Augmentation of specific tumor killing activity by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in the presence of TNF-SAM2

The effect of TNF-SAM2 on cytotoxic activity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) was investigated. TIL were prepared from 11 human cancer patients. They were propagated by double in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and interleukin-2, and cultured for 3 weeks. The cytotoxic activity of TIL was tested with standard 4h 51Cr-release assays in the presence or the absence of TNF-SAM2. In the presence of TNF-SAM2 (500U/ml), the mean cytotoxic activity against autologous tumor cells was significantly augmented compared to that in its absence. However, the fact that cytotoxic activity against K562 and Daudi showed no difference whether substance was present or not, indicates that LAK and NK activity were not affected by TNF-SAM2. Direct cytotoxicity by exogenously added TNF-SAM2 to tumor cells was measured in 9 out of 11 cases and this revealed that cytotoxicity solely by TNF-SAM2 was seen in 3 tumors. However, there was no correlation between the augmentation of cytotoxicity by TIL in the presence of TNF-SAM2 and the cytotoxicity shown by TNF-SAM2 alone. These results suggested that TIL therapy combined with administration of exogenous TNF may exert a synergistically stronger therapeutic effect on cancer.

A novel human monoclonal antibody against cervical cancer: its immunoreactivity with normal tube and ovary and with ovarian tumor tissue

1-1-2D, a novel human monoclonal antibody (MAb) raised against cervical cancer, was examined for its immunohistochemical reactivity with ovarian cancer. Six of 10 ovarian cancer cell lines showed positive staining, while 3 of 5 cervical cancer cell lines were positive. Among tumor tissues, 15 of 18 (83%) ovarian serous cystadenocarcinomas and 10 of 12 (83%) ovarian clear cell adenocarcinomas were positive. We also performed immunohistochemical staining of the same cancer specimens with OC 125 and compared their reactivity. The frequency of positivity was similar, but the reactivity of the two MAbs was different. 1-1-2D stained the apical surface of the glandular epithelial cells and secretory products of the gland. On the other hand, OC 125 stained the cytoplasm as well as the plasma membrane of the glandular epithelial cells. These results suggest that 1-1-2D MAb recognizes a different antigen from that recognized by OC 125.

Orthotopic liver retransplantation in rats

A surgical experience with a method of rate orthotopic liver retransplantation (OLRT), and a preliminary study of immunological responses after OLRT are reported. OLRT was performed on the same recipient after the fist orthotopic liver transplantation (1st-OLT) according to our original (Kamada's) cuff method. Replacement of the portal vein (PV) and infra-hepatic vena cava (IHVC) cuffs was not technically difficult. However, there were no survivors from the first 6 retransplanted rats, mainly due to complications from defective supra-hepatic vena cava (SHVC) anastomoses. Unlike the human intra-abdominal SHVC, the posterior wall of the intra-abdominal SHVC in rats is too short and fragile to perform an end-to-end anastomosis twice between donor and recipient SHVC. For a second group of seven retransplants, a modification of the SHVC anastomosis was made between donor and recipient SHVC in conjunction with the recipient's cuff diaphragm. This enabled reanastomosis to be secure, resulting in the improved 1-week survival after isogenic OLRT (85.7%). This OLRT model has been applied to the fully allogeneic combination for several immunological studies and led to novel findings. Thus, an experimental model of a rat orthotopic liver retransplant model has the potential to allow more valuable insights into the immunological study of chronic rejection, sensitization and chimerism following liver retransplantation.

Transdermal delivery of theophylline using an ethanol/panasate 800-ethylcellulose gel preparation

A novel ethylcellulose gel preparation using an ethanol/panasate 800 (tricaprylin) (40/60) binary lipophilic vehicle was developed and applied to the transdermal delivery of theophylline. The in vitro skin permeability of theophylline across excised hairless mouse skin was improved by the use of this ethanol/panasate 800 (40/60) binary vehicle compared with either ethanol or panasate 800 as a single vehicle, and the addition of lauric acid as a permeation enhancer to the binary vehicle shortened the lag time and increased the permeated amount of theophylline up to 6 h (initial permeation amount). The in vitro permeability of theophylline from the ethanol/panasate 800 (40/60)-ethylcellulose gels decreased with an increase in the content of ethylcellulose in the gels. In the in vivo evaluation using abdominal rat skin, the ethanol/panasate 800 (40/60)-7% (w/w) ethylcellulose gel produced a good feature as a sustained-release preparation, with a relatively high bioavailability (BA) of theophylline, and dose dependency was observed.

