The clinical and histopathological effects of combined chemotherapy using cisplatin and peplomycin to treat cancer of the tongue

Combined chemotherapy (PP therapy) using cisplatin (CDDP) and peplomycin (PEP) was performed as induction chemotherapy for 31 patients with cancer of the tongue, and the clinical and histopathological effects were investigated. As the primary clinical effect, complete response (CR) was observed in three cases, partial response (PR) in 20 cases, minor response (MR) in six cases and no change (NC) in two cases, with a clinical response rate of 74.2%. The histopathological effects of the chemotherapy in the following cases showed these histological Grades: 0 or I in four cases, IIa in 12 cases, IIb in eight cases, III in six cases and IV in one case. Fifteen of the 31 patients who received PP therapy showed a histological Grade of IIb or better, representing 48.4% of the histopathological response rate. With regard to the mode of invasion of the tumor, the histopathological response rate was 90.0% in patients with invasive Grades 1 and 2, 41.7% in those with invasive Grade 3 and 16.7% in those with invasive Grade 4C. There were no patients with invasive Grade 4D in whom the therapy was histopathologically effective. In other words, the histopathological effect significantly decreased as the invasive Grade increased. With regard to the relationship between clinical effects and histopathological effects, there was one CR patient who showed a histological Grade of IIa. Thus, it is noteworthy that clinical effects were not necessarily consistent with post-chemotherapeutic histopathological effects.

Leiomyosarcoma of the maxillary gingiva: a case report

An unusual case of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the maxillary gingiva is discussed here; this case presents a unique pattern of tumor growth and a long period between initial discovery and correct pathological diagnosis. The tumor was incompletely resected twice by a private dentist over a period of 3 years, with a clinical diagnosis of epulis, no pathological examination was conducted during this period. When it was finally removed, the tumor was very large (50 x 35 x 12 mm in size and 18 g in weight), consisting of an easily hemorrhagic mass originating in the gingival mucosa with the growth pattern of a polyp. Following an extensive surgical excision and a unilateral radical neck dissection, the patient has been free of LMS for 8 years. In light of this case, we strongly emphasize the importance of conducting a pathological examination, even though clinical examination seems to indicate a diagnosis of epulis or granulation. In this way, the presence of LMS can be ascertained in a timely manner with better prognosis for treatment and recovery.

Assessment of the effects of aging and medication on salivary gland function in patients with xerostomia using 99mTC-scintigraphy

To examine the effect of aging and medication on xerostomia, the salivary gland function was evaluated in 20 patients with xerostomia using 99mTc-scintigraphy and the measurement of unstimulated whole saliva (USWS). All of the patients showed USWS volume of less than 2ml/10min. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups based on age (under 65 and 65 and older) and medication status (patients who were on medication which reduced salivary secretion and patients who were not on such medication). The scintigraphic results, such as the maximum radioisotope (RI) count, RI secretion velocity and the volume of USWS, were compared between the subgroups. The maximum RI count and the RI secretory velocity in the submandibular gland and the volume of USWS revealed significantly different functional disturbances between relatively younger patients (under 65) and older patients (65 and older). There was no difference when the scintigraphic results and the volume of USWS measurements in medicated patients were compared with the results of similar tests performed on non-medicated patients. When the medicated and non-medicated groups were separated by age, an increase in age still diminished the volume of USWS in medicated patients. This result might be related to an organic change in the submandibular gland in older patients which was suggested by the scintigraphic results.

Primary structures and properties of two related forms of aryl sulfotransferases in human liver

cDNAs and genes of ST1A2 and ST1A3 section were isolated from human liver cDNA and genomic libraries and shown to encode arylsulfotransferases. Studies on their mRNAs and proteins expressed indicate the existence of two distinct phenol-sulfating enzymes which are involved in the metabolic activation of carcinogenic arylamines in human livers.

The potential of oral mucosal cells for cultured epithelium: a preliminary report

We have developed a method to fabricate cultured epithelium for skin repair using mucosal cells. We grafted this epithelium in six cases. The site where the mucosal epithelium was transplanted keratinized normally within 4 weeks and formed normal skin. Mucosal epithelial cells have many advantages over skin epidermal keratinocytes: (1) Mucosal epithelial cells grow faster than skin keratinocytes. (2) Cultured epithelial sheets formed using mucosal cells remain viable for at least 14 days in vitro. (3) The oral cavity is a suitable location to take a tissue segment because scar due to biopsy is inconspicuous. Therefore, mucosal epithelial cells are a potential new source of cells for cultured epithelial graft.

