Role of CD86 (B7-2) in triggering of antigen-specific IgE antibody response by lipopolysaccharide

The role of CD86 in triggering of ascaris extract-specific IgE antibody response by lipopolysaccharide was studied. The simultaneous administration of anti-CD86 antibody with ascaris extract and lipopolysaccharide prevented the production of IgE antibody response to ascaris extract. CD86+ cells were detected in peritoneal cavities and spleens of mice injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide. CD86+ cells appeared in peritoneal cavities and spleens eight hours after lipopolysaccharide injection, and they were detectable for a week. CD86+ cells in peritoneal cavities and spleens were mainly surface Ig-positive B-cells and some Ig-negative cells. It was suggested that lipopolysaccharide induced the expression of CD86 mainly on B-cells, and that CD86+ cells induced by lipopolysaccharide injection might play an important role as antigen-presenting cells on triggering of ascaris extract-specific IgE antibody response by lipopolysaccharide.

Multiple carcinoids of the duodenum accompanied by type I familial multiple endocrine neoplasia

A case of multiple carcinoid tumors of the duodenum accompanied by familial multiple endocrine neoplasia is reported. A 46-year-old man with duodenal polyps discovered during a mass screening was followed up for 5 years. In August 1994, a histological examination revealed carcinoid tumors, and he was thus referred to our hospital for surgery. He underwent a parathyroidectomy and cholecystectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism and cholecystolithiasis, respectively. The patient's sister had also undergone a parathyroidectomy and distal pancreatectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism and insulinoma of the pancreas. In addition, his two children were also followed up for hypercalcemia. A serum examination of the patient revealed high levels of somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide, but normal levels of gastrin and serotonin. In November 1994, a pancreaticoduodenectomy with a D2 lymph node dissection was performed. The macroscopic findings of the resected specimen showed multiple polypoid lesions with delles on the top, measuring 3 to 15 mm in size throughout the duodenum. A microscopic examination revealed the tumor to have infiltrated into the submucosa extensively, and an immunohistochemical analysis also demonstrated the tumor cells to be positive for somatostatin, but not for pancreatic polypeptide. After surgery, the serum level of somatostatin returned to normal but the pancreatic polypeptide remained high. The post-operative course was uneventful, and the patient remains in good health.

Allele-specific inactivation of the alpha4 integrin gene expression in fibrosarcoma cell lines and relevance for spontaneous metastasis

Deregulated expression of genes is found in cancer cells, which may affect malignant properties, but it is unclear whether such modulation occurs allele-specifically. This study shows that the gene coding alpha4 integrin, a cell adhesion molecule, underwent allelic inactivation in a series of heterozygous murine fibrosarcoma cell lines (MST lines) with different metastatic potentials. P4 cells expressed the alpha4 integrin gene from one allele at a level comparable to that of the primary MST1 tumor, whereas the descendent lines of P4 exhibited decreased expression of both alleles. No allelic loss of DNA was observed in these cells. Other four clones derived from P4 and five clones from a different tumor also showed such two-step inactivation. Intriguingly, the loss of expression was correlated with the acquisition of spontaneous, but not artificial, metastatic ability. This is consistent with the previous result of inverse relation between the expression of alpha4/beta1 integrin and the invasive potential of B16 melanoma cells. Analysis of DNA methylation and chromatin state of the alpha4 integrin gene failed to provide a clue to difference between the two alleles in the cell lines. These results suggest that the allelic inactivation is a process giving loss of function to one allele, although the mechanism is unclear.

Synchronous gastric tumors associated with esophageal cancer: a retrospective study of twenty-four patients

OBJECTIVES

Synchronous gastric tumors (including benign and secondary tumors) associated with esophageal cancer present diagnostic and therapeutic issues. We investigated this synchronous association, and retrospectively determined the frequency of the gastric tumors and the clinical characteristics.

METHODS

In a series of 208 patients with esophageal cancer, we investigated the synchronous gastric tumors, as well as the frequency of association, clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and the clinical outcome after surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight gastric tumors were found in 24 patients. Adenocarcinoma was most frequent. Most of these tumors were located at the upper or middle third of the stomach. Eight gastric tumors in six patients could not be detected preoperatively. Six of these tumors including a gastric remnant cancer were detected in the resected stomach, and two leiomyomas were detected during the operation. In one patient in which an endoscope could not pass through the esophagus, a leiomyoma was detected in the resected stomach. For the gastric cancers, total gastrectomy or proximal gastrectomy with lymph node dissections was performed. For the benign tumors, partial resection of the stomach was performed, and endoscopic resection was performed preoperatively for an adenoma. In both the postoperative hospital mortality rate and the survival rate after surgery, there were no significant differences between the patients with and without gastric tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Synchronous gastric tumors associated with esophageal cancer are not rare. When an endoscope cannot pass through the esophagus before surgery, other techniques must be performed to explore the stomach. For these patients, surgical treatment should be adapted positively.

Generation of Escherichia coli O9a serotype, a subtype of E. coli O9, by transfer of the wb* gene cluster of Klebsiella O3 into E. coli via recombination

Genetic characterization of the wb* gene in a series of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella strains possessing the mannose homopolymer as the O-specific polysaccharide was carried out. The partial nucleotide sequences and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis suggested that E. coli serotype O9a, a subtype of E. coli O9, might have been generated by the insertion of the Klebsiella O3 wb* gene into a certain E. coli strain.

