Reciprocal expression of mRNA for inhibin betaC and betaA subunits in hepatocytes

Messenger RNA expression of activin betaC subunit in the liver was compared with that for betaA subunit before and after 70% hepatectomy. mRNA for betaC was abundantly expressed in the liver but decreased at 12 h and later after 70% hepatectomy, whereas that for betaA was increased 12 h after the hepatectomy. We also compared the expression of mRNA for betaA and betaC in cultured rat hepatocytes. mRNA for betaC subunit was abundantly expressed in the beginning of the culture but was reduced gradually after stimulation with epidermal growth factor. In contrast, mRNA for betaA subunit was undetectable before stimulation and was increased 24 to 48 h after stimulation with the mitogen. These results indicate that expression of mRNA for betaC and betaA is regulated differently. The role of activin C may be different from that of activin A in the liver.

Norepinephrine reverses the effects of activin A on DNA synthesis and apoptosis in cultured rat hepatocytes

Activin A, an autocrine factor produced by hepatocytes, inhibits mitogen-stimulated DNA synthesis and induces apoptotic death of cultured rat hepatocytes. Several lines of evidence indicate that norepinephrine (NE), as a comitogenic growth factor, alters the balance between growth stimulation and inhibition and acts as a trigger for the initiation of hepatocyte proliferation. In the present study, we examined whether NE modulated the effects of activin A on rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Activin A, at a concentration of 10(-9) mol/L, blocked the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on DNA synthesis, that was assessed by measuring [3H] thymidine incorporation and nuclear labeling, almost completely, and NE reversed the inhibitory effect of activin A on DNA synthesis. This effect of NE was dose-dependent, being significant at concentrations of 10(-6) mol/L and above, but was overcome by higher concentrations of activin A, and was attenuated by prazosin, but not by yohimbine or propranolol. NE exerted its effect during the first 24 hours of culture, but was ineffective when added after 24 hours. EGF augmented the release of follistatin, an activin-binding protein known to block the action of activin A, by hepatocytes and NE did not affect the amount of follistatin they released. In addition to inhibiting DNA synthesis by hepatocytes cultured with EGF, activin A induced death of hepatocytes cultured in the absence of EGF. The nuclear morphology of cells cultured with activin A alone was strikingly changed compared with untreated control cells and marked identation of the nuclear membranes and moderate chromatin condensation were observed. Fragmentation of DNA was also observed, suggesting that activin A induced apoptosis, and activin-mediated cell death was prevented significantly by NE. These results indicate that NE, acting on alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, attenuates the effects of activin A on DNA synthesis by and apoptosis of cultured rat hepatocytes.

Expression of 5-HT1A receptor mRNA in rat dorsal raphe nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray neurons after peripheral inflammation

In the present study we observed the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptor mRNA in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) neurons, especially in 5-HT immunoreactive neurons (5-HT-IR), using in situ hybridization (ISH) and double staining with fluorescent ISH (FISH) and immunohistochemical (FIH) techniques. The findings of this study demonstrated that 5-HT1A receptor mRNA was expressed with moderate to high level in the DRN and vlPAG neurons. Following carrageenan inflammation, the expression of 5-HT1A receptor mRNA in the DRN and bilateral vlPAG neurons was significantly increased. The peak occurred at 3-8h followed by a clear decrease at 24 h, which basically corresponded to the time-course of behavioral hyperalgesia. Moderate 5-HT1A receptor mRNA and 5-HT immunoreactive (5-HT-IR) double-labeled cells were observed in the DRN and vlPAG, suggesting that some of 5-HT1A receptors in the DRN and vlPAG may be autoreceptors. Eight hours after carrageenan injection, the number of the double labeled cells was significantly increased. These results suggest that the synthesis of 5-HT1A receptors, including autoreceptors, is increased in the DRN and vlPAG during peripheral inflammation.

