Neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 inhibition potentiates the inhibitory effects of type-C natriuretic peptide on leukotriene D4-induced airway changes

1. Microvascular leakage, a primary feature of inflammation, is well known for worsening the asthmatic condition. Gene expression of and a specific receptor for type-C natriuretic peptide (CNP), initially considered a neuropeptide, have been detected in the human vascular wall and secretion of CNP from vascular endothelial cells has recently been demonstrated. These facts suggest the presence of a vascular natriuretic peptide system and led us to expect that CNP may act beneficially on airway microvascular leakage in asthma. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CNP against leukotriene (LT) D4-induced airway microvascular leakage and bronchoconstriction and how these effects were potentiated by thiorphan, a potent neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 (NEP) inhibitor. 2. Anaesthetized male guinea-pigs, ventilated via a tracheal cannula, were placed into a plethysmograph for 10 min, in order to measure pulmonary mechanics and mean blood pressure, after challenge with 2 micrograms/kg LTD4 and then the extravasation of 20 mg/kg Evans blue dye into airway tissue was investigated to indicate and evaluate microvascular leakage. 3. Intravenous administration of CNP (100, 300 and 1000 micrograms/kg) significantly inhibited the LTD4-induced microvascular leakage and bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects were enhanced by pretreatment with 20 mg/kg thiorphan, suggesting the important role of NEP in the pulmonary metabolism of CNP. 4. We believe that these results are encouraging for the further investigation of the therapeutic applications of exogenous CNP in asthma.

[Metastatic lung tumor developing 15 years after resection of invasive thymoma]

A 57-year-old man with myasthenia gravis had undergone extended thymothymomectomy for invasive thymoma and postoperative irradiation 15 years ago. At present, an abnormal shadow on his left lung field on chest X-ray and an elevated SCC-Ag level led us to suspect primary lung cancer (squamous cell lung cancer). He underwent left lower lobectomy and partial resection of the upper lobe. After the operation, this tumor was identified pathologically as a thymoma. Comparing this tumor with the previous invasive thymoma, we concluded that the present lesion was a metastasis of the former thymoma. This case suggests that a metastatic lung tumor should be suspected when an abnormal shadow is detected on chest X-ray following extended thymothymomectomy for invasive thymoma.

The structure and function of periodontal ligament cells in acellular cementum in rat molars

To elucidate the structure and function of periodontal ligament cells at the periodontal ligament-cementum interface in advanced acellular cementogenesis, the cervical regions of molars in rats aged 6 weeks were observed by light and electron microscopy. The light and transmission electron microscopy showed the periodontal ligament cells to be elongated between dense, well-developed principal fibers. The transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed that these cells extended wing-like projections from the lateral surface, forming cylindrical compartments surrounding the principal fibers. In addition, finger-like projections extended toward the cementum from the cementum-facing ends. The main results suggest the following: at the periodontal ligament-cementum interface, the periodontal ligament cells maintain the architecture of the principal fibers by means of extracellular compartments. The arrangement of finger-like projections results in the formation of acellular cementum containing only Sharpey's fibers as a fibrous component.

Establishment of an IL-2-dependent cell line derived from 'nasal-type' NK/T-cell lymphoma of CD2+, sCD3-, CD3epsilon+, CD56+ phenotype and associated with the Epstein-Barr virus

A novel interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent cell line, HANK1, was established from a patient with CD56+ NK/T-cell lymphoma arising in the retroperitoneum. Morphologically, HANK1 is a pleomorphic large cell line with irregular nuclei, which contains azurophilic granules in the cytoplasm. Immunophenotypic analysis showed that HANK1 expressed CD2, CD3epsilon, CD56, TIA-1, granzyme B, and HLA-DR, but no other T-lineage markers. These features were the same as seen in the original tumour, and are highly characteristic of nasal and 'nasal-type' NK/T-cell lymphoma as described in the proposed W.H.O. classification. Genotypically, this cell line also demonstrated the germline configuration of the T-cell receptor beta, gamma and the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes and clonal integration of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) together with antigen expression with a type II latency pattern (LMP-1+ and EBNA2-). Furthermore, Southern blot analysis using the EBV termini as probes confirmed its derivation from the original lymphoma, and revealed that it contained multiple copies of the EBV genome. Dose-dependent growth on IL-2 was observed in an in vitro study with a doubling time of 3 d at maximal stimulation. These data indicate that HANK1 seemed to preserve the biological characteristics of the original tumour and therefore may serve as a good model for the further analysis of unusual 'nasal-type' NK/T-cell lymphoma.

