A case of ductal sweat gland carcinoma connected to syringocystadenoma papilliferum arising in nevus sebaceus

We report a case of a tumor arising in the preauricular region in a 50-year-old woman. The histopathological findings revealed it to be a ductal sweat gland carcinoma connected to a syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) arising in a nevus sebaceus. Mucinous stroma, considered to be deposition of hyaluronic acid, was also observed in the ductal carcinoma portion. The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings in the ductal carcinoma were compared with those in the SCAP. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index of the cells in the ductal carcinoma was higher than that of those in the SCAP. Both the ductal sweat gland carcinoma and SCAP showed findings compatible with the ductal segment of a sweat gland.

Characterization of epidermal cytokine profiles in sensitization and elicitation phases of allergic contact dermatitis as well as irritant contact dermatitis in mouse skin

Epidermal cytokines are known to participate in the initiation of immune and inflammatory processes in the skin. In the present study, we examined epidermal cytokine mRNA levels to elucidate the initial molecular events in the sensitization and elicitation phases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) as well as in irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). BALB/c mice were sensitized on the dorsal skin with 0.5% dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and challenged with 0.2% DNFB on the ears 6 days later to elicit allergic contact hypersensitivity (ACDe), the elicitation phase. To examine cytokine profiles during the sensitization phase from the same anatomic area, other animals were sensitized on ear instead of dorsal skin. The sensitization phase of ACD (ACDs) was induced by painting the ears of naive mice with 0.5% DNFB. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), utilized as an irritant control, was also applied to the ears of another group of mice to induce ICD. Total RNA was extracted from the epidermis of the treated ears at various time points after each treatment, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and amplified by PCR using radiolabeled cytokine-specific primers. Amplified products were sized by electrophoresis and autoradiography and semiquantitated by densitometry. Autoradiographs were normalized relative to beta-actin signals. ACDs and ACDe showed similar patterns of cytokine mRNA levels; that is, at 6 h after hapten application, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA levels were upregulated, and this upregulation was observed until 24 h after treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interleukin-1 beta inhibits gastric histamine secretion and synthesis in the rat

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is the most potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion known at present. Although histamine has been shown to be an important mediator of gastric acid secretion, the effect of IL-1 beta on gastric histamine mobilization has not been studied. In the present study, the effects of IL-1 beta on gastric acid secretion and gastric histamine mobilization were investigated in conscious rats with both gastric and vesical fistulas. IL-1 beta (5 micrograms/kg iv) significantly inhibited basal acid secretion but did not affect basal urinary histamine excretion and fundic histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity. Gastrin-17-I (1 nmol.kg-1.h-1) caused a marked increase in acid secretion, urinary histamine secretion, and fundic HDC activity. IL-1 beta (5 micrograms/kg iv) completely inhibited gastrin-induced acid secretion and partially inhibited urinary histamine excretion and fundic HDC activity. Pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg ip) partially reversed the inhibitory effects of IL-1 beta on gastrin-stimulated fundic HDC activity and acid secretion. These findings indicate that IL-1 beta inhibits gastric histamine mobilization through both prostaglandin-dependent and prostaglandin-independent pathways. Furthermore, it is suggested that the inhibitory action of IL-1 beta on gastric acid secretion is mediated by the inhibition of gastric histamine mobilization.

Interleukin-10 inhibits the elicitation phase of allergic contact hypersensitivity

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known to play a major role in suppressing immune and inflammatory responses by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we hypothesized that IL-10 might be capable of suppressing allergic contact hypersensitivity. BALB/c mice were sensitized on the dorsal skin with dinitrofluorobenzene and challenged on the ears 6 d later. The effect of IL-10 on the elicitation phase of contact sensitization was determined by its intradermal injection into the pinnae of the mice at doses of 0.1-100 ng. At 24 and 48 h after challenge, ear swelling was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by injection of IL-10 at doses of 10-100 ng. Maximal inhibition of ear swelling (46.9%) was observed after injection of 100 ng of IL-10. IL-10-injected ear skins showed less inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased edema at the dermis compared with controls. Because IL-10 is known to inhibit Th1 cytokines such as interferon-gamma, we examined whether the suppressive effect of IL-10 on ear swelling was accompanied by IL-10-induced inhibition of interferon-gamma. We found that IL-10 application suppressed interferon-gamma mRNA upregulation in challenged skin. Our results suggest that IL-10 significantly modifies the elicitation of allergic contact sensitivity reactions.

