Postnatal growth failure, short life span, and early onset of cellular senescence and subsequent immortalization in mice lacking the xeroderma pigmentosum group G gene

The xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XP-G) gene (XPG) encodes a structure-specific DNA endonuclease that functions in nucleotide excision repair (NER). XP-G patients show various symptoms, ranging from mild cutaneous abnormalities to severe dermatological impairments. In some cases, patients exhibit growth failure and life-shortening and neurological dysfunctions, which are characteristics of Cockayne syndrome (CS). The known XPG protein function as the 3' nuclease in NER, however, cannot explain the development of CS in certain XP-G patients. To gain an insight into the functions of the XPG protein, we have generated and examined mice lacking xpg (the mouse counterpart of the human XPG gene) alleles. The xpg-deficient mice exhibited postnatal growth failure and underwent premature death. Since XPA-deficient mice, which are totally defective in NER, do not show such symptoms, our data indicate that XPG performs an additional function(s) besides its role in NER. Our in vitro studies showed that primary embryonic fibroblasts isolated from the xpg-deficient mice underwent premature senescence and exhibited the early onset of immortalization and accumulation of p53.

Glowing podocytes in living mouse: transgenic mouse carrying a podocyte-specific promoter

Green fluorescence protein (GFP) has been utilized as a marker of gene expression due to the great advantage in its simple and quick detectability. We generated transgenic mice carrying a GFP cDNA under the control of a beta-actin/beta-globin promoter (CX promoter) and cytomegalovirus enhancer. The green luminescence derived from GFP was apparent in skeletal muscle, pancreas, heart and kidney, but not in other tissues. The GFP expression in the kidney was localized in podocytes. Moreover, in situ hybridization of GFP showed that the transcriptional level was highly active in the podocytes. These results suggested that the glowing green fluorescence would be a useful in vivo marker of podocyte in these transgenic lines in the physiological and pathophysiological state, and that the CX promoter could allow a podocyte-specific expression of a molecule of interest in kidney.

Generating green fluorescent mice by germline transmission of green fluorescent ES cells

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants currently represent the only non-invasive markers available for labeling mammalian cells in culture or in a multicellular organism through transgenesis. To date this marker gene has been widely used in the study of many organisms, but as yet has not found large-scale application in mammals due to problems encountered with weak fluorescence and instability of the wild-type protein at higher temperatures. Recently, though, several mutants have been made in the wild-type (wt) GFP so as to improve its thermostability and fluorescence. EGFP (enhanced GFP) is one such wtGFP variant. As a first step in assessing the use of EGFP in ES cell-mediated strategies, we have established a mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell lines expressing EGFP, which can be propagated in culture, reintroduced into mice. or induced to differentiate in vitro, while still maintaining ubiquitous EGFP expression. From the results presented we can suggest that: 1) possible improvements in the efficiency of transgenic regimes requiring the germline transmission of ES cells by aggregation chimeras can be made by the preselection chimeric embryos at the blastocyst stage: (2) the expression of a noninvasive marker, driven by a promoter that is active during early postimplantation development, allows access to embryos during a window of embryonic development that has previously been difficult to investigate (3) the behavior of mutant ES cells can be followed with simple microscopic observation of chimeric embryos or adult animals comprising green fluorescent cells/tissues. and (4) intercrosses of F1 mice and subsequent generations of animals show that progeny can be genotyped by UV light, such that mice homozygous for the transgene can be distinguished from hemizygotes due to their increased fluorescence.

[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for unresectable or recurrent breast cancer]

Epirubicin and 5-FU were administered through an indwelling catheter inserted into the internal mammary artery and/or subclavian artery employing an implantable infusion port system for the treatment of unresectable advanced breast cancer and recurrent breast cancer. Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy proved to be an effective treatment modality for unresectable advanced breast cancer and recurrent breast cancer.

[Transcatheter oily chemoembolization and intermittent hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy in the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]

Between 1990 and 1997, 227 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by intrahepatic arterial injection of a Lipiodol-Epirubicin-Mitomycin C emulsion followed by intermittent hepatic artery infusion of Epirubicin, Mitomycin C and 5-FU, employing an implantable subcutaneous infusion port. A catheter was inserted percutaneously into the hepatic artery using the Seldinger technique. Objective remission was induced in 80% of the evaluable patients as evidenced by a decrease in their AFP and PIVKA II levels. These remissions were also confirmed by liver sonogram and CT scan showing decreased tumor volume. Transcatheter oily chemoembolization combined with intermittent hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy seems to be an effective treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma both for palliation of symptoms as well as prolongation of survival with good quality of life.

