Intrauterine ultrasonography with a high-frequency probe: preliminary report

Intrauterine ultrasonography was performed using miniature probes and high-frequency ultrasound to examine the possible clinical applications of this technique to gynecology. There were 44 women in the study population (age 19-76; ten with a normal uterus, nine fibromyoma, 15 endometrial cancer, ten cervical cancer). The probe was easily introduced into the endometrial cavity in 36 subjects (81.8%). No notable complications were encountered. In subjects with a normal uterus, the endometrium in the secretory phase showed a clearly demarcated hyperechoic area, and higher resolution was obtained than with transvaginal scanning. In patients with fibromyomas, myoma nodules were not clearly visualized because of the attenuation of ultrasound. Myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer was estimated correctly in ten of the 11 patients in which the lesion was visualized. In the subjects with cervical cancer, intracervical scanning was completed in only five cases, and an endocervical lesion was identified in three cases. Intrauterine ultrasonography with a high-frequency miniature probe may be a useful tool, especially in the preoperative evaluation of endometrial cancer and possibly in infertility practice. However, this modality does not appear to be satisfactory for cervical lesions.

The structure and physicochemical properties of rat liver macrophage migration inhibitory factor

We expressed rat macrophage migration inhibitory factor (rMIF) in E. coli using the cDNA isolated from a rat liver cDNA library. rMIF specifically bound glutathione (dissociation constant = 500 microM). We purified rMIF homogeneously on SDS-PAGE by S-hexylglutathione Sepharose affinity column chromatography and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The amino-acid sequence of rMIF was highly homologous to that of human MIF from a T-cell line; only a single amino-acid residue was substituted if conservative amino-acid substitutions were involved. The molecular weight of rMIF was calculated to be 12.4 kDa and 23.6 kDa by SDS-PAGE and analytical ultracentrifugation, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that the native rMIF formed a homodimeric structure. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) study revealed that rMIF was less thermostable (the denaturing temperature was from 50-60 degrees C) than human MIF (the denaturing temperature is about 80 degrees C (Nishihira et al. (1993) Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int. 31, 841-850). The secondary structure of rMIF evaluated by 1H-NMR experiments revealed that the contents of alpha-helix, beta-strand, and coil were 13.8%, 55.6%, and 30.6%, respectively.

Analysis of the alternative promoters that regulate tissue-specific expression of human aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase

Previously we identified two alternative first exons (exon N1 and exon L1) coding for 5' untranslated regions of human aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and found that their alternative usage produced two types of mRNAs in a tissue-specific manner. To determine the cis-acting element regulating the tissue-specific expression of human AADC, we produced three kinds of transgenic mice harboring 5' flanking regions of the human AADC gene fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. The transgene termed ACA contained -7.0 kb to -30 bp in exon N1, including the entire exon L1; ACN contained -3.6 kb to -30 bp in exon N1; and ACL contained -2.8 kb to -42 bp in exon L1. The ACA transgenic mice expressed CAT at extremely high levels in peripheral nonneuronal tissues, such as pancreas, liver, kidney, small intestine, and colon, that contained endogenous high AADC activity, whereas CAT immunoreactivity was not detected in either catecholaminergic or serotonergic neurons in the CNS. Thus, it was suggested that the ACA transgene contained the major part of cis-regulatory elements for the expression of AADC in peripheral nonneuronal tissues. On the other hand, the ACN transgenic mice moderately expressed CAT in various tissues except for the lung and liver, and the ACL transgenic mice showed moderate CAT expression only in the kidney.

A quick test for sound discrimination ability of rats in a single session after preparatory training

We developed a sound discrimination test combined with a preparatory training procedure. After water deprivation of 48 h, rats were trained to respond to a sound with pedal-pressing to receive a reward of water. Six of the eight trained rats showed pedal-pressing responses to the sound within 4 h of training, and these six were exposed to two different sounds, response to only one of which was rewarded with water. In a single session of 10 h, the rate and latency of pedal-pressing in response to the two sound stimuli were continuously monitored. All six tested rats showed behavioral discrimination between the rewarded and unrewarded sounds within 6 h.

