Cholecystokinin-1 receptor protein up-regulation during pancreatic regeneration after acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis in rats

BACKGROUND

Cholecystokinin (CCK) plays an important role in regeneration after acute pancreatitis in rats. The present study was aimed to elucidate the role of CCK-1 receptor (CCK-1R) in acute pancreatitis. We investigated the serial changes in CCK-1R mRNA and protein levels and their immunolocalization after acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis induced in male Wistar rats by retrograde intraductal infusion of 4% sodium taurocholate (100 micro L 100 g(-1) body weight).

METHODS

Histological changes were evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Pancreatic CCK-1R mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. Pancreatic CCK-1R protein was evaluated by immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry with a polyclonal antibody against rat CCK-1R protein.

RESULTS

Histological findings revealed that newly formed acinar cells were detected at the periphery of tubular complexes on day 14, and normal architecture of lobules was observed focally on day 21. Pancreatic CCK-1R mRNA peaked on day 3 and thereafter gradually decreased. Cholecystokinin-1R protein rapidly increased after induction of pancreatitits, reaching a maximal level on day 3. On day 3, intense immunoreactivity for CCK-1R protein was observed in both the cytoplasm of vacuolized acinar cells and the tubular complexes. In the regenerative process after acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis in rats, the expression of pancreatic CCK-1R mRNA and protein increased, and intense immunoreactivity for CCK-1R protein was observed in tubular complexes in the cytoplasm of regenerated acinar cells.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that CCK-1R contributes to pancreatic regeneration after acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis and that tubular complexes are involved in the process of acinar cell regeneration following pancreatic injury.

Attenuation of a human H9N2 influenza virus in mammalian host by reassortment with an avian influenza virus

In order to develop a surrogate virus strain for production of an inactivated influenza vaccine against a human H9N2 virus, A/Hong Kong/1073/99 (HK1073: H9N2) was co-infected in embryonated chicken eggs with an apathogenic avian influenza virus, A/Duck/Czechoslovakia/56 (Dk/Cz: H4N6), for gene segment reassortment. Multiple-gene reassortants obtained were examined for replication in mammalian hosts in vitro and in vivo by infecting MDCK cells and by intranasal administration to hamsters, respectively. A 2-6 gene reassortant with both surface glycoproteins of HK1073 origin and the rest of Dk/Cz origin, HK/CZ-13, was shown to replicate poorly in the mammalian hosts both in vivo and in vitro comparing with HK1073, although this reassortant replicated as efficiently as each parental strain in embryonated eggs. No sequence difference was observed in the HA1 region between HK1073 and HK/CZ-13, indicating that the reassortant would be equivalent in its immunogenicity to the parental HK1073 strain when it is used as an inactivated vaccine. A virus strain with attenuation in mammalian hosts is preferable for production of an H9 vaccine, since it should reduce the risk of manufacturing-related infections of employees during the vaccine production. HK/CZ-13 can therefore be a surrogate strain for production of an inactivated vaccine as well as diagnostic antigens in case of a possible future pandemic caused by an HK1073-like H9 influenza virus.

Neuraminidase sequence analysis and susceptibilities of influenza virus clinical isolates to zanamivir and oseltamivir

The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir were introduced into clinical practice in various parts of the world between 1999 and 2002. In order to monitor the potential development of resistance, the Neuraminidase Inhibitor Susceptibility Network was established to coordinate testing of clinical isolates collected through the World Health Organization influenza surveillance network from different regions of the world (M. Zambon and F. G. Hayden, Antivir. Res. 49:147-156, 2001). The present study establishes the baseline susceptibilities prior to and shortly after the introduction of the NA inhibitors. Over 1000 clinical influenza isolates recovered from 1996 to 1999 were tested. Susceptibilities were determined by enzyme inhibition assays with chemiluminescent or fluorescent substrates with known NA inhibitor-resistant viruses as controls. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) depended upon the assay method, the drug tested, and the influenza virus subtype. By both assays, the mean zanamivir IC(50)s were 0.76, 1.82, and 2.28 nM for the subtype H1N1 (N1), H3N2 (N2), and B NAs, respectively, and the oseltamivir IC(50)s were 1.2, 0.5, and 8.8 nM for the N1, N2, and B NAs, respectively. The drug susceptibilities of known zanamivir- and oseltamivir-resistant viruses with the NA mutations E119V, R292K, H274Y, and R152K fell well outside the 95% confidence limits of the IC(50)s for all natural isolates. Sequence analysis of the NAs of viruses for which the IC(50)s were above the 95% confidence limits and several control isolates for which the IC(50)s were in the normal range revealed variations in some previously conserved residues, including D151, A203, T225, and E375 (N2 numbering). Known resistance mutations are both influenza virus subtype and drug specific, but there was no evidence of naturally occurring resistance to either drug in any of the isolates.