Prevention of hyperacute rejection by phosphatidylinositol-anchored mini-complement receptor type 1

Complement receptor type 1 (CR1, CD35) contains both factor I cofactor activity and convertase decay accelerating activity, but is, in general, thought to be an extrinsic regulator of complement activation. In this study, we prepared a phosphatidylinositol (PI)-anchored mini-CR1, which is composed of the short consensus repeat (SCR) 8-11 of CR1 and the PI anchor of DAF, and expressed it stably on a swine endothelial cell (SEC) line. We then examined the intrinsic regulatory activity of the mini-CR1, with respect to complement-mediated cell lysis as an in vitro hyperacute rejection model of a swine to human discordant xenograft. Flowcytometric profiles of the stable SEC lines with mini-CR1 showed a moderate level of expression for this molecule. Mini-CR1 blocked human complement-mediated cell lysis by approximately 50-70% on SEC. From the data of this study and our previous studies, mini-CR1 was more effective than membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46), and as effective as decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) in this system. The results suggest that PI-anchored mini-CR1 represents a useful molecule for clinical xenotransplantation.

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.

The effects of thermal and mechanical stimulation on blood flow in healthy and inflamed gingiva in man

The purpose of this study was to compare the state of the microcirculation in healthy gingiva with that in untreated, inflamed gingiva in humans. Reflection photoplethysmography (RP) was used to record blood flow from 13 clinically healthy, attached gingival sites in seven adults and 11 inflamed sites in seven patients. Changes in the pulse amplitude of the RP signal were measured before and after application of thermal (cold and hot water) and mechanical (brushing) stimuli to the gingiva. Hot water and brushing, but not cold water, produced a significant increase in the pulse amplitude in healthy gingiva (p < 0.05, Friedman analysis and Student-Newman Keuls test). None of the stimuli produced a significant change in inflamed gingiva. In neither group of participants was there a significant correlation (Spearman rank correlation coefficient) between vascular responsiveness and age. The results indicated that vasomotor control may be impaired in inflamed gingiva.

Cloning and characterization of the human Calmegin gene encoding putative testis-specific chaperone

The putative chaperone Calmegin is required for sperm fertility in mouse and the relevance of the gene to certain cases of human male infertility has been suggested. In the present paper, we have isolated and characterized the human homolog cDNA of the mouse germ cell-specific Calmegin. The entire coding region of the human cDNA showed 80% identity with the previously reported mouse Calmegin. The predicted amino acid sequence showed strong conservation of the two sets of internal repetitive sequences (Ca2+ binding motif), and the hydrophilic COOH terminus, which corresponds to the putative endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif. Our finding will support diagnosis of male infertility. Northern blotting analysis of various human tissues showed that the transcript was 3 kb in length and was expressed exclusively in the testis. Using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, human Calmegin gene was mapped to chromosome 4q28.3-q31.1.

Tissue-specific knockout of the mouse Pig-a gene reveals important roles for GPI-anchored proteins in skin development

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins are widely distributed on plasma membranes of eukaryotes. More than 50 GPI-anchored proteins have been shown to be spatiotemporally expressed in mice with a deficiency of GPI-anchor biosynthesis that causes embryonic lethality. Here, we examine the functional roles of GPI-anchored proteins in mouse skin using the Cre-loxP recombination system. We disrupted the Pig-a gene, an X-linked gene essential for GPI-anchor biosynthesis, in skin. The Cre-mediated Pig-a disruption occurred in skin at almost 100% efficiency in male mice bearing two identically orientated loxP sites within the Pig-a gene. Expression of GPI-anchored proteins was completely absent in the skin of these mice. The skin of such mutants looked wrinkled and more scaly than that of wild-type mice. Furthermore, histological examination of mutant mice showed that the epidermal horny layer was tightly packed and thickened. Electron microscopy showed that the intercellular space was narrow and there were many small vesicles embedded in the intercellular space that were not observed in equivalent wild-type mouse skin preparations. Mutant mice died within a few days after birth, suggesting that Pig-a function is essential for proper skin differentiation and maintenance.

The putative chaperone calmegin is required for sperm fertility

The proper folding of newly synthesized membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is required for the formation of functional mature proteins. Calnexin is a ubiquitous ER chaperone that plays a major role in quality control by retaining incompletely folded or misfolded proteins. In contrast to other known chaperones such as heat-shock proteins, BiP and calreticulin, calnexin is an integral membrane protein. Calmegin is a testis-specific ER protein that is homologous to calnexin. Here we show that calmegin binds to nascent polypeptides during spermatogenesis, and have analysed its physiological function by targeted disruption of its gene. Homozygous-null male mice are nearly sterile even though spermatogenesis is morphologically normal and mating is normal. In vitro, sperm from homozygous-null males do not adhere to the egg extracellular matrix (zona pellucida), and this defect may explain the observed infertility. These results suggest that calmegin functions as a chaperone for one or more sperm surface proteins that mediate the interactions between sperm and egg. The defective zona pellucida-adhesion phenotype of sperm from calmegin-deficient mice is reminiscent of certain cases of unexplained infertility in human males.

