Interaction of cutaneous stromal cells and gamma/delta T cell receptor (TcR)-positive cells. I. V gamma 5-gamma/delta TcR+ T cells migrating from organ-cultured murine skin proliferate by co-culture with cutaneous stromal cells in the presence of interleukin-2

It has been reported that Thy-1+CD3+CD4-CD8- cells as well as Langerhans cells migrate from organ-cultured murine skin into culture medium. We examined whether these Thy-1+ populations of migrating cells were derived from Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal T cells (Thy-1+ DEC) and found that they were Thy-1+CD3+CD4-CD8-gamma/delta TcR+ (gamma delta+T) cells but did not express V gamma 5TcR, which was used by a vast majority of Thy-1+ DEC. Recently, a unique interaction between stromal cells and lymphohemopoietic progenitors has been reported in bone marrow and thymus. In this study, we established fibroblastoid cutaneous stromal cell (CSC) lines and clones from murine skin and examined the interaction between CSC and gamma delta+T cells. When these gamma delta+T cells were co-cultured with CSC, a marked proliferation of small lymphoid cells was observed only in the presence of interleukin (IL)-2. Neither CSC alone nor IL-2 alone could induce a similar proliferation. Flow cytometry revealed that they were Thy-1+CD3+CD4-CD8-gamma/delta TcR+ but V gamma 5TcR-. Analysis of the major segments of their TcR by polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that V gamma 1, V gamma 2, V gamma 4 and all of the V delta chains from V delta 1 to V delta 7 were used without any predominant pattern. These data indicate the possible presence of gamma/delta+T cells other than V gamma 5TcR+Thy-1+ DEC in the murine skin and the unique capacity of the CSC to support the growth of these migrating gamma/delta+ T cells. The nomenclature of murine T cell receptor gamma chain is according to Reilly et al. (Nature 1986. 321:878). The relationship between the different nomenclature systems is summarized in Takagi et al. (J. Immunol. 1989. 141:2112).

Quantitative evaluation after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Allograft versus autograft

We measured the anteroposterior ligamentous laxity and thigh muscle power in 92 subjects who were rated as successes after they had undergone arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for unilateral anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency 18 to 36 months previously. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the type of graft: fresh-frozen allogenic tendon (N = 47) or central one third of the ipsilateral patellar tendon (N = 45). Instrumented drawer tests in the Lachman position were performed to measure anterior tibial displacement at 200 N (anterior laxity). Thigh muscle power was isokinetically measured with a Cybex II dynamometer. Significantly more anterior laxity was found in the reconstructed knees than in the contralateral normal knees regardless of graft material (paired t-test, P < 0.01), except for the male allograft patients. Although the mean anterior laxity difference between sides for the allograft patients was less than that for the autogenous ones, analysis of variance failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups if the comparison was strictly made within the same sex. Thigh muscle tests revealed that extension torque in the reconstructed knees was significantly less than that in the contralateral knees and analysis of variance showed that knee extension torque at 60 deg/sec for the allograft patients was significantly better than that of the autograft ones (P < 0.05). We concluded that the allograft procedure is advantageous over the patellar tendon autograft in terms of better restoration of anterior stability.

Stereo (C7)-dependent topoisomerase II inhibition and tumor growth suppression by a new quinolone, BO-2367

A new antimicrobial quinolone (-)BO-2367, (-)-7-[(1R*, 2R*, 6R*)-2-amino-8-azabicyclo[4.3.0.]-non-3-en-8-yl]-1- cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid, strongly inhibited both mammalian and bacterial topoisomerase II. The IC50 values of (-)BO-2367 against the DNA relaxation activity of L1210 topoisomerase II and the supercoiling activities of Escherichia coli gyrase and Micrococcus luteus gyrase were 3.8, 0.5, and 1 microM, respectively. This compound enhanced double-stranded DNA cleavage mediated by topoisomerase II not only with purified enzyme, but also with intact L1210 cells. All these activities of (-)BO-2367 were more than 2-fold stronger than those of VP-16. Intriguingly, (+)BO-2367, which has an enantiomeric substituent at the C7 position of (-)BO-2367, did not affect the activity of the mammalian topoisomerase II, while it inhibited E. coli gyrase. Intraperitoneal injection of (-)BO-2367 at 0.08 mg/kg increased the lifespan of CDF1 female mice bearing ascitic L1210 leukemia by 2.4 times, and subcutaneous injection at 1.25 mg/kg completely inhibited the growth of colon 26 carcinoma implanted subcutaneously. These results suggest that (-)BO-2367 is a potent antitumor agent which targets topoisomerase II. These enantiomers should be a useful tool for studying drug-topoisomerase II interactions.