Biochemo-mechanical function of urease-loaded gels

A gel system is developed that undergoes a reversible volume phase transition in response to a small amount of urea. An N-isopropylacrylamide gel in which urease is immobilized by entrapping changes its equilibrium volume discontinuously when urea molecules are hydrolyzed by urease causing a change in pH that alters the osmotic balance of the gel triggering the phase transition. The system demonstrates a method of mechano-biochemical transformation where molecular recognition and biochemical reaction are achieved by an enzyme and the macroscopic amplification of the reaction is carried out by a gel capable of a volume phase transition. The work presented here is dedicated to Professor Allan S. Hoffman to honor his 60th birthday and his pioneering contribution to the science and technology of polymer gels, both as a scientist and as an educator.

Borrelia burgdorferi enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for discrimination of OspA vaccination from spirochete infection

Recombinant Lyme disease vaccines based on purified preparations of outer surface protein A (OspA) have been shown to be effective in preventing transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi in experimental animal models and are now being tested in humans. Since the most widely used screening tests for Lyme disease are based on a whole-cell sonicate of B. burgdorferi, serologic false positivity in vaccinated persons could result from reactivity to OspA within the antigen preparation. In order to avoid serologic false positivity in vaccinated subjects, we developed an immunoassay based on a low-passage-number, naturally occurring variant of B. burgdorferi which lacks the plasmid encoding OspA and OspB. The use of an antigen preparation derived from this organism provided sensitive and specific detection of B. burgdorferi seropositivity in experimental animals and in human Lyme disease cases. The OspA-B-negative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) also appeared to be capable of discriminating the vaccinated state from vaccine failure and natural infection in experimental animals. Sera from human subjects participating in a vaccine trial gave false-positive results with an ELISA based on an OspA-containing strain, but no such reactivity was observed when the OspA-negative ELISA was used. We conclude that low-passage-number OspA-B-negative isolates in immunoassays may become useful for the immunologic discrimination of the vaccinated state, natural infection, and vaccine failure.

Modulation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel and voltage-dependent calcium channel by activin A in HIT-T15 cells

The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) determines the membrane potential of pancreatic beta-cells and plays a critical role in the regulation of insulin secretion. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta supergene family, on the KATP channel in HIT-T15 clonal hamster insulinoma cells. In an excised inside-out patch, ATP-sensitive currents with a single channel conductance of approximately 20 picosiemens were observed. In an outside-out patch, currents with identical unitary conductance were also observed. In either case, the currents were augmented by diazoxide and blocked by glibenclamide, verifying that they were KATP channel currents. When KATP channel currents were monitored in an outside-out patch, activin A added to the bath solution inhibited KATP channel currents. Upon removal of activin A, the KATP channel currents were restored, suggesting that the inhibition was not due simply to spontaneous disappearance of channel activity (run-down). The KATP channel activity was markedly reduced after the addition of activin A and was reversed by diazoxide. Besides the inhibition of KATP channel, activin A increased, in a perforated patch, the amplitude of the inward Ba2+ current in response to a depolarizing pulse from -40 to +10 mV. Under the current clamp condition, activin A induced gradual depolarization, followed by a burst of action potentials. Activin-mediated action potentials were accompanied by an elevation of the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration. These results indicate that activin A causes depolarization of the plasma membrane by inhibiting the activity of the KATP channel. In addition, activin A directly modulates the voltage-dependent calcium channel and augments calcium entry.

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for upper gastrointestinal multiple submucosal tumors originating from the muscular propria layer: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In recent years, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) was applied more and more often for single gastrointestinal (GI) submucosal tumor (SMT). However, little is known about this technique for treating multiple SMTs in GI tract. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and outcome of STER for upper GI multiple SMTs originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A feasibility study was carried out including a consecutive cohort of 23 patients with multiple SMTs from MP layer in esophagus, cardia, and upper corpus who were treated by STER from June 2011 to June 2014. Clinicopathological, demographic, and endoscopic data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