[High-speed/high resolution teleradiology system based on university microwave network]

A high-speed, high-resolution teleradiology system with full duplexing based on the Shinshu University Video and Communication Network System (SUNS) using Giga-Herz microwaves is described. The LAN at Nagano Red-Cross Hospital and The Radiology Department of Shinshu University Hospital are interfaced to a personal computer with a laser film digitizer, interactive display, and network interface. The throughput per digitized high-resolution radiographic image was 65 sec, and the mean transmission rate was 805 kilobit per sec. Teleradiology conferencing is also possible with this system. Radiologists at both hospitals interactively observe the same high-resolution images on the CRT screen using mouse cursor synchronization.

High-level expression of the photorepair gene in Drosophila ovary and its evolutionary implications

DNA photolyase catalyzes light-dependent repair of cis, syn-cyclobutane dipyrimidines (pyrimidine dimers); its apoenzyme is encoded by the photorepair (phr) gene. The phr cDNA was cloned from D. melanogaster; it has an open reading frame to encode a 61,483-Da protein. The phr cDNA hybridized to band 44C-D of Drosophila polytene chromosome, equivalent to the locus of the phr- gene. Drosophila photolyase is made of an apoenzyme with a molecular weight of 62 kDa. Drosophila photolyase is extraordinarily abundant in the embryo and adult ovary, whereas mRNA of the phr gene is abundant only in the ovary. The action spectrum of Drosophila photolyase for photoreactivation has a maximum at 440 nm. The phr gene of Drosophila has about 60% identical amino acid sites with that of goldfish but only 13-18% with those of microorganisms. Implications of the unique characteristics of the Drosophila phr gene are discussed overviewing the diversified characteristics of phr genes in various organisms that have presumably evolved from a common ancestral gene.

Acidification is essential for maintaining the structure and function of lytic granules of CTL. Effect of concanamycin A, an inhibitor of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase, on CTL-mediated cytotoxicity

An inhibitor of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase, concanamycin A (CMA), inhibited the specific cytolytic activity of a CD8+ CTL clone, OE4. The inhibitory effect was observed when the effector cells, and not the target cells, were pretreated with CMA. CMA did not seem to inhibit early events, inasmuch as effector/target conjugate formation remained unaffected. Although CMA treatment of OE4 resulted in a slight decrease in the efficiency of granule exocytosis in response to anti-CD3 stimulation, the most prominent effect was a marked reduction of perforin activity and DNA degradation activity in lytic granules. Western blotting analysis indicated a drastic decrease in the amount of perforin in CMA-treated cells. Fluorescent microscopic observation of OE4 stained with acridine orange indicated that CMA raised the pH of the lytic granules. Under transmission electron microscopy, striking morphologic changes in cytoplasmic granular structures were observed after CMA treatment of OE4. The lytic granules of OE4 had homogeneously stained large cores and numerous small vesicles that filled peripheral areas. In contrast, the lytic granules of CMA-treated OE4 showed irregular shapes with no small vesicles, but with cores that became rough and loose. Vacuoles with no structure in them were seen occasionally. These results suggest that acidification through vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase is essential to maintain the structure and function of lytic granules.

Differences in protein structure and similarities in catalytic function of two L-stereoselective carbonyl reductases from bakers' yeast

We purified and studied two L-stereoselective carbonyl reductases from bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). One catalyzed exclusively the enantioselective reduction of carbonyl compounds such as beta-keto esters and the other acted on alpha-acetoxy ketones and beta-keto esters. The enzymes had identical molecular weights and catalyzed the L-stereoselective reduction of various carbonyl compounds with similar substrate specificity, but they were different proteins coded by different genes.