Active site dynamics of acyl-chymotrypsin

The motions of water molecules, the acyl moiety, the catalytic triad, and the oxyanion binding site of acyl-chymotrypsin were studied by means of a stochastic boundary molecular dynamics simulation. A water molecule that could provide the nucleophilic OH- for the deacylation stage of the catalysis was found to be trapped between the imidazole ring of His-57 and the carbonyl carbon of the acyl group. It makes a hydrogen bond with the N epsilon 2 of His-57 and is held in place through a network of hydrogen-bonded water molecules in the active site. The water molecule was found as close as 2.8 A to the carbonyl carbon. This appears to be due to the constraints imposed by nonbonded interaction in the active site. Configurations were found in which one hydrogen of the trapped water shared a bifurcated hydrogen bond with His-57-N epsilon 2 and Ser-195-O gamma, with the water oxygen very close to the carbonyl carbon. The existence of such a water molecule suggests that large movement of the His-57 imidazole ring between positions suitable for providing general-base catalyzed assistance and for providing general-acid catalyzed assistance may not be required during the reaction. The simulation indicates that the side chains of residues involved in catalysis (i.e., His-57, Ser-195, and Asp-102) are significantly less flexible than other side chains in the protein. The 40% reduction in rms fluctuations is consistent with a comparable reduction calculated from the temperature factors obtained in the X-ray crystallographic data of gamma-chymotrypsin. The greater rigidity of active site residues seems to result from interconnected hydrogen bonding networks among the residues and between the residues and the solvent water in the active site.

Evidence for serum factors modulating antibody production in normal and macular mice

The macular mutant mouse is a model of Menkes' kinky hair disease, which is characterized by a deficiency of ceruloplasmin in the serum. In hemizygotic mice (ml/y), the antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was decreased. Treatment with normal (+/y) mouse serum increased in a dose-dependent manner the antibody response of ml/y mouse spleen cells in vitro. However, +/y mouse serum had no effect on +/y mouse spleen cells, even at high doses up to 5%. In contrast, ml/y mouse serum decreased antibody production in +/y mouse spleen cells in a dose-dependent manner. Antibody production in +/y mouse spleen cells decreased with time, after pretreatment with ml/y mouse serum. However, serum from ml/y mice injected with ceruloplasmin did not decrease antibody production in +/y mouse spleen cells but rather increased it in ml/y mouse spleen cells. Ceruloplasmin had no effect on the production of antibodies against SRBC in ml/y and +/y mouse spleen cells in vitro. These findings suggest that one or more enhancers of antibody production exist in normal mouse serum and that one or more suppressors of normal antibody production exist in ml/y mouse serum. It is proposed that the activities of these factors in serum may be regulated by ceruloplasmin.

Leukotriene B4 induces lung injury in the rabbit: role of neutrophils and effect of indomethacin

The effects of exogenous leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on the pulmonary microvascular permeability and the roles of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and the cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid in the microvascular response to LTB4 in the isolated non-blood-perfused rabbit lungs were studied. Microvascular permeability and lung edema were evaluated by use of the fluid filtration coefficient (Kf) and the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio), respectively. Pulmonary capillary pressure was estimated by the double occlusion technique. We studied five groups of lungs: lungs were given 1) both PMN leukocytes and a bolus injection of LTB4 (5 micrograms, n = 6), 2) LTB4 alone (n = 5), 3) PMN leukocytes alone (n = 5), 4) control vehicles (n = 5), or 5) indomethacin (40 micrograms/ml) before PMN leukocytes and LTB4 (n = 6). We observed that LTB4 increased Kf and W/D ratio in the presence of PMN leukocytes in the perfusate without affecting the pulmonary arterial and capillary pressures. Neither LTB4 alone nor PMN leukocytes alone produced changes in Kf and W/D ratio. Indomethacin failed to inhibit the LTB4-induced increases in Kf and W/D ratio. These results suggest that LTB4 produces lung injury that is dependent on PMN leukocytes but not on the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism.