Altered expression of constitutive type and inducible type heat shock proteins in response of D-galactosamine-sensitized mice to lipopolysaccharide as an experimental endotoxic shock model

The expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) as stress-induced proteins was studied in mice injected with D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an experimental endotoxic shock model. The expression of constitutive type heat shock protein 70 (HSC70) was significantly reduced in livers of mice injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide, while its expression was unaffected in livers of mice injected with D-galactosamine or lipopolysaccharide alone. The expression of other constitutive type heat shock proteins, namely HSP60, HSP32 and HSP25 was also reduced in mice injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide. On the other hand, inducible type HSP70 was detected in livers from mice injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide, but not in livers from mice injected with D-galactosamine or lipopolysaccharide alone. Simultaneous injection of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibody prevented the liver from reduced expression of constitutive type HSC70, and lead to marked expression of inducible type HSP70 in the liver. Reduced expression of constitutive type HSC70 was also found when D-galactosamine and recombinant TNF-alpha was injected. Therefore, TNF-alpha was suggested to play a critical role on altered expression of constitutive HSC70 and inducible type HSP70 in response of D-galactosamine-sensitized mice to lipopolysaccharide.

[Continuous intraportal chemotherapy for prevention of metachronous hepatic metastasis in colorectal cancer]

Fifty-five colorectal cancer patients who had continuous intraportal chemotherapy between 1990 and 1993 (treated group) and 130 colorectal cancer patients who did not have portal chemotherapy between 1982 and 1993 (untreated group) were studied to clarify the effects of continuous intraportal chemotherapy on the prognosis. After a catheter was placed in the portal vein through the right gastroepiploic vein at the time of radical operation, 10 mg of MMC was continuously infused for 4 hours at operation and 500 mg/day of 5-FU was continuously infused for 7 days postoperatively. The toxicities of this therapy were not serious. The five-year survival rate was 65.3% in the treated group and 65.6% in the untreated group. The five-year disease-free survival rate was 69.8% in the treated group and 58.6% in the untreated group, with no significant difference. In stage II patients, however, the five-year disease-free survival rate in the treated group was slightly higher than in the untreated group (90.0% vs 70.3%, p = 0.073), and the rate of hepatic recurrence in the treated group was significantly lower than in the untreated group. These results suggest that continuous intraportal chemotherapy may prevent metachronous hepatic metastases in stage II colorectal cancer patients.

Point mutations in the S and pre-S2 genes observed in two hepatitis B virus carriers positive for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen

Two hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers who had antibodies to HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were studied. Case 1 was a 47 year old woman positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and case 2 was a 61 year old man positive for antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe) and DNA-polymerase (DNA-p). Neither case had received the HBV vaccine. The nucleotide sequences of the HBV-DNA extracted from the patients' sera were determined within the pre-S2 and S genes. Seven out of nine S gene clones from case 1 and six out of nine S gene clones from case 2 had an amino acid replacement from Thr or Ile to Ser at codon 126 in the alpha-determinant of the S gene. Amino acid substitution of codon 145 of the S gene previously reported was not observed. Although two previous reports on HBV escape mutant carriers with both anti-HBs and HBeAg described some deletions in the pre-S2 gene, our cases did not show these deletions. Our analysis indicated that carriers with the HBV escape mutant did not always have pre-S2 gene deletions. We found two HBV escape mutant carriers who had amino acid substitutions at codon 126 in the S gene due to point mutation without any deletions in the pre-S2 gene.

Mixed connective tissue disease associated with idiopathic portal hypertension and chronic thyroiditis

We report a patient with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) associated with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and chronic thyroiditis. The patient was a 68-year-old Japanese woman who was admitted to our hospital for treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. She had previously exhibited Raynaud's phenomenon and had had arthritis for about 30 years. She also had had high titers anti-U1 of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) anti-single strand-DNA autoantibodies for 2 years, and had been diagnosed with MCTD 1 year previously. The bleeding from esophageal varices was successfully stopped by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. Results of laboratory examinations, imaging examinations, and laparoscopy, including liver biopsy, indicated that the esophageal varices were caused by portal hypertension due to IPH. The patient also had a diffusely firm and enlarged goiter and hypothyroidism, and she exhibited anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, she was diagnosed as having a complication of chronic thyroiditis. This association of MCTD, IPH, and chronic thyroiditis is quite rare and provides a unique opportunity to observe immunological involvement in the pathogenesis of IPH.

Differential release of endotoxin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa treated with beta-lactam antibiotics and its effect on the lethal activity

The relationship between the level of endotoxin released from Pseudomonas aeruginosa by exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics and the lethal activity against D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-sensitized mice was examined. In vitro treatment of P. aeruginosa with imipenem (IPM) exclusively caused low-level release of free endotoxin, which was not lethal for D-GalN-sensitized mice. Treatment with other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as ceftazidime (CAZ), meropenem (MEPM) and cefozopran (CZOP) caused high-level release of free endotoxin and it exhibited the lethal action against D-GalN-sensitized mice. This study demonstrated close association of free endotoxin released by antibiotic treatment with the lethal activity.

Immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 protein in squamous cell carcinoma and basaloid carcinoma of the esophagus

In the present study, the expression of bcl-2 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basaloid carcinoma (BC) was immunohistochemically examined, and its relation to tumor progression and postoperative survival was determined in SCC. A total of 42 SCC and 4 BC tumor samples were fixed with formalin, embedded in paraffin, and stained using monoclonal bcl-2 protein antibody, clone 124. Immunoreactivity was semiquantitatively scored, and the staining results were compared with the pathologic features and survival rates. The cytoplasm of basal cells from the normal esophageal epithelium was stained. In some well- and moderately differentiated SCCs, bcl-2 protein-positive reaction was observed in the peripheral part of the tumor cord, but in poorly differentiated SCC, the cells were weakly or hardly stained. However, in BC, the cells were strongly stained. The immunoreactivity was positive in 45.2% of the SCCs and all of the BCs. There were no significant differences in pathological features or patient survival between the bcl-2 protein-positive and protein-negative SCCs. In conclusion, the expression was not related to tumor progression and had no prognostic significance in SCC. Conversely, BC had strong immunohistochemical expression, probably associated with the differentiation of carcinoma cells simulating the basal cells of the esophagus.