[Xeroderma pigmentosum]

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), an autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by extreme sensitivity to sun exposure, a high incidence of skin cancer and frequent neurological abnormalities. Cells from XP patients of seven complementation groups (A-G) have defects in the nucleotide excision repair of UV damage, whereas the defect of another type, the XP variant, is not yet known. Recent discoveries of causative genes of XP have uncovered the molecular mechanisms of nucleotide excision repair. The analysis of gene mutation in XPA gene made a diagnosis of patients and carriers quicker and easier. Further, a relationship between the type of XPA gene mutation and clinical severity has also been uncovered. By analysing skin cancers developed on XP patients, the representative of UV-induced skin cancers, the molecular bases of UV skin carcinogenesis have also been rapidly discovered.

Correlation between a sandwich ELISA and an in-vitro bioassay for erythropoietin in human plasma

A sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human erythropoietin (EPO) using two anti-EPO monoclonal antibodies has been compared with an in-vitro EPO bioassay based on CFU-E colony formation in fetal mouse liver cell cultures. In normal subjects and non-uraemic anaemic patients the plasma EPO values estimated with the ELISA correlated well with those by the bioassay, and also inversely with the values of blood Hb, PCV and RBC counts. Dose-response curves for plasma and standard recombinant human EPO in the ELISA were parallel to each other. These results further confirm the validity for the ELISA in measuring circulating human EPO.

[Study on conservative treatment of retinoblastoma--effect of intravitreal injection of melphalan on the rabbit retina]

Effects of an intravitreal injection of melphalan on the electroretinogram and on the retinal structure were studied in albino rabbits to establish the non-toxic dose for its intravitreal use. The a-wave, the b-wave, the c-wave, the oscillatory potential and the retinal structure remained unchanged after 10-micrograms injection, but moderately changed after 20-micrograms injection and greatly deteriorated after 90-micrograms injection. A 10-micrograms injection is equal to an intravitreal concentration of about 5.9 micrograms/ml, if evenly diffused in the rabbit vitreous. Considering that colony formation of in vitro retinoblastoma cells is completely suppressed by melphalan at 4 micrograms/ml concentration, an intravitreal application of melphalan could be used as a non-surgical treatment for retinoblastoma.

Purification and some properties of six chitinases from Aeromonas sp. no. 10S-24

Six chitinases were purified from a culture supernatant of Aeromonas sp. no. 10S-24 by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Butyl-Toyopearl 650M, and chromatofocusing. These enzymes were most active at pH 3.5-4.5 and the optimum temperature were 50 degrees C. The molecular weights of the enzymes were 89,000 to 120,000 from SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-Terminal amino acid sequences of the enzymes were similar to that of chitinase I.

A novel V beta 2-specific endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus which is capable of producing a milk-borne exogenous virus

We have previously reported new Mtv loci, Mtv-48 and -51, in the Japanese laboratory mouse strains CS and NC. Here we show by backcross analysis that both Mtv-48 and -51 cosegregate with very slow deletion of T cells bearing V beta 2. The nucleotide sequences of the open reading frames in the 3' long terminal repeats of Mtv-48 and -51 were very similar to those of Mtv-DDO, mouse mammary tumor virus C4 [MMTV(C4)], and MMTV(BALB/cV), which encode V beta 2-specific superantigens. Furthermore, backcross female mice carrying Mtv-48 but not Mtv-51 were found to be able to produce milk-borne MMTV(CS), which can vigorously stimulate V beta 2-expressing T cells after local injection in vivo in an I-E-dependent manner. On the other hand, mice carrying Mtv-51 but not Mtv-48 could not produce such an MMTV in milk. The nucleotide sequences of MMTV(CS) open reading frame were completely matched with those of Mtv-48. These results indicate that the provirus Mtv-48 but not Mtv-51 is capable of producing a milk-borne virus of which the superantigen stimulates V beta 2-expressing T cells.

Circulating concentrations and physiologic role of atrial natriuretic peptide during endotoxic shock in the rat

OBJECTIVES

To determine if there are changes in circulating concentrations of endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide and the physiologic role of this peptide in endotoxic shock.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, controlled animal trial.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Anesthetized male Wistar rats, weighing 250 to 350 g.