A new statistical procedure of interval hypothesis testing for bioequivalence studies

A simplified procedure of interval hypothesis testing was investigated and established for bioequivalence studies. The characteristics of this procedure were compared with those of other statistical procedures.

[Stent placement without thrombolysis in chronic iliac arterial occlusion: preliminary clinical evaluation]

Intra-arterial stent placement without thrombolytic therapy was performed in four patients with chronic iliac arterial occlusion. The length of angiographically observed occluded lesions ranged from 2.0 cm to 14.0 cm (mean: 5.1 cm). The implanted stents included four Wall stents, two Strecker stents and one Palmaz stent. The mean ankle-arm index before and after stenting improved from 0.48 to 0.77, while the mean pressure gradient improved from 82.5 mmHg to 3.0 mmHg. Symptoms were eliminated in all patients after the procedure. No major complications were encountered during the procedure. Primary stent implantation in chronic iliac occlusions is useful to avoid bypass surgery.

Induction of natural chimerism after retransplantation of the liver in rats

Immunological aspects after orthotopic rat liver retransplantation (re-OLT) were examined in association with cell migration and mixed chimerism. At day 2 after the first orthotopic liver transplantation (day 0) in the combination of DA (MHC haplotype, RT1a) donor into PVG (RT1c) recipient, the grafted DA liver was removed and a new PVG liver was implanted into the same PVG recipient (re-OLT). In the PVG recipient at various times after the re-OLT, DA-derived antigen and cells were detected using a DA-specific anti-class I mAb R3/13 in conjunction with ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. The level of soluble class I antigen, which had risen to 270 ng/ml after the first OLT, substantially decreased within 24 hr after re-OLT. Using immunoblotting, DA class I antigen was detected in the PVG recipient's lymphoid organs at day 3 after DA liver grafting and persisted for up to 21 days after the DA liver was replaced by a new PVG liver. Immunohistochemistry on sections of spleen from re-OLT rats showed that the level of migratory cells expressing DA class I correlated with the findings obtained by immunoblotting. While the DA-derived antigen and cells were detected in the re-OLT recipient, the DA-specific inhibition of mixed lymphocyte reaction was observed in re-OLT serum. Our results suggest that the implanted DA liver graft was the source of DA soluble class I antigen, but DA-derived antigen and cells detected in the re-OLT recipient organs could persist for a relatively long time under immunosuppression after the implanted DA liver was removed by re-OLT.

Transient induction of fatty acid synthase in rat liver after removal of a peroxisome proliferator

Removal of a peroxisome proliferator from the diet triggered the degradation of peroxisomes and induced the transient expression of a 220 kDa soluble protein in rat liver. The 220 kDa protein was purified by conventional methods and analyzed by amino acid sequencing. A total of 99 amino acid residues in 4 lysylendopeptidase-digested peptides completely matched those in rat fatty acid synthase. The transient induction of fatty acid synthase mRNA during peroxisome degradation was confirmed by Northern blotting.

In vivo induction of the growth associated protein GAP43/B-50 in rat astrocytes following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the induction of growth-associated protein GAP43/B-50 in the astrocytes of rat cerebrum in vivo following ischemic injury produced by 30 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Three days after operation, GAP43 immunoreactivity first appeared in some astrocytic populations surrounding the infarcted lesion. Induction of GAP43 in those astrocytes persisted for up to 14 days and disappeared at 30 days postoperation. Double-immunofluorescence staining confirmed that the GAP43-immunoreactive astrocytes examined were all positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Our present data suggest that certain astrocytes could be induced to synthesize GAP43 in vivo in response to an ischemic insult in adult rats.

