percentage of helper-inducer (CD4+CD29+) T cells, after controlling for age, number of cigarettes per day and blood lead concentration (Spearman's partial correlation, p < 0.05), while job demands, supervisor support or coworker support did not (p > 0.05). The job strain index, i.e., the ratio of job demands to job control, significantly and negatively correlated with the percentage of helper-inducer (CD4+CD29+) T cells (p < 0.05). None of the job stress scales significantly correlated with number or percentage of suppressor-inducer (CD4+CD45RA+) T cells (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that higher job strain or lower job control is associated with a decrease in helper-inducer (CD4+CD29+) T cells in Japanese blue-collar workers.

Regulation of the function of eosinophils and basophils

Both eosinophils and basophils play active pathogenic roles in the inflammation associated with allergic disorders. Both types of cells share a majority of their cell surface structures, and because of these common surface molecules, both cells can be stimulated with a single ligand simultaneously. The growth of both types of cells is controlled by IL-3, GM-CSF, and IL-5. All three growth factors are also capable of priming both eosinophils and basophils for enhanced biological functions, such as increased mediator release and prolonged survival. Both cells express beta 2 integrins, and in contrast to neutrophils, they also express several beta 1 integrins. Ligation of these adhesion molecules also transduces the intracellular signal leading to regulation of the cellular functions. In this review, we briefly describe the effects of various ligands of surface receptors and several pharmacological compounds on the functions of human eosinophils and basophils.

Changes in natural killer cell subpopulations in lead workers

To investigate the effects of lead on human immune system, we analyzed T cell subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+ and CD3+ cells), natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations (CD16+ and CD57+ cells) and B (CD19+) cells in peripheral blood in 29 male lead workers. All were engaged in manufacturing lead stearate in a chemical factory. They were aged 23-74 (mean 49) years. Their blood lead concentrations (PbB) were between 7 and 35 (mean 18) micrograms/dl. They were divided into two groups according to their PbB: a high-PbB group (> or = 20 micrograms/dl), and a low-PbB group (< 20 micrograms/dl). The control group consisted of 19 "healthy" male workers without a history of occupational exposure to lead or to other hazardous substances, aged 48-67 (mean 58) years. The number and percentage of CD16+ cells in the high-PbB group were significantly lower than those in the controls and in the low-PbB group. There was significant negative correlation between the number of CD16+ cells and PbB in the lead workers. The percentage of CD8+ cells in the high-PbB group was larger than that in the controls and in the low-PbB group. It is suggested that the CD16+ NK cell should be a major site of the effects of lead on lymphocyte subpopulations.

Increased IL-6 and IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from patients with sarcoidosis: correlation with the clinical parameters

A variety of cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis, but the exact roles of IL-6 and IL-8 are not yet clear. We studied these cytokine levels in BALF from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), systemic screlosis (SSc) with interstitial lung disease and control subjects. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in sarcoidosis, IPF and SSc with interstitial lung disease compared with control subjects. Subjects with sarcoidosis had significantly increased levels of both cytokines compared with controls when the cytokine values were corrected by the total albumin content and the two cytokine levels correlated with each other (r = 0.876). BALF IL-6 levels correlated with percent lymphocytes and percent CD3+ cells. Moreover, when sarcoidosis patients were divided into three groups, those who needed steroid therapy or had progressive disease showed increased cytokine levels in BALF over stable or improved patients. These observations suggest that locally derived IL-6 and IL-8 were increased in sarcoidosis and correlated with activity of this granulomatous lung disease.

Effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs on the rat ovarian follicle development

Our objective was to study the direct action of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist buserelin and LHRH antagonist Cetrorelix (SB-75) on cell proliferation and differentiation in the rat ovarian follicle. Preovulatory follicles were isolated from PMSG-primed immature rats and incubated in the presence or absence of hCG (10 IU/ml), buserelin (10(-9)-10(-6) M) or Cetrorelix (10(-9)-10(-6) M) for 12 h in vitro. Buserelin induced meiotic maturation of the follicle-enclosed oocytes dose-dependently. The percentage of oocytes with germinal vesicle breakdown at 10(-6) M buserelin (73.3%) did not differ from that of hCG-treated control (73.3%). Buserelin also significantly stimulated prostaglandin E2 and progesterone production by follicles, but not estradiol production. Granulosa cells were obtained from the preovulatory follicles and cultured for 5 days. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated granulosa cell growth at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml. In contrast, both buserelin and Cetrorelix inhibited granulosa cell growth dose-dependently in the range of 10(-10)-10(-5) M, with Cetrorelix inducing a greater growth inhibition than buserelin. Electrophoretic analysis of genomic DNA extracted from granulosa cells treated with 10(-6) M concentration of either LHRH analog revealed a definitive ladder pattern of oligonucleosomal length DNA fragments characteristic of apoptosis. Western blotting detected that EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation was not affected by either analog. These results demonstrate that LHRH agonist and antagonist inhibit directly proliferation of granulosa cells through apoptosis, without interference with EGF receptor phosphorylation, whereas LHRH agonist stimulates cell differentiation in the preovulatory follicle.