Low-level release of Shiga-like toxin (verocytotoxin) and endotoxin from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli treated with imipenem

Shiga-like toxin (SLT) and endotoxin may participate in the pathogenesis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection. Levels of release of SLT and endotoxin from EHEC treated in vitro with antibiotics were estimated. There were differential levels of release of SLT and endotoxin from EHEC treated with different antibiotics. Treatment of EHEC strains, namely, E. coli O157, O111, and O26, with imipenem induced much lower levels of release of SLT and endotoxin than treatment with ceftazidime.

Oesophageal cancer associated with other primary cancers: a study of 31 patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of oesophageal cancer associated with other primary cancers and the survival rate after surgery for the patients with these cancers. Of 202 patients with oesophageal cancer treated in the Second Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine between 1981 and 1995, 31 patients (15.3%) had oesophageal cancer associated with other primary cancers. Twenty-one synchronous and 10 metachronous associated cancers were found and 25 of them were resected. Early-stage oesophageal cancer was much more frequent in the associated cases than in the non-associated cases. The stomach was the most frequently associated organ. The numbers of cases with triple and quadruple cancers were three and one, respectively. Three of these cases had intervals of over 6 years between tumours. Three cases with other primary cancers which had intervals of over 7 years after oesophagectomy were found, and two were carcinomas of the reconstructed gastric tube. In the outcome after surgery for oesophageal cancer, there was no difference between the associated and the non-associated cases, and also no difference between the synchronous and metachronous associated cases. Regarding the five-year and 10-year survival rates after surgery for the first cancers, the synchronous cases had a poorer outcome than did the metachronous cases. In conclusion, oesophageal cancer with other primary cancers is not always rare, and its outcome is not poor compared with that of the non-associated cases. These patients may achieve survival by early detection of both lesions and positive treatment. It is important to consider the risk of other primary cancers after oesophagectomy, and the success of the reconstructed gastric tube should be followed by endoscopy.

Evolutionary relationship among rfb gene clusters synthesizing mannose homopolymer as O-specific polysaccharides in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella

In order to clarify the evolutionary relationship among rfb gene clusters synthesizing mannose homopolymer as O-specific polysaccharides in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, we studied the DNA sequence of the boundary region between the rfb and his genes in a series of strains possessing mannose homopolymer as O-specific polysaccharide. All had a characteristic gene organization carrying no gene between the rfb and his genes. Further, the recombination event was suggested to occur at the same site of the hisI gene in those strains. It was suggested that there was a close evolutionary relationship among rfb gene clusters synthesizing mannose homopolymer as O-specific polysaccharide in E. coli and Klebsiella.

Ion-channels formed by hypelcins, antibiotic peptides, in planar bilayer lipid membranes

Ion-channel properties of native hypelcins (HP) A-I, A-V and B-V isolated from Hypocrea peltata and a synthetic analog, HP-A-Pheol, were studied in planar bilayer lipid membranes by a single-channel recording technique. The native and synthetic hypelcins formed ion-channels with three conductance levels for 3 mole dm(-3) KCl: < or = 0.09 nS at 225 mV (level 0, only detectable at voltages above 200 mV), approximately 0.6 nS at 150 mV (level 1, most common level) and approximately 3 nS at 150 mV (level 2). The effects of the C-terminal aminoalcohol on the channel properties were examined with HP-A-I, HP-A-V and HP-A-Pheol, whose C-termini are leucinol (Leuol), isoleucinol (Ileol) and phenylalaninol (Pheol), respectively. The substitution of Pheol for Leuol and Ileol prolonged the open channel lifetime. A comparison of HP-A-V (Gln18) and HP-B-V (Glu18) indicated that the carboxyl group at position 18 increased both the open channel lifetime and the magnitude of unitary channel conductance at each conductance level. The pores of level 1 showed poor ion-selectivity for K+ over Cl-. The selectivity order of alkali metal cations was Rb > or = Cs > or = K > Na > Li for level 1 and Cs > Rb > K > Na > Li for level 0. The unitary current-voltage characteristics showed non-linear relationships, which were simulated by a Nernst-Planck approach with a simple barrier model.

Augmentation of lipopolysaccharide-induced thymocyte apoptosis by interferon-gamma

The role of interferon (IFN)-gamma on thymocyte apoptosis in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. The administration of LPS into mice induced marked apoptosis of thymocytes in vivo, but the simultaneous injection of anti-IFN-gamma antibody with LPS completely prevented thymocyte apoptosis. Pretreatment of mice with IFN-gamma markedly enhanced LPS-induced thymocyte apoptosis. Thymocyte apoptosis augmented by IFN-gamma occurred in the thymic cortex, and target cells undergoing apoptosis were CD4+8+ immature thymocytes. IFN-gamma itself did not induce thymocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. IFN-gamma exhibited no synergistic action with effector molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and glucocorticoids. Further, it was shown that IFN-gamma did not enhance the susceptibility of thymocytes to apoptosis. Pretreatment of mice with IFN-gamma significantly augmented the serum TNF-alpha level and the serum cortisol level in response to LPS. Therefore, we suggest that IFN-gamma might augment LPS-induced thymocyte apoptosis through elevating serum TNF-alpha and cortisol levels.

Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on vascular endothelial cells and renal tubular cells in the generalized Shwartzman reaction as an experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation model

The participation of adhesion molecules in systemic vascular injuries of the generalized Shwartzman reaction was studied. The generalized Shwartzman reaction was induced in mice by two consecutive injections of lipopolysaccharide. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was expressed on vascular endothelial cells, renal tubular cells and alveolar wall in generalized Shwartzman reaction-induced mice. The preparative injection of lipopolysaccharides induced ICAM-1 expression in those cells, and the provocative injection of lipopolysaccharides for the generalized Shwartzman reaction augmented it further. The simultaneous administration of anti-gamma interferon antibody with the preparative injection of lipopolysaccharides completely inhibited ICAM-1 expression on vascular endothelial cells. The injection of recombinant gamma interferon in replacement of lipopolysaccharides resulted in ICAM-1 expression. The administration of anti-ICAM-1 antibody together with the provocative injection of lipopolysaccharides significantly blocked the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in generalized Shwartzman reaction-induced mice. It was suggested that ICAM-1 expression on vascular endothelial cells might be involved in systemic vascular injuries of the generalized Shwartzman reaction, and that it might be regulated by gamma interferon.

