A classical strain of Vibrio cholerae with diminished ability to process the proteolytically sensitive site in the A subunit of cholera toxin

Vibrio cholerae O1, No. 31, a strain isolated from a patient with mild diarrhea, produced mainly the unnicked cholera toxin. The amount of toxin that had accumulated in the cells was approximately 200 times lower than that secreted into the culture medium. When the unnicked toxin was purified by three successive column chromatographies and then extracted from the polyacrylamide gel, the unnicked toxin showed two bands corresponding to the A and B subunits by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the A1 fragment was detected by trypsinization. Biological and enzymatic activities of the purified toxin with trypsinization were identical to those of cholera toxin from V. cholerae 569B as seen in the rabbit skin permeability test and the NAD:agmatine ADP-ribosyltransferase assay. DNA sequences of the A and B subunits were identical to those of the A- and B-subunit genes from the El Tor 2125 and classical 0395 strains, respectively. These data suggest that the wild V. cholerae strain, No. 31, produces a toxin identical to toxins previously reported in the literature and secretes it without accumulation in the cell, as is the case with other strains. However, strain No. 31's ability to nick the toxin is diminished compared with such abilities of other strains.

Tenascin expression in endomyocardial biopsy specimens in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: distribution along margin of fibrotic lesions

OBJECTIVE

To examine the hypothesis that tenascin, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, contributes to fibrotic changes in dilated cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

The localisation of tenascin in biopsy specimens of the hearts obtained from eight patients with dilated cardiomyopathy was examined using staining by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.

RESULTS

(1) Perimysium and endomysium. Although positive staining for tenascin was observed in the enlarged perimysium and endomysium in all patients, moderately intense staining was characteristically observed near the replacement fibrotic lesions. In the narrow perimysium and endomysium of the myocardium not containing replacement fibrotic lesions, tenascin was not present, as in the control specimens. (2) Replacement fibrotic lesions. Non-homogeneous positive staining for tenascin was detected in all replacement fibrotic lesions examined. Intense tenascin deposition was observed in the peripheral portion of the replacement fibrotic lesions. The tenascin staining observed in the small replacement fibrotic lesions was more intense than that in the large lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Tenascin contributes to the development of the fibrotic changes seen in the dilated cardiomyopathic heart. Its characteristic location, specifically the distribution along the margin of the fibrosis, suggests that fibrotic change is a continuous process in hearts with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Rapid killing of murine lymph node T blasts by intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes in vitro

We examined the effect of murine intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) on the proliferation of murine lymph node T cells (LN-T) in vitro. An IEL fraction prevented the proliferation of LN-T stimulated with antigen and X-irradiated spleen cells, or with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Concanavalin A-activated LN-T were less sensitive. Such an inhibitory activity was recovered from a CD8-depleted population by panning of bulk IEL using anti-CD8 alpha mAb. This population of BALB/c IEL showed less granzyme A activity, and its surface markers were positive for CD8 (4%), CD3 (80-90%), CD4 (2-6%), alpha-beta TcR (45-70%), and gamma-delta TcR (4-9%). Asialo-GM1 and Thy1.2 were variably expressed, but interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor-alpha and Fc gamma receptor were not. By contrast, no cytotoxicity against YAC-1 was detected in a CD8-depleted IEL population by a 6-h 51Cr-release assay. Although IEL from severe-combined immunodeficient mice lacking CD4, CD8 and TcR, but expressing IL-2 receptor, showed cytotoxicity against YAC-1, their inhibitory activity against LN-T was almost the same as that by IEL from BALB/c mice. When LN-T blasts (greater than 75% CD4+) activated with anti-CD3 were treated with CD8-depleted IEL, intact cellular DNA of the T blasts disappeared within 1 h with increased amounts of small-sized DNA. These results suggest that CD8- IEL directly and nonspecifically kill lymph node CD4+ T blasts and possibly down-regulate TcR-mediated proliferation of peripheral T cells in the gut epithelium.