The efficacy of endovascular surgery for treatment of giant aneurysms with special reference to coil embolization for endosaccular occlusion

SUMMARY

We assessed the long-term follow-up results of platinum coil embolization and aneurysmography (ARG) with endovascular surgery for giant aneurysms. 24 cases of giant aneurysms were treated over a period of seven years. In the present study, the 16 of these for which surgical clipping was impossible so that only endovascular surgery was employed were investigated in detail. In 10 cases the cavernous sinus area was involved, in two each the tip of the basilar artery, and the bifurcation of the ophthalmic artery, and in one each the extracranial internal carotid and the vertebral artery. Since conventional angiography did not allow the position and size of the neck of 10 cavernous sinus aneurysms to be identified, making treatment decisions difficult, we applied the ARG developed by the senior author. Prior to treatment, balloon test occlusion of the parent arteries was performed. In all 10 cavernous sinus cases, ARG successfully revealed the morphology of the aneurysm. A small neck was diagnosed for seven of the aneurysms of the cavernous sinus and all those located at the basilar and ophthalmic arteries, making a total of 11, and for these endosaccular embolization was carried out. In the other 5 cases, proximal occlusion using Gold valve balloons was performed. Under ARG, embolization of the aneurysms could be safely accomplished with platinum coils, without dislocation of the coils into the parent arteries in all cases. In four out of 10 cases, re-opening of the aneurysms occurred after 2 months or longer, so that re-embolization was required. Regarding complications, transient monoparesis of the upper extremity was encountered in one case. After angiographic and MRA follow-up of 1-36 months (average, 13.8 months), 4 of 10 cases demonstrated complete occlusion, and 5 displayed an 80-90% reduction in blood flow. In only one case, involving a basilar tip aneurysm, was the treatment unsuccessful in preventing eventual rupture and death. In cases where the morphology of the aneurysm is unclear, ARG can be considered indispensable for determining the treatment modality and safe performance of localized embolization of the neck by endovascular surgery. However, since coils used for embolization of giant aneurysms may move or become compacted, re-opening can occur so that applications may be limited, especially with terminal type lesions with intraluminal thrombus, and the necessity for long-term follow-up must be emphasized.

Characterization of the I-E(d)--restricted peptide recognized by an anti-idiotypic CD4+ T cell line

We have previously reported a CD3+ CD4+ CD8- T cell line, J-2R which specifically recognized J558 individual idiotope (IdI) of anti-alpha (1-->3) dextran antibodies in an I-E(d) restricted manner. The J-2R proliferated in response to J558 IdI-derived peptides; however, the ability of the peptides to evoke the proliferation of J-2R was different. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between J558 IdI-derived peptides and I-E(d) molecules in competition experiments using a M104E IdI-derived peptide, M88-105. The M88-105 inhibited the proliferation of J-2R induced by J558 IdI-derived peptides. Furthermore, the proliferation induced by the peptides J92-109 and J96-105 was inhibited by the M88-105 at much lower inhibitor/antigenic peptide ratios, compared to the proliferation induced by the J88-105. Thus, shift of the framework to C-terminus and deletion of N-terminus amino acid residues from the 18-mer peptide J88-105 made the peptides more susceptible to the inhibition by the M88-105. Sequencing of the J-2R T cell receptor (TcR) revealed that J-2R used TcR, V alpha 1, J alpha 44; V beta 15, D beta 1, J beta 1.5. These results suggest that the peptides, J88-105, J92-109 and J96-105, directly bind to I-E(d) molecules, and that the capacity of J558 IdI-derived peptides to activate J-2R depends on the affinity to the I-E(d) molecules.