Synergic activity of imipenem/cilastatin combined with cefotiam against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The synergic activity of imipenem/cilastatin combined with cefotiam was studied in a mouse bacteraemia model. Combinations of imipenem plus cefotiam in ratios from 1:5 to 1:160 were more effective than either imipenem alone or cefotiam alone (P < 0.05). Synergy was observed against both beta-lactamase producing and beta-lactamase non-producing MRSA. Staggered combinations of imipenem with cefotiam (each drug was administered at a different time) were studied in an in-vitro pharmacokinetic system to clarify relationships between killing kinetics and pharmacodynamics of the combinations. In the in-vitro system, cefotiam (1 g over 30 min) administered 2 h after imipenem administration (250 mg over 30 min) reduced viable cell counts to an undetectable level and maintained this for 4 h, while the simultaneous administration of imipenem and cefotiam maintained an undetectable cell count for only 2 h. Furthermore, imipenem administered after cefotiam showed no synergy. These results indicate that the timing of dosing of each antibiotic influences synergy, and administration of cefotiam 2 h after imipenem is more effective than the other regimens.

Recovery of decreased antibody production by ceruloplasmin in the macular mutant mouse

The macular mutant mouse is a murine model of Menkes' kinky hair disease, characterized by a serum copper and ceruloplasmin deficiency. The hemizygote (ml/y) had a decreased antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). 1) In vivo; the administration of ceruloplasmin recovered antibody production in ml/y mice, but, had no effect on that of normal mice (+/y). The administration of heat treated ceruloplasmin did not increase antibody production in ml/y mice, whereas the administration of various concentrations of copper suppressed the anti-SRBC plaque-forming response in both ml/y and +/y mice. 2) in vitro; ceruloplasmin had no effect upon antibody production against SRBC in both ml/y and +/y mouse spleen cells. In contrast to ceruloplasmin, 1 microgram/ml of copper inhibited the antibody production in spleen cells from both +/y and ml/y mice as well as in vivo. These findings suggested that the decreased antibody production in ml/y mice was considered to be due the decreased ceruloplasmin.

Deterioration of patellofemoral articular surfaces after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

One hundred eighty-seven patients who had undergone intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using either a fresh-frozen allogeneic tendon or central third autogenous pateller tendon 3 to 89 months previously were arthroscopically evaluated. The focus was on secondary changes of the patellofemoral joint at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Overall, 93 knees deteriorated, 74 knees remained unchanged, and 14 improved. The deteriorative changes were predominantly located around the central ridge of the patellae, although all but two knees remained free from anterior knee pain. Statistical multivariate analysis showed surgical approach by conventional medial parapatellar incision and use of the central one-third of the autogenous patellar tendon graft as possible risk factors for the deterioration, although chi-square analysis failed to demonstrate statistical significance for the latter.

High-altitude pulmonary edema with pulmonary thromboembolism

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a form of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. The pathophysiology of HAPE remains unclear. A case of HAPE was associated with pulmonary thromboembolism of a left upper pulmonary artery. Pulmonary thromboembolism was an important factor in development of HAPE in this case.

Effects of insulin, growth hormone, IGF-I and IGF-II on phenylalanine extraction in the chicken embryo cultured in vitro

1. To evaluate growth-promoting potencies of bovine insulin, bovine growth hormone (bGH), and recombinant human insulin like growth factor (rhIGF)-I and -II in the chicken, phenylalanine extraction from a synthetic serum-free culture medium into whole-embryos was measured. 2. The chicken embryos at 7 days of age were cultured in a rotatory embryo culture apparatus under a gas phase of 95% O2 and 5% CO2 at 37 degrees C for varying periods of time, and the change in phenylalanine contents in the medium was determined fluorimetrically. 3. Bovine insulin enhanced the phenylalanine extraction when added to the medium at 250 ng/ml whereas no significant change was observed below this concentration. 4. Intact bGH did not show any significant effect on the phenylalanine extraction in its intact form at the concentrations tested. However, bGH partially digested with trypsin increased the phenylalanine extraction. 5. The rhIGF-I enhanced the phenylalanine extraction significantly at 50 ng/ml with no significant increase below this level, whereas rhIGF-II showed no significant increase in phenylalanine extraction at any doses tested. 6. It was concluded that the whole-embryo culture was a quick and convenient system for searching physiologically active compounds that may have growth-promoting potency in the chicken.