Engineering specificity for folate into dihydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli

Despite several similarities in structure and kinetic behavior, the bacterial and vertebrate forms of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) exhibit differential specificity for folate. In particular, avian DHFR is 400 times more specific for folate than the Escherichia coli reductase. We proposed to enhance the specificity of the E. coli reductase for folate by incorporating discrete elements of vertebrate secondary structure. Two vertebrate loop mutants, VLI and VLII containing 3-7 additional amino acid insertions, were constructed and characterized by using steady-state kinetics, spectrofluorimetric determination of ligand equilibrium dissociation constants, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Remarkably, the VLI and VLII mutants are kinetically similar to wild-type E. coli reductase when dihydrofolate is the substrate, although VLII exhibits prolonged kinetic hysteresis. Moreover, the VLI dihydrofolate reductase is the first mutant form of E. coli DHFR to display enhanced specificity for folate [(kcat/Km)mutant/(kcat/Km)wt = 13]. A glycine-alanine loop (GAL) mutant was also constructed to test the design principles for the VLI mutant. In this mutant of the VLI reductase, all of the residues from positions 50 to 60, except the strictly conserved amino acids Leu-57 and Arg-60, were converted to either glycine or alanine. A detailed kinetic comparison of the GAL and wild-type reductases revealed that the mutations weaken the binding by both cofactor and substrate by up to 20-fold, but under saturating conditions the enzyme exhibits a kcat value nearly identical to that of the wild type. The rate of hydride transfer is reduced by a factor of 30, with a compensating increase in the dissociation rate for tetrahydrofolate. Although key stabilizing interactions have been sacrificed (it shows no activity toward folate), the maintenance of the correct register between key residues preserves the activity of the enzyme toward its natural substrate. Collectively, neither specific proximal point site mutations nor larger, more distal secondary structural substitutions are sufficient to confer a specificity for folate reduction that matches that observed with the avian enzyme. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the entire protein structure must contribute extensively to the enzyme's specificity.

Persistence of hepatitis C virus RNA in established human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

The persistence of the viral RNA of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was examined in 13 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and two hepatoblastoma cell lines by reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HCV RNA was detected in three HCC lines (JHH-1, JHH-4, and JHH-6) and negative-strand viral RNA was found in JHH-4, indicating that there is a putative replicative intermediate of HCV in JHH-4 cells. To rule out the possibility of contamination, the partial nucleotide sequences of HCV-specific PCR products of these three cell lines were determined. The clone from JHH-1 belonged to genotype 1 (1a or 1b), and the clones from JHH-4 and JHH-6 belonged to genotype 2b, but their sequences differed from each other. These cell lines may be useful for studies related to HCV.

Detection of hepatitis C virus core protein in the glomeruli of patients with membranous glomerulonephritis

Two Japanese patients suffered from membranous glomerulonephritis associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Renal histologic changes were characterized by granular deposits of IgG and C3 along the capillary wall and numerous subepithelial deposits in glomeruli. Hypocomplementemia was present in one patient, but both cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factors were absent. HCV RNA was detected in both their sera by RT-PCR, both free and in the form of circulating immune complexes. The HCV core protein was found in the glomeruli from both patients by indirect immunofluorescence. These results suggest that in some patients chronic HCV infection causes membranous glomerulonephritis through immune complex deposition involving HCV proteins.

Sequential changes in laminin and type IV collagen in the infarct zone--immunohistochemical study in rat myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The healing process, which affects ventricular remodeling, is an important factor in the prognosis of myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that laminin and type IV collagen contribute to extracellular matrix assembly in healing after myocardial infarction. We examined sequential changes in these two components after experimental myocardial infarction in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hearts were excised from 1 day to 10 weeks after permanent left coronary ligation in rats. Immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal antibody to laminin and type IV collagen was performed by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method.

