Induction of eosinophil cytokine generation by chemoattractants

Recent studies have shown that eosinophils are capable of generating and releasing cytokines, illustrating a novel biologic aspect of eosinophils in regulating allergic inflammation by either autocrine or paracrine mechanisms. The effect of chemotactic agonists on eosinophil cytokine generation was examined by determination of interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a main parameter. Both complement C5a and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) stimulated eosinophils to release IL-8, but platelet activating factor (PAF) did not exert any significant effects. The generation of IL-8 by chemoattractants was absolutely dependent on the presence of cytochalasin B. Pertussis toxin completely attenuated C5a- and FMLP-induced IL-8 production, indicating the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in the signal transduction process. In situ hybridization showed that both C5a and FMLP promoted eosinophil IL-8 production via transcriptional gene activation. Furthermore, C5a and FMLP, but not PAF, induced significant secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor from eosinophils. These results indicate that C5a and FMLP stimulate eosinophils to elaborate cytokines, which could be an important mechanism in the regulation of allergic inflammation.

Effects of a sustained release formulation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on behavioral abnormalities in senescence-accelerated mice

Effects of a sustained release formulation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH-SR) on reduced anxiety-like behavior and learning impairment in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) were examined. SAMP8/Ta (SAMP8) mice showing age-related emotional changes as well as learning and memory impairments, and SAMR1TA (SAMR1) mice exhibiting normal aging were used at 8 months of age. Subcutaneous injection of TRH-SR (2.8 mg/kg as free TRH) produced a sustained increase in immunoreactive plasma TRH levels up to about 4 weeks after dosing in SAMP8. TRH-SR antagonized the reduced neophobia to novel food in SAMP8 in a dose-dependent manner when tested 10 days but not 3 days after the injection. In the elevated plus-maze test, the SAMP8 control group treated with vehicle had significant increases in the number of entries into open arms and the time spent in open arms in comparison to SAMR1 mice. TRH-SR showed dose-dependent decreases in the number of entries into open arms, and reduced the time spent in open arms in SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, TRH-SR significantly improved the impairment of water maze learning in SAMP8 mice. In contrast, bolus administration of TRH had no significant effects on behavioral abnormalities in SAMP8 even at high doses, implying that long-term and continuous infusion of TRH may be important for amelioration of the behavioral abnormalities. These results suggest that TRH-SR may be useful for treatment of age-related emotional disorders and memory disturbance in dementia.

Cloning of the Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase gene from the marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus and the expression of the beta-subunit in Escherichia coli

The Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase purified from the marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus is composed of three subunits, alpha, beta and gamma. From the N-terminal amino acid sequences of each subunit and its polypeptide fragment obtained by partial digestion with V8 protease, oligonucleotides corresponding to forward and reverse primers for each gene (NQR A, B and C) encoding the alpha, beta and gamma subunit, respectively, were synthesized. Using these primers, a part of each gene was amplified from the chromosomal DNA of V. alginolyticus by a PCR method, and the PCR products were used for the cloning of the NQR gene in lambda phage. Among the subclones selected by probe C, the expression of the beta-subunit as a gene product was detected in Escherichia coli membranes by activity staining and Western blotting.

An autopsy case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with preceding aplastic anemia

A case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with preceding aplastic anemia is reported. The patient was a 36 year old female who had been diagnosed as having aplastic anemia 10 years before and thereafter had received multiple transfusions. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositivity was revealed 10 months prior to her death, but no particular clinical signs indicating HIV infection, pre-AIDS or onset of AIDS were recognized before serological diagnosis, although the slow progression of leukopenia was noted along with thrombocytopenia. Her general condition deteriorated during the last 10 months accompanied by an acute decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio. Autopsy revealed full-blown AIDS: systemic aspergillosis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Epstein-Barr virus-related B cell lymphoma arising in the diaphragm and severe lymphocyte depletion in the lymph nodes and spleen. Markedly hypoplastic bone marrow was considered to be primarily attributable to the aplastic anemia but the affection of AIDS was not excluded. The possible transmission route of HIV and the effect of the preceding aplastic anemia on the infection and clinical course of AIDS are discussed.