Lysophosphatidylcholine plays an essential role in the mitogenic effect of oxidized low density lipoprotein on murine macrophages

We previously demonstrated that the growth of starch-induced murine macrophages was stimulated by modified low density lipoproteins, such as oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and acetylated low density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL), and that the mitogenic effect of Ox-LDL was much greater than that of acetyl-LDL (Yui, S., Sasaki, T., Miyazaki, A., Horiuchi, S., and Yamazaki, M. (1993) Arterioscler. Thromb. 13, 331-337). The present study was undertaken to elucidate the factor(s) that are involved in this growth-stimulating effect of Ox-LDL. The growth-stimulating effect of acetyl-LDL on murine resident macrophages was negligibly weak compared with that of Ox-LDL. However, the treatment of acetyl-LDL with phospholipase A2 led to an increase in lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) (75% of total phospholipids) and a concomitant increase in the mitogenic activity of acetyl-LDL. In contrast, cell-free incubation of Ox-LDL with high density lipoprotein resulted in a decrease in lyso-PC content and a concomitant loss of growth-stimulating activity. These results suggest that lyso-PC may play an essential role in the mitogenic activity of Ox-LDL.

Expression of adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) in thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma

The expression of adhesion molecules in thyroid specimens from 10 cases of papillary adenocarcinoma, 5 cases of follicular adenoma and 3 normal thyroid specimens was examined by an immunohistochemical method. Thyroid epithelial cells from all cases of papillary adenocarcinoma expressed the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1, CD54). The ICAM-1-positive staining in these was detected predominantly on the apical site of malignant thyroid epithelial cells. However, no ICAM-1 expression was detected on thyrocytes of adenoma, and normal thyroid tissues. Furthermore, thyroid epithelial cells in patients with thyroid tumor and normal thyroid tissue did not react with anti-LFA-1, anti-VLA-4, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-ELAM-1 monoclonal antibodies. It is speculated that ICAM-1 expression in thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma may have a functional significance.

Involvement of protease inhibitors in staphylokinase-induced fibrin-specific fibrinolysis

We compared the fibrinolytic properties of recombinant staphylokinase (SAK), a fibrin-specific plasminogen activator, with those of streptokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) by means of the amidolytic method. We also investigated the involvement of alpha 2-macroglobulin, C1-inactivator and alpha 1-antitrypsin in SAK-induced fibrin-specific fibrinolysis. Both SAK and t-PA activated plasminogen efficiently in the presence of fibrin in human plasma. Although t-PA activated plasminogen dependently on fibrin in the reconstituted plasma system, SAK activated plasminogen independently of fibrin without alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-antiplasmin, alpha 2-PI). These findings suggest that fibrin and alpha 2-PI play important roles in plasminogen activation by SAK but not by t-PA. Furthermore, protease inhibitors such as alpha 2-PI, alpha 2-macroglobulin, C1-inactivator and alpha 1-antitrypsin inhibited plasminogen activation by SAK and the inhibitory actions of these protease inhibitors disappeared in the presence of fibrin. This shows that alpha 2-macroglobulin, C1-inactivator and alpha 1-antitrypsin, other than alpha 2-PI, contribute to the fibrin-specificity of SAK.

[Dynamics of pleural liquid in hydrothorax]

The basics of pleural liquid dynamics are summarized. The normal pleural cavity contains a small amount of pleural liquid (0.1-0.3 ml/kg). Its protein concentration is about 1.0 g/dl and its pH is 7.6. The normal flow of pleural liquid is gravity dependent, and pleural liquid flows from the costal to the mediastinal region. In experimental hydrothorax, the pleural liquid was removed mainly via lymphatics. The turnover of the pleural liquid is rapid, and it depends on the area of contact between pleural liquid and pleural and on the blood flow to the pleura.