Two cases of renal hypouricemia with nephrolithiasis

We treated two cases of renal hypouricemia with nephrolithiasis. The serum uric acid level of the first patient was 1.5 mg/dl, and the ratio of uric acid clearance to creatinine clearance (CUA/Ccr) was 75.7%. In the benzbromarone (BZB) suppression test, CUA/Ccr was increased from 60.4% to 130.0%, but was not decreased in response to the pyrazinamide (PZA) suppression test. This patient was considered to have a presecretory reabsorptive urate transportation defect. His condition was also associated with IgA nephropathy. The serum uric acid level in the second patient was 1.0 mg/dl and CUA/Ccr was 56.0%. Neither PZA nor BZB had a significant effect on CUA/Ccr. He was considered to have a subtotal uric acid transportation defect. Both patients were incidentally found to have nephrolithiasis. The second patient had abnormal maximum tubular secretory capacity for para-aminohippurate (PAH) (TmPAH), and was found to have two kinds of proximal tubular abnormalities related to uric acid and PAH.

Time-dependent increases in syndecan-1 and fibroglycan messenger RNA expression in the infarct zone after experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats

BACKGROUND

Syndecan-1 and fibroglycan, heparan sulphate proteoglycans, play important roles in extracellular matrix formation via their biological functions.

OBJECTIVE

To examine experimentally the sequential changes in syndecan-1 and fibroglycan messenger RNA (mRNA) expression after acute myocardial infarction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The left coronary arteries of male Sprague-Dawley rats were ligated and the hearts were excised on days 1-14, 28 and 42. Syndecan-1 and fibroglycan mRNA expression in the infarct and non-infarct zones and in sham-operated hearts was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Amplified products were quantified by densitometry of the electrophoresed bands stained with ethidium bromide and standardized relative to the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase or beta-actin mRNA expression. Northern hybridization was also performed in the infarct and non-infarct zones on day 3.

RESULTS

Expression both of syndecan-1 and of fibroglycan mRNA began to increase on day 2. The expression attained maximum levels on day 3. The maximum levels of syndecan-1 and fibroglycan expression were, respectively, sevenfold and fivefold the preligation level and the level in the sham-operated hearts. The levels remained elevated until day 14, whereupon they declined gradually, returning to the control levels by around day 42. Northern blotting also demonstrated that there was an increased expression both of syndecan-1 and of fibroglycan mRNA in the infarct compared with that in the non-infarct zone on day 3.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that there are sequential increases in the expression both of syndecan-1 and of fibroglycan mRNA in the infarct zone after experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats, suggesting that these proteoglycans play some role in the pathological course of infarction.

Reciprocal gene expression of rat fibroglycan and beta-actin during the course of regeneration after D-galactosamine liver injury

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Fibroglycan (FG) is a major heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in the rat liver that is mainly distributed on the surface of hepatocytes. HSPG may play some important roles in the regeneration of liver by interacting with various growth factors such as bFGF and HB-EGF. However, little is known about the function of FG. We reported that after injury caused by D-galactosamine, regeneration started on the following day and peaked on day 2. To clarify the function of FG in liver regeneration, we investigated the gene expression of FG during regeneration after D-galactosamine injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were given D-galactosamine on day 0. Liver RNA was collected from day 0 to day 7. The gene expression of FG and beta-actin (as a representative cytoskeleton) was examined by Northern and/or Slot blotting.

RESULTS

FG gene expression was markedly decreased on day 2, but totally recovered on day 3. In contrast, beta-actin gene expression was markedly increased on day 2 and returned to the normal level on day 3. Expression of the FG and beta-actin genes was reciprocal.

CONCLUSION

FG expression is transiently suppressed when cytoskeleton gene expression is enhanced at the early phase of liver regeneration.

Marked reduction of mouse peritoneal CD5+ B cells by intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide

Intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide to mice induced a marked reduction of CD5+ B cells in the peritoneal cavity. The reduction was not induced by intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral administration of lipopolysaccharide. The reduction continued for about 10 days after the injection, and the CD5+ B-cell count recovered to the normal state about 14 days after the injection. The reduction of peritoneal CD5+ B cells might be caused by apoptotic cell death. Injection of lipopolysaccharide did not result in production of antibody to lipopolysaccharide. On the other hand, intraperitoneal injection of heat-killed bacteria did not induce a reduction of peritoneal CD5+ B cells and elicited the definite production of antibody to lipopolysaccharide.

Immunohistochemical studies of vascular volume and proliferative activity in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

For immunohistochemical investigation and clarification of the relationship between the vascular volume in esophageal carcinoma and the proliferative activity of its tumor cells, we examined surgical specimens of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus from 15 patients. The vascular volume was evaluated by immunostaining for platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 with monoclonal antibody JC70, and the proliferative activity of the carcinoma cells was evaluated by immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) with antibody 19A2. The ratio of the vascular area to the tumor area and the labeling index (LI) for PCNA in the carcinoma cells was then calculated. The antibody JC70 was useful for immunohistochemically detecting blood microvessels in esophageal carcinoma. The vascular volume, expressed as the ratio mentioned above, was higher in well- and moderately differentiated SCCs than in poorly differentiated SCC (P < 0.01), and the PCNA LI did not depend on the degree of differentiation. However, there was a significantly inverse relationship between the ratio of the vascular area to that of carcinoma and the PCNA LI of the carcinoma cells (P < 0.01). These findings show that angiogenesis is greater in esophageal carcinomas with little proliferative activity.

