[Endobronchial malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue]

A 56-year-old man presented with pulmonary infiltrates. A chest roentgenogram revealed infiltrates in the left upper lobe and a tomogram showed obstruction of the left upper lobe bronchus. Computed tomography of the chest confirmed the presence these infiltrates, and no lymphadenopathy or mediastinal involvement was detected. At bronchoscopic examination, endobronchial masses were found. These masses almost completely obstructed the distal portion of the left upper lobe bronchus and partly obstructed the right upper lobe bronchus. A left upper sleeve lobectomy was done. Macroscopically, the tumor mass looked like a polypoid growth in the bronchial lumen. Microscopic examination showed that the tumor was composed mainly of small cleaved cells. These cells were observed to have infiltrated the epithelium to form lymphoepithelial lesions. Their B-cell origin was shown by the positive CD19 stain. Monoclonality of tumor cells was shown immunohistochemically and by hybridization techniques. Evidence of monoclonal B-cell proliferation was found in the rearrangement of Ig heavy- and light-chain genes, with Bam HI and Hind III digests. The final diagnosis was distinctive B-cell lymphoma (diffuse, small cell type) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

[An immunohistological study on expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (form) in human endometrial carcinoma]

Ninety-five specimens from patients with endometrial carcinoma (82 of endometrial type, 6 of adenoacanthoma, 4 of adenosquamous carcinoma, 3 of atypical endometrial hyperplasia) and 13 with ovarian endometrioid carcinoma were stained immunohistochemically with a rabbit polyclonal antibody prepared against the placental form of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi). Histological studies showed that the degree of staining decreased as the tumor lost its differentiation in endometrial carcinoma, but the degree of staining was independent of the differentiation in the case of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma. A comparison between the grade of staining of GST-pi in 82 cases of the endometrial type of endometrial carcinoma and 13 cases of ovarian endometrioid carcinoma revealed a stronger stain for the endometrial carcinoma than for ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney's U test). Therefore, the GST-pi value for endometrial carcinoma was different from that for endometrioid carcinoma. In general, as compared with ovarian endometrioid carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma is considered to be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents. In conclusion, these results suggest that there is an apparent correlation between the GST-pi value and chemoresistance of the tumor.

Lymphocyte activation effect of (1-->6)-2,5-anhydro-D-glucitol and it derivatives with 3,4-di-O-methyl and sulfate groups

(1-->6)-2,5-Anhydro-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol (2a) and (1-->6)-2,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (2c) and its sulfated derivative (2d) were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated in regards to the effects on murine lymphocytes. The polymers showed different effects on the lymphocytes depending on the substituent groups. The sulfated polymer (2d) induced mitogenic activities, and specifically activated the CD4(-)CD8(-) subset of lymphocytes.

Comparison of the inhibitory action of synthetic capsaicin analogues with various NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductases

Capsaicin is a new naturally occurring inhibitor of proton-pumping NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NDH-1), that competitively acts against ubiquinone. A series of capsaicin analogues was synthesized to examine the structural factors required for the inhibitory action and to probe the structural property of the ubiquinone catalytic site of various NADH-ubiquinone reductases, including non-proton-pumping enzyme (NDH-2), from bovine heart mitochondria, potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum, L) mitochondria and Escherichia coli (GR 19N) plasma membranes. Some synthetic capsaicins were fairly potent inhibitors of each of the three NDH-1 compared with the potent rotenone and piericidin A. Synthetic capsaicin analogues inhibited all three NDH-1 activities in a competitive manner against an exogenous quinone. The modification both of the substitution pattern and of the number of methoxy groups on the benzene ring, which may be superimposable on the quinone ring of ubiquinone, did not drastically affect the inhibitory potency. In addition, alteration of the position of dipolar amide bond unit in the molecule and chemical modifications of this unit did not change the inhibitory potency, particularly with bovine heart and potato tuber NDH-1. These results might be explained assuming that the ubiquinone catalytic site of NDH-1 is spacious enough to accommodate a variety of structurally different capsaicin analogues in a dissimilar manner. Regarding the moiety corresponding to the alkyl side chain, a rigid diphenyl ether structure was more inhibitory than a flexible alkyl chain. Structure-activity studies and molecular orbital calculations suggested that a bent form is the active conformation of capsaicin analogues. On the other hand, poor correlations between the inhibitory potencies determined with the three NDH-1 suggested that the structural similarity of the ubiquinone catalytic sites of these enzymes is rather poor. The sensitivity to the inhibition by synthetic capsaicins remarkably differed between NDH-1 and NDH-2, supporting the notion that the sensitivity against capsaicin inhibition correlates well with the presence of an energy coupling site in the enzyme (Yagi, T. (1990) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 281, 305-311). It is noteworthy that several synthetic capsaicins discriminated between NDH-1 and NDH-2 much better than natural capsaicin.