INTERVENTIONS

Six rats received 1.5 mg/kg body weight of lipopolysaccharide alone. Five rats received 1.5 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide and 200 microL/100 g body weight of rabbit anti-atrial natriuretic peptide serum. Another five rats received 1.5 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide and normal rabbit serum in the same volume as the antiserum.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, arginine vasopressin, and aldosterone were measured, and changes in hemodynamic parameters and renal function were monitored in rats with endotoxic shock after catheterization of the right jugular vein. Urine volume, urine sodium excretion, urinary potassium excretion, and urine 3', 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) excretion were measured at 12-hr intervals. The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration was slightly but significantly lower 30 mins after the lipopolysaccharide injection (114.8 +/- 9.0 pg/mL at 0 hr, 75.6 +/- 6.2 pg/mL at 30 mins, p < .01) and then began to increase, peaking at 6 hrs (752.8 +/- 104.5 pg/mL, p < .01 vs. 0 time) and remaining at higher concentrations than before the preinjection value, up to 24 hrs. In contrast, acute spike-like increases of arginine vasopressin and aldosterone concentrations were observed 30 mins after the lipopolysaccharide injection, preceding the increase of the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration. Measurements of urine volume and urine sodium excretion showed oliguria during the initial 12 hrs after the lipopolysaccharide injection, followed by diuresis and natriuresis during the subsequent 12 hrs. In addition, injection with anti-atrial natriuretic peptide serum in the diuretic phase 12 hrs after the lipopolysaccharide injection significantly inhibited the diuresis, natriuresis, and urine cGMP excretion in this model. Furthermore, the plasma aldosterone concentration 24 hrs after the lipopolysaccharide injection was significantly increased by the administration of the antisera.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide increases in the acute phase of endotoxic shock and plays an important role in water and electrolyte balance by regulating diuresis.

Type VI collagen in mouse masseter tendon, from osseous attachment to myotendinous junction

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

The association of masseter tendon type VI collagen with other extracellular matrix (ECM) components was examined from osseous attachment to myotendinous junction by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy with ATP treatment and enzyme digestion.

RESULTS

In the tendon proper, fibrocytes extended their processes among bundles of striated collagen fibrils and associated with adjacent cells through amorphous materials, thus forming a three-dimensional network. The amorphous or filamentous material was observed around the fibrocyte cell body and along the cell processes, where the localization of type VI collagen was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using anti-type VI collagen antibody. After treatment with 20 mM adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), 100 nm periodic fibrils, an aggregated form of type VI collagen, were formed in the place where amorphous or filamentous material was present before the treatment. In myotendinous junction, the ATP-aggregated periodic fibrils were observed to associate with the external lamina of the muscle cells as well as among junctional tendon collagen fibrils. In the tendon-bone boundary, ATP-aggregated periodic fibrils were observed around fibrocartilage-like cells in the uncalcifying area but not in the calcification front. Prolonged ATP treatment or hyaluronidase predigestion caused the formation of type VI collagen periodic fibrils in the area near the calcified matrix.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of type VI collagen in mouse masseter tendon is different in different anatomical position. This may reflect the different functional demand for this collagen.

In vivo effect of TGF- beta 1. Enhanced intimal thickening by administration of TGF- beta 1 in rabbit arteries injured with a balloon catheter

The in vivo effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) was studied in a model system in which arterial intimal thickening was induced by injury of rabbit arteries with a balloon catheter (BCI). Intimal area and its ratio to medial area in carotid arteries after BCI were significantly higher in rabbits treated with 10 micrograms/kg TGF-beta 1 and 10 mg/kg aspirin i.v. QD (TGF-beta 1 group) than in those treated with 10 mg/kg aspirin i.v. QD only (control group). Intimal cell numbers in the TGF-beta 1 and control groups were not significantly different from each other, but matrix volume in the intimal layer was significantly higher in the TGF-beta 1 group. By immunohistochemical and Northern blot analyses, the fibronectin content in carotid intimal and medial layers was greater in the TGF-beta 1 group compared with that in the control group. Thus, in intimal thickenings induced by BCI. TGF-beta 1 mainly enhanced the formation of matrix containing fibronectin. Moreover, the mRNAs of TGF-beta 1 and type II receptors were detected in carotid arteries 7 and 14 days after, but not before, BCI. Thus, TGF-beta 1 influences the process of intimal thickening induced by BCI through a receptor-mediated mechanism in vivo. The significance of this fact is discussed in relation to the development of atherosclerosis.