All of the 49 SMTs were resected completely by STER technique. Furthermore, only one tunnel was built for multiple SMTs of each patient in this study. En bloc resection was achieved in all 49 tumors. The median size of all the resected tumors was 1.5 cm (range 0.8-3.5 cm). The pathological results showed that all the tumors were leiomyoma, and the margins of the resected specimens were negative. The median procedure time was 40 min (range: 20-75 min). Gas-related complications were of the main complications, the rates of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and pneumoperitoneum were 13.0%, 8.7% and 4.3%. Another common complication was thoracic effusion that occurred in 2 cases (8.7%), among which only 1 case (4.3%) with low-grade fever got the drainage. Delayed bleeding, esophageal fistula or hematocele, and infection in tunnel were not detected after the operation there were no treatment-related deaths. The median hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2-9 days). No residual or recurrent lesion was found during the follow-up period (median 18, ranging 3-36 months).

CONCLUSION

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection is a safe and efficient technique for treating multiple esophageal SMTs originating from MP layer, which can avoid patients suffering repeated resections.

B7-CD28 interaction is a late acting co-stimulatory signal for human T cell responses

The interaction of CD28 with one of the B7 molecules (CD80 and CD86) on professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) is generally considered as the most important co-stimulatory signal for T cell activation. APC in a resting condition express either no or only low levels of B7 molecules. These are up-regulated as a result of interactions with activated T cells, thus suggesting that B7-CD28 interaction is not required at initiation of T cell activation. To study this issue, we blocked B7-CD28 interaction at various time points after in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood T cells with allogeneic monocytes. Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells or soluble antigens. We observed that T cell proliferation and IL-2 production were inhibited by B7-blocking agents (CTLA-4-Ig or anti-B7 mAb) almost to the same degree when added either at initiation of culture or 24 h later. B7-blocking agents still resulted in significant inhibition of allogeneic T cell activation when added after 48 h. Furthermore, when CTLA-4-Ig was added at the start of an allogeneic T cell stimulation, addition of anti-CD28 mAb after 24 h of culture nearly fully restored T cell proliferation to control levels. Finally, we demonstrate that delayed addition of B7-blocking agents together with cyclosporin A 1 day after the onset of culture of T cells with allogeneic B cells is highly efficient to induce energy as evaluated by lack of proliferation, cytotoxic T lymphocyte reactivity and IFN-gamma or IL-5 production upon alloantigen rechallenge. Taken together, our data can explain why B7 expression on APC is not required at the time of initial APC-T cell contact, and suggest that the effect of the CD28 signal indeed consists in prolonging IL-2 production and amplifying T cell responses, rather than in providing a critical co-stimulatory signal at the time of initial TCR triggering.

Assessment of the role of activin A and transforming growth factor beta in the regulation of AML12 cell growth

The present study was conducted to determine the role of two autocrine factors, activin A and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), in the growth regulation of AML12 hepatocytes. We overexpressed truncated type II activin and/or TGF-beta receptors in AML12 cells. In AML12 cells overexpressing truncated type II activin receptors (AML-tAR cells), the inhibitory effect of activin A on DNA synthesis was completely blocked. AML-tAR cells proliferated faster than parental cells, both in the presence and absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). However, AML-tAR cells could not grow in soft agar. Follistatin augmented EGF-induced DNA synthesis in AML12 cells, whereas it was ineffective in AML-tAR cells. In AML12 cells overexpressing truncated type II TGF-beta receptor (AML-tTR cells), the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on DNA synthesis was blocked. AML-tTR cells proliferated faster than parental cells, both in the presence and absence of EGF, but at a slower rate than that of AML-tAR cells. AML-tTR cells did not grow in soft agar. The growth rate of cells overexpressing both types of truncated receptors was identical to that of AML-tAR cells, and these cells did not grow in soft agar. These results indicate that both activin A and TGF-beta act as autocrine inhibitors of DNA synthesis in AML12 cells, and that the blocking of the actions of two factors does not lead to transformation. Activin A is a predominant autocrine factor in these cells.