In vivo microdialysis for pharmacokinetic investigations: a plasma protein binding study of valproate in rabbits

The use of microdialysis to study the binding of valproate (VPA) to plasma proteins was evaluated in rabbits. Prior to an in vivo microdialysis, in vitro relative recovery of VPA respectively from Ringer's solution, 5% (w/v) of albumin solution and plasma sample via a microdialysis probe was examined. The in vitro relative recovery was defined as a ratio of the VPA concentration determined in the dialysate to the free VPA concentration in the sample solution surrounding the membrane of the microdialysis probe. When the sample solution was well stirred at 700 rpm and maintained at 37 degrees C, the in vitro relative recovery of VPA was significantly different among them. It increased in the order of Ringer's solution (34.3 +/- 2.6%) > 5% (w/v) of albumin solution (25.7 +/- 4.6%) > rabbit plasma sample (15.8 +/- 1.2%). Thereafter, pharmacokinetics of VPA was determined using both microdialysis sampling via the rabbit femoral vein and collection of whole blood via the rabbit ear vein after intravenous administration of VPA at a dose of 43 mg/kg. Free concentrations of VPA in plasma were determined by ultrafiltration method as opposed to microdialysis method. There was no difference in the elimination half-life of VPA determined by microdialysis, 1.09 +/- 0.22 h, or ultrafiltration, 1.22 +/- 0.21 h. The AUC of VPA in dialysate was 15 +/- 4 micrograms.h/ml, which corresponded to 15% of that in ultrafiltrate (103 +/- 17 micrograms.h/ml). The value was in good agreement with the in vitro relative recovery of VPA from plasma sample (15.8 +/- 1.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Different cytoplasmic structure of the CD3 zeta family dimer modulates the activation signal and function of T cells

The TCR complex transduces the antigen recognition signal through common activation motifs present in both CD3 gamma delta epsilon chains and zeta dimers within the complex. We have investigated functional roles of the cytoplasmic domain in zeta and CD3 gamma delta epsilon for T cell activation in early and late responses by comparing the signaling capability of the TCR complexes containing mutant zeta lacking some or all motifs, or eta chain, another zeta family molecule. The results with the mutant zeta lacking all motifs indicated that CD3 gamma delta epsilon can transduce signals to cause early activation events and production of IL-2 upon antigen stimulation in the absence of zeta motifs. However, any one of the zeta motifs was required to respond to Thy-1 stimulation and this requirement cannot be replaced by other CD3 chains. Such zeta motif-dependent responses were also observed in tyrosine phosphorylation of a 90 kDa protein upon TCR stimulation. Furthermore, we found that the C-terminal unique region of the eta chain exhibits inhibitory function in phosphorylation and Ca2+ response upon TCR stimulation as well as IL-2 production upon Thy-1 stimulation. Collectively, the present analyses suggest that two types of signals are induced through the TCR-CD3 complex: (i) the common motif-dependent signals which are mediated equally through zeta dimers and CD3 gamma delta epsilon, and (ii) zeta specific motif-dependent signals. Differences in the cytoplasmic domain of zeta family molecules may modulate the cooperation of these two signals, resulting in alteration of T cell functions.

Laminar and columnar organization of immunoreactivity for calcineurin, a calcium- and calmodulin-regulated protein phosphatase, in monkey striate cortex

Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play an important role in neuronal signal transduction. In this study the distribution of calcineurin, a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, was investigated in the striate cortex of two Old World monkeys, Macaca fascicularis and Papio anubis, using a well-characterized, affinity-purified polyclonal antibody to calcineurin. In order to relate the calcineurin distributions to established cytochemical markers, adjacent sections were processed for the visualization of cytochrome oxidase. The staining patterns obtained from the two species were remarkably similar. The results indicate that (1) monkey striate cortex exhibits strong calcineurin-like immunoreactivity that is present both in the neuropil and in neurons, most of which have characteristics of pyramidal cells; (2) the distribution of calcineurin is laminar specific; and (3) it is complementary to that of cytochrome oxidase activity with respect to both its laminar and its tangential pattern. In sections perpendicular to the cortical lamination calcineurin immunoreactivity is high in layers II and III, reduced in layer IVA, nearly as dense as in supragranular layers in layer IVB, minimal in layer IVC, and again enhanced, but not as much as in supragranular layers, in layers V and VI. In addition to these lamina-specific variations, the density of calcineurin-like immunoreactivity exhibits a periodic modulation along trajectories parallel to the pial surface that is most marked in layer III but also discernable in infragranular layers. Accordingly, in tangential sections through supragranular layers the calcineurin distribution is mosaic-like with patches of high density corresponding to cytochrome-poor regions (interblob regions) and zones of low density corresponding to areas of high cytochrome oxidase activity (blobs).

