Vanadate-stimulated release of hepatic lipase activity from liver

Vanadate stimulated the release of rat hepatic lipase activity from liver slices into an incubation medium in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Insulin, however, failed to have this stimulatory action, and the release by heparin was recognized, but was not additive to that by vanadate. Amiloride, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase in some receptors and of the Na+/H+ exchange system suppressed the vanadate-stimulated release. Biochanin A, a different type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor than amiloride, also suppressed the effect of vanadate. The stimulation by vanadate was clearly preserved in Na(+)-, K(+)-, or Ca(2+)-free medium, suggesting that neither the Na+/H+ exchange system, Na+, K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase, nor Ca(2+)-influx into cells is involved in the action of this substance. These results suggest that vanadate-stimulated release of the enzyme activity is associated with the activation of the tyrosine kinase activity.

Effect of histamine on collagen and collagen m-RNA production in human skin fibroblasts

Direct effects of histamine on collagenous and non-collagenous protein synthesis by human skin fibroblasts were studied. Fibroblasts derived from human skin were incubated with various concentrations of histamine. Collagen and non-collagenous protein synthesis were measured by incorporation of 3H-proline. Both collagen synthesis measured as protein-bound hydroxyproline and non-collagenous protein synthesis measured as protein-bound proline increased in the presence of histamine at concentrations of 10(1)-10(2) micrograms/ml. Total RNA was extracted and m-RNA levels of various proteins were estimated by dot blot analysis, and densitometrically quantified. The levels of alpha 1(I) collagen and beta-actin m-RNA were clearly increased at the same concentrations. m-RNA levels of alpha 1(III) collagen were also increased but the rate was lower than that of alpha 1(I) collagen. No alteration of beta-tubulin m-RNA level was observed at the same concentrations. These results demonstrate that stimulation of collagen synthesis by histamine is pretranslationally controlled.

[Dermatological manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome]

In primary Sjögren's syndrome, various cutaneous manifestations may become apparent: annular erythema or eruptions reminiscent of erythema multiforme, lichen planus or erythema nodosum (dermo-panniculitis), chilblain-like erythema, purpura, cheilitis, and xerosis, are some of them. In the clinical diagnosis, the following laboratory tests are of value: Schirmer test, rose bengal test, fluorescence staining techniques, gum test, sialography, sialoscintigraphy, lip biopsy. In some cases, dryness can be absent though the above-mentioned skin manifestations are observed. Mothers with Sjögren's syndrome can deliver babies with neonatal lupus erythematosus. Serological testing almost always reveals anti-Ro/SSA-autoantibody and the more specific anti-La/SSB in the sera of patients. The sensitivity of detection can be enhanced by using the immunoblotting technique and the two-dimensional immunoblotting method. In some cases, a new antibody against carbonic anhydrase has been detected.

Protein kinase inhibitor H-7 increases lipoprotein lipase activity in isolated rat fat pads

A protein kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in isolated rat fat pads in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The incubation of H-7 with partially purified LPL did not affect its activity. Under the marked inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide, H-7 still showed a full effect on the increase in LPL activity. A slight but significant increase in LPL activity in the fat pads was observed with inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase. H-7, therefore, may increase LPL activity through processes other than the direct activation of the LPL molecule, or the stimulation of LPL molecule synthesis; probably through a decrease in the activity of protein kinases, especially protein kinase C.

[Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota]

Two patients, a 53-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, with a variety of a naevus of Ota (naevus fuscocoeruleus ophthalmomaxillaris) are described. In both cases, blue-brownish pigmentation appeared symmetrically on the skin of the head. Neither ocular involvement, nor nasal or oral pigmentation was found. Histological examination revealed melanin-bearing, spindle-shaped, or irregularly shaped melanocytes located exclusively in the upper dermis.

Collagen metabolism in cutis laxa fibroblasts: increased collagenase gene expression associated with unaltered expression of type I and type III collagen

Collagen metabolism was studied in cutis laxa by analyzing collagen and collagenase gene expression in three dermal fibroblast strains from patients with congenital cutis laxa and comparing them with fibroblasts obtained from age-matched healthy subjects. Normal collagen synthetic activity was observed in the cutis laxa fibroblasts. An increased level of collagenase mRNA and unaltered levels of alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III) collagen mRNA were found in all cutis laxa cell strains by dot blot hybridization. Reduced levels of elastin mRNA were also detected in these strains. However, no qualitative differences in these mRNA transcripts were detected between the control and cutis laxa fibroblasts by Northern blot analysis. Collagenase activity in fibroblast culture supernatants was then measured using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled type I collagen. Increased collagenolytic activity in cutis laxa fibroblast culture supernatants was also found. These data suggest that increased collagenase expression of fibroblasts is related to the structural abnormality of dermal connective tissue in cutis laxa.