RESULTS

Laminin: On day 3, laminin initially appeared in a wavy fashion in the granulation tissue of the infarct peripheral zone and was not restricted to the cell membrane; the staining distribution in the peripheral zone then gradually increased, reaching a maximum on days 7-11. The distribution progressed from the peripheral zone to the outer lesion of the central zone of the infarct for 1-2 days, and reached the center point after 2 weeks. The extent of the staining distribution gradually decreased after reaching this maximum, but the staining did not completely disappear. Type IV Collagen: Changes in type IV collagen were essentially the same as those in laminin. A wavy staining pattern of type IV collagen appeared in the infarct peripheral zone from day 3, reached its maximum extent on days 7-11, and decreased gradually thereafter. The distribution progressed from the peripheral zone to the outer lesion of the central zone for 1-2 days, reaching the center point after 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Laminin and type IV collagen contribute to extracellular matrix formation in the infarct zone relatively early after myocardial infarction.

Concanamycin B, a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase specific inhibitor suppresses bone resorption in vitro

Effects of concanamycin B, a specific inhibitor of the vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase), on the stimulation of bone resorption induced by parathyroid hormone (PTH) were examined in vitro. Concanamycin B was found to inhibit PTH-stimulated osteoclastic pit formation and to suppress the acidification of vacuolar organelles by V-ATPase in the osteoclasts. PTH-stimulated 45Ca release from prelabelled chick embryonic calvariae was also inhibited by concanamycin B in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that osteoclastic acidification of lacunae by V-ATPase plays an essential role in mineral dissolution and degradation of the organic matrix during bone resorption.

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.

[HLA antigens in patients with testicular germ cell tumors]

The role of HLA antigens in the etiology of testicular germ cell tumor has been suggested previously. Several attempts have been made to establish associations of HLA antigens in patients with testicular cancers, but have yielded inconsistent results. We studied the frequencies of HLA antigens by serological typing and DNA typing and examined the association between testicular germ cell tumors and HLA antigens. The serological expression of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ antigens was analyzed in 23 patients with germ cell cancers of the testis. The findings indicated a trend towards an increase in the antigen DQ4 (p < 0.05). The 13 patients were typed for HLA DRB1 and DQB1 allele by PCR-RFLP analysis. The findings revealed an increased frequency of DRB1 0405 (p < 0.01) and DQB1 0401 (p < 0.01).

Cyclooxygenase induction is essential for NGF synthesis enhancement by NGF inducers in L-M cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF) inducers, for example, 4-methylcatechol, pyrroloquinoline quinone, kansuinin A, and ingenol triacetate, stimulate NGF synthesis in L-M cells, but the mechanism of NGF induction by NGF inducers is not known. Using the four different types of previously described NGF inducers, we proved induction of cyclooxygenase activity by NGF inducers and detected prostaglandins D2 and E2 as metabolites of arachidonic acid. From the observation that the induction of NGF by each NGF inducers was inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors or dexamethasone, cyclooxygenase activation is supposed to be an essential process for NGF induction.

Salivary EGF regulates eosinophil-derived TGF-alpha expression in hamster oral wounds

Using hamster as an oral wound healing model, we examined eosinophils and their expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). Oral wounds healed approximately two times faster than their cutaneous counterparts. Eosinophils infiltrated prominently into oral wounds; however, unlike the dual expression of TGF-alpha and TGF-beta 1 in skin wounds, oral wound-associated eosinophils expressed TGF-beta 1, but not TGF-alpha. Because saliva is present in oral environments and contains epidermal growth factor (EGF) and TGF-alpha, sialoadenectomy was performed in this model to determine whether the lack of TGF-alpha expression by eosinophils in oral wounds is due to the presence of salivary EGF and/or TGF-alpha. We found that eosinophils in sialoadenectomized hamsters did express TGF-alpha during oral wound healing but that such expression was suppressed when EGF was added to their drinking water. Taken together, our findings suggest that eosinophil-derived TGF-alpha and salivary TGF-alpha/ EGF may have complementary roles in contributing to TGF-alpha in oral wound healing.

