A novel angiomatoid epithelioid sarcoma cell line, Asra-EPS, forming tumors with large cysts containing hemorrhagic fluid in vivo

BACKGROUND

Whereas we can use several human epithelioid sarcoma (ES) cell lines for basic and preclinical research, an angiomatoid ES cell line has not been reported to date. We have treated a case of an angiomatoid ES developing in the right upper extremity of a 67-year-old man.

METHODS

An angiomatoid ES cell line, Asra-EPS was newly established and characterized for its morphology, growth rate and chromosomal analysis. Tumorigenicity of Asra-EPS cells was also analyzed in athymic nude mice.

RESULTS

Asra-EPS cells were round, polygonal or spindle-shaped with an abundant cytoplasm and have been maintained continuously in vitro for over 150 passages during more than 15 months. These cells secreted cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into the culture medium. Asra-EPS cells were tumorigenic when implanted in nude mice with tumors reaching a volume of 1000 mm3 at around 50 days. Histological features of tumors formed in mice were essentially the same as those of the original tumor, exhibiting a multinodular proliferation of eosinophilic epithelioid and spindle-shaped cells with prominent areas of hemorrhage and blood-filled cystic spaces strikingly corresponding to the potential of hemorrhagic cyst formation in the original tumor. They showed immunopositive staining for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, CD31, CD34 and CA 125, but negative for integrase interactor 1 (INI-1) and factor VIII-related antigen.

CONCLUSIONS

The established cell line represents a biologically relevant new tool to investigate the molecular pathology of human angiomatoid ES and to evaluate the efficacy of novel therapeutics both in vitro and in vivo.

Evolutionary discontinuity of the Carabine ground beetles

The Carabine ground beetles are mostly hind wing-less and cannot fly, so that there is more chance of diversification by geographic isolation compared with winged insects. The relationships between morphological diversification and phylogeny of the ground beetles of the world have been inferred mainly by comparisons of mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences. Based on dating by a mitochondrial DNA "clock," it has been deduced that an explosive radiation of the major carabine groups took place 50-40 MYA. This was followed by occasional radiations on various scales, sometimes accompanied by parallel morphological changes. There are also a good number of examples showing that the fundamental morphology has remained unchanged for a long time among geographically isolated populations within the same species. Thus, carabid evolution would have proceeded discontinuously, with phases of rapid morphological change alternating with silent phases.

Involvement of angiotensin II in progression of renal injury in rats with genetic non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Wistar fatty rats)

Wistar fatty (WF) rats have a genetic predisposition to hyperglycemia, polyuria, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity and nephropathy. These phenotypic characteristics are similar to those observed in obese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) nephropathy. In this study, the effects of two types of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, an angiotensin II type 1-receptor antagonist (AT1A) and an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), on renal injury in WF rats were studied during the progressive phase of diabetic nephropathy. An AT1A, candesartan cilexetil (1 mg/kg), and an ACEI, enalapril (10 mg/kg), were administered orally once a day for 12 weeks, beginning when the rats were 27-week-old and already showed diabetic nephropathy and obesity. Both drugs prevented an increase in proteinuria during the experimental period. Furthermore, after 4-week intervention, the levels of proteinuria were markedly lower in drug-treated rats. At the end of the experiment, both drugs prevented the development of glomerular lesions without affecting glucose metabolism and obesity. In conclusion, the inhibition of angiotensin II activity ameliorated both existing proteinuria and the progression of proteinuria, resulting in preservation of glomerular structure. Thus angiotensin II plays important roles in the development and the progression of nephropathy in genetically obese diabetic WF rats.

Pulmonary multiple metastases of ovarian granulosa cell tumor 15 years after initial diagnosis

We report a case of multiple pulmonary metastases occurring 15 years after an ovarian granulosa cell tumor was initially diagnosed. A 62-year-old woman undergoing left salpingo-oophorectomy for a granulosa cell tumor of the left ovary 15 years earlier presented with abnormal chest shadows. Computed tomography of the chest confirmed the presence of 3 well-defined nodular lesions, and Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a 3.5 x 2.5 cm partially solid, cystic pelvic mass. Left thoracotomy was conducted and tumors diagnosed a pulmonary metastases of a granulosa cell tumor. The pelvic mass was resected and infracolic omentectomy then conducted with total hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy including the adherent rectal segment. The pelvic mass proved to be a granulosa cell tumor. Adjuvant combination chemotherapy was started every 3 weeks and the woman has remained disease-free for 9 months.