Intracellular localization and DNA-binding activity of a class of viral early phosphoproteins in human fibroblasts infected with human cytomegalovirus (Towne strain)

Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) with monoclonal antibody M23 prepared against the nuclei of human embryo lung (HEL) cells infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Towne strain showed that the M23 antigen reactive with the M23 antibody was localized within distinct foci throughout the nucleus of infected HEL cells shortly after infection, even at 2 h post-infection (p.i.). The foci increased in size by 24 h p.i. and then the IF patterns changed to show the nuclear inclusion body-like structures at 72 h p.i. Treatment with phosphono-acetic acid, a HCMV DNA replication inhibitor, resulted in a nuclear pattern similar to that observed shortly after infection. The double-labelled IF test revealed that the HCMV UL44 antigen essential for viral DNA replication colocalized with the M23 antigen in the same intranuclear structure shortly after infection whereas neither viral antigen appeared to colocalize in most cells later after infection. The M23 antibody immunoprecipitated four proteins. 34K, 43K, 50K and 84K, in infected cells. To examine whether these proteins correspond to four early phosphoproteins encoded by the HCMV strain AD169 genome, the Towne strain DNA sequence corresponding to that encoding both the 34K and 43K proteins of strain AD169 was determined and transiently expressed in COS-7, Vero and HEL cells. These proteins were detected by the M23 antibody within the foci of these nuclei as found in the nuclei of productively infected cells shortly after infection. In addition, the 34K, 43K and 50K proteins at least were shown to be DNA-binding proteins by double- and single-stranded DNA-cellulose column chromatography. The relationship of these proteins to the status of viral DNA replication is discussed.

[Cytokine production by human airway epithelial cells and its modulation]

There is increasing evidence that airway epithelial cells play an active role in allergic inflammation, including bronchial asthma. We showed that human airway epithelial cells in culture release GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, IL-6, and IL-8, using a serum-free culture system. These cytokines are known to modulate the bioactivities of inflammatory cells that accumulate at the site of inflammation. Among them, GM-CSF, IL-8, or both may be important because they influence the bioactivities of eosinophils, which are characteristic of allergic inflammation. Here we report on the effects of air pollutants such as suspended particulate matter and diesel exhaust particulates on release of cytokines from airway epithelial cells. All air pollutants we tested stimulated epithelial cells to release GM-CSF. These results suggest that one cause of the recent increase in the prevalence of allergic disorders is direct stimulation of airway epithelial cells by air-pollutants. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids and anti-allergic drugs were found to suppress the release of GM-CSF from airway epithelial cells in vitro.

Effect of cytokines on mediator release from human dispersed lung mast cells

To evaluate the contribution of human lung mast cells (HLMC) to allergic inflammation, we investigated whether or not cytokines, including stem-cell factor (SCF), monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), and RANTES, activate HLMC. SCF induced histamine release from dispersed HLMC in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.01). The release was 7.8 +/- 1.0% at 500 ng/ml SCF (n = 9). This response was also observed in chopped lung tissue. HLMC from which surface IgE molecules had been removed by treatment with lactic acid responded to SCF, while these cells lost their response to anti-IgE. The process was relatively rapid and reached a maximum in 5 min. This response required extracellular calcium, and it was observed at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C or 20 degrees. A brief preincubation (10 min) with lower concentrations of SCF, which were ineffective in releasing histamine, enhanced anti-IgE-induced histamine release (P < 0.05), while its enhancing effect was lost by the longer preincubation (30 min). SCF did not prime basophils to enhance stimulated-histamine release. Interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), MCAF, and RANTES neither induced histamine release nor enhanced the release stimulated by anti-IgE after a 10- or 30-min preincubation. The combination of IL-3 and IL-4 showed no effect on histamine release from HLMC. Leukotriene (LT)C4/D4/E4 production by SCF was negligible, as compared with anti-IgE-induced LT production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sciatic nerve regeneration navigated by laminin-fibronectin double coated biodegradable collagen grafts in rats