Activation mechanism of NADPH oxidase by SDS in intact guinea pig neutrophils

It is well known that sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) activates NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system independently of protein kinase C (PKC). However, in intact neutrophils, direct evidence has never been presented to show that O2- production by SDS is actually due to the NADPH oxidase activation observed in the cell-free system. So, in this paper, we investigated the activation mechanism by SDS in intact guinea pig neutrophils. We previously reported that hypotonic treatment reversibly enhanced O2- production stimulated by PKC activators in intact neutrophils (M. Hiura et al., 1991, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 291, 31-37). In this paper, SDS also significantly stimulated O2- production in the intact cells under the hypotonic condition. This enhancement was gradual and was PKC inhibitor resistant. Furthermore, phosphorylation of the 46-kDa protein, one of cytosolic activation factors, was not detected by autoradiography of two-dimensional electrophoresis. Translocation of cytosolic activation factors was demonstrated by a decrease in the activity of the factors remained in the cytosol. In the presence of SDS, addition of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, a PKC activator, further enhanced O2- production and translocation of the cytosolic activation factors. On the other hand, SDS remarkably increased membrane fluidity in intact neutrophils as well as in the cell-free system. These results indicate that activation of NADPH oxidase by SDS in intact neutrophils seems to be partly due to the same mechanism observed in cell-free activation, and that SDS alone slightly activates the oxidase and other stimulation, such as hypotonic and/or PKC activator treatments, is required for significant activation. The increase in the membrane fluidity may be one of the activation mechanisms of NADPH oxidase by SDS.

Species difference in cholesteryl ester cycle and HDL-induced cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells

The species difference in the turnover rates of the cholesteryl ester (CE) cycle in macrophage foam cells (MFC) was examined in mice and rats. MFC were induced by acetyl-LDL and pulsed with [3H]oleate, followed by a chase with [14C]oleate. The replacement of the initial amount of cholesteryl [3H]oleate by cholesteryl [14C]oleate within 24 hours was 63% in mouse MFC, whereas it was 33% in rat MFC. The corresponding replacement in rabbit MFC was < 10%. In addition, HDL removed 41% of the CE mass from mouse MFC but only 22% from rat MFC. HDL-induced CE reduction from mouse MFC was enhanced by 40% by the inhibitor for acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (58-035), whereas the enhancing effect was not observed with rat MFC. These results indicate that the rate of CE turnover may serve as a critical factor to determine the capacity of MFC to respond to HDL-induced CE reduction, suggesting the possibility that the species difference in the turnover rates of the CE cycle in MFC might explain, in part, the species difference in susceptibility to experimental atherosclerosis.

A conserved epitope on H+,K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase of parietal cells discerned by a murine gastritogenic T-cell clone

BACKGROUND/AIMS

H+,K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (H+,K(+)-ATPase) of parietal cells is an organ-specific enzyme recognized by autoantibodies found in human and murine autoimmune gastritis (AIG). Murine AIG can be induced in BALB/c mice by thymectomy 3 days after birth and is a T cell-mediated disease. This study examined the specificity of T cells that cause AIG and the role of H+,K(+)-ATPase in this disease.

METHODS

From an AIG mouse, a gastritogenic T-cell clone (II-6) was established, and its reactivity to synthetic peptides of H+,K(+)-ATPase was tested.

RESULTS

II-6 cells are CD4+, V beta 14+, and interferon gamma producers. Adoptive transfer of II-6 cells to syngeneic nude mice resulted in AIG without the production of autoantibodies to parietal cells. The II-6 cells were responsive not only to murine but also to human and porcine parietal cells. Their proliferation was also induced by amino acids 891-905 (alpha 891) and 892-906 (alpha 892) of the alpha subunit of porcine and human H+,K(+)-ATPase, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The T-cell response to a single epitope of H+,K(+)-ATPase, the amino acid sequence of which is conserved among at least three mammals tested, is sufficient to cause AIG. Autoantibodies to parietal cells are not detected in these AIG mice.

Jun and Fos related gene products bind to and modulate the GPE I, a strong enhancer element of the rat glutathione transferase P gene

The rat glutathione transferase P gene has a strong enhancer element, termed GPE I, which is composed of a dyad of palindromicly oriented TPA (phorbol 12-O-tetradecanoate 13-acetate) responsive element (TRE)-like sequences. TRE is a binding sequence of the transcription factor AP-1, which consists of several closely related proteins belonging to the Jun and Fos family. The gel retardation experiments show that all the heterodimers formed between the Jun and Fos related gene products bind to the GPE I as well as to the TRE. In spite of the fact that the GPE I has a stronger activity than the TRE, the binding affinities of these heterodimers to the GPE I are much lower than to the TRE. Co-transfection studies of the reporter construct containing the GPE I and expression constructs of each of the Jun and Fos family cDNAs indicate that FosB and delta FosB repress transcription through the GPE I enhancer. These results suggests that some of Jun/Fos family may regulate the rat GST-P gene expression through the GPE I in vivo.