The major component of Na-CBZ-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT)-specific proteases in cytoplasmic granules of murine intraepithelial lymphocytes is granzyme A

Na-CBZ-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT)-specific proteases in cytoplasmic granules of intraepithelial lymphocytes in the murine intestine (iIEL) were characterized. BLT-specific proteases were isolated with the Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography, and the sample isolated contained a protein with a molecular weight of 58 kDa. The 58 kDa protein consisted of the homodimer of the 30 kDa subunits. The 58 kDa protease was detected by [3H] diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP)-labeling, and also detectable by the immunoblotting using an antibody against the partial synthetic peptide of granzyme A. The cytoplasmic granules of iIEL were stained positively by an immunofluorescence with anti-granzyme A antibody. Therefore, it was suggested that the major BLT-specific proteases present in cytoplasmic granules of iIEL might be granzyme A.

[Diagnostic value of high N-isopropyl-p-[123I] iodoamphetamine (IMP) uptake in brain tumors]

The diagnostic value of high N-isopropyl-p-[123I] iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) uptake in histologically proven intracranial tumors was evaluated in 54 patients with both early (15-35 min after injection) and delayed (4 hours) SPECT before treatment. Higher uptake in the tumor compared with normal cerebral cortex was observed in early scans in all of the five patients with primary intracranial malignant lymphoma, in two of 16 meningiomas, two of seven astrocytomas, one of three pituitary adenomas, and one central neurocytoma. Among these 11 cases all the malignant lymphomas showed persistent high uptake in delayed scans, whereas other tumors showed decreased uptake in delayed scans. This persistent high 123I-IMP uptake was characteristic of primary intracranial malignant lymphomas and was useful in the diagnosis of intracranial malignant lymphoma.

Multi-point impedance control for redundant manipulators

This paper proposes an impedance control method called the multi-point impedance control (MPIC) for redundant manipulators. The method can not only control end-effector impedance, but also regulate impedances of several points on the links of the manipulator, which are called virtual end-point impedances, utilizing arm redundancy. Two approaches for realizing the MPIC are presented. In the first approach, controlling the end-effector impedance and the virtual end-point impedances are considered as the tasks with the same level, and the joint control law developed in this approach can realize the closest impedances of the multiple points, including the end-effector and the virtual end-points to the desired ones in the least squared sense. On the other hand, in the second approach, controlling the end-effector impedance is considered the most important task, and regulating the impedances of the virtual end-points is considered as a sub-task. Under the second approach, the desired end-effector impedance can be always realized since the joint control torque for the regulation of the virtual end-point impedances is designed in such a way that it has no effect on the end-effector motion of the manipulator. Simulation experiments are performed to confirm the validity and to show the advantages of the proposed method.

Identification of two isoforms of mouse neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor generated by alternative splicing. Isolation, genomic structure, and functional expression of the receptors

Two cDNA clones homologous with human neuropeptide (NP) Y-Y1 receptor have been isolated from a mouse bone marrow cDNA library. One was thought to be the cognate of the human NPY-Y1 receptor, termed Y1 alpha receptor, and the other form, termed Y1 beta receptor, differed from the Y1 alpha receptor in the seventh transmembrane domain and C-terminal tail. Analysis of the mouse genomic DNA showed that both receptors originated from a single gene. The different peptide sequences of the Y1 beta receptor were encoded by separate exons, hence, these receptors were generated by differential RNA splicing. High affinity binding of [125I]NPY to each receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and sequestration of [125I]NPY after binding to each receptor were observed. In the CHO cells expressing the Y1 alpha receptor, intracellular Ca2+ increase, inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation were observed by stimulation of NPY, and these responses were abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. Since wortmannin completely inhibited NPY-elicited MAPK activation, we speculate that wortmannin-sensitive signaling molecule(s) such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase may lie between pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein and MAPK. In contrast, these intracellular signals were not detected in CHO cells expressing the Y1 beta receptor. Northern blots and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses indicated that the Y1 alpha receptor was highly expressed in the brain, heart, kidney, spleen, skeletal muscle, and lung, whereas the Y1 beta receptor mRNA was not detected in these tissues. However, the Y1 beta receptor was expressed in mouse embryonic developmental stage (7 and 11 days), bone marrow cells and several hematopoietic cell lines. These results suggest that the Y1 beta receptor is an embryonic and a bone marrow form of the NPY-Y1 receptor, which decreases in the expression during development and differentiation.