Effects of cyclosporin A on cell proliferation and collagen production by human skin fibroblasts

Cyclosporin A (CSA) is a potent immunosuppressive drug that has been used clinically for the treatment of organ rejection after transplantation as well as for patients with a wide variety of immune-mediated disorders. CSA has recently been reported to be effective in systemic sclerosis, which is a disease of the connective tissues leading to fibrosis of the skin and other involved organs. In this study, we investigated whether CSA affects the cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of human skin fibroblasts. CSA inhibited the DNA synthesis and cell growth of cultured fibroblasts at concentrations of 10(-8) M to 10(-5) M in a dose-dependent manner. The production of both collagen and non-collagenous protein at both the mRNA and protein levels was not affected by 10(-8) to 10(-6) M CSA, but was decreased in the presence of 10(-5) M CSA. These results suggest that CSA may inhibit the proliferation of fibroblasts, but not their synthesis of collagenous and non-collagenous proteins at therapeutic concentrations.

Protooncogene (C-Myc) expression in the infiltrating cells of lesional skin from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Polyclonal activation of lymphocytes due to an unknown cause is considered to be one of the most important findings of systemic autoimmune disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In order to confirm the expression of the C-Myc protooncogene in lesional skin, tissue specimens from SLE were examined by the histo in situ hybridization method and a histochemical method using a specific antibody reactive with C-Myc related products. Twenty-two cases of SLE, six cases of DLE, one case of lupus erythematosus profundus, two cases of lichen planus, and five skin specimens from healthy volunteers were selected for the examination. In the SLE group, further comparative examination of diseased skin and normal skin from the same patient, and of diseased skin in an active stage and a stable stage in the same SLE patient with renal involvement, were carried out. In most of the active SLE cases, protooncogene expression had apparently increased as compared with the expression in the groups of inactive and treated SLE, active DLE, active lichen planus, and those with healthy skin. Even in normal-appearing skin from active SLE without other organic failure, the protooncogenes were not expressed very strongly.

A novel autoantibody reactive with carbonic anhydrase in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an extremely basic zinc metalloenzyme with a wide phyletic distribution, and the enzyme is important for the regulation of acid-base status. A novel autoantibody reactive with carbonic anhydrase was demonstrated. Several different classes of CA are known in mammals. Using the immuno blotting method and and immun-dot analysis, we found this autoantibody to be reactive with CA in the sera from patients with Sjögren's syndrome (20.8%), including a patient with Sjögren's syndrome and renal tubular acidosis, and in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (31.6%). The autoantibody varied in the extent of its cross-reactivity among human CA I (or B), human CA II (or C), bovine CA I, bovine CA II, rabbit CA, and dog CA. The titers continued to float and tended to parallel disease activity. Positive reactivity of autoantibody was observed on eccrine sweat glands and the distal tubules of the kidney by the indirect immunofluorescent method.

Regulation of collagen gene expression by transformed human fibroblasts: decreased type I and type III collagen RNA transcription

The regulation of collagen gene expression in normal diploid human fetal fibroblasts (KMS-6 cells), and fibroblasts immortally transformed by treatment of KMS-6 with Co-60 gamma rays (KMST-6 cells) was compared to that of ones tumorigenically transformed by treatment of KMST-6 cells with Harvey murine sarcoma virus (KMST-6-Ras cells). Synthesized collagenous protein decreased to approximately 30% of that of normal fetal fibroblasts in both transformed cell lines, and the relative rate of collagen synthesis to total protein synthesis decreased about sixfold in KMST-6 cells and twelvefold in KMST-6-Ras cells. The m-RNA levels of type I collagen in both of these cell lines decreased to approximately 20% of that of the control fibroblasts, whereas type III collagen m-RNA levels decreased to only 9% of that of the control. The copy number of the collagen gene in both transformed cell lines was unaltered. The transcriptional rates of collagen alpha 1(I) and collagen alpha 1(III) in both cell lines decreased to 20% and 7% respectively of that of control. These data indicate that collagen synthesis was reduced at the transcriptional level in these transformed human fibroblasts.

A novel anti-ENA antibody in sera of patients with childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Circulating antibodies against certain extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) have been shown to have diagnostic and prognostic importance in connective tissue diseases. We described here an antibody against ENA found in the sera of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The antigen, tentatively called WK according to the patients' initials, was distinct from U1 RNP/Sm, SSA/SSB, Scl-70, PCNA, PM-Scl, Jo-1, and Ku by immunodiffusion. On immunoblotting, the anti-WK serum recognized polypeptides of 99 kd, 98 kd, and 96 kd in rabbit thymus extracts and a 99 kd polypeptide in KB cell extracts. The anti-WK antibody was detected in the sera of 2 out of 360 ANA positive patients, both children with clinical features of ITP. One patient developed systemic lupus erythematosus eight years after the onset of ITP.

