Sensitive detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral venous blood

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to develop a sensitive method for the detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in peripheral blood, in advance of the diagnosis of distant metastasis of HCC by conventional means.

METHODS

Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were obtained from 64 patients with HCC and from 48 control subjects (31 patients with benign liver disease, 8 with metastatic liver cancer, and 9 with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells in peripheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetoprotein (hAFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Human alpha-fetoprotein mRNA was detected in 23 blood samples from the HCC patients (23/64, 36%), in 17 patients in whom there was no clinical evidence of distant metastasis. In contrast, there were no control patients whose samples showed detectable hAFP mRNA in the peripheral blood. The presence of hAFP mRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with the stage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum hAFP value, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein thrombosis, and/or distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is a very sensitive method for detecting circulating HCC cells. With this technique, important information for the management of HCC can be acquired, such as the indications for orthotopic liver transplantation in HCC patients. Moreover, use of this detection method may encourage investigation of the mechanism of metastasis in HCC.

[Vasodilating effects of NY-008 in ring preparation of rat aorta]

Vasodilating effects of NY-008 were compared to those of verapamil in isolated rat aorta. NY-008 at the dose of 3 x 10(-5) M relaxed 10-70 mM potassium chloride (KCl)-induced contraction. NY-008 relaxed preparations precontracted with 60 mM KCl concentration-dependently with an IC50 of (6.17 +/- 1.75) x 10(-6) M, and those precontracted with norepinephrine (NE) (10(-6) M) concentration-dependently, maximally by 90.0 +/- 2.86%, with an IC50 of (2.06 +/- 0.38) x 10(-5) M. At 10(-8)-3 x 10(-6) M, verapamil relaxed preparations precontracted with NE (10(-6) M) concentration-dependently, maximally by 55.9 +/- 5.56%. At 3 x 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M, NY-008 relaxed (10(-6) M)-induced phasic contractions in a Ca(2+)-free 1 mM EGTA-containing buffer, by 22.4 +/- 3.69% and 35.4 +/- 5.74%, respectively. In contrast, 3 x 10(-7) M verapamil did not. NY-008 concentration-dependently decreased the maximal responses to calcium chloride (CaCl2) in 60 mM KCl-depolarized preparations, and it shifted the ED50 values of CaCl2 to the right, whereas verapamil shifted the ED50 values of CaCl2 to the right without decreasing the maximal responses to CaCl2. At 10(-5)-3 x 10(-4) M, NY-008 concentration-dependently relaxed preparations precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (10(-5) M) in a Ca(2+)-free, 0.5 mM EGTA-containing buffer, whereas 10(-7)-10(-5) M verapamil did not. These results suggest that NY-008 antagonized Ca2+ and decreased the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of contractile elements or inhibited contractile proteins in rat aorta.

Sensitive detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral venous blood

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to develop a sensitive method for the detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in peripheral blood, in advance of the diagnosis of distant metastasis of HCC by conventional means.

METHODS

Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were obtained from 64 patients with HCC and from 48 control subjects (31 patients with benign liver disease, 8 with metastatic liver cancer, and 9 with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells in peripheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetoprotein (hAFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Human alpha-fetoprotein mRNA was detected in 23 blood samples from the HCC patients (23/64, 36%), in 17 patients in whom there was no clinical evidence of distant metastasis. In contrast, there were no control patients whose samples showed detectable hAFP mRNA in the peripheral blood. The presence of hAFP mRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with the stage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum hAFP value, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein thrombosis, and/or distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is a very sensitive method for detecting circulating HCC cells. With this technique, important information for the management of HCC can be acquired, such as the indications for orthotopic liver transplantation in HCC patients. Moreover, use of this detection method may encourage investigation of the mechanism of metastasis in HCC.

Epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies to tumor necrosis factor-alpha by synthetic peptide approach

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), designated 3B10, neutralizes biological activity of TNF-alpha, while another anti-TNF-alpha mAb 10F10 does not. In Western blot analysis, both mAbs bound to SDS-denatured TNF-alpha, indicating that the epitopes recognized by the mAbs are sequential but not conformational. To map precisely the epitopes of the mAbs, 76 overlapping octapeptides corresponding to an entire sequence of TNF-alpha were synthesized and their abilities to react with the mAbs were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 3B10 bound to only one peptide at position 81-88 of TNF-alpha, SRIAVSYQ, whereas 10F10 was reactive with three overlapping peptides, ANALLANG (33-40), ALLANGVE (35-42), and LANGVELR (37-44). These results demonstrate that the 81-88 and 37-40 regions are important for the recognition of TNF-alpha by 3B10 and by 10F10, respectively. In solid-phase ELISA, 3B10 inhibited the binding of TNF-alpha to soluble TNF receptors, sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII. In contrast, 10F10 exerted little effect on the binding. TNF-alpha was detected by sandwich-type ELISA where 3B10 alone was used for both capture and detection, suggesting that 3B10 did not interfere with the trimer formation of TNF-alpha. The results obtained in this study suggest that the 81-88 region of TNF-alpha may participate in the receptor binding and that 3B10 neutralizes the activities of TNF-alpha by blocking the region.