Relationship between trait anxiety, brain activity and natural killer cell activity in cancer patients: a preliminary PET study

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological factors, regional brain activity and natural killer cell activity (NKA). Eight patients with malignant diseases were studied by FDG-PET under a resting condition. NKA and degree of anxiety and depression were measured using Taylor's manifest anxiety scale (MAS) and Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS). Linear correlation of NKA and psychological measures to the regional brain metabolism in cancer patients was examined using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Positive linear correlation between NKA and regional metabolic rate ratios was identified in the visual association cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus (CG) and sensorimotor area, and negative correlation was identified in the inferolateral prefrontal cortex (ILPFC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and anterior temporal cortex. Positive linear correlation to the MAS score was identified in the visual association cortex, anterior CG, primary sensorimotor area and the posterior parietal cortex, and negative correlation was detected in the ILPFC, PFC, OFC and anterior temporal cortex. The NKA and MAS scores positively correlated with each other (p<0.001). The result might serve as supporting data for a hypothesis that psycho-immune interaction is also mediated by the cerebral cortex and limbic system.

Cyclin D1 amplification correlates with early recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Amplification of CCND1 was studied in 23 tongue carcinoma patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a paraffin embedded specimen. All the patients received complete resection of the primary site with or without neck dissection. CCND1 amplification was positive in 13 (56.5%) out of 23 cases. Correlations between CCND1 amplification and histological grading, T category, N category, and Stages were not significant. The 5-year disease-free survival rate, which was 23.1% for CCND1 amplification positive patients and 80.0% for negative patients, was significantly better for the CCND1 amplification negative patients (P=0.0070). Nine patients were examined by dual-color FISH with the probe for centromere of chromosome 11 and 11q13. In five patients, who had positive amplification for CCND1, cell numbers with a larger number of signals for 11q13 than the centromere of chromosome 11 were significantly higher than those of CCND1 amplification negative patients (P=0.013). This indicates that amplification of 11q13 occurs more frequently than aberration of chromosome 11 in CCND1 amplification positive patients. From these results, the amplification of CCND1 is a key factor in predicting the aggressiveness of tongue cancer. Furthermore, FISH proved to be a useful method for such evaluation.

Dehalogenation of aromatic halides using metallic calcium in ethanol

The scope and limitations of the dehalogenation of aromatic halides 1 and 4a-p using metallic calcium in ethanol at room temperature were revealed. The cleavage of the carbon-chlorine bond on the aromatic ring bearing electron-donating group was difficult compared to the one bearing electron-withdrawing group. Moreover, we applied this method to the dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformer oil. It was also found that the dechlorination took place easily under mild conditions. The existence of PCBs residue in the reaction at room temperature was less than 0.04% according to the GC-MS analysis. The chlorine was identified as calcium chloride.

Characterization of a human H9N2 influenza virus isolated in Hong Kong

Two H9N2 viruses were isolated, for the first time, from humans in Hong Kong in 1999. Isolation of influenza viruses with a novel subtype of the hemagglutinin (HA) drew attention of health care authorities worldwide from the view of pandemic preparedness. Sequence analysis of the HA genes reveals that HA of A/Hong Kong/1073/99 (H9N2) is most closely related to that of A/quail/HK/G1/97 (H9N2) that contains the internal genes similar to those of Hong Kong/97 (H5N1) viruses. Phylogenetic and antigenic analyses demonstrated the diversity among H9 HA. A/Hong Kong/1073/99 was shown to cause a respiratory infection in Syrian hamsters, suggesting that the virus can replicate efficiently in mammalian hosts. We developed a whole virion test vaccine with a formalin-inactivated egg-grown HK1073. Intraperitoneal administration of the vaccine twice to hamsters conferred a complete protection against challenge infection by the MDCK cell-grown homologous virus. Receptor specificity of HK1073 appeared different from that of other avian influenza viruses of H9 subtype which recognize preferentially alpha-2,3 linked sialic acid. Hemagglutination of HK1073 with guinea pig erythrocytes was inhibited by both alpha-2,3 and alpha-2,6 linked sialic acid containing polymers. These data suggested that HK1073 had acquired a broader host range, including humans. Together with data so far available, the present study suggested that isolation of the H9 influenza viruses from humans requires precaution against the emergence of a novel human influenza.

