Significance of tubuloreticular structures forming in Daudi cells cultured with sera from mothers bearing infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus

It is known that infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) may be born to mothers whose sera are positive for the anti-Ro/SSA antibody. However, women who have this antibody do not always give birth to children with NLE. We have demonstrated tubuloreticular structures in vascular endothelial cells in the skin lesions of infants with NLE. Tubuloreticular structures could no longer be detected at the site of the lesions once the annular erythema had resolved, and the anti-Ro/SSA antibody test had become negative. The probability of a child being born with NLE was assessed by observing whether tubuloreticular structures were formed in Daudi cells cultured with sera from eight mothers who were anti-Ro/SSA antibody positive. Tubuloreticular structures formed in Daudi cells cultured with sera from four mothers who bore infants with NLE, but not in Daudi cells cultured with sera from four other mothers who bore normal infants. These results suggest that women who are positive for the anti-Ro/SSA antibody have a higher risk of bearing infants with NLE if tubuloreticular structures are formed in Daudi cells cultured with sera from these women, whereas this risk is lower if tubuloreticular structures do not develop in Daudi cells.

Decreased collagenase expression in cultured systemic sclerosis fibroblasts

One cause of the excessive deposition of collagen in systemic sclerosis is thought to be abnormal functioning of fibroblasts. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is decreased expression of collagenase in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts. In this study, we analyzed collagen and collagenase expression in dermal fibroblasts derived from eight patients with systemic sclerosis and compared the findings with those from nine sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. Increased collagen synthesis accompanying enhanced mRNA levels was observed in two of eight strains, whereas all eight strains showed remarkable decreases in collagenase activity and production. There were no differences in the levels of collagenase mRNA between the systemic sclerosis strains and the normal strains. Results suggest that decreased collagenase expression is a characteristic of systemic sclerosis fibroblasts, and both increased collagen expression and decreased collagenase expression in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts may result in the excessive accumulation of collagen in patients with systemic sclerosis. It is also suggested that decreased collagenase expression is altered at translational and/or post-translational levels.

Polyclonal human T-cell activation by silicate in vitro

Silica (SiO2) or related substances such as silicone ([-R2Si-O-]n), which is used in plastic surgery, or asbestos (e.g. chrysotile; 3MgO.2SiO2.H2O) have 'adjuvant effects'. In a study of scleroderma patients in Germany more than 78% had experienced exposure to silicate dust. T-cell receptor (TcR) V beta gene analysis on CD4- CD8- double-negative alpha beta T cells from scleroderma patients, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), showed that certain V beta genes, V beta 5, V beta 7 and V beta 17, were predominantly expressed in the cells. We found that certain V beta repertoires, V beta 5.3 and V beta 6.7, were predominantly expressed on fractionated T cells with a high Ca2+ level that had been stimulated by chrysotile in vitro. The intracellular Ca2+ level in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) increased after incubation with silica or chrysotile. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) release from PMBC also rose significantly with chrysotile stimulation, but no change was observed when major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DP/DR positive cells were depleted. Therefore, our results support the possibility that silicate acts as a superantigen.

Activation of fibroblast proliferation by Werner's syndrome fibroblast-conditioned medium

The effects of Werner's syndrome (WS) fibroblast-conditioned medium on cell proliferation and collagen production of normal fibroblasts were studied using four WS fibroblast strains. The conditioned medium from the WS fibroblasts brought about activation of normal fibroblast proliferation, whereas, that from late passage normal fibroblasts and fibroblasts from aged donors' skin did not. Collagen and non-collagenous protein synthesis in normal fibroblasts were increased by the addition of conditioned medium from the WS fibroblasts, but the relative rates of collagen synthesis and non-collagenous protein synthesis were unaltered. These results suggest that activation of fibroblast proliferation by conditioned medium is one of the characteristics of WS fibroblasts.

Decreased CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus can recover after separation from patient's sera

Decrease in CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has been reported. In this study, mononuclear cells were separated from peripheral blood of SLE patients, and the CD4+CD45RA+ cells were counted by flow cytometry just after separation and also 1 week after incubation in vitro. Furthermore, healthy lymphocytes were incubated with SLE patient's sera, and the Ca2+ level was measured to investigate the interaction of patient's sera with healthy lymphocytes. The CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes were found to be decreased in number on the first day just after separation of lymphocytes, but recovered to normal levels after 1 week culture without patient's sera. The intracellular Ca2+ level in normal lymphocytes increased 1 min after incubation with patient's sera, but not with healthy control sera. These results suggest that CD4+CD45RA+ cells are persistently activated in the peripheral blood of SLE patients, and that their sera contain some extrinsic factors which could activate the lymphocytes.