The induction of immediate early genes in postischemic and transplanted livers in rats. Its relation to organ survival

The protein products of the immediate early genes (IEG)s have been proposed to play an important role in long-term tissue plasticity such as cell repair or programmed cell death. The expression of liver IEGs was studied following liver ischemia (LI) or OLT in rats. In LI, 60 min of warm ischemia was induced in shunted rats (shunt LI group; 100% survival) and nonshunted rats (nonshunted LI group; poor survival). In OLT, donor livers were transplanted into the recipients within 1 hr (fresh liver OLT group; 100% survival) or after 24 hr of storage using University of Wisconsin solution (preserved liver OLT group; poor survival). Using both models, IEG mRNAs (c-fos and c-jun) were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization at various times before and after reperfusion. The expression of liver IEGs was not induced by warm ischemia and cold preservation alone. Reperfusion of livers following warm ischemia or cold preservation resulted in a distinctly different pattern of gene expression in viable and nonviable livers. In shunted LI and fresh liver OLT groups (viable), c-fos and c-jun mRNAs increased markedly to a peak value within 1-2 hr of reperfusion, returning to basal level by 3 hr. In nonviable livers, the level of these mRNAs was detected continuously at 3 hr of reperfusion in the nonshunted LI model and also at 6 hr after reperfusion in the preserved liver OLT group. Our data suggest that a protracted pattern of expression of c-fos and c-jun in the liver at the early stage of reperfusion might be correlated with the severity of liver transplant-related insults and subsequent graft failure.

Cellular localization of type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the rat basal ganglia and intrastriatal grafts derived from fetal striatal primordia, in comparison with that of Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated protein phosphatase, calcineurin

We investigated immunohistochemically the cellular localization of multifunctional type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the rat basal ganglia and intrastriatal grafts derived from fetal striatal primordia, in comparison with that of calcineurin, a reliable marker for striatal medium-sized spinous neurons. The type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-positive neurons were of medium size, with a mean diameter of 16.1 +/- microns (average +/- S.D., n = 72, range 13.6-18.3 microns) and comprised approximately 70% of the total neuronal population in the striatum. Light microscopy showed that the type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-positive cells had round, triangular or polygonal cell bodies with relatively little cytoplasm. Analysis of serial sections showed that type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and calcineurin immunoreactivities were co-localized in the striatal neurons examined with a similar distribution pattern. Type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-positive cells were always immunoreactive for calcineurin and cells negative for type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase showed no apparent calcineurin immunoreactivity. Type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-positive nerve fibers in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra almost disappeared following striatal ischemic injury produced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and cerebral hemitransection, respectively, suggesting that these immunopositive fibers were striatal projections. Thus, most type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-positive neurons in the rat striatum are considered to be of the medium-sized spinous type. Type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase or calcineurin immunoreactivity was also observed in a large number of neurons in transplants derived from fetal striatal primordia grafted into striatal ischemic lesions. In addition, type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase- or calcineurin-immunoreactive nerve fibers appeared in the deafferented globus pallidus of the host rats, suggesting that the striatopallidal pathway was reformed by striatal projection neurons of the transplants. This finding may also indicate that Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated enzymes are useful for tracing striatal projection fibers as endogenous marker proteins.