Delayed platelet dysfunction in prolonged induced canine hypothermia

Mild to moderate hypothermia (33-32 degrees C) is recognized as beneficial for brain protection after brain trauma. However, there are few experimental reports on hemostatic changes during prolonged hypothermia. We compared hemostatic changes during 72 h of mild to moderate hypothermia with data in normothermic dogs.

METHOD

Mongolian dogs in a hypothermic group (N=7, 33 degrees C core temperature) and normothermic group (N=6, 37.5 degrees C core temperature) were anesthetized and instrumented to control temperatures and record hemodynamic changes continuously. Hypothermia or normothermia was maintained for 72 h. Platelet count, platelet aggregation, and thromboelastograms (TEG) were measured in each group.

RESULTS

Heart rate, blood pressure, pulmonary pressure and blood gas were not significantly different between the two groups. Platelet counts, compared to baseline values, were significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Platelet aggregation was significantly decreased in the hypothermic group after 24 h (P<0.04).

CONCLUSION

Long-term hypothermia induced platelet dysfunction, leading to decreased platelet aggregation and prolonged coagulation time (R and K times of TEG).

Role of TGF-beta1, extracellular matrix, and matrix metalloproteinase in the healing process of the pancreas after induction of acute necrotizing pancreatitis using arginine in rats

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic tissues are almost completely restored to normal after an attack of acute pancreatitis, once the cause of the disease is removed. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and extracellular matrix (ECM) are known to play an important role in the process of wound healing in pathologic diseases. Tissue repair is a process regulated by a balance between synthesis and degradation of ECM.

AIMS

To elucidate the role of TGF-beta, ECM, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in the process of regeneration occurring after acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

METHODOLOGY

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/100 g body weight of L-arginine in male Wistar rats. Expression of TGF-beta1 and ECM messenger RNA (mRNA) was determined by Northern blot analysis, and that of MMP-1 and MMP-2 mRNA was examined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunoreactivity for ECM components, TGF-beta1, and MMP-2 in the pancreas was assessed by using a monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

TGF-beta1 mRNA expression reached a peak value on day 2.5, with a decrease on day 3, and reached the control level on day 7. Procollagen types III and IV and fibronectin mRNA reached a peak value on day 2.5, whereas the expression level of procollagen type I mRNA was maximal on day 3, and gradually decreased to control levels by day 7. MMP-2 mRNA was significantly elevated on day 3, and peaked on day 5, whereas MMP-1 mRNA levels did not change throughout the observation period. Immunoreactivity for MMP-2 was observed around disrupted acinar cells and interstitial spaces on day 3, and maximally on day 7. Immunoreactivity for fibronectin was detected around disrupted acinar cells and interstitial spaces. On day 7, it was less than on day 5 around disrupted acinar cells and interstitial spaces, whereas in the regenerated acinar cells, it was undetected.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that TGF-beta1 mRNA expression peaked earlier than that of ECM mRNA. Furthermore, increased level of the MMP-2 transcript was followed by disappearance of fibronectin. Our findings suggest that TGF-beta1 plays an important role in ECM production in the early phase of acute pancreatitis, and that MMP-2 is involved in the subsequent healing process.

Mapping energy metabolism in jaw and tongue muscles during chewing

Investigators have used positron emission tomography with 18F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose to obtain information not only for the diagnosis of cancers, but also for researching physiology in skeletal muscles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activities of the jaw and tongue muscles during gum-chewing. Five volunteers aged 32-61 years were studied by positron emission tomography. They were requested to chew two pieces of chewing gum for 30 min after intravenous injection of 18F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose. 18F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose uptake in the intrinsic tongue muscle was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in the masseter, temporal, and medial pterygoid muscles. Heterogeneous uptake of 18F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose was observed in the masticatory muscles. In addition, the tongue exhibited higher activity than the masticatory muscles. In conclusion, positron emission tomography with 18F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose appeared to be a useful technique for investigating the physiologic activities of the skeletal muscles, which have been difficult to examine by conventional methods.