Apoptotic cell death of vascular endothelial cells and renal tubular cells in the generalized Shwartzman reaction

The participation of apoptotic cell in the generalized Shwartzman reaction was examined. The generalized Shwartzman reaction was induced in mice by two consecutive injections of lipopolysaccharide. Vascular endothelial cells in various organs of those mice were stained positively by the in situ specific labeling of fragmented DNA. Renal tubules were also stained focally. It was suggested that apoptotic cell death might participate in the development of vascular endothelial cell damage and acute tubular necrosis in the generalized Shwartzman reaction. Simultaneous administration of anti-gamma-interferon antibody in the preparative injection of lipopolysaccharide completely blocked apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. Priming with recombinant gamma-interferon instead of lipopolysaccharide could produce apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. It was suggested that gamma-interferon might play a critical role on sensitization of endothelial cells for apoptosis.

Differential release of smooth-type lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa treated with carbapenem antibiotics and its relation to production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide

Endotoxin release from Pseudomonas aeruginosa treated with cell wall-active carbapenem antibiotics and its effect on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide were examined. Treatment of bacteria with imipenem induced much lower levels of endotoxin release than treatment with meropenem. The endotoxin released was demonstrated to be of the smooth type and O-specific polysaccharide-rich. The exposure of the filtrates of P. aeruginosa treated with imipenem to physiologically relevant cells caused low-level production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide, while similar treatment with meropenem induced high levels of production.

Promoter-independent loss of mRNA and protein of the Rb gene in a human hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Inactivation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene is considered to play a fundamental role in the genesis and progression of several human cancers. In retinoblastoma, the inactivation of Rb promoter by mutations or hypermethylation has been reported. Although genetic changes of Rb gene have been described in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), an epigenetic change such as hypermethylation of the Rb promoter as reported in retinoblastoma has not been described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined the hypermethylation in the promoter region of Rb gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism in 19 HCCs, as well as the expression of Rb mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and by immunoblotting, respectively.

RESULTS

We found no evidence of hypermethylation in the promoter region of the Rb gene in all HCCs analyzed. However, the expression of Rb mRNA and protein was lost in one HCC, and no mutation was detected in the Rb promoter region of this patient. The inactivation of Rb promoter by hypermethylation or by inhibition of binding of transcription factors due to point mutations did not contribute to the loss of mRNA and protein in the patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypermethylation in the Rb promoter region appeared to have little causal effect on HCC.

Transient accumulation of perisinusoidal chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans during liver regeneration and development

After partial hepatectomy, the liver is capable of complete restoration of normal hepatic size, architecture, and function (regeneration). To study roles of the extracellular matrix in regeneration, the temporal and spatial sequences of deposition of several components, including collagen I, III, and IV, fibronectin, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (perlecan), and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans were characterized by light microscopic immunohistochemistry in rat liver after 70% partial hepatectomy. Consistent with previous reports, there was a brisk mitosis of hepatocytes after the partial hepatectomy. Of the extracellular matrix components studied, 1B5 epitope generated by chondroitinase ABC digestion on chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans exhibited the most dramatic changes; the epitope was detectable as early as 1.5 hr after partial hepatectomy and its immunoreactivity reached a maximum at 24 hr, then declined gradually. This transient expression of the 1B5 epitope was also detected in neonatal rat liver during development. By Western blotting, the 1B5 epitope was found on two forms of the core protein of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans with apparent molecular masses of 163 KD and 152 KD, which were also regulated in the same temporal manner.

Lipopolysaccharide induces apoptotic cell death of B memory cells and regulates B cell memory in antigen-nonspecific manner

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered into sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-primed mice, and the effect of LPS on SRBC-specific memory cells was investigated. Spleen cells from SRBC-primed mice which were injected with LPS exhibited much lower in vitro secondary plaque-forming cells (PFC) responses to SRBC than those from untreated SRBC-primed mice. The in vitro anti-SRBC response of the spleen cells to LPS was also reduced. The combination experiments of B cells and T cells from SRBC-primed mice which were injected with or without LPS demonstrated that the reduction of immune responses to SRBC after administration of LPS was caused by the defect of SRBC-specific B memory cells, but not T memory cells. B cell type rosette-forming cells (RFC) for SRBC markedly decreased after injection of LPS, while PFC as antibody-forming cells did not increase subsequently. Therefore, the reduction of RFC was not due to their differentiation into PFC. The lymphoid follicles in the spleens from mice injected with LPS were stained positively by in situ nick end labeling specific for fragmented DNA. A large percentage of Ig+ spleen cells from SRBC-primed mice which were injected with LPS was also stained positively. The injection of glucocorticoids into SRBC-primed mice induced similar reduction of B memory cells. It was suggested that LPS might induce apoptosis of B memory cells and regulate B cell memory in antigen-nonspecific manner.