In vivo microdialysis for the transdermal absorption of valproate in rats

The suitability of sampling via microdialysis for a lipophilic drug, valproate (VPA), was evaluated by the elimination rate constant of VPA solution in an in vitro experimental first-order elimination system. The elimination rate constant of VPA in dialysate was found to be 0.43 +/- 0.05h-1, which was in good agreement with the real elimination rate constant (0.46 +/- 0.02h-1). A change in VPA concentration in the solution surrounding a microdialysis probe was well maintained by the microdialysis method, suggesting no adsorption between the membrane of the microdialysis probe and VPA. On the basis of the in vitro experiment, the effect of a penetration enhancer, 1-[2-(decylthio)ethyl]azacyclopentan-2-one (HPE-101), on the transdermal absorption of VPA was examined in rats by the use of microdialysis in vivo. An intradermal microdialysis was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 microliter/min for 7h after the dermal application of 50 mM VPA solution with or without 3% (w/v) HPE-101. HPE-101 increased the transdermal absorption rate of VPA by 80 times compared with the control. The microdialysis system was found to be quite useful for assessing the in vivo transdermal absorption of a lipophilic VPA.

Occurrence of heat shock response in deafferented neurons in the substantia nigra of rats

The substantia nigra is innervated by massive inhibitory GABAergic projections from the striatum and globus pallidus, deafferentation of which is supposed to lead to anterograde trans-synaptic degeneration of the nigral neurons. An immunohistochemical method was used to examine the induction of 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein in the substantia nigra following cerebral hemitransection or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. At three and four days post-transection, strong immunoreactivity for 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein was found in the ipsilateral substantia nigra pars reticulata. Light microscopic observation revealed a number of pars reticulata neurons showing strong immunoreactivity for 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein in their perikarya and proximal processes. In addition, Golgi-like stained neurons with dystrophic features were occasionally observed in the ipsilateral substantia nigra pars reticulata. The immunoreactivity for 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein in the ipsilateral pars reticulata gradually declined and almost disappeared by 15 days after transection. No apparent induction of 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein was found in the substantia nigra pars compacta throughout the time period examined. Massive striatal ischemic injury produced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion also induced expression of 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein in the pars reticulata neurons three and four days postoperatively. These findings suggest that deafferentation of the striatal or striatopallidal inputs per se is a harmful stress for the substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons, inducing 72,000 mol. wt heat shock protein synthesis. The present data may contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis of the pathomechanism of the transneuronal regression of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons, which may occur after removal of inhibitory GABAergic inputs.

Relationship between lipophilicity and skin permeability of various drugs from an ethanol/water/lauric acid system

The in vitro skin permeability of 16 drugs with a wide range of lipophilicity (log P; -0.95-4.40) was evaluated by the use of an ethanol/water (60/40) binary vehicle with or without lauric acid as a permeation enhancer. The enhancing effect by the addition of lauric acid to the ethanol/water (60/40) binary vehicle could be observed from the aspect of both permeation rate and lag time. The permeation rate increased with an increase in the hydrophilicity of the drugs. It was considered that lauric acid exerts an effect on both the polar and nonpolar regions of lipids of the stratum corneum, and the cooperative interaction of ethanol and lauric acid increases the participation of the polar pathway of drugs. The relationship between lipophilicity and skin permeability of the drugs from the ethanol/water (60/40) binary vehicle with lauric acid showed a parabolic shape, with its peak at a more hydrophilic range (log P; 0.19) compared with other past references (log P; 2-3). The ethanol/water (60/40) binary vehicle with lauric acid appears to be a good candidate as a vehicle for transdermal therapeutic systems for hydrophilic drugs.

Ubiquitous presence of mutagenic and antimutagenic components in air-borne particulates of two Japanese cities

Previous studies on several samples of urban air-borne particulates showed that the long-chain fatty acids present in these samples can interfere with the measurement of mutagenicity of the particulates with the Salmonella assay. To explore whether this phenomenon is a general, fatty acid contents and the mutagenicity (with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 without S9) were measured for 34 particulate samples collected in the cities of Okayama and Tokyo over a period of 1 year. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids were found in all these samples in this order of amount, and their interference on mutagenicity measurement was eminent, particularly at high doses of the sample. With the use of blue cotton extraction, the mutagenic components can be freed from most of these antimutagenic factors. Significant correlation was found between the number of particulates and the mutagenicity per unit volume of the air. Eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, including benzo[alpha]pyrene were quantified for these 34 particulate samples. Their contents were too small to account for the observed mutagenicity, suggesting that other polycyclic compounds, possibly involving nitro aromatics, were responsible for the mutagenicity observed. No remarkable differences were noted between Okayama and Tokyo in fatty acid contents, mutagenicity or polycyclic aromatic-hydrocarbon contents of the samples.