Decreased immunoreactive (IR) calcitonin gene-related peptide correlates with sprouting of IR-peptidergic and serotonergic neuronal processes in spinal cord and brain nuclei from the Wobbler mouse during motoneuron disease

The Wobbler mouse possesses an inherited form of motoneuron disease that expresses itself most dramatically in the forelimbs. Previous immunocytochemical (ICC) studies have shown that neuronal processes containing substance P (SP), thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and serotonin (5-HT) seem to sprout in the ventral horn of the cervical spinal cord taken from the Wobbler mouse. By radioimmunoassay, increased concentrations of spinal SP, TRH, and 5-HT, as well as leucine and methionine enkephalins (LE, ME) have been documented. The present ICC study quantifies the numbers of neuronal processes in the Wobbler cervical spinal cord and brainstem which contain SP, 5-HT, LE, ME and other neuropeptides (cholecystokinin, CCK; neuropeptide Y; galanin; calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP). It is proposed that those processes that sprout early in the mononeuron disease (5-HT, LE, ME, CCK and also TRH according to other studies) may be involved in the etiology. In addition, it is hypothesized that the loss of CGRP within the ventral horn may represent the loss of a trophic factor that is important to the survival motoneurons and may influence the increase of fiber densities around the dying motoneurons.

Effect of a mixture of steam-flaked corn and soybeans on health, growth, and selected blood metabolism of Holstein calves

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of steam-flaked corn grains and soybeans on calf health, growth, and selected blood parameters. Holstein bull calves (n=30, approximately 7+/-3 d of age) were purchased from local dairy farms and offered milk, starter diets, and hay, and were then assigned to the experiment at 21+/-3 d of age. Calves were blocked into 3 treatments by birth date and body weight and randomly assigned to receive fresh milk and a commercial pelleted starter containing extruded corn and soybeans (ECS), steam-flaked corn and soybeans (SFCS), or ground corn and soybeans (GCS). The experiment was conducted with calves from 3 to 13 wk of age. Body weight, calf starter intake, milk intake, total dry matter intake, and body structural growth were not significantly influenced by corn and soybean processing during the study; however, feed efficiency was significantly improved by the SFCS treatment. Average daily gain generally decreased during the weaning week for all treatments, but did not differ significantly among treatments. Health incidences for calves fed the SFCS starter were lower than those fed the other 2 treatments. The blood hematocrit was higher for calves fed the SFCS starter than for those fed the GCS and ECS starters during wk 6 to 11. The concentration of plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate was higher for the calves fed the GCS and SFCS treatments than for those fed the ECS treatment during wk 6 to 13, but lower during wk 4 and 5. Plasma glucose concentrations decreased remarkably with increasing calf age but were not affected by corn and soybean processing. Plasma nonesterified fatty acids were influenced by calf age, and higher NEFA concentration was observed in the SFCS treatment than in the other 2 treatments during wk 5 to 9. Calves consuming the SFCS starter had similar average daily gain, milk intake, starter intake, total dry matter intake, and body structure, but had improved feed efficiency when compared with animals consuming the GCS and ECS starters. The SFCS starter decreased incidence of diarrhea during the postweaning period and required less veterinary treatment. These data suggest that the steam-flaking of corn and soybeans can influence the growth performance and the selected blood parameters of calves and that, in this study, the extrusion of corn and soybeans had no beneficial effect on the growth performance of calves.

Role of the activin-follistatin system in the morphogenesis and regeneration of the renal tubules

Activin A inhibits branching tubulogenesis of the kidney during development. Activin A also inhibits branching tubulogenesis in MDCK cells, an in vitro tubulogenesis model. On the other hand, follistatin, an antagonist of activin A, reverses the effect of activin A and induces branching tubulogenesis. Follistatin also promotes tubular regeneration after ischemia/reperfusion injury. The activin/follistatin system is one of the important regulatory systems modulating developmental and regeneration processes of the kidney.