Enzyme-linked immunoassay for midkine, and its application to evaluation of midkine levels in developing mouse brain and sera from patients with hepatocellular carcinomas

Midkine (MK) is a growth factor that promotes neurite outgrowth and survival of neurons, and enhances the plasminogen activator in endothelial cells. A highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay for MK was developed, involving affinity-purified anti-MK antibodies, their biotinylated form, and avidin-beta-galactosidase. The amount of bound avidin-beta-galactosidase was determined using a fluorogenic substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside. This method allowed the detection of human and mouse MK in the range of 50 pg-10 ng. Pleiotrophin, which is related to MK in its amino acid sequence, did not show any cross reactivity. Employing this method, the MK levels in the developing mouse brain were determined. The MK level was 2 micrograms/g of wet tissue on the 12th day of gestation, and then steadily decreased during embryogenesis and postnatal development to 30 ng/g two months after birth. The assay method can also be applied to serum samples. Although the MK levels in the sera of normal human subjects were low or undetectable, 0.6-8 ng/ml of MK was detected in samples in the majority of cases of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in circulating immune complexes by RT-PCR

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We investigate whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) forms a circulating immune complex (CIC) in patients with chronic HCV infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined HCV-RNA immunoprecipitated with anti-human IgG, A and M antibodies by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

In thirty-nine (91%) of 43 patients, composed of 35 chronic hepatitis (CH) and 8 liver cirrhosis (LC), HCV-RNA was detected in the CIC. All 43 patients analyzed were classified into the following three categories; HCV-RNA was detected only in the supernatant (S pattern, 4 patients), both in the supernatant and the precipitate (SP pattern, 27 patients), and only in the precipitate (P pattern, 12 patients). SP pattern was most common in chronic HCV infection, and the frequency of SP pattern decreased with the progression of liver disease. P pattern was significantly more frequent in patients with higher gamma-globulin levels, histologically indicated LC, and antibody to HCV envelope protein.

CONCLUSION

We found that HCV formed a CIC in most patients with chronic HCV infection, and that the formation of CIC might be related to the stage of chronic HCV infection.

Apoptotic cell death in the response of D-galactosamine-sensitized mice to lipopolysaccharide as an experimental endotoxic shock model

The apoptotic cell death induced in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice by administration of lipopolysaccharide was characterized. Administration of lipopolysaccharide caused apoptotic cell death in livers of D-galactosamine-sensitized mice. Apoptotic cells were also detected in the kidney, thymus, spleen, and lymph node. Severe hepatic apoptosis in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice was reproduced by transfer of the sera from mice injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide. The hepatocyte apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide was completely prevented by an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody but not by an anti-gamma interferon antibody. Administration of recombinant tumor necrosis factor into D-galactosamine-sensitized mice also caused hepatocyte apoptosis. Lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice did not seem to be mediated by Fas antigen. It was suggested that lipopolysaccharide- induced hepatic injury and failure in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice was due to the apoptotic cell death of hepatocytes caused by tumor necrosis factor alpha released in the circulation.

Cytochrome P450s of isolated rat hepatocytes in spheroid and monolayer cultures

The maintenance of cytochrome P450s (P450s) and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 reductase) in the monolayer and spheroid cultures of hepatocytes from male rats was examined. The content of total P450 in monolayer culture decreased to almost none after 144 hr, whereas the level in spheroid culture remained within 6-13% of initial values during an incubation period of 144-192 hr. P450 2C11, a major P450 in male rat, in monolayer cells rapidly decreased in 144 hr, while the level in spheroid cells after 144 hr and 192 hr maintained 25% and 15%, respectively, of initial level. On the other hand, P450 2A1 and P450 2E1 in both monolayer and spheroid cells rapidly decreased. P450 reductase in both cells showed a gradual decline reaching a level of 43-44% of the initial level at 96 hr, and remained within 16-17% of the initial value during an incubation period of 192 hr. These results indicate that P450 2C11 in spheroid cells maintained more stable than in the monolayer cells, and that P450 reductase in both cultures declined only moderately, compared with P450s.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative outcome in Japanese and Chinese patients with thoracic esophageal cancer

We evaluated the clinicopathologic findings and surgical results of 140 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer treated at Shinshu University, Japan (Shinshu group), and compared them with those from 1164 patients treated at Hebei Medical College, China (Hebei group) to determine if the two groups showed any differences. The Shinshu group had significantly higher incidences of elderly patients (>70 years of age), male patients, and tumors located at the lower esophagus (p < 0.01). In the Hebei group, although the depth of tumor invasion was more advanced, the incidence of nodal metastasis was significantly lower (p < 0.01). Operative death and postoperative complications were more frequent in the Shinshu group. Comparison of the postoperative survival curves revealed significantly longer survival of patients with pT2 or pT3 tumor in the Hebei group (p < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two groups when the lesions were classified by pTNM stage. This study demonstrated several differences between the patients in the two areas in regard to the clinicopathologic characteristics of thoracic esophageal cancer. The most important characteristic of the esophageal cancer in the Hebei group appears to be the low incidence of nodal metastasis.

Assessment of proliferative activity of glandular cells in hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland using flow cytometric and immunohistochemical methods

The proliferative activity of epithelial cells in hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands was estimated by flow cytometric and immunohistochemical procedures. A total of 30 parathyroid glands, 29 hyperfunctioning glands, and 1 normal gland were studied. The pathology of the 29 glands was determined to be hyperplasia in 19 and adenoma in 10. The S-phase cell population was expressed in terms of the S-phase fraction (%SPF) calculated from the histogram by DNA flow cytometry and in terms of the BrdU immunostaining labeling index (BrdU LI). Cells in all stages of the cell cycle were studied by Ki-67 immunostaining and expressed in terms of the labeling index (Ki-67 LI). Both BrdU LI and Ki-67 LI values were low, ranging from 0% to 0.58% and from 0.21% to 2.62%, respectively. The BrdU LIs were lower than the Ki-67 LIs, ranging from one-sixth to one-twelfth of the values depending on the disease. There were significant correlations between the two indices (p < 0.001). The %SPF determined by flow cytometry was consistently higher than both the BrdU LI and the Ki-67 LI. This discrepancy cannot be explained precisely, and further improvements are required for the flow cytometric analysis of %SPF. The cell cycle study by BrdU and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry suggested that the glandular cells of the hyperfunctioning parathyroid were characterized by low proliferative activity. No evidence of rapid cell turnover rate assumed from the flow cytometric study could be observed in the hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland.