Biodegradable type I collagen tube grafts filled longitudinally with laminin and fibronectin double coated collagen fiber bundles (L-F grafts) were implanted to promote sciatic nerve regeneration in rats. Grafts filled with uncoated collagen fibers were used as control. A 1 cm defect on the right sciatic nerve was filled with a graft in the manner of bridging. Thirty days after implantation, several newly developed nerve fasciculi were found at the middle portion of the L-F grafts in contrast to no developed nerves in the controls. After 60 days, the middle and distal portions of both grafts included well-developed nerve tissues with prominent myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers surrounded by perineural cells, but the control distal portion showed fewer nerve fibers. All artificial collagen elements were completely degraded and absorbed at 30 days, and new nerve tissues surrounded by an epineurium successfully connected the proximal stump to the distal stump of the initially separated nerve. Descending and ascending action potentials were evoked in all grafts at 60 days. These results indicated that laminin and fibronectin may promote the growth of axons in biodegradable collagen grafts, which guided nerve regeneration well and allowed the formation of epineurium.

The 57 kDa protein is a major antigen in the outer membrane of invasive Porphyromonas gingivalis strains

The antigenicities of the outer membranes from invasive strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis were characterized by double and triple immunostaining of Western blots. It was found that a protein estimated at approximately 57 kDa is a major antigen in the outer membrane of invasive P. gingivalis strains.

Ultrastructure of fibrillar granules in human neutrophils

Fibrillar granules (FGs) represent neutrophilic primary granules containing clustered filaments. We investigated neutrophils in the bone marrow obtained from 17 patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD) by electron microscopy. FG-positive neutrophils were seen in 15 of the 17 CMPDs with varying frequencies. The diameter of FG-filaments was 7-8 nm, showing that they corresponded to neither intermediate filaments nor actin filaments.

Erythropoiesis in mouse omental milky spots induced by erythropoietin: light and electron microscopic study

The mouse omentum contains omental milky spots. They are abundantly present particularly in the omental fat band. In normal mice, the milky spots are composed of abundant lymphocytes/plasma cells with macrophages, granulocytes and various stromal cells. Unlike the lymph node, they show occasional neutrophilic myelopoiesis, though neither erythropoiesis nor megakaryopoiesis is present. We investigated the haematopoietic ability of the milky spots in ddY mice by administering intraperitoneal injections of erythropoietin (EPO), 500 units/body/day for 7 consecutive days. The omental fat bands were removed the day after the last EPO injection, and the milky spots were examined by light and electron microscopy. Small clusters of erythroblasts appeared in the milky spots in mice injected with EPO. In these clusters, erythroblasts in various maturation stages, dividing erythroblasts, denucleating erythroblasts and reticulocytes were seen by electron microscopy. These findings suggest that such clusters represent erythropoietic foci. The presence of erythropoietic foci in the milky spots was confirmed in all the mice injected with EPO. Megakaryocytes did not appear in the milky spots. These findings suggest that the milky spots have a latent erythropoietic ability, as well as active neutrophilic myelopoiesis.

Expression and purification of recombinant Marek's disease virus serotype 1 specific phosphorylated protein pp38 in E. coli

Phosphorylated protein pp38 is the only protein that is detected in the Marek's disease (MD) lymphoma caused by MD virus serotype 1 (MDV-1) and lymphoblastoid cell lines. In this study, a recombinant protein coded for by the almost entire open reading frame of the MDV-1 pp38 cDNA was produced in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. Prior to the expression and purification of the protein, cDNA containing the entire coding region for pp38 was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Immunoblot analysis indicated that the expressed recombinant protein electrophoresed close to that of the pp38 in infected cells. The difference in mobility of the purified recombinant and the pp38 in infected cells corresponded to a fusion peptide. The recombinant pp38 may be of interest for function analyses and the diagnotic use of pp38.

Lipopolysaccharide primes human basophils for enhanced mediator release: requirement for plasma co-factor and CD14

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to enhance IgE-mediated basophil degranulation. Recently, the complex of LPS and plasma LPS-binding protein(LBP) has been shown to induce secretory response via CD14 in monocytes and neutrophils. In the current study, we observed that the sensitivity to LPS of basophils was increased to 100-fold by co-incubation with plasma. LPS promptly completed its effect and amplified degranulation by stimuli bypassing IgE-receptors. Treatment with anti-CD14 completely abolished the priming effect of LPS. These results indicate that the priming effect of LPS on basophil mediator release is mediated via CD14, and that plasma co-factor, possibly identical to LBP, potentiates this reaction.