Functional CD86 (B7-2/B70) on cultured human Langerhans cells

CD86 (B70/B7-2) has recently been identified as an alternative CD28/CTLA-4 ligand on activated B cells. CD86 has also been demonstrated as possibly serving as a primary costimulatory molecule in the initial immune response. Since the human Langerhans cell is one of the most potent antigen-presenting cells, we examined whether CD86 expression and function are found on organ-cultured skin, freshly isolated Langerhans cells, and cultured Langerhans cells in normal human epidermis. Immunohistochemical study in situ revealed that CD86 was expressed on dendritic cells with CD1a antigen in organ-cultured but not fresh skin. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis revealed that no staining for either CD80 or CD86 was observed in freshly isolated Langerhans cells but that both CD80 and CD86 were expressed on cultured Langerhans cells. The actual expression of CD86 on cultured Langerhans cells was further confirmed by the detection of 70-kDa glycoprotein on Western blot analysis. Analysis of polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that both CD80 and CD86 were specifically amplified from purified cultured and freshly isolated Langerhans cells but not from Langerhans cell-depleted epidermal cells, indicating that both CD80 and CD86 genes were expressed by Langerhans cells. The functional importance of CD86 on Langerhans cells was confirmed by the allogeneic CD4 T cell proliferative responses with enriched Langerhans cells. A monoclonal antibody against CD86 caused 81% inhibition in contrast with 29% inhibition produced by anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody. This inhibitory effect was enhanced to 85.3% inhibition when a combination of anti-CD86 and anti-CD80 was administered. These results indicate that CD86 is predominantly expressed on the surface of cultured Langerhans cells and may transduce a primordial costimulatory signal in the interaction of Langerhans cells and T cells.

Inhibition of the accumulation of uremic toxins in the blood and their precursors in the feces after oral administration of Lebenin, a lactic acid bacteria preparation, to uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis

The plasma levels of phenol, p-cresol, and indican are markedly increased in uremic patients, and cannot be efficiently reduced by hemodialysis. Such uremic toxins, which are produced in the intestine as bacterial putrefactive metabolites, accumulate to a great degree in the feces of hemodialysis patients. Oral administration of Lebenin, a preparation consisting of antibiotic-resistant lactic acid bacteria, reduced the levels of fecal putrefactive metabolites to levels comparable with those of healthy subjects. Moreover, the plasma level of indican also significantly decreased in these Lebenin-treated patients. An analysis of the fecal microflora revealed that a disturbed composition of the microflora characterized by an overgrowth of aerobic bacteria is restored to normal by oral administration of Lebenin in hemodialysis patients. These results thus demonstrate that oral administration of lactic acid bacteria in uremic patients is effective in reducing the levels of uremic toxins, especially that of indican, in the blood by inhibiting bacterial production by means of correcting the intestinal microflora.

Synthesis and activity of 1-N-iminosugar inhibitors, siastatin B analogues for alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase

N-Acetylgalactosamine-based 1-N-iminosugars, new types of glycosidase inhibitor have been synthesized by modeling on siastatin B, isolated from a Streptomyces culture. The analogues of siastatin B were proved to be potent inhibitors for alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and/or beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.