Coping styles to basic disorders among schizophrenics

Coping efforts to subjectively experienced basic disorders were investigated by self-report in 60 chronic schizophrenics in Japan, and the relationships to clinical and demographic variables, intelligence, personality, and attitude toward their illness were analyzed. Self-reports on coping efforts were obtained for more than half of all subjectively experienced basic disorders, and the predominant technique was reported to be the approach oriented towards problem-solving. Within each coping style, the behavioral change, divertive problem-solving approach correlated negatively with hospitalization and symptoms, and the struggle, problem-solving efforts without any effective results correlated positively with symptoms. Suggestions regarding integration of these self-efforts into psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia are discussed.

Squamous islands in eccrine neoplasms

The presence of squamous cells in eccrine neoplasms is not well recognized, but is usually considered to denote malignant transformation. The small nests composed of squamoid cells (squamous islands), however, were found in 46% of the eccrine neoplasms we studied. They were divided into three types according to their location, histological structure, and degree of cellular atypia. These types possibly represented intermingling of epidermis or hair follicle, squamous syringo-metaplasia, and malignant transformation. We would like to stress that squamous islands are seen not only in malignant eccrine neoplasms, but also in benign ones, and that their presence should not be interpreted as evidence of malignancy.

Increasing effect of vanadate on lipoprotein lipase activity in isolated rat fat pads

Vanadate increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in the isolated fat pads in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The increasing effect of vanadate was inhibited by amiloride, similar to that of insulin, and it also was not additive to that of insulin. Although the increasing effects of vanadate and insulin were preserved in K(+)-free medium, appreciable decreases in both effects were observed by replacement of Na+ with choline ion or omission of Ca2+ in the medium. Vanadate showed the full effect in the presence of cycloheximide at concentrations that inhibited protein synthesis of the fat pads, suggesting that the action of vanadate is not due to the increase in protein synthesis. Tetrakis (acetoxymethyl) ester of quin 2 at 50 microM concentration never inhibited the action of vanadate though it showed a little inhibition at a concentration of 300 microM. No inhibition of the action of vanadate was observed with ruthenium red. These results suggest that vanadate increases the LPL activity via a process less sensitive to the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Adrenaline, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine all inhibited the action of vanadate, suggesting that the action is inhibited with increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP. Monensin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibited the action of vanadate. In contrast, the action of insulin was never inhibited by monensin. Tunicamycin and 2-deoxyglucose, at rather high concentrations, inhibited both actions. These findings suggest that vanadate increases the LPL activity through mechanisms of action involving amiloride- and monensin-sensitive pathways dependent on energy.

[Study on changes in extravascular lung water during early postoperative periods in thoracic esophageal cancer--with special emphasis on their relation to postoperative renal function]

Twenty-seven patients with esophageal cancer received an intrathoracic esophagectomy, lymphadenectomy and esophageal reconstruction performed in one stage. They were analyzed for respiratory and hemodynamic function parameters and also observed for the time course of extravascular lung water (EVLW), water balance, renal function as well as colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of plasma. And they were clarified the pathogenetic mechanism of post-operative pulmonary complications mainly from the aspects of pathophysiology of pulmonary edema and functional interrelationship of organs. Two groups of patients, i.e. those undergoing extended lymphadenectomy (particularly for lymph nodes of both sides of neck and upper mediastinum) and those of old age (70 years or above), were investigated for eventual characteristic features of postoperative changes in the parameters mentioned above. In the group of patients with postoperative pulmonary complications, a significant negative correlation was noted to exist between the plasma colloid osmotic pressure-pulmonary artery wedge pressure (COP-PAW) gradient and EVLW and between the former parameter and postoperative renal function (p less than 0.01). A postoperative lowering of renal function observed in the group with postoperative pulmonary complications was due mainly to depressed left ventricular function immediately following operation and assumed to play a significant role in the production of pulmonary edema as a hydrostatic factor subject to the Starling's low. In the group undergoing extended lymphadenectomy, extensive lymph node dissection reduced plasma colloid osmotic pressure. This reduction was thought to bring about a diminution of COP-PAW gradient, produce a transient depression of left ventricular function and augmentation of pulmonary edema, and to stimulate the formation of intrapulmonary shunting. In the old age group, their and renal function depressed immediately after operation because of advanced age. And for the maintenance of cardiac function massive water intake was required. They led to retention of water and thereby played a direct role in the causation of increase in EVLW and in intrapulmonary shunt. All these observations point to the necessity of initiating carefully planned management early in the postoperative period that takes these pathophysiologic features well into account.

Increased collagen synthesis accompanying elevated m-RNA levels in cultured Werner's syndrome fibroblasts

Although Werner's syndrome (WS) is a premature aging disease and its fibroblasts typically grow poorly in culture, WS may cause abnormalities in connective tissue metabolism that are seldom seen in normal aging, such as scleroderma-like skin. In a preliminary report, we described increased collagen synthesis in fibroblasts derived from two WS patients. The present study was undertaken to determine the degree of the regulation of collagen gene expression in dermal fibroblasts from two other patients. Overproduction of collagenase sensitive protein was observed in WS fibroblasts. Collagen m-RNA levels, that were determined by hybridization of RNA blots with specific cDNA were about 2 times greater than those in the control cells. These results suggest that control of collagen synthesis in WS fibroblasts is altered at the transcriptional level.