'Green mice' as a source of ubiquitous green cells

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is responsible for the green bioluminescence of the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. Many classes of GFP mutants exist that display modified fluorescence spectra and an increased extinction coefficient. We produced transgenic mouse lines with an 'enhanced' GFP (EGFP) cDNA under the control of a chicken beta-actin promoter and cytomegalovirus enhancer. All of the tissues from these transgenic lines, with the exception of erythrocytes and hair, were green under excitation light. The fluorescent nature of the cells from these transgenic mouse lines would facilitate their use in many kinds of cell transplantation experiments.

The regulation of membrane cofactor protein (CD46) expression by the 3' untranslated region in transgenic mice

Regulation of the membrane cofactor protein (MCP: CD46) was examined. While the expression of MCP in mice carrying MCP(BC2) cDNA with 125 bp of 3' untranslated region (3'UT) was minimal, that in mice carrying MCP cDNA without total 3' UT was evident in many organs. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis clearly showed the presence of mRNA even in transgenic mice with 3' UT, suggesting that the expression was regulated at the post-transcriptional stage. The in vitro expression data of MCP molecules on the stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell clone corresponded to that in transgenic mice. The first 125 bp downregulated the expression of MCP molecules in combination with not only beta-actin, but also SR alpha, promoter. Also, this region inhibited expression of decay accelerating factor (DAF: CD55) molecules when it was inserted into cDNA of DAF. Furthermore, the first 32 bp of the 3' UT revealed the same downregulation effect as 125 bp on MCP molecules. These findings indicated that the first 125 bp (and the first 32 bp in particular) of 3' UT regulate the expression of MCP molecules in transgenic mice.

Transcriptional activation of a hybrid promoter composed of cytomegalovirus enhancer and beta-actin/beta-globin gene in glomerular epithelial cells in vivo

The aim of this study was to seek a promoter, transactivated selectively in renal cells in vivo by using transgenic (tg) mouse technology. We generated two kinds of tg mouse lines carrying a green fluorescence protein (GFP) cDNA driven either by cytomegalovirus enhancer and beta-actin/beta-globin promoter (CX-GFP) or by elongation factor 1alpha promoter (EF-GFP), and investigated the expression of GFP in the kidney. Microscopic examination of the renal tissues in CX-GFP-tg mice revealed that GFP was expressed only in glomeruli, mainly epithelial cells, but not in tubules, arteries and interstitium. Moreover, in situ hybridization demonstrated that GFP mRNA expression was localized in the glomerular cells. In contrast, GFP was not detectable in the kidney in any of the lines of EF-GFP-tg mouse. To exclude the possible involvement of the GFP cDNA as an enhancer, we constructed tg mice carrying the CX promoter driving a human CD4 cDNA. It was confirmed that the expression patterns of human CD4 in the kidney were quite similar to those of GFP in the kidney of CX-GFP-tg mice. These results strongly suggest that CX promoter could be transactivated in glomerular epithelial cells in vivo.

[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for breast cancer]

In order to reduce toxic effects while attaining maximal therapeutic effects, epirubicin 10 mg/day, cyclophosphamide 100 mg/day and prednisolone 10 mg/day were administered through in indwelling catheter inserted into the internal mammary artery and/or subclavian artery for 3-4 weeks, employing the implantable port system for the treatment of unresectable breast cancer and recurrent cancer. Ten out of 11 patients (91%) with unresectable breast cancer showed a response (CR 3, PR 7, NC 1) to this modality of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy. Seven out of 11 patients (64%) with recurrent cancer of the breast showed a response (CR 1, PR 6, NC 4). Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy for the unresectable advanced breast cancer and recurrent breast cancer proved to be an effective modality of treatment.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor-deficient mice: implications for clonal dominance of mutant cells in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis. Abnormal hematopoietic cells from patients with PNH are deficient in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins and clonally dominate various hematopoietic lineages in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. Analysis of many patients with PNH has showed that somatic mutation in the X-linked gene PIG-A is responsible for the GPI-anchor deficiency in PNH. The PIG-A mutation must also be relevant to the clonal dominance of GPI-anchor deficient (GPI-) blood cells because two or more PIG-A mutant clones become dominant in many patients. However, whether the PIG-A mutation alone is sufficient for clonal dominance is not known. To address this question, we generated chimeric mice using Pig-a (the murine homologue of PIG-A) disrupted embryonic stem (ES) cells, in which the animals are chimeric with respect to the surface expression of GPI-anchored proteins. The chimerism of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic tissues in such mice was always low, suggesting that the higher contribution of Pig-a disrupted GPI- cells had a lethal effect on the chimera. GPI- cells appeared in the peripheral blood of some of the chimeric mice. However, the percentage of GPI- erythrocytes did not increase for 10 months after birth, implying that the Pig-a mutation alone does not immediately cause the clonal dominance of GPI- blood cells; another pathologic or physiologic change(s) in the hematopoietic environments or in the clone itself may be necessary.