[Immuno-cryo-ultramicrotomy: its procedures, usefulness, and limitations]

The principle and recent procedures of immunocryoultramicrotomy are presented. In addition, its usefulness and limitations are described.

[Rapid diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a renal transplant recipient by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]

We used the PCR method to detect CMV-DNA in serum, urine, and peripheral blood of a patient who had received a renal transplant. A correlation was found between the active stage of the infections and the serum level of CMV-DNA. While no correlation was found in urine or blood. To detect CMV-DNA as early as possible, the serum samples were prepared by glass powder treatment and subjected to PCR followed by nonradioactive DNA hybridization. Moreover, to increase the sensitivity of detection a nested PCR method was employed and we found that the PCR-products were easily detected on the ethidium bromide-stained gel without the following hybridization. Thus, PCR in serum would be useful for rapid diagnosis of the infection and monitoring anti-viral drug therapy.

Target cells of cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to the individual structural proteins of rabies virus

Target cells of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed to the individual structural proteins (except for the large polymerase (L) protein) of rabies virus were established by expressing only the respective protein in murine neuroblastoma (NA) and murine macrophage (J774-1) cell lines. Mice infected with the ERA strain of rabies virus developed CTL responses to all of these rabies virus proteins. The cytotoxic activity was abrogated by pretreatment of the effector cells with anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (MAb) and complement but not with anti-CD4 MAb. Cell lysis by CTL was blocked in the presence of anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 1 antibodies in J774-1 cell lines. Rabies virus-infected cells express these proteins at the surface, which can be recognized and lysed by the respective CTL. Mice immunized with beta-propiolactone-inactivated virus induced a CTL response against glycoprotein but not against internal viral components. This assay system might be useful for further analysis of the possible contribution of these proteins in the cell-mediated immune protection against rabies.

[A study of the drug distribution on intra-hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy; how much difference between continuous infusion and rapid infusion?]

The subjects were 41 cases with implantable reservoir systems for unresectable hepatic tumors. We evaluated the difference in drug distribution between intra-hepatic arterial continuous infusion and rapid infusion using hepatic perfusion scintigraphy by 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin via reservoirs. The 41 cases were divided into 2 groups (A and B) according to the imaging of the perfusion scintigraphy. There were 17 cases in group A with equal distribution and 24 cases in group B with a different distribution between the continuous infusion and the rapid infusion. The 24 cases in group B were subdivided into groups according to the distribution of 99mTc-MAA in and around liver. In some cases the distribution pattern after rapid infusion improved more than with continuous infusion. These results suggested that the infusion method must be selected for every case.

Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in two different geographical areas in Nepal

A total of 302 serum samples collected from Chitawan (159) and Mustang (143) districts of Nepal were included in this study. Anti-toxoplasma antibody was detected using micro-latex agglutination (MLA) and ELISA methods. An overall positive rate was found to be 57.9%. The positive rate in Chitawan was significantly higher (64.1%) (less than 1,000 m altitude) compared to that in Mustang (51.0%) (more than 3,000 m altitude) (p < 0.05). Females in Chitawan showed significantly higher positive rate (71.2%) compared to males (56.9%) (p < 0.05). On the contrary, though insignificantly, males showed higher positive rate (57.9%) compared to that of females (43.3%) in Mustang. Almost equal positive rate was observed among males in both study area. Females in Chitawan showed significantly higher (71.2%) positive rate compared to their counterparts in Mustang (43.3%) (p < 0.001). A slight increase in positive rate with age was observed in Chitawan while in Mustang a decreasing trend was noticed. Ethnically though statistically not significant, Indo-Aryans showed a higher positive rate (69.2%) compared to the positive rate shown by Tibeto-Burmans (63.1%) in Chitawan while the reverse was true in Mustang (Tibeto-Burmans: 53.8% and Indo-Aryans: 38.4%). Interestingly, 2.9% and 1.3% of MLA positive samples showed toxoplasma IgM antibody. None of the IgM positive samples were positive for toxoplasmic antigens.