Human herpesvirus-6 infection in renal allografts: retrospective immunohistochemical study in Japanese recipients

This study was conducted to determine the incidence and clinical significance of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection in renal allografts. A total of 105 biopsy specimens from 72 recipients were immunohistochemically examined for the presence of HHV-6 antigen, which localized in the distal tubular epithelial cells and in a few lymphocytes infiltrating into the interstitium. HHV-6 antigen in the tubular epithelia was detected in 63 (61.2%) specimens. Categorically, a higher incidence of the antigen was noted in specimens of accelerated rejection (3/4, 75.0%), acute rejection (28/3, 73.7%), and cyclosporin nephropathy (8/11, 72.7%). The antigen was present and absent an almost equal number of times in the categories of chronic rejection, intraoperative and routine protocol biopsies. Repeated biopsies were performed in six cases showing HHV-6 antigen, only one of which underwent transplant nephrectomy due to severe chronic rejection. Single or multinucleated giant cells in distal tubuli occurred in 10 (9.5%) specimens in a scattered manner. All of them were diagnosed as acute or chronic rejection. The giant cells showed no immunoreactivity for HHV-6, cytomegalovirus, or herpes simplex virus. These results indicate overall that HHV-6 infection is common in renal allografts and might be reactivated in acute rejection or cyclosporin nephropathy. The presence of HHV-6 antigen, however, does not necessarily correlate with a poor prognosis for the renal graft nor with the occurrence of giant cells in distal tubuli.

[Mechanism of renal excretion of T-3761, a novel fluoroquinolone agent, in rabbits]

The mechanism of the renal excretion of T-3761, a novel oral fluoroquinolone agent, was studied by renal clearance, stop-flow techniques and analyzing the pharmacokinetics with and without probenecid in rabbits, and which were compared with those of ofloxacin (OFLX). In rabbits probenecid treatment induced increases in the elimination half-life (2.1 times higher) and area under the serum concentration-time curve (3.1 times), and decreases in elimination rate constant (0.44 times) and total body clearance (0.35 times), while volume of distribution showed no significant change. In the stop-flow pattern, a specific peak of T-3761 was observed. On the other hand, a peak of OFLX was observed at the peak of PAH and a small trough at the trough of sodium. And the renal clearance of T-3761 and OFLX were about 4.9 and 3.3 times higher than the corresponding Clcr, respectively. These results suggested that T-3761 was excreted into urine by both glomerular filtration and renal tubular secretion, and was scarcely reabsorbed at distal tubule. The short elimination half-life of T-3761 might be explained by its great ratio of tubular excretion.

Solid Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: MR Imaging and Pathologic Correlation

PURPOSE: Solid tubular carcinoma of the breast is a recognizable histologic type of invasive ductal carcinoma, characterized by rare axillary lymph nodal metastases and a good prognosis. The purpose of this study is to describe the magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of solid tubular carcinoma and to emphasize the spotty appearance on the MR subtraction images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR findings of seven patients with biopsy-proven solid tubular carcinoma. Two of the 7 cases were of the pure type (more than 85% solid tubular component) and the remaining 5 were of the mixed type (50% to 85% solid tubular component). The mean age of the patients was 56 years. RESULTS: The mean size of the lesions was 28 mm. On T1-weighted images four of the lesions were visible and three were not identified. After Gd-DTPA all the lesions were enhanced. On the subtraction images, g" popcorn" appearence areas were noted in the stained mass. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that solid tubular carcinomas have a characteristic apperarence on the subtraction MR images.

Morphologic and morphometric evaluation of the effect of ICRF-187 on bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity

Morphologic and morphometric studies were made of the protective effects of ICRF-187 against the pulmonary damage induced by bleomycin in male and female C57/BL6 mice. Sixty minutes prior to the subcutaneous administration of 15 mg/kg of bleomycin, animals received either saline or ICRF-187 (300 or 150 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, twice a week for 4 weeks. The lungs of animals treated with bleomycin alone showed inflammation, hyperplasia of type II epithelial cells, squamous cell metaplasia and fibrosis. The extent of fibrosis was quantified by means of a color videometric system and histologic sections of lung stained according to a modified Masson trichrome method. The severity of these alterations, particularly of fibrosis, was reduced in all groups of animals pretreated with ICRF-187. The fibrosis was reduced to a similar extent in female mice treated with the 300 mg/kg and the 150 mg/kg doses of ICRF-187, from 39.3% to 17.6% and 13.3%, respectively. ICRF-187 induced significantly different degrees of reduction in fibrosis in the 2 groups of male mice treated with the 150 mg/kg and the 300 mg/kg doses, from 30% to 19.7% and 12.2%, respectively. In vitro studies indicated that both ICRF-187 and its open-ring hydrolysis product (ADR-925) remove iron slowly from the bleomycin-iron complex. This observation provides a basis for the concept that ICRF-187 protects by chelating iron involved in the formation of the bleomycin-Fe3+ complex that generates reactive oxygen radicals capable of causing pulmonary damage.

Changes of compound action potentials in retrograde axonal degeneration of rat optic nerve

Electrophysiological recordings of compound action potentials (CAPs) were made from the optic nerve (ON) following unilateral optic tract (OT) transection in adult rats. In response to optic chiasm stimulation CAPs recorded from the ON ipsilateral to the transected OT, i.e., the ON of control side, revealed three positive waves, termed n1, n2, and n3 components, corresponding to fast-, intermediate-, and slow-conducting fibers. Two weeks after OT transection, CAPs recorded from the ON contralateral to the transected OT, i.e., the ON of cut side, were generally smaller in amplitude than those recorded from the ON of control side. The degree of amplitude reduction was different among three components; n3 component was severely reduced and n2 component was moderately reduced, whereas n1 component relatively persisted. These tendencies were more marked in CAPs recorded at 4 weeks after OT transection; n3 component disappeared, whereas n1 and n2 components decreased in amplitude with elongation of latency. Cross sections of the ON after unilateral OT transection were examined electron microscopically, in which significant decrease in fiber density, demyelination, and distorted fibers were verified in the cut side. The present study suggests that slower-conducting ON fibers, that is, smaller-diameter ON fibers are initially and remarkably thrown into retrograde degeneration, while larger-diameter ON fibers are relatively resistant to axotomy.

Specific deficit of the ON response in visual transmission by targeted disruption of the mGluR6 gene

Taking advantage of the restricted expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 6 (mGluR6) in retinal ON bipolar cells, we generated knockout mice lacking mGluR6 expression. The homozygous mutant mice showed a loss of ON responses but unchanged OFF responses to light. The mutant mice displayed no obvious changes in retinal cell organization nor in the projection of optic fibers to the brain. Furthermore, the mGluR6-deficient mice showed visual behavioral responses to light stimulation as examined by shuttle box avoidance behavior experiments using light exposure as a conditioned stimulus. The results demonstrate that mGluR6 is essential in synaptic transmission to the ON bipolar cell and that the OFF response provides an important means for transmitting visual information.

Evidence of redox-linked signaling for producing a giant signal complex

Previously we showed that a thiol-reactive heavy metal, HgCl2, crosslinked multiple cell surface receptors through a ligand-independent pathway, which produced massive aggregates of phosphotyrosine (PTYR)-containing proteins beneath plasma membrane [Nakashima et al. (1994): J Immunol 152: 1064-1071]. In this study we characterized these unique aggregates at the molecular level. The lysates in Brij 96 of thymocytes treated with HgCl2 were separated into the supernatant and pellet fractions by simple centrifugation. Selected PTYR-containing proteins and p56lck appeared in the pellet fraction as quickly as 5 s after exposure to HgCl2, and were further increased in amount by 5 min. Although the mechanism of triggering these events was redox-linked, the majority of proteins in the Brij 96-insoluble aggregates were dissociated in SDS-PAGE under nonreducing condition. This suggested that PTYR-containing proteins and p56lck themselves do not form dimer or polymer directly by thiol-mediated bond. The pellet fraction was further found to include some other signal delivery elements, such as GTPase activating protein, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Finally, all of these signal elements and selected PTYR-containing proteins were collected in the same fraction by the sucrose density gradient centrifugation. These results suggest a unique redox-linked pathway of formation of a giant signal complex.

Detection of immunoreactive antigen, with a monoclonal antibody to measles virus, in tissue from a patient with Crohn's disease

Using immunofluorescence (IF), we investigated reactive antigens present in Crohn's disease patients with monoclonal antibodies derived from cells infected with measles virus, but not with the subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus. During immunoblotting, one monoclonal antibody (mAb 86) reacted with a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 36,000 dalton (M; matrix protein) in measles virus-infected cells. This monoclonal antibody displayed a positive reaction only with tissues from patients with Crohn's disease by the IF test. It did not react with samples from patients with other chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Other monoclonal antibodies to the measles virus protein, and monoclonal antibodies to Herpes simplex virus type 1 did not react with the same tissue samples. The role of measles virus infection and/or a viral antigen (possibly the M protein) as a causative agent in Crohn's disease poses a challenging avenue for further research.

