Defective stratum corneum and early neonatal death in mice lacking the gene for transglutaminase 1 (keratinocyte transglutaminase)

The stratum corneum of the skin serves as an effective barrier for maintenance of the internal milieu against the external environment. At the cell periphery of the stratum corneum is the cell envelope, a highly insoluble membranous structure composed of precursor proteins cross-linked by epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine bonds. Transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1; keratinocyte TGase), a membrane-bound isozyme of the TGase family, has been proposed to catalyze this process of assembly. Deficient cross-linking of the cell envelope in some patients with the autosomal recessive skin disorder lamellar ichthyosis (LI) and several mutations of the TGase 1 gene that have been identified in families with LI suggest the importance of this gene in production of the cell envelope. In this study, we generated mice lacking the TGase 1 gene, and we report that they have erythrodermic skin with abnormal keratinization. In their stratum corneum, degradation of nuclei and keratohyalin F-granules was incomplete and cell envelope assembly was defective. The skin barrier function of TGase 1-null mice was markedly impaired, and these mice died within 4-5 h after birth. These results clearly demonstrate that the TGase 1 gene is essential to the development and maturation of the stratum corneum and to adaptation to the environment after birth. Thus, these TGase 1 knockout mice may be a useful model for severe cases of LI.

Case report: MR findings of a retained surgical sponge

We describe here a case in which a retained surgical sponge progressed into the perirenal space and posterior pararenal space from the pelvic cavity. Sonography, CT, and T1-weighted MR image analyses could not show clearly the characteristic structure of the surgical sponge, but T2-weighted MR imaging showed a folded fabric appearance within the cystic mass. Surgical findings confirmed a lobulated cystic mass containing yellowish fluid and a surgical sponge.

Activation of the human transglutaminase 1 promoter in transgenic mice: terminal differentiation-specific expression of the TGM1-lacZ transgene in keratinized stratified squamous epithelia

Transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) is a tissue-specific enzyme which is expressed in the keratinized stratified squamous epithelia and which catalyzes straightepsilon-(gamma-glutamyl) lysine cross-links of proteins to form the cell envelope at the periphery of cornified cells. A transient expression assay using a luciferase reporter gene linked to the 2.5 kb 5' upstream region of the human TGase 1 gene (TGM1) showed phorbol ester-responsive promoter activity in cultured normal human keratinocytes. To assess its promoter activity in vivo, we generated transgenic mice expressing the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene (lacZ) directed by the 5' upstream region. beta-Galactosidase histochemistry revealed that the TGM1-lacZ transgene was expressed in terminally differentiating keratinocytes in upper layers of stratified squamous epithelia in embryonic, neonatal and adult transgenic mice. The expression pattern was similar to that of endogenous TGase 1 mRNA detected by in situ hybridization. Furthermore, topical application of a phorbol ester to adult tail skin enhanced expression of the transgene as well as TGase 1 mRNA in the epidermis. Thus, the 2.5 kb 5' upstream sequence of TGM1 includes elements regulating tissue- and terminal differentiation-specific gene expression in stratified squamous epithelia.

Two adult cases of primary small bowel volvulus: usefulness of computed tomographic diagnosis

Small bowel volvulus is usually secondary to conditions such as malrotation, congenital bands, postoperative adhesions, and internal hernias. Primary small bowel volvulus in an adult is rare, and only 14 cases had been reported in Japan as of 1994. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult, because clinical examinations and plain films are of limited diagnostic value. In our cases, CT showed signs of small bowel volvulus such as a U-shaped configuration or radial distribution of distended and fluid-filled loops of the small bowel converging toward the point of torsion, tightly twisted mesentery around the point of torsion (whirl sign), fusiform tapering loop (triangular sign in the cross section or beak sign in the longitudinal section), and signs of bowel ischemia or infarct such as attached mesenteric fluid and blurred mesenteric folds. CT enabled us to diagnose not only small bowel volvulus but also bowel ischemia or infarct.

Serum Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor Levels in Patients with Breast Cancer

Preoperative levels of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (1L-2R) were examined in 37 patients with breast cancer. We investigated the correlations of serum soluble IL-2R levels with various factors such as stage grouping, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumor size, histophthological type, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and CA 15-3. Serum soluble 1L-2R levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of serum soluble 1L-2R in the patients with stage III and IV breast cancer were significantly higher than those in the normal controls, and patients with stage I and II breast cancer. Preoperative levels of serum soluble IL-2R in patients with T3 and T4 were also significantly higher than those in patients with T1 and T2. Serum levels of IL-2R in patients with distant metastasis were also significantly higher than those in patients without distant metastasis. Moreover, serum levels of soluble IL-2R in patients with higher CA 15-3 were significantly higher than those in patients with normal CA 15-3 levels. We conclude that preoperative serum soluble IL-2R levels in patients with breast cancer may be a valuable parameter, especially in evaluating whether they have distant metastasis or not.

