UK-3A, a novel antifungal antibiotic from Streptomyces sp. 517-02: fermentation, isolation, structural elucidation and biological properties

A novel antifungal antibiotic, UK-3A, was obtained from the mycelial cake of Streptomyces sp. 517-02. UK-3A was very similar in structure to UK-2A, a structural relative of antimycin A. The antifungal spectrum of UK-3A was relatively broad (MICs for yeasts and filamentous fungi: 1.56-6.25 and 0.39-1.56 micrograms/ml, respectively). The cytotoxic activity of UK-3A was weak (IC50: 18-100 micrograms/ml).

Epigallocatechin gallate-induced histamine release in patients with green tea-induced asthma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Epigallocatechin gallate is the causative agent of green tea-induced asthma. To determine whether an IgE-mediated mechanism plays a pathogenetic role in this disorder, we measured histamine release after in vitro exposure to epigallocatechin gallate.

METHODS

Subjects included eight patients (four men and four women) with green tea-induced asthma, who had been diagnosed by skin test and inhalation challenge, and eight controls (four asthmatic subjects with no previous exposure tea dust and four healthy volunteers). Heparinized whole blood samples were taken and incubated with epigallocatechin gallate at various concentrations (final concentration range, 0.003 to 300 micrograms/mL) for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C. After centrifugation, histamine was measured in the cell-free supernatants by radioimmunoassay. Histamine release was expressed as a percentage of total histamine. A result higher than 10% was considered positive.

RESULTS

In one of the tea-sensitive patients, epigallocatechin gallate did not cause histamine release. Five of the other seven patients (71%) demonstrated a positive, dose-dependent histamine release to epigallocatechin gallate. In asthmatic and normal controls, histamine release was not observed at any epigallocatechin gallate concentration. Furthermore, a significant correlation was noted between the maximum percentage histamine release and the threshold epigallocatechin gallate concentration for intradermal skin testing.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that an IgE-mediated response is the basis for green tea-induced asthma.

[Changes in tissue and blood polyamines during N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine-induced bladder carcinogenesis in rats]

BACKGROUND

Polyamine are recognized as cell growth factors. We studied in order to determine whether alterations in the levels of tissue and blood polyamines were useful biochemical markers for bladder tumor.

METHODS

The concentrations of three polyamines, diamine, spermidine and spermine, in urinary bladder and blood were determined during N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)-induced bladder carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, rats were given 0.05% BBN in the drinking water for 20 weeks.

RESULTS

BBN induced bladder hyperplasia in 4 of 5 rats at 8 weeks, papillomas in 2 of 5 rats at 12 weeks, and transitional cell carcinoma in all the rats by 20 weeks. The levels of total polyamine in both bladder and blood of the rats during 12-20 weeks were significantly higher than those of the control animals given water alone. The elevation of total polyamine was mainly due to the increase of spermidine of the three polyamines, which was coincident with the incidence of bladder tumors.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the polyamines are excellent biochemical markers for bladder tumors.

The role of mel-18, a mammalian Polycomb group gene, during IL-7-dependent proliferation of lymphocyte precursors

mel-18 is a mammalian homolog of Drosophila melanogaster Polycomb group genes. Mice lacking the mel-18 gene show a posterior transformation of the axial skeleton, severe combined immunodeficiency, and a food-passing disturbance in the lower intestine due to hypertrophy of the smooth muscle layer. In this study, the severe combined immunodeficiency observed in mel-18 mutant mice is correlated with the impaired mitotic response of lymphocyte precursors upon interleukin-7 stimulation. Strikingly, the axial skeleton and lymphoid phenotypes are identical in both mel-18 and bmi-1 mutants, indicating that the Mel-18 and Bmi-1 gene products might act in the same genetic cascade. These results suggest that mammalian Polycomb group gene products are involved in cell cycle progression in the immune system.

Expression of the proliferation-related Ki-67 mRNA in the early development of murine embryo

In a search for early lymphoid-specific genes, we isolated a cDNA clone (LL7) encoding a murine homologue of Ki-67 protein, a proliferation-related nuclear antigen. LL7 transcript appears preferentially in lymphoid organs as the bone marrow, spleen, and the thymus. Here, we studied the expression of murine Ki-67 (mKi-67) mRNA among various organs or tissues during the early development of fetus. In fetus, mKi-67 mRNA appears developmentally as early as day 11 and is expressed maximally at day 15. In situ hybridization on the section revealed that the expression of mKi-67 mRNA is preferential in the area of active organ formation such as neurological system and the fetal liver. These results suggest that mKi-67 plays an important role in the proliferation of early embryonic precursor cells of neurological and immune systems.