Parallel tubular granules in human immature neutrophils--an electron microscopic study

Unique rounded granules consisting of clustered parallel tubules, 29-31 nm in diameter, with occasional, flocculent or amorphous electron-dense material (parallel tubular granules, PTGs) were found in immature neutrophils in the bone marrow in a case of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL). PTGs were positive for electron microscopic myeloperoxidase. Since no structures similar to PTGs have been documented, we investigated the bone marrow of 65 adult patients with hematologic diseases, and 7 adult patients with miscellaneous non-hematologic diseases, by electron microscopy. The results showed that no PTGs were found in any cases other than the original CNL case. These findings suggest that PTGs are rare granules representing certain primary granules. In addition, the presence of PTGs might be helpful in diagnosing CNL.

Reduced uptake and accumulation of norfloxacin in resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the alteration of cell permeability toward fluoroquinolones in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is a major quinolone-resistance mechanism along with the alteration of DNA gyrase in gram-negative bacteria. The prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant N gonorrhoeae strains is rapidly increasing in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The uptake and accumulation of norfloxacin by gonococcal cells, including six clinical and five World Health Organization (WHO) reference strains, were measured. Of the six clinical strains, two were highly resistant to norfloxacin (MIC 8.0 and 4.0 micrograms/ml), two were moderately resistant (MIC 1.0 and 0.5 microgram/ml), and two were sensitive (MIC 0.063 and 0.004 microgram/ml). All five WHO reference strains were sensitive to norfloxacin (MIC < or = 0.001 to 0.063 microgram/ml).

RESULTS

Mean initial norfloxacin uptake in the four resistant strains (104 ng/mg of dry cells) was significantly lower than that in the seven sensitive strains (158 ng/mg of dry cells) (p < 0.05). The mean uptake after 20 minutes was also significantly lower in the four resistant strains (130 ng/mg of dry cells) than in the seven sensitive strains (194 ng/mg of dry cells) (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mean norfloxacin accumulation after 20 minutes between the four resistant strains (26 ng/mg of dry cells) and the seven sensitive strains (36 ng/mg of dry cells). The accumulation of norfloxacin after 20 minutes was almost zero in two of the four resistant strains, while the remaining two strains accumulated norfloxacin as well as the sensitive strains.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that alteration of bacterial cell permeability is a quinolone-resistance mechanism in N gonorrhoeae isolated in Japan, and that this bacteria may exhibit other mechanisms such as alteration of DNA gyrase.

Construction of recombinant Marek's disease virus type 1 (MDV1) expressing the Escherichia coli lacZ gene as a possible live vaccine vector: the US10 gene of MDV1 as a stable insertion site

This paper describes the construction of a recombinant Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV1) in which the Escherichia coli lacZ gene was inserted into the open reading frame homologous to the US10 gene of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). The recombinant virus replicated as well in cell culture as the parental MDV1 K-554 strain. Chickens immunized with the virus were protected against challenge with virulent MDV1, and produced a high level of antibodies against beta-galactosidase as well as against MDV1 antigens. The antibody titres persisted for at least 16 weeks. These results demonstrate that the US10 gene of MDV1 is an effective site for the insertion of foreign genes from which to construct a polyvalent live vaccine for poultry.

Survey of natural scrapie in Japan: analysis of RFLP types of the PrP gene and detection of PrPSc mainly in Suffolk sheep

We examined the brains, spleens and/or lymph nodes of 197 mainly suffolk sheep collected from Hokkaido, and the Tohoku, Kanto and Chubu districts to detect PrPSc and thus to estimate scrapie contamination in Japan. Sixteen sheep in Hokkaido and 2 sheep in other districts that were introduced from Hokkaido were positive for PrPSc. By comparison of the frequencies of the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) types of these 18 scrapie sheep with 128 healthy sheep, we confirmed the association of specific RFLP types of the PrP gene with natural scrapie. The frequency of RFLP type I in scrapie sheep was significantly higher than that in healthy sheep and those of other types in scrapie sheep. In contrast, the frequencies of type II and VI in healthy sheep were higher than those in scrapie sheep. Therefore, type I sheep seemed to be susceptible but type II and VI sheep seemed to be resistant to natural scrapie in Suffolk sheep in Japan. Furthermore, we investigated the distribution of the RFLP types of the PrP gene in 161 sheep in Japan to learn about the genetic background of the susceptibility to scrapie. There were variations in the distribution of the RFLP types in each district.