Age-related changes in proteoglycans of human ligamentum flavum

Age-related changes in proteoglycans of human ligamentum flavum were studied using specimens obtained from patients divided into four age groups. The proteoglycans were purified by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. A low-molecular-weight proteoglycan with the same molecular size was present in all each age groups. Conversely, high-molecular-weight proteoglycan increased with advancing age. Properties of the sugar chains, glycosaminoglycans, in these proteoglycans were studied using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis and chondroitinase digestion. It was found that the high-molecular-weight proteoglycan consisted mainly of chondroitin 6-sulfate, whereas the low-molecular-weight proteoglycan consisted mainly of dermatan sulfate, although the ratio of chondroitin 6-sulfate increased with age. These results indicate that proteoglycans of human ligamentum flavum show changes in amount and composition with age.

U1-70-kd autoantibody-positive mixed connective tissue disease in children. A longitudinal clinical and serologic analysis

OBJECTIVE

To obtain longitudinal data on the clinical, serologic, and immunogenetic features of children with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

METHODS

Eleven children with MCTD were followed up for a mean of 9.8 years. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting were used to analyze sera for autoantibodies to small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptides. HLA types were determined in 9 patients, by microcytotoxicity and DNA typing.

RESULTS

All 11 children had anti-U1-70-kd auto-antibodies. Six of 9 were positive for HLA-DR2, 4 of 9 for HLA-DR4, and 9 of 9 for either HLA-DR2 or DR4. Outcomes were favorable with no functional impairment in 8 of the 11 children and were poor in 3.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of HLA-DR2/DR4 is increased among children with anti-U1-70-kd autoantibody positive MCTD.

Purification and some properties of a Vero toxin 2 (Shiga-like toxin II) variant (SLT-IIva) of Escherichia coli isolated from infantile diarrhea

A variant of Vero toxin 2 (VT2), or Shiga-like toxin II (SLT-II) was purified from a cloned strain of Escherichia coli carrying a gene that encodes SLT-IIva, which is most closely related to SLT-IIv (VT2vp, VTe) in its nucleotide sequence. The purified SLT-IIva showed a slight difference from the purified SLT-IIv (VT2vp) in mobility on polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis and SDS-polyacrylamide gel slab electrophoresis and in pI, but both showed a similar potency in biological activities. Ouchterlony double diffusion test revealed that the purified SLT-IIva and SLT-IIv (VT2vp) formed a spur against anti-SLT-IIva and anti-SLT-IIv (VT2vp) antisera.

Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) inhibits p34cdc2 protein kinase in human lung-cancer cells

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) induced G2-phase arrest in PC-9 human cancer cells. To elucidate how CDDP acts on cell-cycle regulation, we analyzed the effect of CDDP on cell-cycle regulators such as p34cdc2 protein kinase. p34cdc2 protein kinase activity was maximum in G2 phase and decreased after G2/M transition in synchronized PC-9 human lung cancer cells. Evidence for a phosphorylated p34cdc2 protein kinase complexed with cyclin B was obtained from cells in G2 phase and the p34cdc2 protein kinase appeared to be dephosphorylated at M phase. After exposure to CDDP in G1 phase, PC-9 cells were arrested in G2 phase. The activation of p34cdc2 protein kinase was inhibited by CDDP. Cyclin A and wee-I kinase were not affected by the exposure to CDDP. Cyclin B was degraded in M phase in PC-9 cells. Exposure to CDDP did not affect the degradation of cyclin B. Our data suggest that the effect of CDDP on cell-cycle phase might be regulated by the dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 protein kinase. To determine whether the p34cdc2 protein kinase is a primary target for CDDP, we examined the direct effect of CDDP on tyrosine dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 protein kinase in cellular extracts. Cell lysates from synchronized PC-9 in G2 phase were immunoprecipitated with p13-Sepharose beads. In vitro dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine of p34cdc2 protein kinase was observed after exposure to okadaic acid in a concentration-dependent manner. The dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 protein kinase by okadaic acid was inhibited by CDDP. We hypothesize that inhibition of p34cdc2 dephorphorylation by CDDP is important for its growth-inhibiting properties.