Chronic oral antigen exposure induces lymphocyte migration in anaphylactic mouse intestine

Persistent diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration are symptoms often seen in patients suffering from food allergy after chronic antigen exposure; however, the precise mechanisms involved have not been well defined. In an effort to clarify the mechanisms of the chronic intestinal changes attributable to genuine IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions induced by orally administered antigen, a mouse model was established by s.c. implantation of a murine hybridoma capable of producing monoclonal anti-trinitrophenyl IgE antibody, and the morphologic and immunologic changes occurring in the intestine upon chronic antigen exposure were investigated. In the early stage after ingestion of the antigen, diarrhea and noticeable infiltration of mast cells as well as eosinophils into the lamina propria were observed. A substantial increase in serum histamine levels as well as an increase in leukotriene C4 synthesis in the jejunal mucosa were observed 1 h after antigen challenge. Also, the synthesis of leukotriene B4 was significantly elevated for up to 9 h after antigen challenge. The expression of both intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on mucosal vascular endothelial cells and IAd on epithelial cells was markedly enhanced, and noticeable infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes was also confirmed in the mouse model after chronic antigen exposure. These findings suggest that oral antigen exposure induces anaphylactic reactions in the intestine mediated by mast cells and eosinophils in response to the IgE-antigen complex in the early phase, and also induces lymphocyte migration after chronic antigen exposure.

[Chronic pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis]

MRCP has been recognized as a safe and noninvasive diagnostic method. In the present study we evaluated the usefulness of MRCP in diagnosis of chronic and acute pancreatitis. Two-dimensional fast asymmetric spin-echo (FASE) MRCP was performed in 40 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 13 with acute pancreatitis. In 29 patients (72.5%) with chronic pancreatitis and 9 (66.7%) with acute pancreatitis, main pancreatic duct (MPD) was visualized entirely. MRCP could demonstrate the characteristic findings of chronic pancreatitis such as dilatation and irregularity of MPD in most cases. In acute pancreatitis, MRCP indicated that MPD was normal in diameter, but irregular in configuration compared with that of the control group. MRCP may facilitate the diagnosis of chronic and acute pancreatitis.

Increase in odontoclast nuclei number by cell fusion: a three-dimensional reconstruction of cell fusion of human odontoclasts

Osteoclasts and odontoclasts are known to increase their nuclear number by fusion of mononuclear precursors. However, the pattern of fusion remains morphologically unclear. One lower right deciduous canine of an 8-year-old male was investigated. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity (TRAP) positive cells on the resorbing surface of the tooth were serially sectioned into 0.5 microm-thick semithin sections. The sections were photographed, and cells possessing a light microscopic brush border facing a resorptive lacuna were identified as odontoclasts. Fourteen odontoclasts appearing as a continuous figure of cellular membrane between cells on one section were three-dimensionally reconstructed using NIKON COSMOZONE 2SA. A criterion for fusion was established in this study, requiring that there must be two or more nucleated cells which contacted each other at one site only in the three-dimensional reconstruction. Among 14 reconstructed cells, 10 odontoclasts satisfied the criterion for fusion. The observations of the three-dimensional structures of these odontoclasts showed that mononuclear and multinucleated odontoclasts participated in fusion. Cell fusion occurred between resorbing odontoclasts and cells not forming lacunae, and between resorbing odontoclasts. A case of odontoclastic fusion among three cells was also observed. The results establish that fusion resulting in multinucleation occurred among various odontoclasts with different numbers of nuclei including mononuclear odontoclasts.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 stimulates osteoblast differentiation and suppresses matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human bone cells isolated from mandibulae