Assessment of apoptosis of infiltrating lymphocytes in erythema nodosum-like lesions of corticosteroid-treated patients with Behçet's syndrome

Biopsy specimens of recurrent erythema nodosum-like lesions from corticosteroid-treated and non-treated patients with Behçet's syndrome were examined with the electron microscope to determine the incidence of apoptotic cell death of infiltrating lymphocytes in connective tissue. Apoptosis of infiltrating lymphocytes was detected in all corticosteroid-treated patients, but not in non-treated patients. While part of this phenomenon is undoubtedly due to a direct action of corticosteroids on the lymphocytes themselves, it seems likely that indirect action of the corticosteroids such as inhibition of lymphokine or interleukin production may deprive lymphocytes of proliferative and other stimuli and therefore also play some part in the overall response.

[The significance of the extensive systematic lymphadenectomy for thoracic esophageal carcinoma]

1.

MATERIALS

One hundred and seventy nine patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma who underwent an intrathoracic esophagectomy combined with systematic lymphadenectomy were investigated. They were roughly classified into two groups, i.e., those who received extensive lymphadenectomy in bilateral cervical and upper mediastinal regions (A group: 78 subjects), and those who underwent ordinary limited dissection of the lymph nodes in the left cervical and upper mediastinum (B group: 101 subjects). 2.

RESULTS

Cumulative 5-year survival rate of advanced cancer patients was 31.3% in A and 22.5% in B, the difference being of significance (p less than 0.05). The rate of postoperative mortality showed no difference between both groups, i.e., 3.8% in A and 4.9% in B groups. However, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complication was 17.9% in A and 13.9% in B. Recurrent nerve palsy developed in frequencies of 39.7% and 17.8% in A and B groups respectively. 3.

CONCLUSION

The degree of extended lymph node metastasis in carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus was closely correlated with its prognosis, and hence it is extremely important to perform intrathoracic esophagectomy with extensive systematic lymphadenectomy aiming at the favorable result in surgical treatment. It is also required to take preventive measures against postoperative complications.

Stimulatory release of lipoprotein lipase activity from rat fat pads by vanadate

Vanadate stimulated the release of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity from rat fat pads into the medium in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It exerted the synergetic effect with heparin. The stimulatory effects of vanadate and heparin were decreased by incubation in Na+- or Ca2+-free media but were well preserved in K+-free medium. Amiloride inhibited the vanadate-stimulated release of LPL activity in a dose-dependent manner, but did not inhibit the heparin-stimulated release of LPL activity. Colchicine, antimycin A, and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone suppressed the stimulatory effect of vanadate, but cycloheximide did not. Preincubation of the fat pads with the tetrakis (acetoxymethyl) ester of quin 2 (quin 2-AM) inhibited the vanadate-stimulatory release of LPL activity without affecting basal activity. The concentration required for half-maximal inhibition of the action of vanadate by quin 2-AM was calculated to be 39 microM, suggesting that the action of vandate was dependent on intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The heparin-stimulated release, on the other hand, was not inhibited even at higher concentrations of quin 2-AM (up to 200 microM). These findings suggest that vanadate stimulates the release of LPL activity through mechanisms of action involving amiloride-sensitive and calcium-dependent pathways with a requirement of metabolic energy.

Depression of prolylendopeptidase activity in the delayed hypersensitive guinea pig skin lesion induced by bovine gamma-globulin

Prolylendopeptidase activity was increasingly depressed with time from 6 to 24 hr after the start of sensitization in the delayed hypersensitive guinea pig skin lesion induced by bovine gamma-globulin as an antigen. The remarkably depressed activity of the enzyme in the violently inflamed skin began to be restored slowly 48 hr after sensitization, and its activity was ultimately recovered to the original level by 504 hr after a single sensitization in vivo. Depression of the enzymatic activity is caused by a novel prolyendopeptidase inhibitor, whose amino acid composition is 7 Glu, 1 Ser, 2 Gly, 1 Ala, 2 Pro, and 1 Val, generated by inflammation.

[A survey of the prevalence of Anatrichosoma sp. in nasal cavities of cynomolgus monkeys]

Microscopic examination of 45 nasal swab samples of cynomolgus monkeys revealed that three of them were positive for Anatrichosoma sp. In the tissue sections of nasal mucosa collected from positive monkeys, female worms were consistently seen in the stratified squamous epithelial layer of the nasal mucosa. Epithelial layer thickening and parakeratosis were evident in nasal mucosa adjacent to female worms. Male worms were consistently seen in the submucosa and chronic inflammatory reactions was observed around them.