Abnormal contralateral kidney in unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney disease

We performed a retrospective study of infants with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) in order to investigate the associated urological abnormalities. We examined the records of seven patients, in five of whom a diagnosis had been made prenatally using ultrasonography. Our investigation focused on the associated urological abnormalities, particularly on the contralateral side, and the results of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Four of the seven patients (57%) had urological abnormalities other than MCDK: three exhibited vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) of the contralateral side including one patient who also had an ipsilateral ectopic ureter, and the fourth patient had a ureterocele of the ipsilateral side. The results indicate that contralateral VUR, was the most common abnormality associated with MCDK. Two infants had high-grade VUR and underwent anti-reflux surgery soon after the diagnosis. Both have remained free of recurrent urinary tract infection.

Subnanosecond In-Line Soft X-Ray Holography Using Germanium Laser in the 20 nm Wavelength Region

Near- and far-field characteristics of a germanium soft x-ray laser at the wavelengths of 23.2-23.6 nm (J = 2-1 transitions) and 19.6 nm (J = 0-1 transition) are given for quantitative evaluation of the germanium laser for holographic applications. In-line Gabor holography of simple structured objects, such as thin opaque fibers and a standard electron microscope test specimen, is demonstrated. The holograms were recorded on PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) photoresists and llford Q-plates. The holograms recorded on PMMA were retrieved with an atomic force microscope. The object image was reconstructed by numerical reconstruction with phase retrieval algorithm, resulting in a clear, ghost-free image with sharp edges which infer sub-μm resolution. Future directions for x-ray laser holography are briefly discussed.

Monitoring for engraftment following rat orthotopic liver transplantation by in vitro amplification of Y-chromosome gene using polymerase chain reaction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific for the rat Y-chromosome gene made it possible to distinguish a very small number of male rat cells from a large excess of female rat cells. In nonimmunosuppressed LEW recipients of ACI liver allografts, the donor cells in the bloodstream disappeared rapidly by day 3, earlier than the biochemical changes indicative of liver dysfunction. In immunosuppressed LEW recipients of ACI liver allografts, the donor cells were detected for a longer time. Moreover, in LEW recipients surviving for long period, the PCR revealed mixed-microchimerism. Our results indicated that this Y chromosomal gene-specific PCR method is useful for assessing engraftment following rat liver transplantation.

Electrophysiological properties of phrenic motoneurons in adult rats

Electrophysiological properties of phrenic motoneurons (PMs) were studied by intracellular recordings in anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated adult rats. Our results revealed that rat PMs, as compared to cat PMs, had a shorter afterhyperpolarization duration (55 +/- 13 ms; mean +/- SD), a narrower half-width of action potential, a larger membrane input resistance (Rm; 2.0 +/- 0.6 M omega), a smaller rheobase (Irh) and a shorter minimum paired pulse interval to provoke the second spike (1.9 +/- 0.6 ms). These features indicate that the rat PMs possess higher frequency responsiveness than cat PMs. Based on the time of firing onset relative to the onset of whole phrenic nerve activity (relative onset time; ROT) or on the absence of discharge during inspiration, the PMs could be classified into four types: early recruited with ROT < 10.0%; late recruited with 12.5% < ROT < 37.5%; very late recruited with ROT > 45%, and quiescent which was not recruited during normal experimental conditions. A number of differences in the membrane properties such as end-expiratory membrane potential, Rm, and Irh among the four cell types are discussed in relation to the recruitment order. Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were present during the late expiratory phase (stage II expiration) in all PMs tested.

Significance of early intra-alveolar fibrotic lesions and integrin expression in lung biopsy specimens from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

To study the pulmonary structural remodeling in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and light microscopic morphometric observations were made on 11 pulmonary biopsy specimens from patients with IPF. The morphometric study was done using sequentially cut tissue sections stained for keratin-alcian blue periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), fibronectin, and type IV collagen-alcian blue PAS. Most of the early fibrotic lesions, which were alcian blue- and fibronectin-positive, were intra-alveolar in location. Intra-alveolar fibrosis is considered to be essential for the fusion of alveolar walls in IPF. A strong reaction for integrin alpha 5 beta 1 and vinculin was found in epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells in areas of intra-alveolar fibrosis. These findings show that these cells are active in adhesion to fibronectin in areas of early intra-alveolar fibrosis. Some of the epithelial cells, including cytoplasmic hyaline-laden cells, showed evidence of inadequate adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and this may constitute one of the mechanisms of progression of fibrosis in IPF.