Comparative analysis of host responses related to immunosuppression between measles patients and vaccine recipients with live attenuated measles vaccines

Measles virus infection induces a profound immunosuppression. We analyzed in a time-dependent manner peripheral bloods of one to two-year-old children immunized with live attenuated measles vaccines, compared with age-matched measles patients, for immunosuppression. In contrast to transient severe lymphopenia with measles patients, primarily due to extensive apoptosis of a broad spectrum of uninfected lymphocytes, neither apoptosis nor lymphopenia occurred with measles vaccine recipients. Increase in number and activation of NK cells, which might compensate for the lymphopenia in measles patients, were not found with the vaccinees. While cell surface expression of apoptosis-related molecules such as TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), TRAIL-receptors, CD95(Fas) and Fas-ligand, and plasma interferon-gamma were increased for measles patients, they remained unchanged after vaccination. Plasma interleukin (IL)-18, which is responsible for inducing apoptosis in several infectious diseases, was increased predominantly with measles patients, whereas the increase remained marginal with the vaccinees. IL-10 was elevated transiently in both measles patients and vaccinees. Decrease in plasma IL-12, which is often correlated with T cell suppression, was not found for both cases. Serum IgM and IgG antibodies to measles virus were induced at lower titers in the vaccinees than measles patients. These results indicate that in contrast to wild-type measles virus, live measles vaccines hardly provoked host cytokine responses that lead to apoptotic cytolysis of uninfected lymphocytes, lymphopenia and immunosuppression, and thereby induced weaker immune responses to the virus.

Experimental evaluation of the V-point heparin-bonding system applied to a dense-membrane artificial lung during 24-hour extracorporeal circulation in beagles

Heparin was covalently bonded to a hollow-fiber dense-membrane artificial lung and circuit using a silane coupling agent and polyethyleneimine as a spacer. This study investigated whether the novel artificial lung could sustain prolonged extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) by venoarterial bypass in beagles using minimal anticoagulants. We maintained ECLA for 24 h in 3 groups of minimal systemic heparinization, heparinization with the new anticoagulant nafamostat mesilate, and without any systemic anticoagulant. The results were assessed from the functional performance of the artificial lung and by macroscopic and microscopic examination after the experiments. Artificial lung function, hemodynamics, hemogram, and platelet aggregation activity were well maintained in all groups. There was no plasma leakage from the artificial lung. Although several clots were observed in stagnant areas of the artificial lungs and circuits, there was no clot formation inside the artificial lung in any group. This highly biocompatible, heparin-bonded dense-membrane artificial lung performed well and safely during prolonged ECLA with blood clotting times less than 120 s.

Arginine induced acute pancreatitis alters the actin cytoskeleton and increases heat shock protein expression in rat pancreatic acinar cells

Arginine induced acute pancreatitis was evaluated as a novel and distinct form of experimental pancreatitis with particular attention to the actin cytoskeleton and expression of heat shock or stress proteins. Arginine induced a dose related necrotising pancreatitis in rats, as shown by histological evaluation, and an increase in serum amylase. Severe pancreatitis induced by 4.5 g/kg arginine was accompanied by dramatic changes in the actin cytoskeleton, as visualised with rhodamine phallodin. Intermediate filaments were also disrupted, as visualised by cytokeratin 8/18 immunocytochemistry. Arginine pancreatitis was accompanied by a stress response with a large increase in the small heat shock protein HSP27, as well as HSP70, peaking at 24 hours and localised to acinar cells. There was a lower increase in HSP60 and HSP90 and no effect on GRP78. HSP27 was also shifted to phosphorylated forms during pancreatitis. A lower dose of arginine (3.0 g/kg) induced less pancreatitis but a larger increase in HSP70 and HSP27 expression and phosphorylation of HSP27. Thus HSP expression can be overwhelmed by severe damage. The present work in conjunction with earlier work on caerulein induced pancreatitis indicates that changes in the actin cytoskeleton are an early component in experimental pancreatitis.