Higher incidences of anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La autoantibodies in Japanese patients with autoimmune disorders--studies of antigens and antibodies using the immunoblotting method

A specific and sensitive assay was performed to detect both anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies in sera of patients with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), generalized morphea (GM), and dermatomyositis (DM). The SS-A/Ro and SS-B/La antigens were prepared from human spleen (HSE) and cultured human cell line (KB cells, KBE), white rabbit thymus extract (RTE) was used as the SS-B/La antigen marker. The antigens were partially purified by DEAE cellulose column chromatography. Immunoblotting showed that the SS-A/Ro antibody reacts mainly with the 58-kDa peptide of the partially purified antigen. Sera containing both the SS-A/Ro and SS-B/La antibodies reacted with the 40-kDa peptide of RTE, and the 58-kDa, 42-kDa, and 40-kDa peptides of HSE and KBE. We found that some of the SS-A/Ro antisera could further react with the 64-kDa peptide of HSE and KBE. The 58-kDa peptide is rich in its cytoplasmic fraction of KB cells, and the 4-kDa peptide in nucleoplasmic fraction. The KB cell line is a better source of the antigens than human spleen extract. The immunoblotting method clearly showed that the positivity rates of SS-A/Ro and/or SS-B/La autoantibodies were higher in sera from Japanese patients with SLE compared with titers reported for Caucasians but not in sera from healthy volunteers.

Appearance of membranocystic lesion (Nasu)-like changes in Behçet's syndrome. An electron microscopic study of erythema nodosum-like lesions

Membranocystic lesion (Nasu)-like changes were seen in the subcutaneous fat tissues of erythema nodosum-like lesions in three of 18 patients with Behçet's syndrome. The membranocystic structures, which were derived from degenerative fat cells with a loss of the cell membrane, were observed in the edematous connective tissues accompanied by fibrin deposition and diapedesis of erythrocytes. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed two different patterns of peculiar membranous structures in the cytoplasm of the degenerative fat cells. One was proliferating membrane structures such as well developed Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum, and the other was minute tubular structures such as intracytoplasmic microvesicles. These degenerative fat cells are considered to be derived from abnormal fat cells which lack a cell membrane, but whose cellular and nuclear configurations appear to be normal morphologically, because the cytoplasm of these abnormal cells showed the same tubular structures as those seen in the characteristic architecture of membranocystic lesion-like change. The relation between the appearance of such abnormal cells and the pathologic conditions of erythema nodosum-like lesions in Behçet's syndrome was discussed.

Two human papillomavirus DNAs molecularly cloned from a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis: restriction maps

Two distinct human papillomavirus (HPV) DNAs (MY-1 and MY-2) were molecularly cloned from the benign skin lesions of a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. The restriction map of MY-1 was the same as that of HPV 3a. The map of MY-2 appeared to be different from those of any HPVs reported in the literature. MY-2 did not cross-hybridize with MY-1 or the DNAs of HPV types 1, 2 and 4 under stringent conditions.

Electrophoretic and spectroscopic analyses of equine alpha 2-macroglobulin with cleavage of the thiol ester bonds by methylamine

Reaction of equine alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) with methylamine caused generation of 3.7 mol of thiol groups per mole of the protein, and the second-order rate constant of the generation was calculated to be 3.5 M-1 s-1. The inhibitory profile of caseinolytic activity of trypsin indicated that one molecule of equine alpha 2M inhibited two molecules of trypsin, similar to human alpha 2M. The methylamine-treated equine alpha 2M, with complete cleavage of the thiol ester bonds, still inhibited the activity of trypsin, though human alpha 2M lost its inhibitory activity by treatment with methylamine. These results indicate that the mode of inhibition of trypsin by equine alpha 2M is substantially unperturbed by cleavage of the thiol ester bonds and that the intact thiol ester bonds per se are not essential for the ability of equine alpha 2M to bind the enzyme. Ultraviolet absorption difference, intrinsic fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectra of the methylamine-treated equine alpha 2M showed that this treatment caused only a small change in conformation of the protein. Reaction of the methylamine-treated protein with trypsin induced appreciable changes in the spectra, indicating a large change in conformation of the protein. These findings were consistent with the results obtained by electrophoresis: The band of methylamine-treated equine alpha 2M showed indistinguishable mobility from that of the unmodified protein, indicating that no appreciable change in conformation occurred, and distinctly different mobility from that of the unmodified or methylamine-treated equine alpha 2M when each had reacted with trypsin.