Enhancing effect of platelets on staphylokinase-mediated clot lysis and plasminogen activation

The effects of platelets on clot lysis and plasminogen activation by staphylokinase (SAK) were investigated. At concentrations ranging from 2 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-5)g/ml of SAK, the lysis time of platelet-rich plasma clots (PRP-clots) was shorter than that of platelet-poor plasma clots (PPP-clots). This reduction of clot lysis time was observed in a dose-dependent manner on platelet count in PRP. The activation rate of plasminogen by SAK measured by the amidolytic method using S-2251 was enhanced by the addition of washed platelets. These enhancing effects of platelets on clot lysis and plasminogen activation were not altered by pretreatment of platelets with indomethacin and theophylline, but were diminished by platelet disruption. Thus, we concluded that platelets enhance fibrinolytic activity of SAK, and this effect is not due to the release reaction or intracellular contents of platelets, but to the existence of platelet surface in the intact shape as a catalytic site for fibrinolysis.

Effect of endogenous and exogenous EGF on the growth of EGF receptor-hyperproducing human squamous cell carcinoma implanted in nude mice

The effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the biological behaviour of human tumours in vivo is still controversial. We investigated the effect of EGF on the growth of an EGF receptor-hyperproducing human epidermoid carcinoma, A431 tumour, and on a human small-cell lung carcinoma, H69 tumour, without detectable EGF receptor by using sialoadenectomised (sialex) mice as an endogenous EGF-suppressed animal model. The plasma EGF concentration in the sialex athymic mice was significantly lower than that in the sham-operated mice (P < 0.05). After exogenous EGF replacement with an implanted minipump, the plasma EGF concentration was significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the body weight growth curves of sialex and sham-operated mice with and without EGF treatment. The tumour weight of A431, both estimated and measured in sialex mice, was significantly lower than that in sham-operated control mice (P < 0.05), and the growth of A431 tumour was significantly increased by exogenous EGF treatment (P < 0.05). Mitotic activity of these tumours detected by immunohistochemical staining for incorporated bromodeoxyuridine indicated a mitosis-stimulatory effect of endogenous and exogenous EGF on A431 tumours. In contrast to these findings on A431 tumours, a growth-stimulatory effect of endogenous and exogenous EGF was not observed in the H69 tumour. These results suggest a growth-promoting effect of physiological levels of endogenous EGF on EGF receptor-hyperproducing human tumours in vivo.

Integrin alpha 6 is a differentiation antigen of human granulosa cells

We previously reported a new murine monoclonal antibody (mAb), OG-1, raised against human granulosa cells (GC) and showed that the OG-1 antigen is a cell surface differentiation-related molecule expressed on GC of follicles and on large luteal cells in the early to midluteal phase. In this study, we further characterized the OG-1 antigen. An immunohistochemical study showed that the OG-1 antigen was also expressed on endometrial glandular and stromal cells and on first trimester and term placental trophoblasts. The antigen purified from endometrium, chorionic villi, or placenta by immunoaffinity chromatography using the mAb OG-1 consisted of a 120-kilodalton (kDa) protein. Partial amino acid sequencing of the 120-kDa protein purified from placenta revealed that the 16 amino acids from the N-terminus were identical to those of the heavy chain of human integrin alpha 6, the molecular mass of which is reportedly 118-126 kDa. We examined the tissue distribution of integrins alpha 6, beta 1, and beta 4, because integrin alpha 6 forms heterodimers with integrins beta 1 or beta 4. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of various follicles and corpora lutea using two known antiintegrin alpha 6 monoclonal antibodies (450-30A1 and GoH3) showed that integrin alpha 6 was expressed on granulosa and large luteal cells in a profile similar to that of the OG-1 antigen. Integrin beta 1 was expressed on granulosa and large luteal cells, but integrin beta 4 was undetectable. Integrin beta 1 was also expressed on thecal and stromal cells. In term placentas, the OG-1 antigen and integrins alpha 6 and beta 4 were expressed on trophoblasts, whereas integrin beta 1 was expressed on villous capillary endothelia. These results indicate that the mAb OG-1 recognizes integrin alpha 6, and that integrin alpha 6 is a differentiation-related antigen of human GC, suggesting the involvement of integrins in human folliculogenesis and luteal formation.