Effects of N-nitrosodimethylamine on glutathione levels during development of chick-embryo

Glutathione content in the liver, kidney and eye of chick embryo increased during development, having the maximum at day 17 after incubation of eggs. Activity of enzymes involved in glutathione metabolism changed during development. gamma-Glutamyltransferase activity increased gradually until day 17 in the liver and eye, but decreased thereafter, while the enzyme activity increased continuously in the kidney. Glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities did not change significantly during development. Administration of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) to the fertile eggs 2 days after incubation resulted in an increase of glutathione levels in the liver and kidney at a dose of 0.01 mmol NDMA/egg, but the effect was not significant for glutathione levels by increasing the dose of NDMA. Decrease in viability and increase in formation of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactive substance were observed in the liver and kidney by administration of NDMA at 0.1 mmol/egg. By administration of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) alone, viability and glutathione levels were decreased and TBA reactive substance was increased in the liver. Fatal toxicity of NDMA was observed especially when BSO was administered together with NDMA. These results indicate that glutathione plays an important role in protecting chick embryos against toxic effects induced by administration of NDMA.

A case of favorable dilation of protected left main coronary artery lesion achieved through performance of adjunctive DCA on residual stenosis following use of rotablator

It is believed that directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) is more suitable than percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for lesions such as severe eccentric lesions, ostial lesions, and branch lesions. However, it remains a fact that lesions that are also highly calcified are often suboptimal, since there may be difficulties such as in insertion of the housing and in sufficient cutting and removal. On the other hand, Rotablator is effective on calcified lesions, but afterward, dilation by balloon angioplasty for residual stenosis becomes necessary in many cases. This is a report of the authors' experience on an interesting case in which favorable dilation of a lesion in the protected left main coronary artery (LMCA) was achieved by using Rotablator after confirmation of a high degree of calcification by means of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) echocardiograhy, followed by the performance of DCA on the residual stenosis.

CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus

We investigated the genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 in Japanese esophageal cancer patients (n = 53) with a histological diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma, to determine whether susceptibility to esophageal cancer is associated with these polymorphisms. There were no significant differences in the frequency distribution of any one of the 3 polymorphisms between esophageal cancer patients and 132 healthy Japanese controls. The genotype distributions in tobacco smokers or alcohol drinkers were also quite similar for male patients and male controls. The age at onset of esophageal cancer was also similar for patients with any genotype of the 3 polymorphisms. We conclude that the 3 polymorphisms are unlikely to be associated with esophageal cancer susceptibility.

CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus

We investigated the genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 in Japanese esophageal cancer patients (n = 53) with a histological diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma, to determine whether susceptibility to esophageal cancer is associated with these polymorphisms. There were no significant differences in the frequency distribution of any one of the 3 polymorphisms between esophageal cancer patients and 132 healthy Japanese controls. The genotype distributions in tobacco smokers or alcohol drinkers were also quite similar for male patients and male controls. The age at onset of esophageal cancer was also similar for patients with any genotype of the 3 polymorphisms. We conclude that the 3 polymorphisms are unlikely to be associated with esophageal cancer susceptibility.

The Expression of 2-Oxoglutarate/Malate Translocator in the Bundle-Sheath Mitochondria of Panicum miliaceum, a NAD-Malic Enzyme-Type C4 Plant, Is Regulated by Light and Development

The bundle-sheath mitochondria in NAD-malic enzyme-type C4 plants participate in the C4 dicarboxylate cycle and require high capacities of translocators to accommodate the high rates of exchange of metabolites involved in photosynthesis. In Panicum miliaceum, a NAD-malic enzyme-type C4 plant, the steady-state level of mRNA for the mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG)/malate translocator was higher in leaves than in nonphotosynthetic tissues. Furthermore, the expression of the gene for the mitochondrial 2-OG/malate translocator was restricted to bundle-sheath cells (BSC) but not mesophyll cells. The transcript level of the BSC-located mitochondrial 2-OG/malate translocator increased during greening in accordance with levels of photosynthetic genes, although the relative transcript levels of other mitochondrial membrane proteins decreased. The specific activities of C4 photosynthetic enzymes and the relative abundance of the 2-OG/malate translocator protein in bundle-sheath mitochondria increased in successive sections from the basal meristem to the distal tip, whereas the specific activities of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes remained constant or decreased. These findings indicate that the specific 2-OG/malate translocator in BSC mitochondria of P. miliaceum is expressed in concert with C4 enzymes during the differentiation of BSC and parallels the capacity of C4 photosynthesis. Most unusual, northern analysis showed that significant amounts of unspliced mRNAs, the levels of which are variable during greening, were present in leaf tissues. It is possible that this incomplete splicing is involved in posttranscriptional regulation of expression of this gene.