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a member of the transforming growth factor superfamily, is one of the most potent growth factors that stimulate osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. We investigated the effects of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) on osteoblast differentiation and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production in human bone cells (HBC) isolated from mandibulae of 3 adult patients. rhBMP-2 at concentrations over 50 ng/ml significantly stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation, which are early markers of osteoblast differentiation, in HBCs. rhBMP-2 (500 ng/ml) also enhanced the level of PTH/PTH related-peptide receptor mRNA expression in HBCs. Although neither HBCs untreated nor treated with rhBMP-2 produced measurable amounts of osteocalcin, which is a marker of more mature osteoblasts, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] induced ostocalcin mRNA expression and its protein synthesis in these cells. rhBMP-2 inhibited 1,25(OH)2D3-induced osteocalcin synthesis in HBCs at both the mRNA and protein level. rhBMP-2 also significantly suppressed MMP-1 production and MMP-1 mRNA expression at concentrations over 500 ng/ml. These results suggest that rhBMP-2 exerts anabolic effects on human osteoblastic cells derived from mandibulae by stimulation of osteoblast differentiation and down-regulation of MMP-1 synthesis.

CIS3 and JAB have different regulatory roles in interleukin-6 mediated differentiation and STAT3 activation in M1 leukemia cells

We have reported JAK-signaling modulators, CIS1 (cytokine-inducible SH2 protein-1), CIS3 and JAB (JAK2 binding protein), which are structurally related. In M1 myeloid leukemia cells, CIS3 was induced by neither interleukin 6 (IL6) nor interferon gamma (IFNgamma), while JAB was induced strongly by IFNgamma and slightly by IL6 and leukemia inhibitory factor (ILF). Forced expression of CIS3 and JAB in M1 cells prevented IL6- or LIF-induced growth arrest and differentiation, even when their expression levels were comparable to endogenous ones in several cell lines such as HEL, UT-7, IFNgamma-treated M1, and CTLL2 cells. Pretreatment of parental M1 cells with IFNgamma but not IFNbeta resulted in suppression of LIF-induced STAT3 activation and differentiation, further supporting that physiological level of JAB is sufficient to inhibit LIF-signaling. However, unlike JAB, CIS3 did not inhibit IFNgamma-induced growth arrest, suggesting a difference in cytokine specificity between CIS3 and JAB. CIS3 inhibited STAT3 activation with slower kinetics than JAB and allowed rapid c-fos induction and partial FcgammaRI expression in response to IL6. In 293 cells, CIS3 as well as JAB bound to JAK2 tyrosine kinase domain (JH1), and inhibited its kinase activity, however, the effect of CIS3 on tyrosine kinase activity was weaker than that of JAB, indicating that CIS3 possesses lower affinity to JAK kinases than JAB. These findings suggest that CIS3 is a weaker inhibitor than JAB against JAK signaling, and JAB and CIS3 possess different regulatory roles in cytokine signaling.

Establishment and characterization of Japanese encephalitis virus-specific, human CD4(+) T-cell clones: flavivirus cross-reactivity, protein recognition, and cytotoxic activity

We analyzed the CD4(+) T-lymphocyte responses of two donors who had received Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine 6 or 12 months earlier. Bulk culture proliferation assays showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) responded to JEV antigens (Ag) but also responded at lower levels to West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus type 1, 2, and 4 (D1V, D2V, and D4V, respectively) Ag. Five JEV-specific CD4(+) human T-cell clones and one subclone were established from PBMC of these two donors. Two clones responded to WNV Ag as well as to JEV Ag, whereas the others responded only to JEV Ag. Three of five CD4(+) T-cell clones had JEV-specific cytotoxic activity and recognized E protein. The HLA restriction of the JEV-specific T-cell clones was examined. Three clones were HLA-DR4 restricted, one was HLA-DQ3 restricted, and the HLA restriction of one clone was not determined. T-cell receptor analysis showed that these clones expressed different T-cell receptors, suggesting that they originated from different T lymphocytes. These results indicate that JEV vaccine induces JEV-specific and flavivirus-cross-reactive CD4(+) T lymphocytes and that these T lymphocytes recognize E protein. The functions and HLA restriction patterns of these T lymphocytes are, however, heterogeneous.