SSA/Ro antigen expression in simian virus 40-transformed human keratinocytes

SSA/Ro antigen is a soluble cellular component to which antibodies are frequently produced in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. Its exact location within the cell has yet to be determined. In this study we report the expression of SSA/Ro antigen in simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed keratinocytes. The locations of SSA/Ro, U1RNP, and DNA antigens were studied by indirect immunofluorescence using monospecific antibodies. SSA/Ro antigen was detected in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of SV40-transformed keratinocytes tested with three monospecific sera. Primary cultured keratinocytes derived from adult human skin showed localized immunofluorescent staining within the nucleus. When Ca++ concentration of the medium was switched to 0.05 mM, these cells expressed cytoplasmic SSA/Ro antigens within 48 h. Depletion of the antibody activity with insolubilized human spleen extract abolished the staining. Surface expression of this antigen could not be detected in either primary or transformed cells. Localization of U1RNP and DNA was not altered. These results indicate that expression of SSA/Ro antigen in human keratinocytes is modulated by SV40 infection and that this antigen is expressed to a greater degree in cells that are less differentiated, transformed, or proliferating.

Ultrastructure of lymphocyte-mediated fat-cell lysis in erythema nodosum-like lesions of Behçet's syndrome

In this study, biopsy specimens from 18 patients with Behçet's syndrome were examined by electron microscopy with particular attention to the appearance of the lymphocyte-macrophage infiltrate into the interlobules of subcutaneous fat in erythema nodosum-like lesions. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed vacuolization changes of fat cells with detachment of their cell membrane from the basal lamina that permitted lymphocytes and macrophages to enter into this developed space. We believe that the detachment of fat cells from the basal lamina precedes invasion by lymphocytes which, in turn, attracts macrophages into the space. This eventually leads to fat-cell lysis accompanied by activation of macrophages, which causes further inflammation, completing the picture of panniculitis in the erythema nodosum-like lesions in Behçet's syndrome.

Flow cytometric analysis for assessing the malignant potential of breast cancer

Flow cytometric analysis was performed on 60 patients with breast cancer to investigate the relationship between DNA histogram and the malignant potential of breast cancer. DNA aneuploidy of breast cancer tended to increase with increasing stage and degree of nodal metastasis. The percent of cells in the S phase was significantly increased in the patients with metastasis compared to those without metastasis. Patients exhibiting percent S phase value of more than 20% showed a high frequency of metastasis even when breast tumors were small (T1, less than 2.0 cm in diameter). Thus, flow cytometric analysis may give additional information on biological characteristics and may be useful for predicting the prognosis of breast cancer in some patients.

Phosphorylation sites of bovine brain myelin basic protein phosphorylated with Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from rat brain

The phosphorylation sites of myelin basic protein from bovine brain were determined after phosphorylation with Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Four phosphorylated peptides were selectively and rapidly separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Partial sequencing of the phosphorylated peptides by automated Edman degradation revealed that Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphorylated serine-16, serine-70, and threonine-95 specifically, as well as serine-115, which is located on the experimental allergic encephalitogenic determinant of the protein. Of the four amino acid sequences determined, two sequences surrounding phosphorylated amino acids, -Lys-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Ser(P)16-Ala- and -Arg-Phe-Ser(P)115-Trp-Gly-, have both sides of each phosphoserine residue occupied by hydrophobic amino acids, and a basic amino acid, arginine or lysine, is located at the position 2 or 4 residues amino-terminal to the phosphoserine residue. In contrast, the two other sequences surrounding phosphorylated amino acids, -Tyr-Gly-Ser(P)70-Leu-Pro-Glu-Lys- and -Ile-Val-Thr(P)95-Pro-Arg-, have a basic amino acid at the position 2 or 4 residues carboxyl-terminal to the phosphoamino acid residue.

The pathogenesis of vascular changes in erythema nodosum-like lesions of Behçet's syndrome: an electron microscopic study

The probable sequence of microvascular changes affecting endothelial cells in erythema nodosum-like lesions was examined by electron microscopy in 18 patients with typical Behçet's syndrome. Dark endothelial cells in the superficial and deep dermis exhibited degeneration with contraction changes. Consequently, degenerated endothelial cells showed nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation, vacuolization in the cytoplasm, and rich ribosomes. Moreover, blood vessels which were enveloped by cuffs of lymphocytes simultaneously exhibited both endothelial cell hypertrophy and endothelial cell necrosis. The implied associations between perivascular lymphocytic cuffs and blood vessels exhibiting endothelial cell alterations indicate that microvascular changes in erythema nodosum-like lesions may be closely associated with the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.

[Synergistic effect of cell kinetics-directed chemo-endocrine therapy on experimental mammary tumors]

We tried to demonstrate that the cell kinetics-directed chemoendocrine therapy is more effective on hormone dependent breast cancer than empirical combination of the endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. Cell kinetics of each tumor was measured by flow cytometric analysis. Estrogen dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was used in vitro. In vivo, androgen dependent SC-115 carcinoma was transplanted to DDS mice. In vitro, tamoxifen was administered as the endocrine therapy. In vivo, we carried out testectomy on DDS mice. Effect of the endocrine therapy on the cell kinetics of the tumor was thought to be G1-S depression. High density 5FU was administered as the chemotherapeutic agents, whose content was 1 microgram/ml in vitro and 40 mg/kg in vivo. 5FU brought temporary decrease of cells in S phase. Only anteceding 5FU administration had synergistic effect in combination of 5FU and the endocrine therapy. 5FU was convinced to act more effectively on cells in S phase, so it was shown that cell kinetics-directed schedule was superior to the empirical treatment schedule in chemoendocrine therapy.