[The effect of vasodilator on the occurrence of postoperative shivering and the fall of core temperature]

We evaluated the effect of intraoperative vasodilator therapy on the occurrence of postoperative shivering and the fall of core temperature during 37 abdominal operations by the stepwise multiple regression analysis. As the vasodilator, we used PGE1 at the dose of 0.02-0.05 microgram.kg-1.min-1. In the vasodilator group, postoperative peripheral surface temperature was high and the occurrence of shivering was low. And intraoperative and postoperative core temperatures were not affected by that therapy. From these results, we conclude that intraoperative vasodilator therapy suppressed the occurrence of postoperative shivering without a fall of core temperature.

A pilot study of centrifugal leukocyte apheresis for corticosteroid-resistant active ulcerative colitis

Corticosteroids are effective in bringing about a clinical remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. However, in severely relapsed cases, corticosteroids are not always effective even when a high dosage is administered. In addition, the long-term use of corticosteroids often causes serious side effects. Therefore, an alternative treatment for active ulcerative colitis is necessary in order to avoid these clinical problems. In the present pilot study, the efficacy of leukocytapheresis using a centrifugal procedure was evaluated for corticosteroid-resistant, active ulcerative colitis. Fourteen patients with corticosteroid-resistant severely active ulcerative colitis were treated by leukocytapheresis. Thirteen patients (92.9%) achieved clinical remission within 4 weeks after the apheresis, and remained in remission for 8 months on average without any additional corticosteroid therapy. In the remaining patient, in whom remission was not induced, a total colectomy was performed immediately after the fourth course of leukocytapheresis. No significant side effects were noticed throughout the therapy. Both colonoscopic and histological examinations confirmed the beneficial effect of this procedure in terms of the reduction of severe inflammation of the affected colon. We found that the expression of two adhesion molecules, L-selectin and VLA4a, on the surface of peripheral leukocytes was decreased after this new therapy.

CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus

We investigated the genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 in Japanese esophageal cancer patients (n = 53) with a histological diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma, to determine whether susceptibility to esophageal cancer is associated with these polymorphisms. There were no significant differences in the frequency distribution of any one of the 3 polymorphisms between esophageal cancer patients and 132 healthy Japanese controls. The genotype distributions in tobacco smokers or alcohol drinkers were also quite similar for male patients and male controls. The age at onset of esophageal cancer was also similar for patients with any genotype of the 3 polymorphisms. We conclude that the 3 polymorphisms are unlikely to be associated with esophageal cancer susceptibility.

Surgical manipulation of mammalian embryos in vitro

Whole-embryo culture systems are useful in the fields of not only embryology but also teratology, toxicology, pharmacology, and physiology. Of the many advantages of whole-embryo culture, we focus here on the surgical manipulation of mammalian embryos. Whole-embryo culture allows us to manipulate mammalian embryos, similarly to fish, amphibian and avian embryos. Many surgical experiments have been performed in mammalian embryos in vitro. Such surgical manipulation alters the destiny of morphogenesis of the embryos and can answer many questions concerning developmental issues. As an example of surgical manipulation using whole-embryo culture systems, one of our experiments is described. Microsurgical electrocauterization of the deep preaxial mesodermal programmed cell death zone (fpp) in the footplate prevented the manifestation of polydactyly in genetic polydactyly mouse embryos (Pdn/Pdn), in which fpp was abolished.

Establishment of internal-image anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies to a human antibody to lung cancer

Internal-image anti-idiotype antibodies are expected to enhance anticancer effector mechanisms in vivo. The objective of this study was to establish hybridomas producing anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies against a human monoclonal antibody (hmAb) 4G12 that reacts strongly with lung squamous cell carcinomas. BALB/c female mice 6 weeks old were immunized with 4G12. Splenocytes were hybridized with P3U1 cells and hybrid cells secreting anti-4G12 hmAb were cloned. Two clones reacted with 4G12 hmAb but not with 3H12 IgM hmAb, human IgM, human serum or fetal calf serum. These two Ab2 antibodies (IgG1 kappa) 2B12 and 2H1 demonstrated 91.5% and 90.3% inhibition in their reactivity with radiolabelled 4G12 on PC10 cells, indicating that 2B12 and 2H1 antibodies were of the Ab2 beta type. In criss-cross inhibition assays, the binding of 2B12 or 2H1 to 4G12 was not inhibited by 2H1 or 2B12. Thus 2B12 and 2H1 were thought to recognize the different epitopes on the antigen-binding sites. Antisera against 2B12 and 2H1 demonstrated specific reactivity to PC10 cells. The two Ab2 beta antibodies, 2B12 and 2H1, express internal images of lung squamous cell carcinoma recognized by the 4G12 antibody and may be useful for cancer immunotherapy.