[Changes in QOL in patients with brain tumors measured by mood changes during and after treatment]

Patients with brain tumors are exposed to severe stress which may have an influence on their quality of life (QOL). To measure QOL in those patients, we measure their mood state during and after the treatments.

MATERIALS

16 patients who were admitted to our department for treatment of brain tumors, were included in the study. The tumors included 5 gliomas, 6 meningiomas and others. They were 7 males and 9 females, and age distributed from 19 to 74 years old. All patients presented more than 90% of the Karnofsky performance score (KPS) on discharge, so they were expected to return to their previous social life.

METHOD

The self-answering tests were performed on admission (Pre), on discharge (Post 1), and at more than 5 months after the discharge (Post 2). The tests included an original questionnaire asking consent to admission and treatment, and concerning the feeling of disability to cope with conditions of living, Cornell Medical Index (CMI) which measured the neurosis, and Profile of mood state (POMS) which measured the 6 subscales of patients mood states including tension-anxiety (TA), depression (D), anger-hostility (AH), vigor (V), fatigue (F), and confusion (C).

RESULTS

The questionnaire showed that the patients feel satisfied with having consented to the treatment. The feeling of disability to cope with living became stronger in Post 2 than in Pre. CMI showed a borderline of neurosis in three patients on admission, and in four patients in Post 2. Only the TA of POMS subscale improved significantly in Post 2. However, other subscales were unchanged. It is characteristic that all of the subscales of POMS showed less disturbance on discharge compared with that on admission, but, they returned to the Prelevel after they returned to social life.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with brain tumors have satisfactory consent to the treatment, however, they feel disability to cope with social life. On discharge, they showed a better mood state compared to that on admission, but the mood state turned for the worse again during the follow-up period. It is evident that patients with brain tumors are exposed to severe stress even after the completion of the treatment. The results necessitate our taking patients' mental health into consideration for our treatment protocol.

Antimalarial activity and nucleoside transport inhibitory activity of the triterpenic constituents of Cimicifuga spp

The in vitro antimalarial activity against human malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum, FCR-3 strain) was examined using 59 triterpenoids obtained during studies on the triterpenic constituents of Cimicifuga spp. The 50% effective concentration values (EC50) of 25 active triterpenoids were 1.0-3.0 microM, and 19 of the compounds had a common 16, 23:23, 26:24, 25-triepoxy group in the side-chain moieties. Among the active triterpenoids, 9 also showed significant inhibition of nucleoside transport in mouse splenocytes. A relationship between the antimalarial activity and the inhibition of nucleoside transport involving these triterpenoids is discussed.

Nurse-like cells from bone marrow and synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis promote survival and enhance function of human B cells

Thymic nurse cells are known to interact with T cells and play a role in their functional maturation. However, the role of nurse cells in B cell maturation and differentiation is less well established, especially at extralymphoid sites. To address this issue, nurse-like cell clones from bone marrow and synovial tissue of patients with RA (RA-NLC) were established and characterized. RA-NLC constitutively expressed CD29, CD49c, CD54 (ICAM-1), CD106 (VCAM-1), CD157 (BST-1), and class I MHC molecules, and secreted IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Bone marrow-derived and synovial RA-NLC differed in that the former secreted IL-7 and expressed a greater density of CD157 constitutively and after stimulation with IFNgamma, whereas the latter secreted G-CSF and more IL-6. Stimulation of both bone marrow and synovial RA-NLC induced expression of CD40 and class II MHC, but not CD154 (CD40L) or CD35. RA-NLC rescued peripheral B cells from spontaneous apoptosis and promoted survival of B cells for > 4 wk. B cell survival was blocked by antibodies to CD106 or CD157. RA-NLC also increased Ig production from B cells. After long-term culture (4-6 wk) with RA-NLC, but not alone or with fibroblasts, outgrowth of B cells was observed. All B cell lines derived from these cultures had been transformed by EBV, although the RA-NLC themselves were not infected with EBV. Precursor frequency analysis indicated that approximately 1 in 12,500 peripheral B cells could give rise to these EBV-transformed B cell lines upon coculture with RA-NLC. These results indicate that RA-NLC from bone marrow and synovium have the capacity to rescue B cells from spontaneous apoptosis, facilitate Ig production, and promote the outgrowth of EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cells. These findings suggest that RA-NLC may play a role in the local and systemic hyperreactivity of B cells characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.