[Results of surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma in postlobectomy patients]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of postlobectomy pulmonary aspergilloma. Between January 1986 and September 1999, six patients were surgically treated. Aspergilloma were diagnosed on the basis of the clinical and radiographic findings in all cases. All patients were poor pulmonary function. Space-reducing surgery was performed in 5 patients, completion pneumonectomy was performed in 1 patient. The reoperation was only one, the clinical impression of the cause was too difficult direct closure of the bronchial fistula due to formation of marginal fistula. We believe that space-reducing surgery for postlobectomy patients with pulmonary aspergilloma is useful and benefit treatment.

Formation of the Japanese Carabina fauna inferred from a phylogenetic tree of mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences (Coleoptera, carabidae)

Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial ND5 gene comparisons and the geohistory of the Japanese Islands suggest that each Japanese species belonging to the subtribe Carabina has its own history for the establishment of its present habitat in the Japanese Islands. It can be roughly classified into two categories: (1) species which were derived from the ancestry that inhabited ancient Japan at the time of its split from the Eurasian Continent [ca. 15 million years ago (MYA)], followed by diversification within the Japanese Islands; and (2) species which invaded Hokkaido from the Eurasian Continent through land-bridges from Sakhalin and/or the Kuriles or from western Japan from the Korean Peninsula during the glacial era (<2 MYA).

Pattern of morphological diversification in the Leptocarabus ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as deduced from mitochondrial ND5 gene and nuclear 28S rDNA sequences

Most of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) gene and a part of nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA gene were sequenced for 14 species of ground beetles belonging to the genus Leptocarabus. In both the ND5 and the 28S rDNA phylogenetic trees of Leptocarabus, three major lineages were recognized: (1) L. marcilhaci/L. yokoael/Leptocarabus sp. from China, (2) L. koreanus/L. truncaticollis/L. seishinensis/L. semiopacus/L. canaliculatus/L. kurilensis from the northern Eurasian continent including Korea and Hokkaido, Japan, and (3) all of the Japanese species except L. kurilensis. Clustering of the species in the trees is largely linked to their geographic distribution and does not correlate with morphological characters. The species belonging to different species groups are clustered in the same lineages, and those in the same species group are scattered among the different lineages. One of the possible interpretations of the present results would be that morphological transformations independently took place in the different lineages, sometimes with accompanying parallel morphological evolution, resulting in the occurrence of the morphological species belonging to the same species group (= type) in the different lineages.

Effect of candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116) in rats with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system by both angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AT1As) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) shows renoprotective effects in rats with chronic renal failure when treatment is started in the early phase of renal injury. In this study, we examined the renal protective effects of candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116), an AT1A, and enalapril, an ACEI, in the progressive phase of renal injury in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

METHODS

Candesartan cilexetil (1 mg/kg/day) and enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) were orally administered once a day for 4 weeks (the short-term experiment) or 16 weeks (the long-term experiment) to 5/6 nephrectomized rats beginning 15 weeks after the nephrectomy, that is, after they had already showed marked proteinuria.

RESULTS

In vehicle-treated rats, proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and interstitial fibrosis developed. Moreover, enhanced expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the injured glomeruli was observed. These adverse changes progressed with time, and in the short-term experiment, both drugs inhibited them. In the long-term experiment, the progressive proteinuria and the elevation of blood pressure were similarly attenuated by both drugs. However, candesartan cilexetil significantly inhibited the progression of glomerulosclerosis, the expression of TGF-beta1, and interstitial fibrosis, whereas enalapril did not.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that candesartan cilexetil shows potent and long-term preventive effects against the progression of previously developed renal injury.

Evolution of the carabid ground beetles

The phylogenetic relationships of the carabid ground beetles have been estimated by analysing a large part of the ND5 gene sequences of more than 1,000 specimens consisting of the representative species and geographic races covering most of the genera and subgenera known in the world. From the phylogenetic analyses in conjunction with the mtDNA-based dating, a scenario of the establishment of the present habitats of the respective Japanese carabids has been constructed. The carabid diversification took place ca. 40 MYA as an explosive radiation of the major genera. During evolution, occasional small or single bangs also took place, sometimes accompanied by parallel morphological evolution in phylogenetically remote as well as close lineages. The existence of silent periods, in which few morphological changes took place, has been recognized during evolution. Thus, the carabid evolution is discontinuous, alternatively having a phase of rapid morphological change and a silent phase.