Immunohistochemical study of proteoglycans in D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury in rats

In this study, we carried out an immunohistochemical investigation of time-dependent alterations in the distribution of proteoglycans, and the proliferation profiles of hepatocytes and fat-storing cells (FSCs) in the livers of rats intoxicated with D-galactosamine (GalN). The proliferative cells were analyzed by proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining. In untreated rats, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and chondroitin/chondroitin sulfate were detected within the portal spaces and the central veins, and, with the exception of chondroitin, also within the reticular fibers. After administration of GalN, the number of PCNA-positive cells (FSCs and hepatocytes) and FSCs increased, reaching maximal on the 2nd and 3rd days, respectively. Heparan sulfate showed complicated changes. Dermatan sulfate decreased in portal spaces from the 2nd to the 3rd day, and in reticular fibers from 12 h to the 6th day. Chondroitin/chondroitin sulfate staining was observed from 2 h to the 6th day in the sinusoidal endothelia, which suggests that the sinusoidal endothelia may produce chondroitin/chondroitin sulfate transiently during liver damage as part of the mechanism of regeneration. Heparan sulfate and chondroitin/chondroitin sulfate were detected in necrotic regions, but dermatan sulfate was not. These observations suggest that heparan sulfate and chondroitin/chondroitin sulfate are involved in cell proliferation or morphogenesis and that the dermatan sulfate plays a role in the differentiation or functional maintenance of cells in liver regeneration.

Augmented immunological activities of recombinant lipopolysaccharide possessing the mannose homopolymer as the O-specific polysaccharide

Recombinant lipopolysaccharide possessing the mannose homopolymer as the O-specific polysaccharide was manufactured genetically by transforming Escherichia coli K-12 with various rfb genes capable of synthesizing the mannose homopolymer. Recombinant lipopolysaccharide exhibited levels of anticomplement activity, adjuvant activity, and regional lymph node-enlarging activity much higher than those exhibited by the original rough-type lipopolysaccharide from E. coli K-12 or lipopolysaccharide possessing the heteropolysaccharide from E. coli O111. Immunological activities of recombinant lipopolysaccharide were as strong as those of wild-type lipopolysaccharide possessing the mannose homopolymer. Characteristic activities of wild-type lipolysaccharide possessing the mannose homopolymer were exhibited by recombinant lipopolysaccharide. The abilities of lipopolysaccharide to activate B cells polyclonally and to produce cytokines did not seem to be related to the presence of the mannose homopolymer. Therefore, it was suggested that the mannose homopolymer in the O-specific polysaccharide might exclusively enhance anticomplement activity, adjuvant activity, and regional lymph node-enlarging activity among various lipid A activities.

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and glucocorticoid on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis of thymocytes

Administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into mice markedly induced the apoptosis of CD4+8+ thymocytes. The injection of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibody or RU38486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, into mice definitely inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis of thymocytes. Addition of the sera 1 h after injection of LPS into in vitro cultures of thymocytes caused thymocyte apoptosis. It was also prevented by either anti-TNF-alpha antibody or RU38486. Further, recombinant TNF-alpha and hydrocortisone collaborated in induction of the thymocyte apoptosis in vitro. The in vivo phenomenon of LPS-induced apoptosis of thymocytes was reproducible by the in vitro experimental system. It was therefore suggested that both TNF-alpha and glucocorticoid participate and collaborate as effector molecules in LPS-induced apoptosis of thymocytes.

A family with hereditary serum cholinesterase deficiency

A family with serum cholinesterase (SChE) deficiency is reported. A 64-year-old woman was admitted for the excision of colon adenoma; her laboratory data revealed a markedly decreased level of SChE. SChE genes of the patient and her family members were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by direct sequencing. The patient's SChE gene had a homozygous frame shift mutation, in which an extra adenine was inserted in codon 315 (ACC-->AACC), resulting in the appearance of a new stop codon in codon 322. The family study disclosed that her brother and sister had the same frame shift mutations in homozygote and heterozygote, respectively.

Binding of mannose-binding protein to Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide possessing the mannose homopolysaccharide as the O-specific polysaccharide and its relation to complement activation

Lipopolysaccharide from Klebsiella pneumoniae O3, which possesses the mannose homopolysaccharide as the O-specific polysaccharide, exhibits an extraordinarily high ability to activate the human complement system. We isolated the mannose-binding protein with a Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide affinity column. The protein isolated had a molecular mass of much higher than 200 kDa, and it consisted of subunits with an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa. The NH2-terminal sequence of the 32-kDa subunits was completely consistent with a part of the amino acid sequence of human serum mannose-binding protein. In immunoblotting, an anti-mannose-binding protein monoclonal antibody was definitely reactive with the isolated protein with the higher molecular mass. The protein isolated was bound exclusively to lipopolysaccharides possessing the mannose homopolysaccharide, not to lipopolysaccharide possessing the heteropolysaccharides. Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide did not exhibit a high anticomplement activity in the serum from which the mannose-binding protein was depleted. It was concluded that the serum factor that bound to Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide may be mannose-binding protein and that it may play a crucial role in the strong complement activation by Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide.

Gene expression of liver-specific proteins in hepatocyte spheroids in primary culture

Adult rat hepatocytes assemble to form multicellular spheroids under non-adherent environments such as immobilized chondroitin sulfate-proteoglycan in primary culture. Previously, we demonstrated that hepatocyte spheroids exhibited various differentiated structures as observed in the liver tissue. It was also shown that hepatocyte growth was highly suppressed and several differentiated functions, including albumin production and gluconeogenesis, were well preserved in spheroids. To investigate the differentiated functions of cultured hepatocytes in relation to cell morphology, we compared the expression of the albumin and transferrin genes in spheroids with those in monolayers by Northern blot analysis. Production of these proteins in the culture medium was simultaneously examined by ELISA. Gene expression and protein production of both albumin and transferrin were better preserved in spheroids. We also examined changes in the expression of liver-specific genes in response to IL-6. Reduced mRNA levels of both albumin and transferrin was only found in spheroids and no change was observed in monolayers. These results suggest that the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression is better preserved in spheroids, in which hepatocytes are in close contact with each other.