Depressive state and regional cerebral activity in cancer patients - a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate influences of depressive states, chemotherapy and existence of remaining tumors on the regional brain activity of cancer patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose was performed on 21 patients with various types of cancer. Their brain images were compared to 10 age- and gender-matched control data using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The patients were subgrouped into the with and without depression based on the scores on Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS), with and without previous chemotherapy, and with and without existence of remaining tumors.

RESULTS

Significant metabolic reduction was detected in the cingulate gyrus, prefrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, temporoparietal cortices and basal ganglia in cancer patients. These findings were close to known lesions of major depression. Intra-group comparisons showed that these hypometabolic findings were associated with the depth of depressive state. Influences of chemotherapy and remaining tumors on the cerebral cortex seemed to be weaker than that of psychological factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The present pilot study suggests that frontal hypoactivity commonly seen in cancer patients is likely to be associated with depression rather than chemotherapy or remaining tumors. A brain mapping technique might be useful in evaluating neuropsychiatric problems in cancer patients.

Advantage of delayed whole-body FDG-PET imaging for tumour detection

Delayed imaging that coincides with the highest uptake of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by tumour may be advantageous in oncological positron emission tomography (PET), where delineation of metastasis from normal tissue background is important. In order to identify the better imaging protocol for tumour detection, whole-body FDG-PET images acquired at 1 h and 2 h after injection were evaluated in 22 subjects, with a post-injection transmission scan at 90 min for attenuation correction. After visual interpretation, tumour uptake [tumour standardised uptake ratio (SUR)], normal tissue uptake (normal SUR) and tumour to background contrast (tumour SUR/normal tissue SUR) were evaluated in the images acquired at 1 h and at 2 h. Most malignant lesions, including primary lung cancer, metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes and lymphoma lesions, showed higher FDG uptake at 2 h than at 1 h. By contrast, benign lesions, with the exception of sarcoidosis, showed lower uptake of FDG at 2 h than at 1 h. Among normal tissues, the kidney, liver, mediastinum, lung, upper abdomen and left abdomen showed significant falls in FDG uptake from 1 h to 2 h. The lower abdomen, right abdomen and muscles (shoulder and thigh) showed no significant changes. Consequently, malignant lesions of the lung, mediastinum and upper abdomen showed significant increases in tumour to background contrast from 1 to 2 h. Three lesions (two lung cancers and a malignant lymphoma) that were equivocal on 1-h images became evident on 2-h images, changing the results of interpretation. All other malignant lesions were detected on 1-h images, but were clearer, with higher contrast, on 2-h images. Lesion-based sensitivity was improved from 92% (49/53) to 98% (52/53), and patient-based sensitivity from 78% (14/18) to 94% (17/18). It is concluded that delayed whole-body FDG-PET imaging is a better and more reliable imaging protocol for tumour detection.

[Medical cost analysis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced tongue and oropharyngeal cancer]

We performed a medical cost analysis on the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in multi-modal treatments for advanced tongue and oropharyngeal cancer. Twenty-two patients with stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and oropharynx were enrolled in this study. Two courses of NAC with CDDP and 5-FU followed by radiotherapy were performed in 13 patients who showed a partial response or a complete response after the first course of NAC. The doses of radiation were 60 Gy for 4 patients (rad. group), and 72 Gy for 9 patients who received hyperfractionated radiotherapy with simultaneous Carboplatin (HF rad. group). Radical surgery was performed in 9 patients who did not respond to NAC (surg. group). The mean duration of hospital stay was 89.3 days for the rad. group, 92.0 days for the HF rad. group, and 113.3 days for the surg. group. The mean medical cost was 238,700 points for the rad. group, 264,846 points for the HF rad. group, and 459,468 points for the surg. group. The mean amounts and percentages of cost for NAC were 39,473 points and 16.1% for the rad. group, 44,802 points and 16.9% for the HF rad. group, and 23,451 points and 5.1% for the surg. group. The mean amounts of cost for NAC including examination costs and nursing costs for chemotherapy were 130,196 points and 54.5% for the rad. group, 150,046 points and 55.7% for the HF rad. group, and 113,839 points and 24.8% for the surg. group. The cost of NAC accounted for half of the total cost of chemo-radiation treatment for functional preservation. The duration of the hospital stay was prolonged by NAC, which accounted for a quarter of the total cost for the surg. group. Survival benefits are considered in the analysis of treatment cost-effectiveness for head and neck cancers. In the future, QOL, which is defined as the utility achieved as a result of multi-modal treatments, should also be analyzed along with survival benefits. Cost-utility analyses should include quality-adjusted life years, based upon the cost identification results of our analysis for NAC, to evaluate the efficacy of NAC in multi-modal treatments for head and neck cancers.