Immunochemical detection of advanced glycation end products in lens crystallins from streptozocin-induced diabetic rat

To reassess the significance of AGEs in cataract formation in diabetic animals, we measured amounts of AGEs in lens crystallins from STZ-induced diabetic animals with a newly developed ELISA. Lenses were removed at 5 and 20 wk after STZ injection. In 20-wk diabetic rats, all lenses were cataractous but not in control rats. In 20-wk diabetic compared with control rats, significant increases were observed in AGEs (172.3 +/- 18.3 vs. 14.3 +/- 1.7 AU, P < 0.01) and fluorescence (2.04 +/- 0.22 vs. 1.27 +/- 0.10 AU, P < 0.05). The amounts of AGEs in lens crystallins, measured by the ELISA, were > 12-fold higher in diabetic rats. In agreement with earlier studies, we found that fluorescence in lens crystallins increased by 61% in diabetic rats. In 5-wk diabetic rats, all lenses were noncataractous. In 5-wk diabetic compared with control rats, significant increases were observed in AGEs (84.1 +/- 7.7 vs. 9.4 +/- 1.5 AU, P < 0.01) and fluorescence (1.45 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.05 +/- 0.06 AU, P < 0.01). Analysis of the AGE content by ELISA showed that accumulation of AGEs in diabetic lens crystallins does markedly occur with time, and a large amount of AGEs exists in the diabetic (cataractous) lens crystallins. The disproportionate elevation of AGEs, measured by the ELISA, compared with fluorescence suggests that the actual levels of AGEs in cataractous lens crystallins from diabetic animals are higher than previously anticipated, and nonfluorescent AGEs may exist in diabetic lens crystallins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of bredinin on early embryonic development in mice

Bredinin, an immunosuppressive agent, had a teratogenic effect and a decreasing effect in litter size in mice and in rats. We investigated the direct effect of bredinin on the development of mouse preimplantation embryos in vitro. Bredinin strongly inhibited the first differentiation step from the morula to the blastocyst stage, whereas the steps from the two-cell embryo to the morula stage were not inhibited. At 10(-6) or 10(-5) M of bredinin, only one or none of the morula embryos developed to a blastocyst after a 48 h culture; while approximately 90% of the embryos developed to blastocysts in the absence of bredinin. To determine whether the bredinin inhibition was reversible, the morula embryos were cultured with 10(-5) M of bredinin for 48 h. The embryos were transferred to bredinin-free culture conditions, and their development was observed. The inhibitory effect of bredinin was reversible. The expansion of zona-free blastocyst was also inhibited by bredinin. When blastocyst embryos were cultured in the presence of bredinin (10(-6) M), the mean size of the embryos was reduced to half the initial size. In addition, the steps of hatching from the zona pellucida and attaching to the substratum were significantly inhibited by bredinin. Trophoblast outgrowth was completely inhibited by 10(-6) M bredinin; however, the area of trophoblast outgrowth was expanded to 18-fold the initial size after a 96 h culture in the absence of bredinin. Thus, the decrease in the number of offspring is due to the direct effect of bredinin on mice embryos.

Up-regulation of alpha 4 integrin on activated Langerhans cells: analysis of adhesion molecules on Langerhans cells relating to their migration from skin to draining lymph nodes

After hapten application, epidermal Langerhans cells migrate into the regional lymph nodes through dermal lymphatics. Recently, we have demonstrated that some of them take the phenotypic and functional characteristics similar to those of in vitro cultured Langerhans cells, before disappearing from the epidermis. To analyze the mechanisms underlying the migration of Langerhans cells, we studied the expression of several adhesion molecules on freshly isolated LC and cultured LC. Pgp-1 (CD44), intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and alpha 4 integrin were strongly expressed on cultured Langerhans cells. Among them, only alpha 4 integrin was strongly up-regulated by cultured Langerhans cells, because its expression by freshly isolated Langerhans cells was very weak. This up-regulation of alpha 4 integrin was also observed on in vivo activated Langerhans cells in the epidermis and draining lymph nodes after hapten application. These data suggest a possible role played by VLA-4 in the migration of Langerhans cells from the epidermis into the regional lymph nodes after hapten application.