Successful treatment of systemic sclerosis with topical PUVA

Treatment of a 43-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis with 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet. A radiation (PUVA) resulted in the significant clinical and histological improvement of skin lesions without side effects.

Virion-like structures in HeLa G cells transfected with the full-length sequence of the hepatitis C virus genome

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The process and the site of hepatitis C virus (HCV) particle formation in cells after infection remain unknown. The aim of this study was to create an in vitro model for the study of HCV particle formation.

METHODS

HeLa G cells were transfected with the full-length sequence of the HCV genome. Viral protein expression was analyzed using immunoblotting. The cells were examined using immunoelectron and conventional electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Core, E2, NS3, NS5a, and NS5b proteins were identified using immunoblotting. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the core antigen was located along the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and occasionally in its cisternae. Core antigen-positive particles of 30 nm in diameter were found in the cytosol and in the cisternae of the ER. The particles in the cisternae were coated with an outer membrane that was connected to the ER membrane. Conventional electron microscopy revealed particles of 45 nm in diameter with electron-dense cores in the cisternae of the ER. The outer membrane of the particles was occasionally connected to the ER membrane.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that HCV core proteins are synthesized and assembled into particles in the cytosol and that they bud into the cisternae of the ER to form coated particles.

[Surgical treatment of congenital atypical coarctation of the aorta and postoperative management for hypertension]

A 10-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with severe hypertension due to unusual aortic coarctation at the level of the diaphragm without renal artery stenosis. We made left interior thoracotomy and left para-rectal incision through extraperitoneal approach, and extra-anatomic bypass was established with a 16 mm knitted Dacron graft from the descending aorta to the infrarenal abdominal aorta, under a circulatory assist. Postoperatively, he complained of abdominal pain with residual hypertension and required an intensive anti-hypertensive treatment to avoid intestinal necrosis. Pressure gradient between upper and lower extremities disappeared 3 weeks after repair. High level of plasma renin activity still continued 4.5 months after surgery in spite of oral administration of beta blockade and ACE inhibitor.

Efficacy of interferon alfa therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients depends primarily on hepatitis C virus RNA level

To clarify the viral factors that may predict the therapeutic effect of interferon (IFN) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, we investigated the quantitative serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA level, genotype, and liver biopsy histological features in 60 patients who were treated with 360 x 10(6) U of natural IFN-alpha for 36 to 48 weeks and for more than 12 months after therapy. A branched DNA (bDNA) assay was used to measure HCV RNA levels. All responders, defined as those individuals with normal alanine transaminase (ALT) levels at 48 weeks after therapy, had less than 2 x 10(6) HCV RNA Eq/mL before administration of IFN. Of 39 patients with RNA levels (less than 2 x 10(6) Eq/L) 23 (59.0%) were responders. The genotype was determined for each patient using type-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. There was a significant difference in rate of response between subtype 1b and subtypes 2a and 2b (P < .0002); however, all responders had less than 2 x 10(6) Eq/L independent of genotype. In a multivariate analysis, RNA level was the most statistically significant factor affecting response to IFN. Although disease severity, as defined by histological features, was not statistically correlated with nonresponse, patients that responded to IFN tended to have less severe disease.