[Psychological test as a mass-screening system for depression]

A mass-screening system for depression is aimed at calculation of the prevalence rate, or at mental health checks in employees. But with the recent increased interest in mental health and QOL, depression has become an important issue at every stage of the life cycle. In this paper, we review psychological screening tests for child, adult and aged from the viewpoint of life cycle. Some tests, especially for children and the aged need further tests regarding reliability and validity. What is clarified and which approach in mental health is indicated by the screening test must be further examined. Further development of screening tests, appropriate to each life cycle, is needed.

Stimulatory release of lipoprotein lipase activity with activation of protein tyrosine kinase produced by low molecular weight dextran sulfate in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which is responsible for the hydrolysis of lipoprotein triacylglyceride, has been examined in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Low molecular weight dextran sulfate (DXS, M.W. 3.2 kDa) stimulates the release of the enzyme activity from the tumor cells into the incubation medium in a time-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect of DXS was markedly decreased by incubation with protein tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors, such as ST 638, biochanin A and amiloride. The activity of the partially purified TK preparation from the tumor cells was found to be increased following incubation with DXS in a manner which was both time- and dose-dependent. These results suggest that the stimulatory release of LPL activity by DXS is associated with the activation of TK in the tumor cells.

Stimulatory release of hepatic lipase activity from cultured rat hepatocytes by sodium orthovanadate: rapid increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate content

The release of hepatic triacylglyceride lipase [EC 3.1.1.3] has been examined in isolated hepatocytes in primary culture. The stimulatory release of activity from the hepatocytes into the medium by sodium orthovanadate (vanadate) was observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, insulin failed to have this stimulatory action. Moreover, vanadate rapidly increased the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content in hepatocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The treatment of hepatocytes with H-89, which is a potent cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, decreased the stimulatory release of hepatic lipase activity by vanadate. The vanadate-stimulated release of the enzyme activity was suppressed by uncouplers. In addition, the incorporation of [3H]leucine into protein was increased in the presence of vanadate. Under the marked inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide, vanadate still showed a full effect on the release of the enzyme activity. These results suggest that the vanadate-stimulated release of hepatic lipase activity from the cultured hepatocytes is associated with a rapid increase in intracellular cyclic AMP content, probably due to an activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase which requires a metabolic energy process rather than an elevation in enzyme molecule synthesis.

Spectral analysis of intraluminal pressure in the anastomosed ileal segment of the rat in vitro

Spectral analysis of the spontaneous intraluminal pressure of the isolated ileal segments in vitro was performed (1) before transection and soon after union (acute model) and (2) until 67 days after anastomosis (chronic model). A single peak was found in the spectral arrays of the acute model before transection. However, more than two peaks were clearly found in spectral arrays of both acutely or chronically anastomosed models. Motor activities of both oral and anal part of the anastomosis seem to be reflected in the spectral analysis of the intraluminal pressure of the isolated segments in vitro. More than two peaks in spectral arrays suggest that the synchronized and coordinated motor activity was not recovered, at least, until 67 days after anastomosis.

[Köbner phenomenon in lupus erythematosus]

In several cases of lupus erythematosus (SLE, SCLE, DLE), the Koebner phenomenon could be seen in the apparently normal skin of patients following traumas, scratching effects, operation scars, contact dermatitis, pressure from sock tops, application of liquid nitrogen, exposure to strong sun light, etc. The interval between exposure to such provocation factors and appearance of the isomorphic reactions varied from case to case. In SLE patients receiving systemic treatment with glucocorticosteroids, the Koebner phenomenon could not be found, while it was detected in patients with generalized DLE who had never received any systemic glucocorticoid hormones. It was not seen in patients with localized DLE. There was no direct relationship between the appearance of humoral autoantibodies and onset of the Koebner phenomenon. With regard to the histopathogenesis of the Koebner phenomenon, it is thought that disturbances of the local cellular repair processes and of the cytokine network, with expression of adhesion molecules, might be involved. The Koebner phenomenon may be a valuable model for the investigation of lupus erythematosus.