Phenotypes and invariant alpha beta TCR expression of peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells

A novel subset of peripheral T cells, peripheral NK T cells, is found to be a major population comprising 5% of splenic T and 40% of bone marrow T cells. The majority of peripheral NK T cells are characterized by the expression of an invariant TCR-alpha encoded by V alpha 14/J alpha 281 with a one nucleotide N region. Moreover, a specific reduction of V alpha 14+ NK T cells has been demonstrated to be tightly associated with various autoimmune diseases, indicating their decisive role in autoimmune disease development. In this study, we investigated the phenotypes of peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells and their TCR-beta repertoire. Peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells, comprise two populations, i.e., small and large sized cells, at an equal frequency, belonged to the CD4- CD8- fraction, and are heat stable antigen(bright), macrophage-1bright, B220bright, CD45RBdim, and Mel-14dim, but CD5-, distinct from thymic NK T cells. TCR-beta analysis clearly showed that peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells utilized two to three dominant invariant TCR-beta, such as V beta 8.2 D beta J beta 2.5/V beta 7 D beta J beta 2.1 in the spleen and liver, V beta 8.2 D beta J beta 2.5/V beta 8.3 D beta J beta 2.2/V beta 7 D beta J beta 2.6 in the bone marrow, and V beta 7 D beta J beta 2.1/V beta 3 D beta J beta 1.2 in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Judging from the unusual surface phenotypes, such as heat stable antigen, macrophage-1, B220, CD45RBdim, and Mel-14dim, which are known to be T cell activation markers, peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells may always be activated under physiologic conditions, resulting in the oligoclonal expansion of V alpha 14+ NK T cells with different invariant TCR-beta in different peripheral organs. The unique features of V alpha 14+ NK T cells are discussed.

Phenotypes and invariant alpha beta TCR expression of peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells

A novel subset of peripheral T cells, peripheral NK T cells, is found to be a major population comprising 5% of splenic T and 40% of bone marrow T cells. The majority of peripheral NK T cells are characterized by the expression of an invariant TCR-alpha encoded by V alpha 14/J alpha 281 with a one nucleotide N region. Moreover, a specific reduction of V alpha 14+ NK T cells has been demonstrated to be tightly associated with various autoimmune diseases, indicating their decisive role in autoimmune disease development. In this study, we investigated the phenotypes of peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells and their TCR-beta repertoire. Peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells, comprise two populations, i.e., small and large sized cells, at an equal frequency, belonged to the CD4- CD8- fraction, and are heat stable antigen(bright), macrophage-1bright, B220bright, CD45RBdim, and Mel-14dim, but CD5-, distinct from thymic NK T cells. TCR-beta analysis clearly showed that peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells utilized two to three dominant invariant TCR-beta, such as V beta 8.2 D beta J beta 2.5/V beta 7 D beta J beta 2.1 in the spleen and liver, V beta 8.2 D beta J beta 2.5/V beta 8.3 D beta J beta 2.2/V beta 7 D beta J beta 2.6 in the bone marrow, and V beta 7 D beta J beta 2.1/V beta 3 D beta J beta 1.2 in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Judging from the unusual surface phenotypes, such as heat stable antigen, macrophage-1, B220, CD45RBdim, and Mel-14dim, which are known to be T cell activation markers, peripheral V alpha 14+ NK T cells may always be activated under physiologic conditions, resulting in the oligoclonal expansion of V alpha 14+ NK T cells with different invariant TCR-beta in different peripheral organs. The unique features of V alpha 14+ NK T cells are discussed.

Deficiency of c-kit+ cells in patients with a myopathic form of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

OBJECTIVES

Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIIP) is a syndrome characterized by a failure of intestinal movement, but the cause of dysmotility remains unknown. Because interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are believed to initiate basic contractile activity of the gastrointestinal tract, there is a possibility that changes in ICCs are involved in the development of CIIP. ICCs express c-kit in mice, and it has been reported that the c-kit+ cells, the location and shape of which resemble those in mice, are detected in the human gastrointestinal muscular layer using immunohistochemistry. In the present study, we counted the number of c-kit+ cells in the affected intestine of two patients with myopathic form of CIIP and compared this number with the number of c-kit+ cells in the normal intestine.