[Clinical characteristics of pancreatitis after cardiovascular surgery]

Increases in pancreatic enzyme levels after cardiovascular surgery were studied, and their clinical characteristics evaluated. The subjects were 128 patients who had undergone cardiovascular surgery (65 patients after valve replacement, 32 after coronary bypass surgery and 31 after aortic artificial graft replacement). The pancreatic enzyme (serum amylase and lypase) levels were monitored serially before and after operation, and amylase fractions were measured at their peaks. The relationships of the peak lypase level with underlying cardiac diseases, background factors, factors related to surgery, factors related to the extracorporeal circulation, presence or absence of symptoms, and treatments were examined. The amylase level exhibited biphasic changes consisting of a peak in which salivary glands amylase (S type) was dominant and a peak in which pancreatic amylase (P type) was dominant. The second peak coincided with the peak lypase and occurred mostly 3 to 10 days after operation. The peak lypase level exceeded the normal range in 78% of all the patients. It exceeded 564 U/l, 4 times the normal value in 28% of the patients, many of whom were symptomatic. So, we recommended that these cases should be treated as "postoperative pancreatitis". A high peak lypase level showed a significant correlation with the history of gallbladder and pancreatic diseases and diabetes mellitus among the background factors and emergency operation and the use of IABP among the surgery-related factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclin D and retinoblastoma gene product expression in actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in relation to p53 expression

Abnormality of the molecules regulating the cell cycle has been shown to lead cells to transformation. Recently, overexpression of cyclin D protein, one of the G1 cyclins, and the abnormality of the retinoblastoma gene have been found in various human cancers. We analyzed the expression of cyclin D, retinoblastoma gene product (pRB) and p53 in actinic keratoses (AKs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) by immunohistochemistry to elucidate the role of these molecules in keratinocyte carcinogenesis. In the normal epidermis, a few cyclin D positive cells were seen mainly at the basal layer. In 11 seborrheic keratoses, no overexpression of cyclin D was observed. Twelve of 26 AKs (46%) and 27 of 45 SCCs (60%) showed cyclin D overexpression. A few pRB positive cells were seen in the basal layer and in the suprabasal spinous layer of the normal epidermis. An abnormality of pRB, loss of expression, was seen in 2 of 26 AKs (8%) and 7 of 45 SCCs (16%). p53 protein was positive in 12 of 26 AKs (46%) and 24 of 45 SCCs (53%). Forty-five SCCs examined were divided into 22 ultraviolet (UV)-related SCCs and 23 UV-unrelated SCCs. Though UV-related SCCs showed a significantly higher incidence of p53 positivity, as previously reported by us, no significant difference in cyclin D overexpression and loss of the pRB expression was observed between UV-related and UV-unrelated SCCs. These results suggest that cyclin D overexpression is frequently involved in keratinocyte carcinogenesis and that this is an early event, as well as p53 abnormality. In addition, abnormality of the retinoblastoma gene is also related to epidermal cell carcinogenesis, though the frequency is relatively low.

[Suppressed increase of C3 receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes by stimulation with C5a in diabetes mellitus]

This study was undertaken to clarify the susceptibility to infection of patients with diabetes mellitus. The complement system is activated through the classical and/or the alternative pathways to produce many kinds of anaphylatoxins in the inflammatory process. One of the anaphylatoxins, C5a, possesses both the strong biological activity of a chemotactic factor and the increasing effect of CR1 and CR3 expression on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). It is well known that the complement receptors, CR1 and CR3, on PMNs play important roles in the phagocytosis. We studied the changes of the expression of these receptors on PMNs in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus after the stimulation with recombinant human C5a. PMNs from 11 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and 11 normal controls were tested. There was no significant difference of CR1 and CR3 expression on PMNs after the addition of 10 ng/ml C5a between patients with diabetes mellitus and normal controls. However, by the stimulation with 50 ng/ml C5a, the increase of the CR3 expression on PMNs of patients with diabetes mellitus was significantly smaller than normal controls (p < 0.02). The increase of the expression of CR1 on PMNs was not significantly different the two groups. It is suggested that the small increase of the CR3 expression on PMNs by the stimulation with C5a is one of the factors of the susceptibility to infection in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Correlation of the clinical manifestations and gene mutations of Japanese xeroderma pigmentosum group A patients