Altered bile acid metabolism related to atherosclerosis in alloxan diabetic rats

Normal and alloxan diabetic rats were kept on a 0.25% cholesterol diet for 12 months and the changes in serum cholesterol levels, and fecal excretion of sterols and bile acids were examined to elucidate the influence of changes in bile acid metabolism on manifestations of hypercholesterolemia and development of atheromatous lesions. Diabetic rats fed the cholesterol diet showed increases in bile acid synthesis and in the cholic acid group/chenodeoxycholic acid group (CA/CDCA) ratio, and developed significant hypercholesterolemia and atheromatous lesions. In contrast, normal rats showed increased bile acids synthesis but a decreased CA/CDCA ratio after feeding with the cholesterol diet, and developed neither hypercholesterolemia nor atheromatous lesions. Fecal sterol excretion and the cholesterol/sitosterol ratio decreased in diabetic rats. Positive correlations were found between the cumulative serum cholesterol level and the atheromatous lesion area, and between the fecal CA/CDCA ratio and the serum cholesterol level, in the latter of which the correlation was higher in rats on the cholesterol diet than in those on the standard diet. These findings suggest that alteration of bile acid metabolism with increases in cholic acid synthesis and CA/CDCA ratio in diabetic rats enhances cholesterol absorption to produce significant hypercholesterolemia, which in turn leads to development of atheromatous lesions.

[A case of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) induced by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presenting as acute renal failure with disseminated intravascular coagulation]

A case of a 73-year-old woman with acute renal failure due to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is reported. The patient was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of high fever, disturbance of consciousness and shock. Laboratory findings on admission were; CRP 25.11 mg/dl, WBC 35000/ microl, Plt 1.6 x 10(4)/ microl, GOT 155 U/l, GPT 65 U/l, CPK 4202 U/l (CPK-MM 96%), BUN 123 mg/dl and SCr 7.0 mg/dl. Because of anuria, hemodialysis was performed. This patient was treated with dopamine, methyl prednisolone (MP), frozen fresh plasma, AT III, antibiotics, and platelet transfusion. The bacterial cultures of blood and cerebrospinal fluid were negative, but MRSA was isolated subsequently from the pharynx and vagina. We investigated the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) and staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE). The isolated MRSA produced TSST-1, SEB and SEC. Accordingly, we made the diagnosis of TSS. After improvement of acute renal failure and the patient's general condition, MRSA persisted and TSST-1 was still found in the patient's blood. Finally we eradicated the MRSA and TSST-1 after administration of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CPFX) and Rifampicin (RFP).

Ultrastructural study on the harderian gland of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of the rabbit has been studied. The gland can be divided into two lobes (pink and white) by the naked eye. At the microscopic level, their epithelial cells differ morphologically, the vacuoles in the cells of the pink lobe being large, while those of the white lobe, small. In addition to the pink and white lobes, an intermediate area can be distinguished around the boundary between the two lobes on the basis of epithelial cell compositions. The acini on this area consist of two epithelial cell types, one is similar to that found in the white lobe, the second consists of the same cells as the pink lobe Myoepithelial cells are located between the secretory epithelium and its basal lamina. Mast cells, macrophages and plasma cells are found in the interstitial connective tissue of the Harderian gland.

Production of chemotactic factor(s) of Langerhans cells by lymph node cells in contact sensitivity

Langerhans cells (LCs) have to leave the epidermis to migrate into the regional lymph node (LN) after receiving immunogenic signals in contact sensitivity. There should be some molecules responsible for migration of LC in this process. In order to determine whether LN cells can generate such regulatory molecules, we made a search of such molecules in the culture supernatant of LN cells obtained from hapten-painted mice by using a modified Boyden chamber method. The molecule of LC chemotaxis appeared in the culture supernatant at 24 h after hapten painting and its production declined with time thereafter. Antibodies against both ICAM-1 and LFA-1 partially inhibited the chemotactic activity, but this was not the case with anti-TNF-alpha antibody, anti-GM-CSF antibody, fibronectin RGDS. RGES peptide or laminin. The molecule was heat labile and appeared as a molecule of 45-68 kDa on high performance liquid chromatography. Our results suggest that LN cells generate one of the chemotactic molecules of LCs, by which LC can migrate to the regional LN in contact sensitivity.