Molecular cloning of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase cDNA and classification of varieties and cultivars of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) using the tea PAL cDNA probe

Tea (Camellia sinensis) phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) cDNA was cloned using labelled rice PAL cDNA as a probe. The PAL genes of the tea plant were investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using tea PAL cDNA. PAL genetic variation in tea plants was much larger than predicted due to the presence of various hybridized fragments in the Assam hybrids, which are hybrids between C. sinensis var 'assamica' and var 'sinensis'. On the other hand, hybridized band patterns of Japanese green tea cultivars belonging to var 'sinensis' could be divided into five groups. Furthermore, a short-length PAL probe, about 280 bp including the 3' untranslated sequence, detected 3 DNA fragments of different lengths, which were named A, B and D. An experiment tracing the PAL gene heredity showed that A, B and D fragments were inherited according to the Mendelian monogenic ratio. Therefore, PAL genes identifiable by A, B and D fragments are multiple alleles, and the PAL gene is present as a single gene in the tea haploid genome. It was also clear that five groups of Japanese green tea cultivars were characterized by the composition of these PAL fragments. From RFLP analysis using tea PAL cDNA, we succeeded in distinguishing Assam hybrids and Japanese green tea cultivars with high and low catechin content, respectively, and in grouping Japanese green tea at the cultivar level.

Acidification is essential for maintaining the structure and function of lytic granules of CTL. Effect of concanamycin A, an inhibitor of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase, on CTL-mediated cytotoxicity

An inhibitor of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase, concanamycin A (CMA), inhibited the specific cytolytic activity of a CD8+ CTL clone, OE4. The inhibitory effect was observed when the effector cells, and not the target cells, were pretreated with CMA. CMA did not seem to inhibit early events, inasmuch as effector/target conjugate formation remained unaffected. Although CMA treatment of OE4 resulted in a slight decrease in the efficiency of granule exocytosis in response to anti-CD3 stimulation, the most prominent effect was a marked reduction of perforin activity and DNA degradation activity in lytic granules. Western blotting analysis indicated a drastic decrease in the amount of perforin in CMA-treated cells. Fluorescent microscopic observation of OE4 stained with acridine orange indicated that CMA raised the pH of the lytic granules. Under transmission electron microscopy, striking morphologic changes in cytoplasmic granular structures were observed after CMA treatment of OE4. The lytic granules of OE4 had homogeneously stained large cores and numerous small vesicles that filled peripheral areas. In contrast, the lytic granules of CMA-treated OE4 showed irregular shapes with no small vesicles, but with cores that became rough and loose. Vacuoles with no structure in them were seen occasionally. These results suggest that acidification through vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase is essential to maintain the structure and function of lytic granules.

Usefulness of the AMeX method for immunostaining with antikeratin antibodies

We performed an immunohistochemical study with 11 antikeratin antibodies using the newly developed AMeX (acetone-methylbenzoate-xylene) tissue processing method. Specimens processed with this method showed almost as good preservation and morphological detail as routinely processed, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, and as good preservation of antigenicity as fresh frozen tissue specimens. Thus, we propose the wide use of this method in dermatology.

Two-phase increment of Ca2+ uptake, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and histamine release following antigen stimulation in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC)

The relationship between the influx of Ca2+ into cells or cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the histamine release following antigen stimulation in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) was examined, and the results were compared with those from human lung mast cells (HLMC) and rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) in some experiments. Anaphylactic histamine release from BMMC as well as HLMC, but not that from RPMC, was dependent on the extracellular Ca2+. When BMMC were challenged by antigen following radioactive 45Ca2+ addition, two phases of 45Ca2+ influx into the cells were observed. The first phase, which was initiated and completed within 30 sec and 2 min, respectively, after antigen treatment, appeared to be related to anaphylactic histamine release. The second influx began 30 sec subsequent to the first one and lasted for at least 2 min, and this occurred after the completion of the histamine release; So far, it is not known how this second influx participates in the intracellular event(s). On the other hand, only one sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i occurred that reached its maximum within 2 min after antigen stimulation. Following stimulation of BMMC with antigen in the absence of Ca2+, Ca2+ addition 1 to 5 min later time-dependently enhanced the histamine release, although the release was deteriorated by further extension of Ca2+ addition. In contrast, the releasability of HLMC was rapidly decreased. These results indicate that extracellular Ca2+ not only is prerequisite for anaphylactic histamine release from BMMC, but also may modulate the release and participate in some intracellular event(s) which has yet to be focused upon.

A patient with rhabdomyosarcoma and clear cell sarcoma of the skin

We describe a patient with rhabdomyosarcoma of the posterior cervical region and clear cell sarcoma on the occipital scalp. These two tumors later metastasized to distant skin. We differentiated these tumors by histopathologic, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings. Cells of the posterior cervical tumor showed differentiation toward striated muscle, whereas those of the occipital tumor showed findings compatible with melanocytic differentiation.