Expression of the TCL1 gene at 14q32 in B-cell malignancies but not in adult T-cell leukemia

The TCL1 gene was recently cloned as a candidate target within the 14q32.1 breakpoint cluster region observed in T-cell malignancies. We examined the TCL1 gene expression in 21 patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and 5 cell lines, because ATL is reported to have frequent chromosome 14 band q32 aberrations. However, 20 of the ATL patients and all 5 cell lines lacked any TCL1 expression on northern blot analysis, and TCL1 transcripts were only very faintly detected in the remaining one patient. Expansion of our analysis to include other types of hematopoietic malignancies revealed strong expression of the TCL1 gene in almost all tumor cells of B-cell lineage except myelomas. However, no TCL1 signals were encountered in cells of T-cell or myeloid lineages. In normal human tissues TCL1 was found to be expressed in the spleen, lymph nodes and B-lymphocytes of peripheral blood. These results indicate that TCL1 is not a major target gene for ATL, but that it may play a role in B-cell differentiation and proliferation.

[Effect of UFT on treatment of urological cancer--effect of UFT on treatment of invasive bladder cancer and advanced prostate cancer. Ibaraki Urological Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group]

A prospective randomized joint study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of UFT 1) as a postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with invasive bladder cancer who had undergone curative combination therapy with operation and/or chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, 2) as an endocrine chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed stage C/D prostate cancer, for a period of 3 years from January, 1992. For bladder cancer, of 36 patients with invasive bladder cancer, clinically cured by combination therapy, 20 patients were treated with UFT as an adjuvant chemotherapy over 12 months, and they were compared to 16 patients with no adjuvant therapy. After excluding 10 inappropriate patients, 12 patients in the UFT treatment group and 14 patients with no adjuvant treatment group were observed. For prostate cancer, of 29 patients with clinically stage C/D prostate cancer, 13 were treated with endocrine therapy in combination with UFT, and 16 patients were treated with endocrine therapy alone. After excluding 7 inappropriate patients, 10 patients with endocrine chemotherapy and 12 patients with hormonal therapy were observed. The non-recurrence rate, survival rate and side effects of UFT were evaluated. In the study of bladder cancer, neither a significant difference of non-recurrent rate nor of survival rate was seen between the two groups. In the study of prostate cancer, neither a significant difference of non-recurrent rate nor of survival rate was seen between the two groups. These findings suggest UFT is less useful as an adjuvant therapy for the invasive bladder cancer and as an endocrine chemotherapy for newly diagnosed advanced prostate cancer.

A small deletion in the 3'-untranslated region of the cyclin D1/PRAD1/bcl-1 oncogene in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The cyclin DI/PRAD1 oncogene, a key regulator of the G1 phase of the cell cycle, has been incriminated in the pathogenesis of human neoplasia. Cyclin D1 was also demonstrated to be identical to the long-sought bcl-1 oncogene in B-cell malignancies with the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation. We report here a small deletion in the 3'-untranslated portion of the cyclin D1 gene in leukemia cells of a patient diagnosed with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), associated with overexpression of the corresponding cyclin D1 mRNA. During a Northern blot survey of B-cell malignancies, we identified a patient whose CLL cells showed a marked increase in 1.5-1.6 kb cyclin D1 mRNA species. Subsequent Southern blot analysis showed that genomic DNA from the patient's cells contained an extra band in the EcoRI digest, suggesting that one allele of the cyclin D1 gene may be altered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the genomic DNA and direct DNA sequencing clearly disclosed that one allele of the cyclin D1 gene was deleted in the 3'-untranslated region, which would contribute to an increased stability of its mRNA. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and direct DNA sequencing revealed that the cyclin D1 mRNA was deleted at the corresponding region. This finding provides further evidence for a critical role of cyclin D1 in the pathogenesis of B-cell malignancies and highlights a novel mechanism, a small deletion in the 3'-untranslated region, responsible for deregulation of the cyclin D1 gene in oncogenesis.