Induction of interstitial pneumonia in autoimmune mice by intratracheal administration of superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B

The pathogenesis of lung complications in autoimmune disease remains unclear. To examine whether superantigens participate in the development of interstitial pneumonia in autoimmune disease, we instilled the bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) into the tracheas of autoimmune and nonautoimmune mice. The intratracheal administration of SEB resulted in the induction of interstitial pneumonia manifested by infiltration of mononuclear cells into the alveolar septal walls and into the periarterial space and an increase in pulmonary interstitial collagen fibers in the autoimmune mouse strains. In the nonautoimmune strains, AKR, but not BALB/c and B10BR, mice also developed interstitial pneumonia after the intratracheal administration of SEB, although the degree of severity was milder than that induced in three autoimmune mouse strains. Although the intratracheal administration of another bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A also induced interstitial pneumonia, protein A which is a staphylococcal product but not a superantigen induced no remarkable change in lungs of MRL-+/+ mice. Immunohistologic studies revealed that not only SEB-reactive Vbeta8+ T cells, but also SEB-nonreactive Vbeta6+ T cells infiltrated the pulmonary lesions of SEB-primed MRL-+/+ mice, although this may be a secondary reaction for the Vbeta6+ T cells. The results of in vitro restimulation of spleen cells from SEB-primed BALB/c and SEB-primed MRL-+/+ mice with SEB suggest that incomplete induction of tolerance after the intratracheal administration of SEB may be involved in the pathogenesis of interstitial pneumonia induced in autoimmune mice. These results suggest participation of superantigens in the development of interstitial pneumonia in patients with autoimmune disease and other lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and immunohistochemical staining in acute appendicitis: correlation with degree of inflammation

The mechanism of progression of appendicitis has not been clarified. We examined tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and the localization of Cu, Zn-SOD in 56 inflamed appendices in relation to histopathological classification. There was a significant difference in SOD activity between catarrhal appendix and phlegmonous and gangrenous appendix (2.3 +/- 0.1 vs 5.0 +/- 0.2 and 4.6 +/- 0.6 units/mg protein, respectively P < 0.05). TBARS value was highest in gangrenous appendix, being significantly different from the levels in the other two types (0.47 +/- 0.04 vs 0.19 +/- 0.01 n mol/mg protein, in catarrhal and 0.20 +/- 0.02, in phlegmonous appendix P < 0.05). Positive staining for Cu, Zn-SOD was demonstrated in 64% of catarrhal appendices, 96% of phlegmonous appendices, and 75% of gangrenous appendices, and intense positive staining was recognized in 9%, 28%, and 40% of these appendices, respectively. These results indicated that active oxygen influences the degree of inflammation in phlegmonous and gangrenous appendicitis. Gangrenous appendicitis and the other two types of appendicitis seemed to be different entities.

Effects of calcium channel blockers on steroidogenesis stimulated by ACTH and cAMP in isolated rat adrenal cells

The effects of the calcium channel blockers verapamil, diltiazem, prenylamine and nifedipine on the ACTH- and cAMP-mediated pathway for steroidogenesis in a suspension solution of isolated rat adrenal cells were studied. Steroidogenesis stimulated by ACTH (10(-10) M) or cAMP (10(-3) M) was not inhibited by nifedipine (10(-4) M), but was strongly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by verapamil, diltiazem and prenylamine (10(-5) to 10(-4) M).

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 presenting as insulinoma, gastrinoma, and postbulbar duodenal ulcers: report of a case

We report herein the unusual case of a 55-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 presenting as hyperparathyroidism, hyperpituitarism, insulinoma, and gastrinoma with postbulbar duodenal ulcers. The patient was referred to our hospital for further investigations of nephrolithiasis, acromegaly, and hematemesis. Laboratory studies showed high serum levels of calcium, parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, insulin, gastrin, and prolactin. Computed tomography of the cranial cavity demonstrated an enlargement of the serra turcica and swelling of two parathyroid glands in the neck. Computed tomography and angiography of the abdomen also showed a mass in the head of the pancreas. Endoscopy demonstrated reflux esophagitis, erosive gastritis, and multiple postbulbar duodenal ulcers. We diagnosed this patient as having multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, with concomitant lesions of the pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, and islet cells of the pancreas. Following excision of the two enlarged parathyroid glands, his serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels fell to within the normal range. Thereafter, a total gastrectomy was performed to alleviate the frequent bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, resection of the pancreatic mass could not be performed owing to severe inflammation around the duodenum, probably induced by the postbulbar duodenal ulcers.

Significance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in human colorectal cancer tissue: correlation with malignant intensity

The significance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in colorectal cancer tissue was determined from the aspect of the antioxidant defense system. SOD activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance were measured in the tumor, in tissues adjacent to the tumor, and in regions that appeared normal, and the results were analyzed in terms of various histopathological factors (stage of disease, depth of invasion, venous invasion, etc.). DNA ploidy pattern and cell proliferation in cancer tissue were also measured, and the results analyzed in relation to SOD activity. SOD activity in cancer tissue was higher than in the other two regions. SOD activity in cancer tissue increased with the progression of stage, and changed with the depth of invasion. There was a significant difference in SOD activity between patients with venous invasion and those in whom this was absent. Stepwise regression analysis suggested that venous invasion was the most significant factor influencing SOD activity. The proliferation index was high in cancer tissue with low SOD activity. The incidence of aneuploidy was high in cancer with high SOD activity, whereas the incidence of diploidy was high in cancer with low SOD activity. These results suggest that elucidation of the antioxidant system in cancer tissue can provide us with a better strategy for cancer treatment.

Serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) were found to be high in patients with autoimmune diseases, lung cancer, malignant lymphoma, tuberculosis, and other diseases. Serum-soluble IL-2R was evaluated as a tumor maker in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS

Preoperative concentrations of serum-soluble IL-2R were examined in 40 patients with gastric cancer. The authors investigated the correlations of serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations with various characteristics of this cancer (disease stage, gross appearance, depth of the tumor, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, histopathologic grade, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FTP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP). Serum soluble IL-2R concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Levels of serum-soluble IL-2R in patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher than those of normal control subjects. Serum concentrations of IL-2R in patients with lymph node metastasis were also significantly higher than those of patients without lymph node metastasis. There were no significant differences in histopathologic findings (grade, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion). Moreover, serum concentrations of soluble IL-2R in patients who were IAP positive were significantly higher than those who were IAP negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations in patients with gastric cancer reflect the occurrence of regional lymph node metastases. Preoperative evaluation of serum soluble IL-2R concentrations may be a valuable parameter of indicating the probability of lymph node metastasis preoperatively.

Radical trapping by PBN during reperfusion in rabbit gastric mucosa

Oxygen free radicals have been considered as a cause of ischemia-reperfusion injury in several organs, but this injury in a stomach, containing acid, may progress to severe damage. Thus, we examined the effect of ischemia-reperfusion and milk-intake on rabbit gastric mucosa. The gastric mucosal blood flow was increased after milk-intake, and gastric rupture was detected. Superoxide dismutase activity measured by an improved nitroblue tetrazolium reduction method and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum is increased during ischemia-reperfusion and milk-intake. By using alpha-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) as a spin trap and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we detected lipidic radicals from tissue samples in chloroform-methanol solvent only during reperfusion and milk-intake period; no signal was detected before. The EPR signal of spin adducts obtained in the sample after ischemia-reperfusion and milk-intake would be a mixture of peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals from the analysis of coupling constants.

Effects of changes in angiotensin converting enzyme activity on renin release: pretreatment with dexamethasone enhances a plasma renin activity response to captopril in normal subjects

Healthy adults were given captopril (25 mg and 75 mg) po with or without dexamethasone (DXM) pretreatment (1 mg po 2 h before and simultaneously with the captopril). We determined the serum potassium and sodium concentrations, plasma prostaglandin E2 level, PRA, serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and aldosterone level from 20 min before to 120 min after administration of captopril. DXM pretreatment stimulated the PRA response to captopril. This stimulation was suppressed by indomethacin. However, the administration of DXM did not induce a consistent rise in the prostaglandin E2 level. The administration of DXM induced a significant rise in the potassium concentration, but since simultaneous administration of indomethacin with captopril induced the suppression of PRA without affecting the potassium level, the PRA increase in response to captopril with DXM was not caused directly by the potassium increase. There were no significant differences in the PRA increase between 25 mg captopril and 75 mg captopril, or between DXM-25 mg captopril and DXM-75 mg captopril, though the inhibitions of ACE activity by captopril differed according to dose. The PRA increases, but not the captopril-induced inhibition of ACE activity, were significantly different between captopril alone and captopril with DXM pretreatment at either dose of captopril. Thus, the inhibition of ACE activity perhaps allows PRA to increase in response to captopril. These results suggest that the DXM stimulation of PRA may have been dependent on the inhibition of ACE activity by captopril.

[The effect of DREZ (dorsal root entry zone) lesions on intractable pain in patients with spinal cord injury]

Some patients with spinal cord injury complain of a severe intractable pain. This intractable pain places new hurdles on the road to return to the ordinary daily life in these patients. The effective therapy for the intractable pain has not been established. Dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesion was originally reported by Nashold et al to alleviate deafferented pain syndrome. Three male and one female patients with intractable pain following spinal cord injury were treated with DREZ-lesions. One month after operation, all 4 patients obtained good pain relief. However, at a follow-up period till February 1989 (ranging 11 months from 2 years and 6 months), 2 patients had subjective pain relief. When other therapies on intractable pain following spinal cord trauma are not effective, the DREZ-lesion might be considered.

Column perifusion system for steroidogenesis in isolated rat adrenal cells

A perifusion system using a plastic column into which isolated rat adrenal cells had been installed was attempted. After ACTH or cAMP was administered to the column, the corticosterone concentration in the eluate was determined. ACTH in 10(-13) and 10(-12) M did not promote corticosterone production, whereas 10(-11) and 10(-10) M showed a dose dependent production of corticosterone. By iterative infusion of 10(-11) or 10(-9) M of ACTH, very clear responses to restimulation of ACTH were noted. Following the administrations of 10(-3) or 10(-2) M of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP), the production of corticosterone increased dose-dependently. These results suggest that this perifusion system is effective for examining the effects of ACTH or cAMP on steroidogenesis of cells.