A histologic study on the fate of intradermally implanted epidermal cells in guinea pigs: a new method for evaluation of skin allograft survival

The fate of allogeneic (strains 13, 2, and JY-1) and autologous epidermal cell (EC) suspensions injected intradermally was investigated histologically in JY-1 strain guinea pigs. Epidermal cells were found to proliferate actively in the dermis and form EC nests with central keratinization. The significant reject reaction associated with necrosis of the epidermal structures was seen in due time in the animals implanted with allogeneic ECs. We attempted to assess the effect of cyclosporin A (CYA) on skin allograft survival by observing the fate of strain 13 ECs implanted intradermally into the CYA-treated JY-1. Successful prolongation of allograft survival with CYA was clearly demonstrated by this method. This is considered to be a useful experimental way for evaluation of skin allograft survival and to be suitable for routine use.

Ripple pigmentation of the neck in atopic dermatitis

Ripple pigmentary lesions of the neck were observed in 12 patients with atopic dermatitis. Biopsy specimens from three cases revealed no amyloid substances. From the review of cases with either atopic dermatitis or ripple pigmentation seen in our hospital, it was concluded that ripple pigmentation of the neck was always associated with atopic dermatitis and appeared in 1.7% of all 751 patients with atopic dermatitis. It is suggested that ripple pigmentation is not necessarily specific or diagnostic of amyloidosis, as is generally believed. Possible relationships involving ripple pigmentation, atopic dermatitis, and macular amyloidosis are also discussed.

Electron microscopic observation on dark endothelial cells in erythema nodosum-like lesions of Behçet's disease with ultrastructural X-ray spectroanalysis

We used electron microscopy and electron microscopic X-ray spectroanalysis to examine the biopsies taken from erythema nodosum-like lesions of 20 patients with Behçet's disease. Electron-dense degenerated endothelial cells were found in the microcirculatory beds of the dermis and subcutaneous fat. However, electron microscopic X-ray spectroanalysis failed to demonstrate the localization of either chlorine or base metals in those degenerated endothelial cells. Moreover, neither in ultrastructurally normal endothelial cells, nor in infiltrating macrophages of erythema nodosum-like lesions the positive deposit of chlorine or base metals could not be detected. The results of this analysis suggest that environmental factors do not play an etiologic role in this disease. Significance of the degeneration of endothelial cells is not clear present.

Differing lectin-binding patterns of malignant melanoma and nevocellular and Spitz nevi

The lectin-binding patterns of primary malignant melanoma, nevocellular nevus, and Spitz nevus were studied on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections using a series of biotinylated lectins--concanavalin A (ConA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 (RCA1), dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europeus agglutinin-1(UEA1)--and employing the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. In nevocellular and Spitz nevi, all of the nevus cells were positively stained with ConA and RCA1. No positive staining was observed, however, with the other lectins and no change in binding patterns occurred following neuraminidase pretreatment. In malignant melanoma, all of the melanoma cells were positively stained with ConA and RCA1, and some were also stained with MPA, PNA, and WGA. In addition, DBA, SBA, MPA, PNA, and WGA labeled all of the melanoma cells after neuraminidase pretreatment. No positive staining was observed with UEA1 despite neuraminidase pretreatment. The present results showed that malignant melanoma and nevocellular and Spitz nevi have different lectin-binding patterns and different responses to neuraminidase pretreatment. We, therefore, believe that the lectin staining on paraffin-embedded sections can be a useful probe for the differentiation of these diseases.

Delayed-type skin reaction to 2,4-dinitrophenylated epidermal cells in guinea pigs with contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene

Contact sensitivity (CS) induced by hapten has been thought to be analogous to delayed-type hypersensitivity, such as the Mantoux reaction, because of outstanding similarities between the two phenomena. It can be suggested that animals with CS respond also to intradermal injection of the conjugate of hapten and protein as well as to epicutaneous application of hapten. However, evidence against this has been reported. In the present experiments, delayed-type skin reaction (DSR) was successfully obtained in JY1 strain guinea pigs sensitized by painting the skin with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene using in vitro dinitrophenylated epidermal cell suspension (DNP-EC) as antigen for a delayed intradermal test. The experiment using anti-Ia alloantiserum and complement showed that the elicitation of DSR is due to the presence of Ia-positive cells (presumably Langerhans cells) among DNP-ECs. The delayed intradermal test with the conjugates such as haptenated ECs in the animals with CS is considered to be an experimentally useful way of analysing the antigen in the sensitivity.