Loss of heterozygosity and analysis of mutation of p53 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Thirty-six hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues obtained from 34 patients were classified according to histological diagnosis into six well-differentiated HCC, 20 moderately differentiated HCC and 10 poorly differentiated HCC. High molecular weight DNA was prepared from each tumour and the corresponding non-tumour tissue. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 4q, 5q, 10q, 11p, 16q, 17p, mutation of the p53 gene and polymorphism of intron 25 of the retinoblastoma (RB) gene were simultaneously analysed. The patients were composed of three cases of small HCC (the diameter of which was < 3 cm) and 31 cases of advanced HCC. Twenty-nine of 34 (85.3%) patients analysed had been exposed to hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus. The frequencies of LOH on seven chromosomes were 57.9% in 17p13.3, 45.1% in 17p, 45.1% in 11p, 41.9% in 5q, 41.9% in 16q24, 29.0% in 4q, 25.8% in 10q in advanced HCC (four of well differentiated, 18 of moderately differentiated and nine of poorly differentiated carcinoma). In contrast, LOH was observed on 4q, 5q, 16q and 17p in 33% (1/3) of the small HCC (two of well differentiated and one of moderately differentiated carcinoma). The mutation of the p53 genes and polymorphism of the RB gene were present in 25.8% (8/31) and 12.9% (4/31) of the advanced tumours, respectively, but the mutation was not found in small HCC. LOH on every chromosome and the p53 mutation were observed more frequently in more advanced tumours, and the genetic changes accumulated with the increase of the histopathological grade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Host factors required for internal initiation of translation on poliovirus RNA

Translation of poliovirus RNA is initiated by entry of ribosomes into the nucleotide sequence (internal ribosomal entry site; IRES) within the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Efficiency of this translation initiation in rabbit reticulocyte lysates (RRL) was very low and was greatly enhanced by addition of the ribosomal salt-wash fraction (RSW) prepared from HeLa cells. This stimulating activity in the RSW was partially purified by gel-filtration column chromatography and its molecular weight was estimated to be higher than 240,000. Several proteins that bind specifically to the poliovirus IRES were detected in the active fraction. Among those, a 57 kDa protein, recognized by antibodies against polypyrimidide tract-binding protein (PTB), was found. In addition, La protein (52 kDa) which is a human antigen recognized by antibodies from patients with autoimmune disorders was also detected. Further purification on a hydroxylapatite column resulted in considerable loss of the stimulatory activity, accompanied by a reduction of the apparent molecular weight of active component(s). These results suggest that fully active HeLa cell stimulatory factors for the translation initiation on poliovirus RNA function in RRL as a large complex consisted of several components including PTB and La protein.

Increase of fucosylated serum cholinesterase in relation to high risk groups for hepatocellular carcinomas

Serum cholinesterase (ChE) (E.C. 3.1.1.8) is a glycoprotein which has 36 potential sites of asparagine-N-linked sugar chains. The structures of oligosaccharides released from ChE on hydrazinolysis were studied by serial lectin affinity column chromatography, exoglycosidase digestion, and methylation analysis. Seventy-three % of the sugar chains occurred as biantennary oligosaccharides and the remainder as C-2 and C-2,4/C-2,6 branched tri- and tetraantennary oligosaccharides. Several percentages of the Lewis X antigenic determinant and fucosylated mannose core were linked to them, and their sialic acid residues were linked to nonreducing terminal galactose residues at the C-3 and C-6 positions. Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive ChE with the Lewis X antigenic determinant increased in hepatocellular carcinomas and liver cirrhosis compared with chronic hepatitis; on the other hand, Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive ChE did not change significantly after transcatheter arterial embolization and was not related to the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with hepatocellular carcinomas. Accordingly, the analysis of Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive ChE is clinically useful for differentiating liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis and to identify high risk groups for hepatocellular carcinomas, i.e., cirrhotic patients in Child's A grade.

Extended total gastrectomy for carcinoma of the cardia

Eighty-five patients with gastric carcinoma developing at or involving the cardia were operated on under a newly established principle to prevent a cancer-positive proximal margin. The choice of operative procedure, standard total gastrectomy or extended total gastrectomy, was determined by the degree of proximal extension of carcinoma as confirmed by preoperative examinations. The cancer-positive rate was decreased in this manner to 1.2% from the 13.8% of the controls operated on before the principle was established. Extended total gastrectomy without sternotomy should be used more frequently than that with sternotomy because of the technical advantages. Survival rates of the 85 patients were 48.3% at three years and 30.4% at five years after the operation, and were not significantly different from the controls. As post-operative survival rate is influenced by factors other than transmural extension of the tumor, this study should prompt us to focus on the problem of the proximal surgical margin in surgery for carcinoma of the gastric cardia.

[Lugol staining for esophageal carcinoma and influence of radiotherapy]

For evaluating the endoscopic staining of the esophageal carcinoma with lugol solution, 50 patients who underwent esophagectomy for carcinoma were subjected to this study. Among the 50 patients, 21 were radiated before surgery and 29 were not radiated. The findings of the lugol staining were compared between endoscopic staining and staining on removed specimens. Non-staining area demonstrated by endoscopic procedure almost agreed with that by the procedure on removed specimen in non-radiation group, but both areas of 28.6% cases disagreed in radiation group. On the second step, the extent of non-staining area demonstrated by the procedure of removed specimen was compared with histological extent of carcinoma. The non-staining area on the removed specimen was more extended than histological extent of carcinoma; 10.3% in the non-radiation group and 71.4% in the radiation group. As one of the causes of the large non-corresponding rate in the radiation group, radiation esophagitis was demonstrated. It can be finally concluded that the reliability of endoscopic lugol staining is reduced by preoperative irradiation.