The decreased immune responses in macular mouse, a model of Menkes' kinky hair disease

The macular mutant mouse is a murine model of the Menkes' kinky hair disease, characterized by a copper deficiency in serum. The immune response of its hemizygote (ml/y) was examined, herein. Ml/y mice which were not treated with Cu were atrophy of lymphoid tissues on day 14. However, kidney, brain, heart and lung weights were higher in ml/y mice without Cu treatment than in normal (+/y) mice. When compared to cells from +/y mice, spleen cells from ml/y mice exhibited similar proliferation-curves stimulated by Con A or LPS. Lymph node cells from ml/y mice showed a significantly decreased mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) response when stimulated by spleen cells from Balb/c mice. Spleen cells from ml/y mice demonstrated similar stimulation against lymph node cells from Balb/c mice. Antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in vivo, a T cell dependent response, was suppressed in ml/y mice. By contrast, the antibody production against dinitrophenyl-ficoll, a T cell independent response was similar in +/y and ml/y. The antibody production against SRBC in vitro was also suppressed in ml/y mice. However, when the T cell-enriched fraction of ml/y mouse spleen cells was replaced by the T cell-enriched fraction of +/y mouse spleen cells, the antibody production against SRBC was recovered. The percentage of Ly-5-positive cells (B cell) from ml/y mice was greater than those from +/y mice. The percentage of Thy-1.2-positive cells (T cell) was decreased, and the decrease was most prominent with the L3/T4-positive T cell (helper T cell) subset.

A case of pulmonary hemorrhage in Henoch-Schönlein purpura accompanied by polyarteritis nodosa in an elderly man

A 77-year-old male diagnosed as having Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) died of acute respiratory and renal failure. Autopsy revealed necrotizing glomerulonephritis with IgA deposition in mesangium and capillary walls of glomeruli. The lungs showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis of the alveolar walls and immunohistochemically revealed IgA deposition and ultrastructurally electron-dense deposits in the capillary basement membrane and interstitium of the alveoli. Moreover, fibrinoid necrosis of small and medium-sized arteries were observed in the kidneys, bronchial arteries of the lungs, stomach and small intestine. We have concluded that this case may be diagnosed as polyangitis overlap syndrome in an elderly man consisting of HSP and polyarteritis nodosa (PN), and the pulmonary hemorrhage may be significantly relevant to the pulmonary lesions not in PN but in HSP.

Alteration in expression of Serratia marcescens porins associated with decreased outer membrane permeability

The porin expression of two clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens, which overproduced cephalosporinase and had decreased outer membrane permeability, were studied in comparison with those of reference strains. Separation of the porin proteins assessed by SDS-PAGE containing urea revealed that both clinical isolates overexpressed a single porin of 44 and 43 kilodalton (kDa), respectively. In contrast, the in-vitro porin deficient mutant, which was derived from the reference strain IFO3736 as latamoxef-resistant, showed decreased outer membrane permeability, but produced low levels of all three peptidoglycan associated porins of 45, 44 and 43 kDa, and overexpressed 39 kDa OmpA protein. These observations suggested that the clinical isolates had a different mechanism of latamoxef resistance compared with the mutant and overexpressed possible narrow transport channels of 44 or 43 kDa. The 45 kDa porin may facilitate a more effective channel than the other two proteins. Heterogeneity of porin profiles between biotypes was also suggested. The two isolates were also resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins tested, but imipenem was the most active agent and inhibited the isolates at 1.56 mg/L.

Postnatal expression of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase in the mouse brain

The distributional and activity changes of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) were investigated in the developing mouse brain. The HGPRT activity level was low at birth, increased rapidly during the first 7 days of life, and underwent a gradual increase thereafter to the mature level. Polyclonal antibody against HGPRT purified from mouse brain was prepared for immunohistochemical demonstration of the enzyme during brain development. In the cerebellum, part of the Purkinje cells was consistently immunostained throughout growth, and the presence of HGPRT was observed in the dendrites of mature Purkinje cells. The most dominant change in HGPRT localization was observed in the hippocampus. Little HGPRT was detectable in the newborn mouse hippocampus. At postnatal day 7, cytoplasmic HGPRT appeared sporadically in the granular cells independently of the region of the hippocampus. The number of positive immunoreactive cells increased with growth, and the dendrites of granular cells were also immunostained on postnatal day 28. Further immunostaining was noted in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus on postnatal day 35. The above results suggest that HGPRT may play an important role in the developing hippocampus. Further investigations of the HGPRT in the human hippocampus may help to clarify the mechanism underlying the neurological disorders encountered in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