Computed tomographic findings in non-specific interstitial pneumonia/fibrosis

The entity of non-specific interstitial pneumonia/fibrosis (NIP) has recently been recognized as an addition to the current classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which includes usual interstitial pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, diffuse alveolar damage, and bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. We studied the computed tomographic (CT) findings of nine NIP patients who were diagnosed pathologically. The main findings were ground glass opacities (66.7%), airspace consolidation (88.9%) and reticular opacities (89.7%), distributed predominantly in the bilateral and lower lung. In all cases, the clinical and abnormal opacification observed on the chest CT was improved by the administration of corticosteroid. Both the subpleural and patchy distributed opacifications predominantly in the bilateral and lower lung, and the good response to treatment may help to differentiate non-specific interstitial pneumonia from other types of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Establishment and characterization of melanoma cell line derived from malignant melanoma of human uterine cervix

A cell line designated HOMM (human Okuno Malignant Melanoma) was established from the uterine cervical malignant melanoma of a 65-year-old Japanese woman. The cell line has grown well and serial passages were successively carried out 32 times within 19 months. The monolayer cultured cells revealed anaplastic and pleomorphic features, and grew in multilayers. They had long cell protrusions and many dark brown pigments. Immunocytochemical stain revealed that S-100 protein existed in the cytoplasm. Electron micrographs also revealed that they had a number of pre-melanosomes and melanosomes in the cytoplasm. All cultured cells were triploid, the modal chromosome number was 68 and the marker chromosomes were presented. The cells were transplanted into an immune-suppressed hamster's cheek pouch and produced a malignant melanoma resembled original tumor.

Effects of uroguanylin and guanylin against antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and airway microvascular leakage in sensitized guinea-pigs

Uroguanylin and guanylin are isolated mainly from the gastrointestinal tract and are activators of guanylyl cyclase C receptor (GC-C), which mediates the production of intracellular cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP). The bronchodilator effects of agents that raise cyclic GMP levels, such as atrial natriuretic peptide, have been reported, and uroguanylin mRNA has recently been detected in extra-gastrointestinal tissues, including the lung, suggesting their role in pulmonary activity. In the first step of this study, we examined the relaxant effects of uroguanylin and guanylin on isolated tracheal smooth muscle of guinea-pigs, and measured tissue cyclic GMP levels by means of enzymeimmunoassay. Uroguanylin produced concentration-dependent relaxant effects on resting tone and significant elevated cyclic GMP levels. Guanylin produced the same, but less potent, effects. In this study, we first investigated the effects of uroguanylin and guanylin on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and airway microvascular leakage in actively sensitized guinea-pigs. Anesthetized male guinea-pigs, ventilated via a tracheal cannula, were placed in a plethysmograph to measure pulmonary mechanics for 10 min after challenging with 1 mg/kg of ovalbumin. Evans blue dye was then extravasated into their airway tissues to measure microvascular leakage. Intravenous pretreatment with uroguanylin significantly inhibited ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction and microvascular leakage in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects were mimicked by 8-bromoguanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate. This study is the first to show that uroguanylin not only had a potent bronchodilatory effect but also inhibited microvascular leakage. These results encouraged us to continue the above experimental and clinical studies in bronchial asthma.

Synthesis of a biologically active fluorescent derivative of GM1, a main Ginseng saponin metabolite formed by intestinal bacteria

A fluorescent derivative of GM1 [20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol], a main Ginseng saponin metabolite formed by intestinal bacteria, was obtained from the condensation of its trisnor-aldehyde derivative with dansyl hydrazine. The dansylated GM1 fluoresced strongly and showed almost the same properties as its parent compound in lipophilicity and biological activities, so this fluorescent compound might provide an insight into the mechanism of pharmacological activities of GM1.