Observation of macular lesion in Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy by scanning laser ophthalmoscope

Using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), the ocular fundus of a patient with Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy was examined. With the argon blue laser, a dark area was seen in the fovea. Areas of weakly bright reflex were seen corresponding to the scrambled-egg lesion observed by ophthalmoscope. With the argon green laser, highly bright spots were observed at the foveola. Intense bright reflex was seen over the scrambled-egg lesion at the posterior pole. The helium-neon laser revealed highly bright patches corresponding to the orderly ring distribution of the yellowish deposits at the posterior pole. The diode laser revealed a mottled appearance with dark and bright patches in the scrambled-egg lesion. SLO provided a morphologic enhancement in the specifically affected layers of the macula in Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy.

[Studies on solid phase extraction of bile acids from biological matrix]

To quantify bile acids in biological samples, a solid phase extraction method was examined. This method is known as simpler procedures with less contamination compared with solvent extraction methods. Rat bile, feces and urine were used as biological samples. Since Bond Elut C18 and C8 were proved to be more suitable than the other phases (CH and SAX) so far examined using standard bile acids, Bond Elut C18 was used for biological samples. Quantification of biological sample was carried out by gas chromatography after the extracted sample was derivatized to methyl ester by treatment with trimethylsilyldiazomethane then to trifluoroacetyl ester by trifluoroacetic anhydride. On the gas chromatography, two columns (Rtx-50 and Rtx-200) were connected to the injector with Y-tube for elimination of interference. Except for a few bile acids, high recovery with less biological contamination was obtained by this solid phase extraction method.

Flow cytometric analysis of serum deprivation-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, with special reference to role of bcl-2

To investigate the mechanism of serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, we performed flow cytometry with the viable cell-specific fluorogen, fluorescein diacetate (FDA). Intact PC12 cells were positive when stained with FDA, and those cells were identical with the major population which possess larger forward and side scattered light. Apoptotic PC12 cells decreased the forward and side scatter light associated with the loss of FDA-positive cells. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and the bcl-2 protein protected the cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. These data suggested that the process of apoptosis in PC12 cells can be analyzed with flow cytometry.

Central benzodiazepine receptor distribution after subcortical hemorrhage evaluated by means of [123I]iomazenil and SPECT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

[123I]Iomazenil is a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) tracer that selectively binds to central benzodiazepine receptor in the neuron membrane. With this ligand, we studied the central benzodiazepine receptor distribution in the cortex remote from subcortical hematoma in intracerebral hemorrhage patients.

METHODS

Four patients with unilateral putaminal hemorrhage and one patient with right thalamic hemorrhage were studied (mean +/- 1 SD age, 50.0 +/- 8.8 years). The initial volume of hematoma ranged from 4.3 to 31.0 mL (mean +/- 1 SD, 17.5 +/- 12.3 mL). SPECT images obtained 3 hours after intravenous administration of [123I]iomazenil (167 MBq/750 ng) were analyzed. In three patients, perfusion was evaluated with [123I]IMP. On SPECT images, the radioactivity ratio of the ipsilateral to the contralateral cerebral cortex (I/C ratio) or of the contralateral to the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere (C/I ratio) was measured.

RESULTS

The I/C ratio for iomazenil was significantly decreased compared with unity in the temporal lobe (0.84 +/- 0.08, P < .01) and the parietal lobe (0.87 +/- 0.10, P < .05), but the C/I ratio in the cerebellum (1.00 +/- 0.03) was not. The C/I ratio for perfusion in the cerebellar cortex (0.83 +/- 0.04, P < .01) was significantly decreased compared with that in normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Central benzodiazepine receptor-[123I]iomazenil binding was decreased in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex remote from the subcortical hematoma. This preliminary result may facilitate further study of the potential damage of the cortical neurons remote from subcortical hematoma.