Effects of microinjection of OFQ into PAG on spinal dorsal horn WDR neurons in rats

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of microinjection of orphanin FQ (OFQ) into periaqueductal gray (PAG) on sensory processing in the wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons of the spinal dorsal horn and to explore the effect of OFQ on a descending system of pain modulation. The results show that microinjection of OFQ into ipsilateral PAG significantly facilitated C-fibre evoked response and post-discharge of spinal dorsal horn WDR neurons. This is consistent with our previous results obtained in behavioral studies. It suggests that the supraspinal effect of OFQ on pain may partly be mediated by PAG neurons.

Origin and evolutionary characteristics of antigenic reassortant influenza A (H1N2) viruses isolated from man in China

During the 1988/1989 influenza season, five antigenic reassortant influenza A (H1N2) viruses not previously isolated from man were isolated in Hebei province, People's Republic of China. All isolates contained haemagglutinins (HAs) and neuraminidases (NAs) which were antigenically similar to those of the recent Russian (H1N1) and Hong Kong influenza A (H3N2) viruses, respectively. The results of antigenic and nucleotide sequence analyses revealed that the genes encoding the polymerase, nucleoprotein, NA, matrix and non-structural proteins of the reassortant A/Hebei/24/89 (H1N2) virus were derived from the H3N2 parent virus, whereas its HA gene was from the H1N1 parent virus. The nucleotide sequences of the HA (encoding the HA1 subunit) and NA genes of the reassortant viruses were also determined. Phylogenetic trees constructed from these data by the neighbour-joining method revealed that the HA gene of the reassortant virus was closely related to those of recent human H1N1 viruses, whereas the NA gene was related to a recent human Hong Kong (H3N2) virus lineage.

Mortality of Chinese in New South Wales, 1969-1978

A high proportion of adult Chinese living in New South Wales were born elsewhere, most commonly in China. Mortality among these males from 1969-78 was due mainly to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) cancer and cerbrovascular disease. Females showed a similar general pattern. Chinese males had double the risk of dying from cerebrovascular death, but death rates from IHD were similar to those of the Australian population, although the risk of IHD was significantly lower in Chinese females. Male Chinese had significantly higher rates for cancers of the nasopharynx, lung, intestines and rectum, and stomach and liver, whereas females had a significantly higher risk for cancers of the lung and stomach. Mortality patterns were similar to those for United States Chinese. Apart from cancer, relatively little is known about the causes of death in China. Crude death rates only are available for very broad categories of causes of death. Most of our information on Chinese general mortality comes from studies of migrants, or their descendants overseas, mainly in South-East Asia and the USA. In the latter more detailed studies have been made of cancer mortality and cancer incidence than of other causes. The purpose of our study was to describe mortality in Chinese, born in China, and dying in the state of New South Wales from 1969-78.

Derangements in the activin-follistatin system in hepatoma cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The growth of normal hepatocytes is regulated by the activin-follistatin system. The aim of this study was to investigate the activin-follistatin system in hepatoma cells.

METHODS

The production and action of activin and follistatin in human hepatoma cell lines were examined. Activin A and follistatin were measured by bioassay and protein-binding assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Activin A inhibited cell growth in HepG2 cells but not in either PLC/PRF/5 or HLE cells. However, the effect of activin A in HepG2 cells was attenuated at high cell density. In HepG2 cells, two classes of activin-binding sites were expressed, and affinity cross-linking showed that 125I-activin A bound specifically to three proteins with molecular weights of 48, 67, and 94 kilodaltons. In PLC/PRF/5 cells, a single class of binding site was observed, and the binding capacity was approximately 60% of the capacity in HepG2 cells. Virtually no 125I-activin A binding was detected in HLE cells. Bioactivity and messenger RNA for activin A were undetectable in three cell lines. In contrast, follistatin was released from three cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple alterations in the activin-follistatin system were found in three hepatoma cell lines. The accelerated growth observed in hepatoma cells may be caused, at least partly, by the attenuation of the action of activin A.