Virulence patterns of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains isolated from hospitalised patients with acute diarrhoea in Calcutta, India

A collection of 28 strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 isolated during a 3-year period (1989-1991) from hospitalised patients with acute diarrhoea in Calcutta, India, were examined with regard to virulence-associated factors. Of the 28 isolates (each representing a case), 18 were isolated as the sole infecting agent; the remaining 10 were recovered as co-cultures from cases infected with V. cholerae O1. Of the strains isolated in this study, 82% could be serotyped, with serovars O5 (32.1%), O11 and O34 (14.3% each) predominant. Serovars O7, O14, O34, O39 and O97 were associated exclusively with sole infections. Two strains of V. cholerae non-O1 produced anti-cholera toxin IgG-absorbable cholera toxin (CT). Both CT-producing V. cholerae non-O1 strains hybridised with the DNA probe specific for the zonula occludens toxin (ZOT) but none of the remaining 26 strains hybridised with the ZOT probe. The majority of the strains were cytotoxic for CHO, HeLa and Vero cells, with end-point titres of 4-512. Fewer strains produced a cytotonic effect, with end-point titres of 2-16. Of the 28 strains of V. cholerae non-O1 examined, 75%, 75%, 25% and 14.3% produced haemolysin that was active against erythrocytes of rabbit, sheep (Eltor haemolysin), chicken and man, respectively. Strains that produced a haemolysin active against both rabbit and sheep erythrocytes were dominant (35.7%). Ten (35.7%) of the 28 strains examined showed cell-associated haemagglutinating activity on human blood. Of the 10 strains, nine were isolated as sole pathogen and only one strain was associated with mixed infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Isolation and characterization of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from bonito bowels

Four angiotensin I-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1) (ACE) inhibitory peptides C105, C107, C111, and C112 were isolated from bonito bowels. C111 was obtained from liver, while the others were from intestine. Their amino acids were sequenced as Ser-Val-Ala-Lys-Leu-Glu-Lys for C105, Ala-Leu-Pro-His-Ala for C107, Gly-Val-Tyr-Pro-His-Lys for C111, and Ile-Arg-Pro-Val-Gln for C112. Their ACE inhibition activities were measured for synthetic peptides. The IC50 of these peptides were estimated to be 82, 79, 1.6, and 1.4 microM, respectively. Carboxyl-terminal amino acid(s) were considered to be essential for their expression of ACE inhibition for C105, C107, and C111, while the amino terminal tripeptide Ile-Arg-Pro of C112 was presumed to inhibit ACE after the removal of a dipeptide from C112 with ACE digestion. Presumed original proteins of these peptides are discussed.

Expression of a truncated guanylate cyclase (GC-C), a receptor for heat-stable enterotoxin of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and its dimer formation in COS-7 cells

A fragment of guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) of about 1.7 k bp corresponding to amino acids 1-553 spanning the extracellular and transmembrane domains and a portion of the intracellular region was amplified using template cDNA prepared from rat intestinal cells by the polymerase chain reaction method. The cloned 1.7 k bp fragment was inserted into the mammalian expression vector pCGUT and the truncated GC-C expressed on the surface of COS-7 cells was demonstrated to bind heat-stable enterotoxin by photo affinity labeling with 125I-N-5-azidonitrobenzoyl-STh[5-19]. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis showed that the truncated GC-C formed dimers on the surface of COS-7 cells. The intracellular region of GC-C was found not to be necessary for dimer formation by the GC-C. Comparison of the molecular weights of the truncated GC-C expressed in COS-7 cells and Escherichia coli suggested that the truncated GC-C was glycosylated in the mammalian expression system.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone increases serum human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnant women

Hypothalamic decapeptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been found to stimulate human chronic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion by trophoblast cells in vitro. To determine the biological effect of GnRH on the release of hCG in vivo, we studied the effect of the administration of GnRH on the serum levels of human chronic gonadotropin (hCG) during pregnancy. Serum hCG levels were measured before and 15, 30, and 60 min after the intravenous administration of 100 micrograms of GnRH to 22 volunteers with normal pregnancy. Nine of the 12 (75%) women responded to GnRH in the first trimester, while only 1 of the 5 women (20%) responded to GnRH in the second trimester. None of the 5 women tested in the third trimester showed a significant response of hCG to the injection of GnRH. The average increase in hCG during the first, second and third trimester was 160.7 +/- 13.5%, 111.0 +/- 7.4% and 95.0 +/- 2.3%, respectively (mean +/- SEM). Whereas the pregnant courses of all the cases were uneventful and normal, other abnormal pregnancies were also investigated with informed consents. Three patients with missed abortions also showed a significant response of hCG to GnRH (increase: 136.7 +/- 8.5%) when GnRH was administered before curettage of the uterine cavity. However, 4 patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancies did not respond to GnRH stimulation. These findings indicate that GnRH can stimulate the release of hCG by the placenta in vivo, consistent with the previous in vitro study, while the responsiveness depend on gestational age and the implantation site.