Inhibition of Ras/Raf interaction by anti-oncogenic mutants of neurofibromin, the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene product, in cell-free systems

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene encodes a protein, neurofibromin, containing GTPase-activating protein-related domain (GRD) that stimulates intrinsic GTPase activity of Ras protein. By screening a randomly mutagenized NF1-GRD library in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we isolated two NF1-GRD mutants (NF201 and NF204) with single amino acid substitutions, which suppress the heat shock-sensitive phenotype of the RAS2(G19V) mutant. The NF1-GRD mutants also suppress the oncogenic Ras-induced transformation of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts (Nakafuku, M., Nagamine, M., Ohtoshi, A., Tanaka, K., Toh-e, A., and Kaziro, Y. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 6706-6710). In this paper, we investigated the molecular mechanism of inhibition of the transforming Ras-specific function by the NF1-GRD mutants in mammalian cells. In human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, the mutant NF1-GRDs attenuated the stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by Ras(G12V), but not by platelet-derived growth factor. In cell-free systems, purified recombinant NF1-GRD mutants showed an inhibitory effect on the association of Ras.guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) with Raf at several times lower concentrations than the wild type. Furthermore, it was revealed that the binding affinity of the mutant NF1-GRDs toward Ras.GTP gamma S is approximately 5-10 times higher than the wild type. These results suggest that the mutant NF1-GRDs tightly bind to an oncogenic Ras in its GTP-bound active conformation and block the interaction between Ras and its effector, Raf.

Inhibitory effects of 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), green tea catechins and other antioxidants on 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1)-induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis and dose-dependent inhibition by HTHQ of lesion induction by Glu-P-1 or 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)

The effects of 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), green tea catechins (GTC), alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, chlorophyllin, phenylethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), 3-O-ethylascorbic acid (EAsA), 3-O-dodecylcarbomethyl ascorbic acid (DAsA), n-tritriacontane-16,18-dione (TTAD) and d-limonene on 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1)- or dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, and the dose dependence of HTHQ inhibition of Glu-P-1- or 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)-influence on lesion development were examined in a rat medium-term liver bioassay system featuring diethylnitrosamine initiation and partial hepatectomy. At the end of week 8, the number and total area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive liver foci in rats treated with 0.03% Glu-P-1 alone were increased significantly (46.8 +/- 11.0 and 12.0 +/- 5.6 respectively) as compared to the control values (3.8 +/- 1.6 and 0.4 +/- 0.2). Combined treatment with 1% HTHQ remarkably reduced both of these parameters (8.1 +/- 2.1 and 0.6 +/- 0.2). GTC (1%), PEITC (0.1%), beta-carotene (0.1%) and DAsA (1%) also demonstrated inhibition but less than HTHQ. On the other hand, these antioxidants did not influence development of foci initiated by 0.002% DMN. In the dose-response study, up to 0.125% HTHQ significantly reduced the effects of 0.02% Glu-P-1 or 0.03% MeIQx on the number and area of foci. These results indicate that several antioxidants exert chemopreventive effects against heterocyclic amine (HCA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, and particularly HTHQ which thus deserves further attention as a chemopreventor in the contest of the environmentally important HCA group of carcinogens.

Evaluation of cerebral infarction with iodine 123-iomazenil SPECT

This study evaluates ischemic damage to central benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor binding in the brain with [123]iomazenil SPECT in relation to CT hypodense lesions and blood flow abnormalities.

METHODS

Nine patients with middle cerebral artery territory infarction were studied. Iomazenil images obtained 180 min postinjection were analyzed for BZD receptor binding. The cortical infraction, visualized as CT hypodense area on CT, the peri-infarct area, visualized as normodensity surrounding the infarction on CT, the intrahemispheric remote area and the cerebellum were analyzed by taking the ratio of the lesion to contralateral mirror region (L/C ratio). CT during the chronic stage and perfusion images obtained during the smallest time difference between the two studies were used for comparative analysis.

RESULTS

The mean L/C ratio of iomazenil uptake was 0.53 +/_ 0.08, 0.79 +/- 0.07, 0.98 +/- 0.03 and 1.00 +/- 0.04 in the infarct, peri-infarct and remote areas and the cerebellum, respectively. The infarct and peri-infarct areas showed significant decrease compared with unity. The corresponding mean L/C ratio for blood flow was 0.52 +/- 0.08, 0.73 +/- 0.07, 0.83 +/- 0.09, and 0.80 +/- 0.07, respectively. In all areas, the ratios were significantly decreased compared with unity. There was significant difference between the L/C ratio for blood flow and iomazenil in the remote area and the cerebellum.