[Micro-wave local area network for radiological image transmission]

Shinshu University consists of five campuses in different locations, a situation that presents some problems in communication. To solve this problem, the Shinshu University Video and Data Network System (SUNS), which includes a high-speed audio-visual transfer function, has been developed and utilized for pre- and postgraduate education, administrative teleconferences, and local telephone (PBX) and Fax services. In 1988, a cooperative group for the study of radiographic image processing was organized, consisting of staff members of Shinshu University Hospital in Matsumoto, the Faculty of Engineering in Nagano (75 km from Matsumoto) and the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology in Ueda (45 km from Matsumoto). The system has been developed with a pair of personal computer (PC)-based interactive image workstations and high-speed digital telecommunication interfaces to the SUNS. A transmission time of 878 kbps has been attained, including the time needed for read/write onto the PC hard disk. Image data thus transferred from the hospital have been utilized for the study of image processing by researchers in the Faculty of Engineering, and the processed images have been sent back to the hospital for evaluation of clinical efficacy of the processing by diagnostic radiologists. This kind of microwave network is a promising alternative for high-speed data transmission for radiological images and their processing.

Proteoglycan form of macrophage colony-stimulating factor binds low density lipoprotein

We recently isolated a proteoglycan form of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (PG-M-CSF) that carries a chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chain. Here, we examined the interaction of PG-M-CSF with low density lipoprotein (LDL). When LDL preincubated with PG-M-CSF was fractionated by molecular size sieving chromatography, it was eluted earlier than untreated LDL. When LDL was preincubated with chondroitin sulfate-free 85-kD M-CSF instead of PG-M-CSF, the elution profile of LDL remained unchanged, indicating specific interaction between PG-M-CSF and LDL. The level of PG-M-CSF binding in the wells of a plastic microtitration plate precoated with LDL was significant, this binding being completely abolished by pretreatment of PG-M-CSF with chondroitinase AC, which degrades chondroitin sulfate. The addition of exogenous chondroitin sulfate or apolipoprotein B inhibited the binding of PG-M-CSF to LDL in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that the interaction between PG-M-CSF and LDL was mediated by the binding of the chondroitin sulfate chain of PG-M-CSF to LDL apolipoprotein B. PG-M-CSF was also demonstrated in the arterial wall, and there were increased amounts of PG-M-CSF in atherosclerotic lesions. The in vitro interaction between PG-M-CSF and LDL thus appears to have physiological significance.

A novel microtubule-based motor protein (KIF4) for organelle transports, whose expression is regulated developmentally

To understand the mechanisms of transport for organelles in the axon, we isolated and sequenced the cDNA encoding KIF4 from murine brain, and characterized the molecule biochemically and immunocytochemically. Complete amino acid sequence analysis of KIF4 and ultrastructural studies of KIF4 molecules expressed in Sf9 cells revealed that the protein contains 1,231 amino acid residues (M(r) 139,550) and that the molecule (116-nm rod with globular heads and tail) consists of three domains: an NH2-terminal globular motor domain, a central alpha-helical stalk domain and a COOH-terminal tail domain. KIF4 protein has the property of nucleotide-dependent binding to microtubules, microtubule-activated ATPase activity, and microtubule plus-end-directed motility. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization demonstrated that KIF4 is strongly expressed in juvenile tissues including differentiated young neurons, while its expression is decreased considerably in adult mice except in spleen. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that KIF4 colocalized with membranous organelles both in growth cones of differentiated neurons and in the cytoplasm of cultured fibroblasts. During mitotic phase of cell cycle, KIF4 appears to colocalize with membranous organelles in the mitotic spindle. Hence we conclude that KIF4 is a novel microtubule-associated anterograde motor protein for membranous organelles, the expression of which is regulated developmentally.

bcl-2 gene enables rescue from in vitro myelosuppression (bone marrow cell death) induced by chemotherapy

Recent studies have shown that the use of cytokines such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression may enhance the viability of tumour cells with functional receptors for these cytokines. In this study, therefore, we used murine bone marrow (BM) cells in an in vitro model in an attempt to determine whether topoisomerase inhibitors (camptothecin, etoposide and doxorubicin) induce myelosuppression (BM cell death) and whether novel treatments other than the administration of G-CSF can be used for rescue from myelosuppression. DNA fragmentation assay, ultrastructural analysis and cell cycle analysis demonstrated that these chemotherapeutic agents induced apoptosis in BM cells. We demonstrated in addition that enforced expression of the bcl-2 gene in BM cells by MPZenNeo (bcl-2) retroviral gene transfer increased resistance to the apoptosis induced by these agents. These findings suggest the possibility that enforced expression of the bcl-2 gene in BM cells using gene transfer techniques may enable rescue from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