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. 11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) activity in mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was determined and expressed as the percentage conversion of [3H]-corticosterone to [3H]-11-dehydrocorticosterone. 2. 11-HSD activity was significantly decreased in mesenteric arteries of both 4 and 9 week old SHR (8.4 +/- 0.8%, 5.0 +/- 1.5%, respectively) compared with WKY rats (12.4 +/- 0.6%, 15.8 +/- 0.7%, respectively; P < 0.05). 3. Total RNA from rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC) were prepared with selective precipitation in 3 mol/L LiCl/6 mol/L urea. The expression of 11-HSD mRNA was confirmed in the rat VSMC but its mRNA expression was not detected in EC, using northern blot analysis. 4. The results in this study indicate that 11-HSD in the vascular wall may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR.

The existence and distribution of melanocytes in the periodontal ligament of the mongrel dog

The existence and distribution of melanocytes in the periodontal ligament of the mongrel dog were investigated. Melanocytes were found in the periodontal ligament of the maxillary incisor and premolar segments. Melanocytes in the periodontal ligament varied in number, and generally appeared as dendritic or elongated cells with several, long cytoplasmic processes. These melanocytes were always distributed closer to the tooth root side of the periodontal ligament than the alveolar bone side, but did not contact the cementum. Melanocytes were longitudinally distributed in the apical half of the periodontal ligament. There were no findings suggestive of a relationship between melanocytes and epithelial rests of Malassez or other cellular elements of the periodontal ligament. Although some parts of the gingival mucosa of all dogs in this study showed pigmentation, no relationship was seen between melanocytes in the periodontal ligament and those in the gingival mucosa. This is the first report of melanocytes in the periodontal ligament under normal conditions.

Characterization of non-toxic mutant toxins of Vero toxin 1 that were constructed by replacing amino acids in the A subunit

Three mutant toxins of Vero toxin 1 (VT1) produced by Escherichia coli strains carrying mutant VT1 genes that were constructed by oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis were purified to homogeneity. They are E167Q (glutamic acid at position 167 from the N-terminus of the A subunit was replaced by glutamine), R170L (arginine at position 170 from the N-terminus of the A subunit was replaced by leucine) and E167Q-R170L (glutamic acid at position 167 and arginine at position 170 were replaced by glutamine and leucine, respectively). The purified E167Q and E167Q-R170L had markedly decreased activities, such as inhibition of protein synthesis, cytotoxicity to Vero cells and mouse lethality. The decrease in the R170L activities was less than those of the other two mutant VT1s. Neither additive nor synergistic decreases of the activities were observed in the double mutant E167Q-R170L in which two amino acids were replaced. Ouchterlony double gel diffusion showed that antiserum against the purified E167Q-R170L gave a line of identity between mutant VT1s and VT1. Moreover, anti-E167Q-R170L antiserum showed similar activity to that of anti-VT1 antiserum in neutralizing the Vero cell cytotoxicity and mouse lethality of VT1. The data suggest that these mutant VT1s, especially E167Q and E167Q-R170L, may be candidate toxoids that protect against diseases caused by Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli.

Detection of serum cytokine levels in experimental cancer cachexia of colon 26 adenocarcinoma-bearing mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between tumor size and cachexia parameters including cytokine levels in serum. In transplantable colon 26 adenocarcinoma-bearing mice, parameters having negative correlations with tumor size were host weight changes, epididymal adipose tissue weight, glucose and interleukin 3 (IL-3) concentration in serum. Parameters having a positive correlation with tumor size were the number of circulating white blood cells and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) concentration in serum.

Induction by endogenous noradrenaline of an alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated positive inotropic effect in rabbit papillary muscles

1. The possible involvement of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the inotropic and electrophysiological responses to endogenous noradrenaline released by tyramine was examined in rabbit papillary muscles. 2. A concentration-dependent positive inotropic effect was produced by tyramine. This effect of tyramine was not observed in muscles from rabbits pretreated with reserpine. 3. The positive inotropic effect of tyramine was greatly inhibited by propranolol, but not altered by prazosin. However, when beta-adrenoceptors were blocked by pretreatment with propranolol, tyramine still produced a positive inotropic effect, an effect which was antagonized by prazosin. 4. Tyramine caused a decrease in action potential duration (APD) and an increase in action potential amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner. Isoprenaline also produced the same electrophysiological effects. These electrophysiological effects of both agents were inhibited by propranolol. 5. When beta-adrenoceptors were blocked by propranolol, the observed prazosin-sensitive positive inotropic effect of tyramine was not accompanied by any change in APD. In contrast, APD was markedly prolonged by alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation with phenylephrine in the presence of propranolol, in association with the positive inotropic effect. 6. It is concluded that in rabbit papillary muscles, endogenous noradrenaline causes a positive inotropic effect predominantly mediated by beta-adrenoceptors, but can still evoke a positive inotropic effect through alpha 1-adrenoceptors when beta-adrenoceptor stimulation is eliminated. This suggests that the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated positive intropic mechanism(s) may be masked by simultaneous activation of beta-adrenoceptors. In addition, this study indicates that APD prolongation is not involved in the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic responses to endogenous noradrenaline.