METHODS

The c-kit+ cells in the external muscle layer were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the number of them was counted under the microscope. Mast cells, which are known to express c-kit, were detected by staining with Alcian blue, and the number of them was also counted.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry revealed that the distribution pattern of c-kit+ cells resembles that of ICCs in the external muscle layer of normal control subjects. The numbers of c-kit+ cells apart from mast cells in two patients with myopathic form of CIIP decreased to about 3% of those in normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The failure of intestinal movement in patients with CIIP, at least in a subpopulation, might be related to a deficiency of c-kit+ cells, probably ICCs.

Inhibitory effects of nucleoside 5'-alkylphosphates on sexual agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Among various nucleoside 5'-alkylphosphates, uridine 5'-hexadecylphosphate (UMPC16) and adenosine 5'-hexadecylphosphate (AMPC16) inhibited the sexual agglutination between a and alpha haploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effect of AMPC16 accompanied severe growth inhibition of the yeast cells but it was not observed with UMPC16. Sexual agglutination was not inhibited by the presence of UMPC16 or AMPC16 when the yeast cells had been pretreated with the mating pheromone. UMPC16 was characterized as a specific inhibitor of sexual agglutination without direct influence on the agglutinin function, being distinguishable from any of those ever known.

Epidural anesthesia enhances sympathetic nerve activity in the unanesthetized segments in cats

To evaluate compensatory sympathetic excitation during epidural anesthesia, we measured cardiac and renal sympathetic nerve activity during thoracic or lumbar epidural anesthesia in cats. Thirteen cats were divided into three groups: five cats received thoracic epidural anesthesia, five received lumbar epidural anesthesia, and three received lumbar epidural anesthesia after the carotid sinus and vagoaortic nerves were severed (denervated lumbar group). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac and renal sympathetic nerve activity were measured repeatedly after administration of a single dose of 0.1 mL/kg of 1% lidocaine via the epidural catheter. Epidural solution spread from a median of C-8 to T-6 in the thoracic epidural group, T-8 to L-3 in the lumbar epidural group, and T-7 to L-3 in the denervated lumbar group. During thoracic epidural anesthesia, HR, MAP, and cardiac sympathetic nerve activity decreased, while renal nerve activity increased. Similarly, HR, MAP, and renal sympathetic nerve activity decreased during lumbar epidural anesthesia, and cardiac activity increased. In the denervated lumbar group, HR, MAP, and renal sympathetic nerve activity decreased but cardiac activity remained unchanged. Sympathetic nerve activity in corresponding unanesthetized segments increased during thoracic or lumbar epidural anesthesia in association with significant decreases in MAP and HR. After severance of the carotid sinus and vagoaortic nerves, the absence of sympathetic excitation in the unanesthetized segments during lumbar epidural anesthesia suggests that the compensatory response is produced by the baroreceptor reflex response to anesthesia-induced hypotension.

Accumulation of somatic hypermutation and antigen-driven selection in rapidly cycling surface Ig+ germinal center (GC) B cells which occupy GC at a high frequency during the primary anti-hapten response in mice

Well-developed germinal centers (GC) contain rapidly dividing surface immunoglobulin-negative (sIg-) B cells (centroblasts), and most of their progeny are sIg+ B cells (centrocytes) in a resting state. It has been predicted that somatic hypermutation occurs in centroblasts, whereas antigen-driven selection takes place in centrocytes. The present analysis indicates that murine GC B cells bearing sIg with specificity for an immunizing antigen are in a rapidly cycling state and increase exponentially in number to occupy spleen GC at high frequency during the 1st week after primary immunization; however, the number of these cells is significantly reduced in the 2nd week of immunization. During that period, these proliferating sIg+ GC B cells accumulate somatic hypermutations with nucleotide exchanges indicative of affinity maturation. These sIg+ GC B cells co-express B7-2, ICAM-1, and LFA-1, and have potent antigen-presenting activity which results in T cell activation in vitro. These observations indicate that the sIg+ GC B cells accumulate somatic hypermutations and undergo antigen-driven selection through proliferation, probably upon activation by T cells. This sIg+ GC B cell population may represent cell cycling centrocytes; however, the possibility that these may represent centroblasts undergoing re-expression of sIg could not be excluded.

UK-2A, B, C and D, novel antifungal antibiotics from Streptomyces sp. 517-02. II. Structural elucidation

UK-2A, B, C and D, novel antibiotics produced by Streptomyces sp. 517-02, exhibit strong antifungal activity. The structures were elucidated based on spectral and chemical evidence that these compounds are the derivatives of the nine-membered dilactone formed from serine and 4-hydroxypentanoic acid moiety.