Analysis of acute myeloid leukemia cells by flow cytometry, introducing a new light-scattering classification

A combined flow-cytometric evaluation of light scattering and the immunophenotype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells from 71 newly diagnosed consecutive patients was conducted. Light-scattering characteristic of AML cells examined by flow cytometry and multiple surface markers were also analyzed using the same samples, to enable a comparison with the French-American-British (FAB) classification. Our AML cases could be classified into three light-scattering classification (LSC) types according to their physical properties on flow cytometry. These were type A, where forward light scattering (FSC) of the leukemic cell population was larger than that of lymphocytes, while side light scattering (SSC) was the same or larger than that of lymphocytes but smaller than that of monocytes; type B, where FSC of the leukemic cell population was larger than that of lymphocytes and SSC spread toward that of monocytes; and type C, where both FSC and SSC of the leukemic cell population spread beyond those of monocytes. Although a clear relationship between the FAB classification and LSC classification by the light-scattering profile of AML was not established, we observed the following findings. The majority of cases were classified as type A (58%), while type B comprised 25% and type C comprised 17%. While CD7 expression on AML cells is considered to be an immature characteristic, CD7 was expressed more frequently among LSC type A cases. Furthermore, all but one of the FAB M1 cases were classified as type A. On the other hand, CD7 was not expressed on type C leukemic cells. The percentage of cases in which more than 60% of leukemic cells possessed another immature surface antigen, CD 34ö, was 13/18 (72%) among FAB M1 cases, much higher than among FAB M2 (35%) or FAB M4 (27%) cases. A negative correlation was observed between mature antigen CD33 and CD34 among the FAB M2 cases. The frequency of CD7 expression was 25% among the total cases, and CD7-positive cases were frequent among FAB M1 and M2, but not among FAB M3 cases. These findings concerning LSC and immunophenotyping indicate that the scattergram pattern analysis may contribute towards more precise immunophenotyping, in that it reflects the maturation stage of each AML case.

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 is required for maximum elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are known to play an important role in cell-mediated immunity and inflammation. To investigate the importance of one of the CAMs, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a specific anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibody was injected into the ears of mice after sensitization but prior to challenge with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). BALB/c mice were sensitized on the dorsal skin with DNFB, and challenged on the ears 6 days later. The effect of the antibody on the elicitation phase of contact sensitization was determined by its intradermal injection into the pinnae of the mice at doses of 1-40 micrograms. At 24 and 48 h after challenge, ear swelling was dose-dependently suppressed by injection of LFA-1 antibody at doses of 2-40 micrograms, which are less than 10% of the systemic dose required for effective suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity in previous studies. Maximal inhibition of ear swelling (44%) was observed after injection of 20 micrograms of anti-LFA-1 antibody. Inhibition of ear swelling was accompanied by a reduction in dermal oedema and leucocyte infiltration into the dermis. Our results suggest that LFA-1 plays a significant role in the elicitation of ACD reactions, and also that our test system is a sensitive and useful means of evaluating the blocking effect of antibody to adhesion molecules thought to be involved in the elicitation phase of ACD.

Study on pulmonary delivery of salmon calcitonin in rats: effects of protease inhibitors and absorption enhancers

Effects of protease inhibitors and absorption enhancers on the absorption of salmon calcitonin (sCT) were evaluated after intratracheal coadministration to rats using the plasma Ca level as an index. Remarkable absorption enhancement could be attained with unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid and polyoxyethylene oleyl ether (absorption enhancers) and with chymostatin, bacitracin, potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor and phosphoramidon (protease inhibitors). sCT degrading enzymes had four times higher activity per total protein in membrane fraction of lung homogenates than the activity in cytosol fraction. These enzymes are thought to be serine proteases and metalloenzymes from the in vitro action profile of protease inhibitors. A good correlation between the in vitro activity of protease inhibitors and the in vivo enhancing effect on sCT activity suggested that membrane enzymes are responsible for the inactivation of sCT. Metabolic degradation and low permeability of sCT may be possible barriers to the absorption of sCT.