[Post-pregnancy osteoporosis]

The onset of idiopathic osteoporosis after delivery is called "Post-Pregnancy Osteoporosis", which was suggested for the syndrome by Nordin in 1955. Back pain and vertebral collapse are the most frequent feature. This disease usually occurs in the first pregnancy and dose not recur, but the mechanisms remains to be elucidated. It is suggested that in patients with post-pregnancy osteoporosis there may have been a transient failure of the usual changes in calciotropic hormones such as 1,25-(OH)2D, calcitonin and parathyroid hormone (PTH) to prepare the maternal skeleton due to the stress of childbirth. The clinical course of these patients accords well with previous reports.

Molecular biological approaches to aging in Japan: an overview

Progress in molecular biological investigations of aging in Japan is overviewed. Emphasis is put on studies which, in the author's opinion, appear to have considerable relevance to a definition of aging, i.e. functional decline of cells and tissues with advancing age. (1) Changes in the nuclear DNA, most significantly in methylation, and deletions of mitochondrial DNA have been shown to occur with age. (2) Various aspects of protein metabolism have been investigated, i.e. the fidelity of translation, accumulation of altered enzymes, oxidative damage, and half-lives and degradation of proteins. (3) Japanese researchers have made significant contributions to the understanding of the chemical structure and the mechanisms of generation of paired helical filaments in Alzheimer's disease. Also, studies on beta-amyloid peptide are noteworthy. (4) Murine models of aging were developed and molecular biological investigations on them are progressing. Nematodes and fruit flies are also used as models.(5) Changes in gene expression with age have attracted considerable interest.

Relationship between bone mineral density of the proximal femur and lumbar spine and quadriceps and hamstrings torque in healthy Japanese subjects

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlations between the muscle torque of the leg extensors (quadriceps femoris) and leg flexors (hamstrings) and the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur and lumbar spine. To investigate the decline in BMD of proximal femur and lumbar spine, we examined the relative importance of muscle torque, age, and body weight in the prediction of BMD in 340 healthy volunteers (109 males, and 231 females). Age and body weight were independent predictors of femoral BMD in men. Body weight and quadriceps torque were independent predictors of femoral BMD in premenopausal women. Body weight and years after menopause were independent predictors of BMD in postmenopausal women. The BMD was greatly affected by menopause, whereas the muscle torque was independent of the menopause, and showed the negative relationship to age. These results suggest that muscle-building exercise may have the potentiality to elevate the BMD in the proximal femur in premenopausal women.

Synaptic pathology of spinal anterior horn cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an immunohistochemical study

We have applied immunohistochemical techniques to study synaptic alterations of the spinal anterior horn in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other disorders involving upper or lower motor neurons. A monoclonal antibody to synaptophysin was used. Spinal cord tissues from normal individuals served as controls. As compared to these, a decrease in synaptophysin immunoreactivity was evident in the neuropil in the spinal anterior horn of ALS patients. However, synaptophysin expression in the perikarya and dendrites of remaining normal-appearing neurons in these patients was not decreased and occasionally it was even higher than in control neurons. Similar results were obtained with specimens from patients with lower motor neuron disease. Synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the neuropil and perikarya of the cases with focal spinal cord lesions with bilateral descending tract degeneration was similar to normal controls. Our data suggest that the alterations in synaptophysin expression occurring in ALS are mainly associated with the loss of lower motor neurons, and that the occasional increased perikaryal expression may be due to the neuronal atrophy, compensatory accumulation or abnormal synaptic vesicle degradation.