[A case of idiopathic plasmacytic lymphadenopathy with polyclonal hyperimmunoglobulinemia associated with chronic nephritis]

A 48-year-old female who had general fatigue was admitted to our hospital. She had swelling of the axillary, inguinal, and paraaortic lymph nodes and mediastinal lesions. Laboratory examinations showed anemia, polyclonal hyperimmunoglobulinemia with IgG 5570 mg/dl, renal dysfunction and interstitial changes of the lungs. Microscopic findings of hematoxylin-eosin staining in biopsy specimens of the left inguinal and axillary lymph nodes revealed increased levels of infiltration of mature plasma cells without evidence of malignancy. Immunoperoxidase staining showed intracytoplasmic polyclonal immunoglobulin. These findings were identical to those of idiopathic plasmacytic lymphadenopathy with polyclonal hyperimmunoglobulinemia (IPL) described by Mori et al. (1980). The specimens also showed evidence of chronic nephritis with infiltration of lymph cells and a slight invasion of plasma cells. Accordingly this case was diagnosed as IPL with renal involvement, which is associated with chronic nephritis. Recently, five cases of IPL with renal dysfunction have been reported. In particular, two cases of IPL with renal dysfunction, which included our case, revealed an increased level of IL6. These findings suggest that the occurrence of renal involvement with IPL may be related to changes in IL6, which is an important factor in the pathogenesis of IPL.

In situ hybridization detection of TSH beta subunit gene expression in the serum-free primary culture of the adult rat pituitary

This study was designed to construct the primary culture system to detect the change in TSH beta subunit (TSH beta) gene expression in individual cells. Adult, male Wistar rats were sacrificed by transcardial perfusion of 0.25% trypsin solution under pentobarbital anesthesia (50 mg/kg body weight). Their anterior pituitaries were removed, dispersed and cultured for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days with or without 1 nM triiodothyronine (T3) under the serum-free condition. In some cultures, TRH was added to a final concentration of 1 microM on 6, 12 or 24 h before fixation. Then the culture media were removed to measure TSH concentration. Cells were fixed with paraformaldehyde and hybridized with 35S-labeled RNA probe complementary to TSH beta mRNA. Emulsion autoradiography was subsequently performed. T3 treatment markedly suppressed relative cellular levels of TSH beta mRNA on 2, 3 and 6 days after the onset of culture (day 2, 3 and 6) and suppressed TSH secretion on day 3 and 6. TRH treatment increased TSH beta mRNA on 12 and 24 h after the treatment on day 2 and 3 but did not increase TSH beta mRNA on day 6. TSH concentration in the culture medium was increased by TRH treatment on 6, 12 and 24 h after the treatment on day 2, on 12 h and 24 h on day 3, and 24 h on day 6. On day 2 and 3, although T3 treatment suppressed basal level of TSH beta mRNA, TRH-induced increase in TSH beta mRNA was not suppressed by T3 treatment. These results show that the thyroid hormone and TRH regulate TSH beta gene expression independently. Our culture system may provide a useful model to examine the action of individual substances on a specific subpopulation of the anterior pituitary cells.

Phenotypic changes of AADC-only immunopositive premammillary neurons in the brain of laboratory shrew Suncus murinus by systemic administration of monoamine precursors

After 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) were injected i.p. in the laboratory shrew Suncus murinus, immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence studies were conducted on continuous or same sections of the brain, using specific anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), anti-aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), anti-dopamine (DA) and anti-serotonin (5-HT) antisera which were produced in our laboratory. The results of double-staining by the immunofluorescence method as well as immunoelectron microscopy strongly indicate that the cells of the premammillary nucleus of the laboratory shrew brain (AADC-only-positive neurons) are capable of synthesizing DA and 5-HT simultaneously upon simultaneous administration of L-dopa and 5-HTP.