The gene responsible for xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group A has recently been cloned and designated XPA gene. Previous studies have shown that most Japanese XPA patients have homozygous mutations for the splicing site of intron 3 of the XPA gene, which was recognized by restriction endonuclease (RE) AlwNI (AlwNI mutation). Other mutations found to date have been the nonsense mutation at codon 228 in exon 6, recognized by RE HphI (HphI mutation), and at codon 116 in exon 3, recognized by RE MseI (MseI mutation). Using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis, we examined the point mutations of the XPA gene in 16 XPA patients, their parents, and their four asymptomatic siblings. We found that eight patients were homozygous for the AlwNI mutation, two were compound heterozygotes for the AlwNI mutation and the HphI mutation, one was a compound heterozygote for the AlwNI mutation and the MseI mutation, three were compound heterozygotes for the AlwNI mutation and an unidentified mutation, and two were compound heterozygotes for the HphI mutation and an unidentified mutation. Investigation of their clinical features suggested that the four patients who were heterozygous for the HphI mutation and the AlwNI or an unidentified mutation had milder clinical manifestations such as later development of skin cancers and milder neurological deterioration, than those patients who were either homozygous for the AlwNI mutation or heterozygous for the AlwNI mutation and MseI mutation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Type VI collagen periodic fibrils in the synovium of the mouse temporomandibular joint

Immunohistochemical staining with anti-type VI collagen antibody was strongly positive in the intimal layer and moderately positive in the subsynovium. After treatment with 20 mM ATP, numerous structures with a periodicity of 100 +/- 10 nm (type VI collagen fibrils) appeared around the synovial cells. As the periodic dark bands were stained by ruthenium red, proteoglycan(s) or glycosaminoglycan(s) were probably associated with the type VI collagen fibrils. When the tissue was digested with testicular hyaluronidase before ATP treatment, the periodic fibrils were not found, and only a filamentous network of 100-nm interval was seen around the cells. Thus, type VI collagen is abundant in the synovium of the mouse mandibular joint and is associated with proteoglycans or glycosaminoglycans, which might have a role in its formation.

Single-step purification of prostatic acid phosphatase: immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody

BACKGROUND

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is an important protein which should be studied further as a tumor marker or as a biologically functional molecule. The purpose of the study was to establish a simple and reliable method to obtain highly pure PAP.

METHODS

Spleen cells from mice immunized with prostatic epithelial cells prepared from benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue were fused with myeloma cells X63Ag8-653. Hybrid cells of interest were selected using the indirect immunofluorescence method with unfixed frozen tissue sections. One clone of the hybrid cell lines was established which secreted the monoclonal antibody specifically reactive to prostatic acid phosphatase. Using this monoclonal antibody, we purified the antigen from human prostatic tissue by means of single-step immunoaffinity chromatography.

RESULTS

SDS-PAGE profiling under reducing conditions indicated that the protein recognized by this antibody consisted of several components of molecular weight 41,000-45,000. Partial amino acid sequence analysis of this protein indicated that these components involved a heterogeneously modified single polypeptide, and that this antigen is identical to human prostatic acid phosphatase.

CONCLUSIONS

This single-step method saves the time needed to purify prostatic acid phosphatase and requires only half a day for the whole procedure. Moreover, the purity of the isolated protein was extremely high. This method seems to be useful not only for purifying prostatic acid phosphatase but also for purifying other proteins from the prostate gland and for analysis of antigenic macromolecules.

[A study on cathepsin B-like substance in cancer of the urinary tract]

Cathepsin B, a cysteine proteinase, has been shown to be increased in tumor tissue and to be responsible for the process of invasion and metastasis. To study the biochemical characteristics of cathepsin B-like substance in the tissue of a non-cancerous kidney and some urologic cancer tissues, we extracted cathepsin B-like substances from a non-cancerous human kidney tissue, human renal tumor, human renal pelvic tumor and human bladder tumor. The cathepsin B-like substance extracted from the non-neoplastic human kidney has a molecular weight of approximately 28,000. On the result of western blotting with anti-human liver cathepsin B antibody, two types of protein were observed in the fraction extracted from urologic cancer tissues. The molecular weights of them were 28,000 and 35,000, respectively. Both types of cathepsin B-like substances had the same activities for benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-arginine-L-arginine-4-methyl-7-coumarylamide, and both activities were inhibited by (L-3-transcarboxyoxiran-2-carbonyl)-L-leucyl-agmatin. These findings suggest that both cancer cells of the renal parenchyma and urothelium secrete cathepsin B-like protease which express not only a normal cathepsin B but also a higher molecular weight of cathepsin B-like protease and that a higher one plays an important role in a process of invasion.