[Clinical effects of six-month short time biofiltration]

The clinical effects of six-month short time biofiltration (SBF) were evaluated using a B-A-B' study (B, B': conventional bicarbonate hemodialysis; CBHD, A:SBF) in ten patients maintained on CBHD three times a week. An F80 hemodiafilter (1.9 m2, polysulfone, Fresenius) was used. In addition to routine clinical parameters for a patient on regular dialysis treatment, plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF) (an index of stimulation of vascular endothelium), and the methylguanidine/creatinine ratio (MG/Cr) and malondialdehide (MDA) (indices of the levels of oxygen radicals), were evaluated. Nine patients completed the study, one patient dropping out at the 12th week of A because of muscle cramps during SBF. The treatment time was 2 hours in six cases and 2.5 hours in three cases. The mean blood flow rate was 280 +/- 42 (SD) minutes. Using the urea kinetics model, the mean KT/V was 1.26 +/- 0.28, and the mean protein catabolic rate was 1.22 +/- 0.18 g/kg body weight/day at the end of A. No change in ultrafiltration, blood pressure, cardiac function (assessed by echocardiography), CTR, human atrial natriuretic peptide, total protein, albumin, uric acid, serum creatinine, sodium, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, vWF, or MDA was found between each period. Blood urea nitrogen, c-PTH, and MG/Cr increased during the A period. Serum magnesium and beta-2 microglobulin decreased during the A period. Blood gas results, on the whole, did not change. In a patients, however, acidosis gradually developed. An increase in substitution fluid from 5 L/session to 7.5 L/session improved the acid-base balance in that patient. In conclusion, SBF is as effective as CBHD in removing small molecules and maintaining cardiocirculatory status, and is superior to CBHD in removing beta 2-microglobulin and is less stimulative to the endothelium than CBHD.

Effect of bredinin on the primary culture of fetal mouse cells and adult mouse lung cells

The effects of bredinin on the primary culture of fetal mouse cells (fetal cells) and adult mouse lung cells (lung cells) were compared. Bredinin inhibited the growth of both cells, and this inhibition was found to be caused, at least in part, by the inhibition of the S phase and/or the transition from the G1 to S phase of the cell cycle. Bredinin inhibited both DNA and RNA synthesis without affecting protein synthesis. However, the inhibitory effect of bredinin differed between the two cell lines; the fetal cells were more sensitive than the lung cells, and bredinin inhibited DNA synthesis 100 times more potently in the fetal cells. The inhibition of DNA synthesis by bredinin in the fetal cells was gradually lowered by in vitro aging of the fetal cells to a level similar to that in the lung cells. There was no difference in the rate of incorporation of bredinin into the cells between the fetal cells and the lung cells. When fetal tissue was used as an enzyme source, bredinin was converted to bredinin 5'-monophosphate (BMP), but when lung tissue was used, bredinin was not converted. This is in agreement with the finding that bredinin has selective toxicity on fetuses in vivo but is hardly toxic to adult cells, which suggests the involvement of BMP in the selective toxicity of bredinin on the fetus.

[Recent advances in ovarian cancer chemotherapy]

The standard approach for epithelial ovarian cancer has been maximum cytoreductive surgery followed by combination therapy. Several prospective control studies individually failed to demonstrate improved survival advantage for the Adriamycin containing combination compare with cisplatin plus cyclophosphamide. The two drug combination of carboplatin plus cyclophosphamide will be thought to become the treatment of choice, because it is equally effective as and less toxic than a regimen of cisplatin plus cyclophosphamide. Clinical trials are also in progress with more dose-intense regimens based on considerable retrospective evidence that survival is correlated with the dose intensity of platinum compounds. Currently, high dose carboplatin plus Gm-CSF, two-drug combination of carboplatin and cisplatin and super high dose carboplatin combined with autologous bone marrow transplantation are undergoing clinical trials. Taxol and taxotere, most important cancer drugs after emergence of cisplatin compound, has been shown to have clinical activity in drug resistant ovarian cancer patients. Majority of patients even with advanced germ cell tumors of the ovary is now cured because of the development of effective platinum-based combination chemotherapy of PVB or BEP.