Absorption enhancement of hydrophilic compounds by verapamil in Caco-2 cell monolayers

Caco-2 monolayers were used to determine whether verapamil enhanced the transport of hydrophilic compounds across epithelial cells. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, as an indicator of the opening of tight junctions, and transport experiments with fluorescein-Na (Flu) and FITC-dextran Mw 4000 (FD-4) were used to assess the effect. (+/-) Verapamil concentrations up to 3 x 10(-4) M increased TEER dose-dependently, whereas from concentrations of 7 x 10(-4) M onwards a dose-dependent drop was found. After removal of verapamil (< 10(-3) M) the effects on TEER were reversible within 30 min. A second administration of verapamil after different time intervals produced a much larger effect on TEER than the first administration. The separate R- and S-enantiomers did not reveal a difference in enantiomer effect. (+/-) Verapamil at 7 x 10(-4) M increased Flu transport about 13-fold and 26-fold after the first and second treatment in the same monolayers, respectively. Transport of FD-4 increased approximately 4-fold and 6-fold after the first and second treatment, respectively. Potential damaging effects were assessed by trypan blue exclusion (cell death) and cell detachment. No cell death occurred at verapamil concentrations of 8.5 x 10(-4) M or lower, whereas cell detachment did not occur within 1 hr at all concentrations used in these experiments. At later times detachment was observed at concentrations of 7 x 10(-4) M and higher. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that verapamil opens the paracellular route, thereby enhancing the permeability of hydrophilic compounds. However, relatively high concentrations are needed to achieve this effect and only a narrow concentration range can be used without cytotoxic effects, which limits the potential application of verapamil as an absorption enhancing agent.

Interleukin 4 increases human synovial cell expression of VCAM-1 and T cell binding

OBJECTIVE

The effects were studied of interleukin 4 (IL-4) on T cell-synovial cell adhesion and on the expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of synovial fibroblast-like cells.

METHODS

The adhesion of T cells toward the synovial cells were measured by 51chromium-labelled adhesion assay. The expression of adhesion molecules on synovial cells were analysed by flowcytometry.

RESULTS

Stimulation of synovial cells with IL-4 increased T cell-synovial cells adhesion in a time- and dose-dependent manner. IL-4 considerably enhanced the expression of VCAM-1 on the surface of synovial cells, but not the expression of ICAM-1 and ELAM-1. The combination of IL-1 beta and IL-4 had no effect on the expression of ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 on the surface of synovial cells. The increased adhesion of T cells to IL-4 stimulated synovial cells was inhibited significantly by adding anti-VCAM-1 or anti-CD29 monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, anti-VLA-4 alpha or the combination of anti-VLA-4 alpha and anti-VCAM-1 antibodies blocked completely T-cell binding to IL-4 stimulated synovial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the increased adhesion of T cells to IL-4-stimulated synovial cells is mediated by VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway.

Effect of anisotonic conditions on the transport of hydrophilic model compounds across monolayers of human colonic cell lines

The effect of anisotonic solutions on the enhancement of the transport of hydrophilic model compounds across monolayers of Caco-2 and HT-29.cl19A intestinal epithelial cells was studied. In filter-grown monolayers of the highly differentiated villus-like Caco-2 cell line, a profound and dose-dependent drop in the transepithelial electrical resistance was found after apical treatment with a 30 or a 50% hypotonic solution (200 and 150 mOsmol, respectively). This drop was not observed after basolateral and two-sided application of a 50% hypotonic solution. During apical hypotonic treatment a 12- and 8-fold increase also was observed in transepithelial transport of two hydrophilic model compounds, i.e., fluorescein-Na and fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled dextran, MW 4000, respectively. Through confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was revealed that this enhanced transport was predominantly via the paracellular route. Moreover, morphological changes in the cell layers indicating cell swelling were observed after apical hypotonic, but not after basolateral or bilateral treatment, probably resulting from an incomplete regulatory volume decrease response. This swelling, and slight lateral retraction of the cells, allowed the hydrophilic compounds to pass between the cells. The effects of hypotonic challenge also were studied in monolayers of the more crypt cell-like HT-29.cl19A cell line. After apical hypotonic shock, these cells showed no effect on transepithelial electrical resistance, whereas an increase was observed after basolateral and bilateral treatment. Hypotonic shock failed to increase the transport of the hydrophilic model compounds in this cell line.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)