Hyperthermotherapy for postoperative local recurrences of rectal cancer

Between November 1984 and August 1992 we used hyperthermotherapy in six cases of local recurrence of rectal cancer. Hyperthermotherapy was performed on the average 8.7 times (range: 3-18) for each patient for 60 min each. All patients underwent combined radiotherapy and received a mean radiation dose of 42.5 Gy (range: 9-60 Gy). Five patients underwent heating within 1 h after irradiation and one patient simultaneously with the irradiation. Four patients underwent combined chemotherapy and two patients immunotherapy. Before the treatment all patients had painful lesions, but pain decreased posttherapeutically in five patients. Performance status improved in two patients. High carcinoembryonic antigen levels prior to the therapy in four patients decreased in all cases after treatment. Posttherapeutical computed tomograms revealed only minor response or no changes. After the treatment, four patients died of exacerbations of recurrent tumors and one patient of distant metastases. The patient who underwent simultaneous radiohyperthermotherapy is presently alive, in August 1992, 38 months after initiation of the treatment. The 50% survival time after initiation of the treatment was 25 months (range: 10-38 months). Hyperthermotherapy combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy was useful for the alleviation of pain in patients who developed local recurrence after surgery, and improved survival after recurrences can be expected.

[Serotypes of enteroadherent Escherichia coli exhibiting diffuse pattern of adherence isolated from diarrheal patients and healthy controls in Brazil, Myanmar and Japan]

We tried to detect enteroadherent Escherichia coli exhibiting a diffuse pattern of adherence to HeLa cells from stock strains derived from patients with or without diarrhea in Brazil, Myanmar and Japan (Osaka). Enteroadherent E. coli was found from 16 (23 strains) out of 126 (384 strains) in diarrheal infant cases (12.7%), 26 (29 strains) out of 126 (348 strains) in healthy control cases (20.6%) in Brazil, from 15 (18 strains) out of 221 (542 strains) in diarrheal infant cases (6.8%), 4 (4 strains) out of 87 (212 strains) in healthy control cases (4.6%) in Myanmar. In Japan (Osaka), enteroadherent E. coli was detected from 7 (7 strains) out of 123 (198 strains) in diarrheal cases (5.7%). These results show that enteroadherent E. coli (diffuse) may not be associated with diarrhea. Forty-four (62.9%) out of 70 strains belonged to 19 O serogroups or 21 O:H serotypes. All strains were H antigen serotypable, and 26 strains were found to be nonmotile. The predominant O:H serotypes were O11:H15, O11:H-, O20:H34, O21:H5, O89:H-, O99:H33 and O154:H45. Only one strain belonged to enteropathogenic E. coli serogroup O127.

Modulation of cisplatin sensitivity and accumulation by amphotericin B in cisplatin-resistant human lung cancer cell lines

To ascertain whether resistance to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) could be overcome, we determined the effects of amphotericin B (AmB), an antifungal agent, on cisplatin cytotoxicity, cisplatin-induced DNA interstrand cross-links formation, and cellular accumulation of cisplatin in human lung cancer cell lines, PC-9, PC-14, PC-7, and H69 and their corresponding respective cisplatin-resistant sublines PC-9/CDDP, PC-14/CDDP, PC-7/CDDP, and H69/CDDP in vitro. In PC-9/CDDP but not PC-9 cells, augmentation of cytotoxicity was observed when a nontoxic concentration (10 micrograms/ml) of AmB was combined with cisplatin, cis-diammine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato)platinum(II), and cis-diammine(glycolato)platinum(II). Sensitizing effects of AmB of varying magnitudes on cisplatin cytotoxicity also were observed in all the other cell lines except PC-14. AmB-induced increases in cisplatin-induced interstrand cross-links formation were observed, the magnitudes of which corresponded to the magnitudes of AmB-augmented cisplatin cytotoxicity. Increased intracellular cisplatin accumulation was observed in the presence of AmB in all the cells that were sensitized to cisplatin by AmB. Therefore, the increases in cisplatin accumulation were considered to be responsible, at least in part, for the mechanism of the sensitizing effect. Further experiments using other human lung cancer cell lines showed that cells that were more resistant to cisplatin were more sensitized to cisplatin by AmB than cells that were cisplatin-sensitive.