[One case of chronic pyothorax with MRSA infection cured by air-plombage method]

It is very difficult to cure a chronic pyothorax with MRSA infection. We experienced one such case with low pulmonary function (VC 1700 ml, %VC 50.7%), 73 years old man, who had a history of esophageal cancer and was operated two years ago. As the control of bacteria and the surgical intervention are both important in the treatment of pyothorax cases, we tried to reduce MRSA by washing with Povidone-Iodine solution through the drain. Then, we selected Air-plombage method as it is expected to maintain or to increase the pulmonary function after operation. We could easily close the bronchial fistula with a muscle flap, as it was located at the centre of the cavity. During the operation we frequently used acidic electrolyzed NaCl solution against MRSA. For one month after the operation, we used Vancomycin which is effective against MRSA, however, rather severe side effects were seen, and finally and MRSA vanished. Pulmonary function has improved from the initial VC 1700 ml, %VC 50.7% to VC 2120 ml, %VC 63.6% one year later. We recommend Air-plombage method for such cases with low pulmonary function under the control of MRSA by using acidic solution.

Effects of candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116) and enalapril in 5/6 nephrectomized rats

The renal protective properties of candesartan cilexetil (TCV-116), an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (AT1A), and enalapril, an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), were investigated in 5/6 nephrectomized (NX) rats. Candesartan cilexetil (1 mg/kg/day) and enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) were administered orally to 5/6 NX rats for four weeks (during the early phase of disease development) or 16 weeks (through the late phase). In vehicle-treated rats, proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial mononuclear cell (MNC) infiltration and interstitial fibrosis developed. Moreover, immunohistological studies showed enhanced expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in the injured glomeruli. Both drugs inhibited these adverse changes in the early phase. In the late phase, the progressive proteinuria, interstitial MNC infiltration were attenuated by both drugs. However, candesartan cilexetil significantly inhibited the progression of glomerulosclerosis, the expression of TGF-beta 1 and the interstitial fibrosis, while enalapril did not. Candesartan cilexetil and enalapril showed comparable hypotensive effects after the 16-week administration. These results indicate that candesartan cilexetil shows a more potent protective effect than enalapril against the progression of renal injury in the late phase. Thus, an AT1A might be more useful than an ACEI for the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure.

Temporal and spatial pattern of expression of the pea phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene1 promoter in transgenic tobacco

Genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) form a small multigene family with at least three members in pea. Tissue-specific expression of the promoter of a member of PAL gene family (PSPAL1) was investigated in the transgenic tobacco transformants carrying the different modes of chimeric fusion between the PSPAL1 promoter and a bacterial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. In stems, at least, strict correlation was found between steady-state levels of Gus-mRNA and enzyme activity. Significantly high level of GUS activity was observed in roots, particularly in meristematic tissues and the pigmented region of petals of transgenic tobacco carrying the translational fusion type B (-1,394 to +140 of PSPAL1 connected to Gus), followed by moderately high level of GUS activity carrying the translational fusion type A (-1,394 to +117). GUS expression in tissues of mature leaves, however, was very low in these constructs. Extremely low GUS activity was observed in the transformants of transcriptional fusion type (-1,394 to +5), whilst no activity was detected carrying non-transcription fusion type (-1,394 to -27). Furthermore, the pattern of the PSPAL1 expression was characterized in response to pathogen ingress and woundings in transgenic tobacco carrying the translational fusion type B. Woundings itself triggered marked expression of PSPAL1-driven GUS expression at the wounded sites. Inoculation of nonpathogens, Phytophthora capsici, P. boehmeriae and Erisiphe graminis f. sp. hordei, both caused rapid and very clear GUS expression zone along with the development of hypersensitive cell death area where callose was accumulated, however, the inoculation of a pathogen, P.nicotiana caused slow and hazy GUS expression zone along with the lesion development. These results suggest that the expression of pea PSPAL1 promoter is regulated in a similar fashion, at least in a part, in pea and transgenic tobacco, under the plant development and various environmental cues.