Expression of human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-DR on tumor cells in basal cell carcinoma

Immunohistologic studies of eight patients with basal cell carcinoma were undertaken using a series of monoclonal antibodies. In all of the patients, the majority of dermal infiltrates reacted with OKT3 and OKIa1 (HLA-DR), with a slight predominance of OKT4+ helper/inducer T cells (the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio was 1.8). Both OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells were seen infiltrating the tumor masses. In addition, in five cases, human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-DR was demonstrated on some tumor cells close to a vast number of HLA-DR+ infiltrates surrounding the carcinoma, but not on epidermal keratinocytes and tumor cells devoid of the HLA-DR+ infiltrates. A considerable number of OKT6+ dendritic cells were also observed surrounding the carcinoma. Staining with OKB7 and OKM1 revealed negligible reactive cells, and virtually none of the dermal infiltrates reacted with Leu-7 (HNK-1). These findings suggest that in addition to varied immunologically competent cells, expression of HLA-DR antigen on tumor cells may participate in a cellular immune reaction, a defense mechanism against tumor cell proliferation in basal cell carcinoma.

[Experimental studies on the enhanced effects of chemoendocrine therapy in breast cancer]

The clinical response rate of chemotherapy or endocrine therapy for advanced or recurrent breast cancer has been described as being about 30%, regardless of steroid hormone status. However, the response rate for endocrine therapy is about double in patients with positive estrogen receptor. In order to obtain a higher response rate than that for single therapy, experimental attempts were made to combine cytotoxic agents, antiestrogenic agents, ablative therapy and immunotherapy from the viewpoints of tumor cell kinetics, natural killer activity and interferon activity of spleen cells. Tamoxifen and orchiectomy were shown by flow cytometry to produce a G1 block, increasing the G0, G1 phase and decreasing the S phase, in MCF-7 cells in vitro and in SC 115 cells, in vivo respectively, for a long period. On the other hand, 5-FU showed most effective cytotoxicity in the S phase of both types of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, although the depressed S phase recovered within 24 hours. Therefore, any combined chemo-endocrine therapy should be devised so that the endocrine therapy maintains a G1 block for a long period and performed immediately following chemotherapy during the decreased S phase of the tumor cells. N K activity of spleen cells were enhanced, and interferon production in spleen cells was not changed by ovariectomy in C3H/He mice compared with sham-operated mice. It is suggested that endocrine therapy may affect the immunopotentiality of cancer patients.

Histological study on the fate of haptenated epidermal cells injected intradermally in guinea pigs

The percutaneous administration of in vitro haptenated epidermal cells (EC) has become established as a procedure to produce contact sensitivity (CS) in experimental animals for routine use. The cells have also been found to elicit a significant delayed-type skin reaction by intradermal test in the animals sensitized by painting the skin with the hapten. The fate of 2,4-dinitrophenylated (DNP) isogeneic epidermal cell suspensions (EC) injected intradermally was investigated histologically in intact or 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-sensitized strain 13 guinea pigs to study the role of the cells in CS. DNP-EC were found to proliferate actively in the dermis and formed EC nests with central keratinization and then elicited inflammatory reaction associated with necrosis of the epidermal structures 7 days after injection in the intact animals. DNP-EC injected intradermally into the animals which had received and reacted against DNCB underwent a suppression of EC proliferation. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of the haptenated EC in CS.

[Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome (kaposiform arteriovenous fistula with bone changes)]

In a 14-year-old female patient with arteriovenous shunts (Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome), fist-sized cutaneous swelling, venous dilatation, blue-brown pigmentation and painful subcutaneous fingertip-sized nodules were noted on the right lower thigh. In addition to an arteriovenous malformation, bone hypertrophy, bone atrophy and after bone defects were observed in the involved area on X-ray examination. Histological examination revealed increased vascularity and vascular cavernous structures with endothelial swelling and extravasation of erythrocytes, but no malignant changes.

Immunohistologic studies of squamous cell carcinoma: possible participation of Leu-7+ (natural killer) cells as antitumor effector cells

Immunohistologic studies of 8 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were undertaken using a series of monoclonal antibodies. In all of the patients, over 70% of the dermal infiltrates reacted with OKT3 and OKIal (HLA-DR), with a slight predominance of the OKT8+ suppressor/cytotoxic T subset (the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio was 0.85). Both OKT4+ and OKT8+ subsets could be seen in contact with individual cancer cells. The percentage of OKB7+ (B) cells was less than 29% of the dermal infiltrates. Some Leu-7+ cells (less than 9% of the infiltrates) were seen in close association with individual cancer cells and none of these cells was present apart from the cancer cells. Few OKT6+ cells were observed in the papillary dermis and these had no relation to cancer cells. In the epidermis, OKT6+ dendritic cells remained within normal proportions. Staining with OKM1 revealed sporadic reactive cells. These results strongly suggest that besides T and B lymphocytes, Leu-7+ (natural killer) cells participate in a significant defense mechanism against SCC proliferation.