CONCLUSION

Iodine-123-iomazenil SPECT imaging may provide new information on ischemic damage to the brain, particularly neurons.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia with a right bundle branch block pattern and left axis deviation

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) with right bundle branch block QRS morphology and left axis deviation originating in the inferolateral apical segment of the left ventricle was found in a 24-year-old man without overt structural heart disease. Intracardiac recordings during VT showed atrioventricular dissociation with the earliest activation at an apical inferolateral site in the left ventricle, where Purkinje fiber potentials were recorded fusing in the ventricular electrogram. Ventricular pacing was performed at this site, and yielded a QRS morphology identical to the VT. Radiofrequency current was applied and resulted in the complete elimination of VT.

Molecular aspects of carboxylesterase isoforms in comparison with other esterases

The involvement of carboxylesterase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and cholesterol esterase in pharmacology and toxicology are well recognized. However, there are few papers concerning the comparative studies of these serine hydrolases in terms of molecular level. Recently, we have studied various aspects of carboxylesterases using cDNAs of carboxylesterase isozymes purified from 9 animal species and human liver microsomes, and found that there is high homology of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the isozymes tested. On the other hand, we compared the amino acid sequences at the active site of the individual esterases and found that the sequences of all esterases tested are strictly conserved. These results strongly suggest that the esterases involved are classified into the serine hydrolase super family.

[Establishment of a new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Watanabe cells, containing estrogen receptor]

A new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Watanabe cells, was established from the ascitic fluid of a relapsed endometrial adenocarcinoma obtained from a 58-year-old woman; this cell line has been maintained in vitro for more than 3 years and 8 months. The cells formed a monolayer in a mosaic fashion and tended to pile up and formed a hemicyst. The population boubling time was 60.0 hours at the 10th generation. The modal chromosomal number of the cells was in the diploid range. The histology of tumors induced by this cell line in athymic nude mice showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, while the initial tumor was a well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) were demonstrated in the original tumor, whereas ER but not PR were present in the tumors induced in nude mice. CA125, CA19-9 and other tumor markers were positive in culture media of this cell line. The cells showed intrinsic cisplatin-resistance (50% inhibition concentration: > 10 micrograms/ml) at 120 hours of exposure by MTT assay. We believe this cell line will be useful for investigating the mechanisms of progesterone therapy, the biological behaviors of the tumor markers and mechanisms of chemotherapeutic resistance in endometrial carcinoma.

Nonrandom distribution of sister chromatid exchanges in the chromosomes of three mammalian species

The frequency and distribution of mitomycin C (MMC)-induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were investigated in the fibroblast chromosomes of three mammalian species, Microtus montebelli, Apodemus argenteus and Chimarrogale himalayica, by the fluorescence-plus-Giemsa (FPG) and C-band staining methods, paying special attention to the large C-band area (C-block)-carrying and/or nucleolus organizer region (NOR)-carrying chromosomes. The junctions of heterochromatin and euchromatin (HE-junctions) and NORs were found to be "hot spots" of SCEs in all the species examined: their SCE frequencies were 35.3% and 24.2% in the HE-junction of the X chromosomes of M. montebelli and A. argenteus, and 16.7% and 17.8% in the NORs of the No. 1 chromosomes of M. montebelli and C. himalayica, respectively. In M. montebelli and A. argenteus the SCE frequency was apparently lower in the C-block region than in the euchromatic one, when compared with each other based on equal length, while in C. himalayica no such marked difference in the SCE frequency was found between these two regions of the chromosome. These findings may indicate that occurrence of SCEs is significantly suppressed in the C-block region of M. montebelli and A. argenteus, but not in that of C. himalayica. In addition, the C-blocks of the No. 1 homologue of C. himalayica showed a highly varied individual-to-individual heteromorphism in length. The biological implication of SCEs was discussed in connection with the generation of heteromorphism.