An improved method of partially digesting plant megabase DNA suitable for YAC cloning: application to the construction of a 5.5 genome equivalent YAC library of tomato

An improved method for preparing partially digested tomato DNA has been developed, that is suitable for YAC cloning. It involves (i) isolation of high molecular-weight DNA from agarose-embedded leaf protoplasts, (ii) controlled partial digestion in situ using EcoRl endonuclease in the presence of EcoRI methylase (M. EcoRl), and (iii) fractionation of the partial digest on a Clamped Homogeneous Electric Fields (CHEF) gel. Unlike methods commonly used for generating partial digests, the present method allows one to produce digests in which the bulk of restriction fragments are of the desired size. Use of these partial digests in constructing YAC libraries of the tomato lines Moneymaker-Cf4 and VFNT Cherry resulted in libraries (total 21,060 clones, 5.5 genome equivalents) in which 80% of the YACs have inserts between 200 and 600 kb. Both libraries have been screened with selected RFLP markers linked to the Cladosporium fulvum Cf4 locus on chromosome 1, using a three-dimensional PCR-based screening technique. To this end, the RFLP markers have been sequenced to allow for the synthesis of specific primers. Thus, for each marker tested several YAC clones have been isolated, including a family of clones that carry leucine-rich repeat sequences located around the Cf4/Cf9 locus.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase in the differentiation of rat pancreatic AR42J cells induced by hepatocyte growth factor

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Pancreatic AR42J cells express both exocrine and neuroendocrine properties. When exposed to activin A, approximately 50 % of the cells die within 3 days by apoptosis. Addition of hepatocyte growth factor prevents apoptosis induced by activin A and induces differentiation into insulin-producing cells. The present study was conducted to examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase in the action of hepatocyte growth factor.

METHODS

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase was assessed by using 2-(2'-amino-3 '-methoxyphenol)-oxanaphthalen-4-one (PD098059). Cells were also transfected with cDNA for mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase and constitutively active mutant of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase.

RESULTS

Hepatocyte growth factor induced sustained activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase, which was inhibited by PD098059. PD098059 completely blocked the differentiation and also blocked the prevention of apoptosis. Transfection of the cells with cDNA for mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase reproduced the effect of PD098059. Conversely, transfection with cDNA for the constitutively active mutant of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase reproduced the effect of hepatocyte growth factor. In contrast, addition of wortmannin or transfection of the dominantly negative form of the p85 subunit of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase did not affect differentiation induced by hepatocyte growth factor. Instead, wortmannin enhanced the increase in the insulin content of the differentiated AR42J cells.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

The MAP kinase pathway is necessary and sufficient for the action of HGF on differentiation of AR42J cells.

Isolation and characterization of the organ-specific and light-inducible promoter of the gene encoding rubisco activase in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Constitutive promoters have been widely used in crop biotechnology applications. Tissue-specific or inducible promoters, however, have advantages in some cases. We isolated the 731-bp 5' flanking sequence of a potato (Solanum tuberosum) gene, encoding ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) activase (RCA), which was isolated by genome walking. By using GUS as a reporter and with Northern blot analysis, the 702-bp fragment (referred to as StRCAp), ranging from nt -731 to -30 relative to the initiation code of the RCA gene, was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants. The activity of StRCAp in leaves was 0.4-fold less than that of cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, and was expressed throughout the green part of the light-grown transgenic T(1) seedlings, including cytoledons, leaves and young stems, but not roots. Further deletion analysis revealed that a shorter fragment (nt -249 to -30, StRCAp2) retained light-inducible features in cytoledons and leaves, but showed no detectable activity in young stems and roots. Although the activity of StRCAp2 in leaves was reduced significantly compared with that of StRCAp, the overall data indicated that cis-elements sufficient to regulate organ-specific and light-inducible transcription are within the 220-bp fragment. There is potential for application of StRCAp in plant genetic engineering.