[Clinical PET activities in European and Asia-Oceanian countries]

Clinical diagnosis using positron emission tomography (PET) requires high costs. Therefore, sociomedical evaluation is very important for spread of clinical PET. In this report, sociomedical situation in European and Asia-Oceanian countries, especially concerning transportation of 18F-FDG and reimbursement of medical costs for clinical PET indications, is reported. It seems that UK, Germany and Belgium are the most advanced in clinical PET in Europe. In these countries, many PET investigations are reimbursed though systems are different among the countries. In UK, both public and private insurance gives authorization for clinical PET to some extent. In Germany, private health insurance companies give authorization but public insurance has not. In Belgium, private health insurance does not exist and public insurance gives authorization for clinical PET. Other European countries seem to be in transitional stages. Transportation of 18F-FDG has been already started in almost every country in Europe and Asia-Oceania. In Japan, neither transportation of FDG nor full reimbursement of clinical PET has not started yet and this situation seems to be exceptional. To promote clinical PET in Japan, there is the need of at least establishing a list of clinical indications for PET investigations and establishing commercial-based 18F-FDG supplying system. They could be regarded as a kind of infrastructure for spread of clinical PET.

Pancytopenia in tuberous sclerosis

A 46-year-old woman with edema and pancytopenia was referred for further evaluation. She was diagnosed as tuberous sclerosis with clinical manifestations such as facial adenoma sebaceous, ungual and periungual fibroma, subependymal nodules and renal angiomyolipoma. Her edema seemed due to hypercardiac function induced by massive anemia. X-ray revealed extraordinary thickening of the cortex of long bones of the extremities as well as patchy osteosclerotic findings in vertebra, suggesting that hematopoietic space was significantly reduced. Pancytopenia improved after splenectomy. Histological examination revealed several intrasplenic hemangiomas but its relationship to hypersplenism was not clear. It seemed that her massive pancytopenia was induced by a combination of hypersplenism and significant reduction in hematopoetic space. In tuberous sclerosis, various systemic complications sometimes induce severe hematological abnormalities. According to previous literatures, the present case of tuberous sclerosis manifested the most outstanding hematological complications.

Y2, the smallest of the Sendai virus C proteins, is fully capable of both counteracting the antiviral action of interferons and inhibiting viral RNA synthesis

An open reading frame (ORF) overlapping the amino-terminal portion of the Sendai virus (SeV) P ORF in the +1 frame produces a nested set of carboxy-coterminal proteins, C', C, Y1, and Y2, which are referred to collectively as the C proteins. The C proteins are extremely versatile triple-role players; they counteract the antiviral action of interferons (IFNs), inhibit viral RNA synthesis, and are involved in virus assembly. In this study, we established HeLa cell lines stably expressing the C, Y1, and Y2 proteins individually and examined the capacities of these cells to circumvent the antiviral action of alpha/beta IFN (IFN-alpha/beta) and IFN-gamma and to inhibit viral transcription. The assay protocols included monitoring of IFN-alpha/beta-mediated signaling by interferon-stimulated response element-driven reporter gene expression and of the antiviral state induced by IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma and measurement of reporter gene expression from an SeV minigenome, as well as quantification of SeV primary transcripts. When necessary, the activities measured were carefully normalized to the expression levels of the respective C proteins in cells. The data obtained clearly indicate that the smallest protein, Y2, was as active as the C and Y1 proteins in both counteracting the antiviral action of IFNs and inhibiting viral transcription. The data further show that intracellular transexpression of either C, Y1, or Y2 rendered HeLa cells moderately or only poorly permissive for not only wild-type SeV but also 4C(-) SeV, which expressed none of the four C proteins. On the basis of these findings, the roles of SeV C proteins in the natural life cycle are discussed.