Behavioral training-induced c-Fos expression in the rat nucleus basalis of Meynert during aging

The present study investigated the behavioral training-induced c-Fos expression in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM) in differently aged rats. This study demonstrated that the c-Fos expression in nbM was significantly increased and the peak occurred at 2 h after dark-avoidance training. Although the increase of c-Fos expression was also observed after pseudotraining, the number of Fos-like immunoreactive neurons in pseudotrained rats was significantly less than that in dark-avoidance trained rats at each time-point. This result suggested that c-Fos expression might be involved in learning and memory processes. In addition, all the pseudotraining-, training- and memory arousing-induced c-Fos expression was decreased with increasing age, and the decrease was more notable in trained and memory aroused rats. This suggested that the total number of nbM neurons and/or the sensitivity of nbM neurons to experimental manipulations, especially learning and memory performance, might reduce during aging.

Adoptive immunotherapy using lymphokine-activated killer cells and recombinant interleukin-2 in preventing and treating spontaneous pulmonary metastases of syngeneic Dunning rat prostate tumor

Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were generated from splenocytes of rats bearing a weakly immunogenic Dunning prostate tumor (R-3227 AT-3) and activated with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). The maximal LAK activity was obtained from splenocytes of rats bearing tumors for 10 to 14 days after incubation with 1000 U/ml./day of rIL-2 for five to eight days. The majority of these LAK cells expressed high levels of asialo GM1 (89%), laminin (83%), OX-19 (80%) and OX-8 (88%) surface markers. LAK cells exhibited higher cytotoxicity to rat prostate tumor cells and mouse lymphoma in vitro than to other non-prostate tumor cells or normal rat splenocytes and thymocytes. Splenocytes of rats bearing prostate tumors have higher LAK activity than normal splenocytes. The Winn type assay showed that Dunning prostate tumor growth was inhibited effectively by LAK cells at a tumor cell:LAK cell ratio of 1:50. The therapeutic efficacy of LAK cells in the treatment of primary solid prostate tumors and pulmonary metastases of Dunning rats was evaluated. LAK cells in combination with rIL-2 showed a greater therapeutic benefit in 1) prevention of prostate tumor metastases to lung, 2) retardation of the primary tumor growth, 3) regression of spontaneously established pulmonary metastases, and 4) prolongation of survival as compared to untreated controls or those groups treated with LAK cells or rIL-2 alone. The results of this study indicate that the conjunctive therapeutic approach of using surgical therapy to remove primary solid tumors followed by adoptive immunotherapy with LAK cells plus in vivo administration of IL-2 may be potentially valuable in the treatment of prostate tumors, particularly for the spontaneous pulmonary metastases.

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 by small interfering RNA

Background.  RNA interference, a conserved mechanism in which a sequence‐specific gene‐silencing process is mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA), is a promising method of gene therapy in treating a variety of viral diseases.

Aim.  To investigate the antiviral effects of siRNA on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) replication in Vero cells.

Methods.  The antiviral effects of siRNA duplexes targeting the VP16 and DNA polymerase genes of HSV‐1 were evaluated by yield‐reduction and plaque‐reduction assays. The effect of siRNA on the expression of target genes was measured by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription PCR.

Results.  Two siRNA duplexes (siRNA‐1, targeting VP16, and siRNA‐4, targeting DNA polymerase), were found to be highly effective in inhibiting HSV‐1 replication. siRNA‐1 and siRNA‐4 reduced HSV‐1 replication by around 2 log₁₀ and 1 log₁₀ in the yield‐‐reduction assay and by ∼85% and ∼70% in the plaque‐reduction assay, respectively. Significant decreases in the mRNA level of VP16 and DNA polymerase genes were detected after viral infection in the Vero cells pretreated with siRNA‐1 and siRNA‐4, respectively.

Conclusion.  These results indicate that siRNA can potently inhibit HSV‐1 replication in vitro, suggesting that siRNA‐based antiviral therapy may be a potential effective therapeutic alternative for patients with HSV‐1 infection.

The anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (Prunus yedoensis) used in soothing skincare product

OBJECTIVE

Previous investigations suggested that cherry blossoms could provide valuable bioactive materials. However, few observations regarding the anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossoms were reported. This study was to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (CBE), which was used as a soothing ingredient in skincare product.

METHODS

In vitro study, the anti-inflammatory effect of CBE on the nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. In vivo study, 40 volunteers were included in a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. 24-hour-occlusive test chambers were applied on the flexor side of the forearm with 3% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Subsequently, the test areas were treated on 9 subsequent days with a cream containing 3% CBE or a placebo. Evaluation included a visual score and determination of erythema value (E value).

RESULTS

In vitro study, 2% CBE reduced NO production by 31.83% compared to the placebo. In the SLS irritant patch test, the visual score and erythema value of CBE were lower than that of the placebo on D5 and D9.

CONCLUSION

Cherry blossom extract shows good anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising functional ingredient in soothing skincare product by reducing skin inflammation.

Evaluation of the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer using diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

This study aims to investigate the predictive values of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. Between September 2011 and December 2014, a total of 174 patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with NAC were selected for this study. Conventional CT and MRI examinations (DWI and DCE-MRI) were performed in all patients before NAC (T0), after the first course (T1) and after the whole course (T2) of NAC. According to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST), patients were divided into the effective [complete response (CR) + partial response (PR)] and ineffective groups [stable disease (SD) + disease progression (DP)]. The Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), maximum tumor diameter, the early-phase enhancement rate (Ee), maximal enhanced rate of tumor (E max), maximal linear slope (S max), maximal excretion rate (E wash), signal intensity (SI), maximal signal rise velocity (V max) and area under the curve (AUC) of Cho before and after NAC were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the AUC of change rate of ADC values and semi-quantitative parameter were utilized to analyze the diagnostic performance of them for evaluating the efficacy of NAC for breast cancer. There were 135 patients in the effective group, with 52 cases of CR and 83 cases of PR; 39 patients were in the ineffective group, with 14 cases of PD and 25 cases of SD. The effective rate of NAC for breast cancer was 77.6%. The ADC values of the two groups significantly increased but the maximum tumor diameter, E e, E max, S max, E wash and AUC of Cho greatly decreased. The effective group had higher ADC values, its change rate and tumor regression rate than the ineffective group. However, the maximum tumor diameter, E e, E max, S max, E wash, AUC of Cho, SI and V max in the effective group were remarkably lower than those in the ineffective group. The change rate of ADC mean achieved the highest evaluation efficiency with AUC of 0.920, sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 94.9%. The optimal critical value was 36.49 (× 10-3mm2/s). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that the change rate of ADC mean values and E e could be promising tools for evaluating the efficacy of NAC in patients with breast cancer.

Involvement of the mitfa gene in the development of pigment cell in Japanese ornamental (Koi) carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

A colored phenotype is an important feature of ornamental fish. In mammals, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was found to regulate the development of melanocytes. In this study, the mitfa cDNA was first cloned from the Japanese ornamental (Koi) carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), an important ornamental freshwater fish. The full-length cDNA of the mitfa gene contains 1634 bp, coding for 412 amino acids in Koi. The identity degree of mitfa amino acid sequences between the Koi carp and zebrafish is 92.9%. We tested the expression of the mitfa gene in several varieties of Koi using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and found that the mitfa gene is highly expressed in the skin tissues of the Taisho sanke and the Procypris merus. Interestingly, the mitfa gene was also expressed in the Kohaku and Yamabaki ogon, although melanocytes were not observed in the skin. Koi carp embryos were transparent and colorless, while after hatching, different types of pigment cells successively emerged in a fixed order. In Taisho sanke, melanocytes first appeared in the trunk at approximately 12 days of age. Subsequently, there was a large area of melanocytes by 30 days of age. The expression level of the mitfa mRNA was low in early embryos and newly hatched larvae, and increased to high levels in 30-day-old fry. The results show that the mitfa gene is involved in regulating fish body color in the development of both melanocytes and pigment cells.