Small round and spindle cell sarcoma with neuronal differentiation and oncocyte-like features of the thoracic wall: a case report with histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations

A case of small round and spindle cell sarcoma with neuronal differentiation and oncocyte-like features is presented. The tumor was encountered in a 32 year old Japanese woman with an initial presentation of palpable tumor in the left lateral region of the thorax. The resected tumor was a partially well encapsulated whitish medullary one and consisted of small round and spindle tumor cells, together with so-called rhabdoid cells in the small round cell area. Although pseudorosettes were often observed, true rosette formation could not be detected anywhere. Ultrastructurally, despite a histologic variety of tumor cells, most tumor cells possessed numerous mitochondria, some of which occasionally contained abnormal filamentous or crystalloid structures. Various amounts of microfilaments were present in most tumor cells and microtubules were present in a few. A minority of small round cells possessed a small number of neurosecretory granules, especially in short cytoplasmic processes. A positive immunoreaction for neuron specific enolase was found by immunohistochemical examination in several small round tumor cells and for neurofilaments in lesser numbers. Despite the lack of S-100 protein, MB2 was detected in both small round and spindle cells. On the basis of these findings, the tumor of the present case corresponds to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with neuronal differentiation and oncocytic features.

Decreased type VI collagen gene expression in cultured Werner's syndrome fibroblasts

Gene expression of collagens VI, I, and III in Werner's syndrome was studied by measuring messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein production levels in four fibroblast strains from patients with Werner's syndrome and comparing them with age-matched healthy subjects. Levels of type VI collagen mRNA were decreased in all Werner's syndrome fibroblast strains and the decreases were in parallel in all three chains (alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3) of type VI collagen. A coordinate increase of the alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III) collagen mRNA levels was observed in three of the four Werner's syndrome fibroblast strains. However, no qualitative abnormality of these mRNA transcripts in Werner's syndrome fibroblasts were found by Northern blot analysis. Changes in type VI and type I collagen mRNA correlated well with production levels of corresponding proteins, as determined by immunologic assays. These data suggest that there are changes in expression of multiple connective tissue constituents in Werner's syndrome fibroblasts.

Stimulatory release of hepatic lipase activity from liver by epidermal growth factor

We have found that release of hepatic lipase activity is stimulated from liver slices by epidermal growth factor (EGF) into the medium in a time-dependent manner. This novel effect of EGF was markedly decreased by various tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as alpha-cyano-3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-phenyl-thiomethyl cinnamamide, amiloride and biochanin A. The stimulation by EGF was also suppressed, however, by dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, a cyclic nucleotide dependent phosphodiesterase inhibitor. These findings show that the stimulatory release of the enzyme activity by EGF is associated with the activation of tyrosine kinase activity and with the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate level.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on connective tissue metabolism in normal and scleroderma fibroblast cultures

Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) selectively decreases production of collagens I and III, the major types of collagen in the dermis, and increases production of collagenase in cultured dermal fibroblasts. The effects of TNF-alpha on collagens I, III and VI, fibronectin and collagenase gene expression by fibroblasts derived from normal individuals and patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were studied. SSc is characterized by excessive accumulation of collagen in the skin and in certain organs. TNF-alpha inhibited collagen production and mRNA levels of collagens I and III and of fibronectin, and stimulated collagenase activity and collagenase mRNA levels in SSs fibroblasts. Levels of mRNA for alpha 1 (VI) and alpha 3 (VI) collagen and for beta-actin were unaltered in SSc fibroblasts incubated with TNF-alpha. Similar results were observed for mRNA levels in normal fibroblasts incubated with TNF-alpha. These results suggest that TNF-alpha could be expected to be beneficial in the treatment of SSc. In addition, our results indicated that collagen-VI expression is regulated independently from expression of collagens I and III, and expression of fibronectin and collagens I and III are regulated in parallel in fibroblasts treated with TNF-alpha.

Increase in lipoprotein lipase activity in isolated rat adipose tissue by selenate

Sodium selenate (selenate), as well as insulin, increased the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in isolated rat fat pads in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The increase effect of selenate was not additive to that of insulin. The action of selenate and insulin was decreased by amiloride and disappeared when Ca2+ was omitted from the incubation medium. Loading of a chelator of intracellular Ca2+ to the fat pads also greatly inhibited the action of selenate. The maximal increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) content was observed with a 30-s incubation of the fat pads with selenate. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, tunicamycin, and monensin all inhibited the increase effect of selenate on the LPL activity to various extents. These results suggest that selenate increases the LPL activity via amiloride- and monensin-sensitive processes, involving the Ca2+ mobilization linked to a rapid increase in the IP3 content in fat pads.

Stimulatory effect of vanadate on 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-inhibited low Michaelis-Menten constant 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in isolated rat fat pads

When isolated rat fat pads were incubated with vanadate, the low Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in the microsomal fraction was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner with vanadate. 3',5'-Cyclic GMP inhibited the vanadate-stimulated PDE activity with similar profile to the insulin-stimulated one. The stimulatory effect of vanadate was inhibited by inhibitors of tyrosine kinases such as amiloride, biochanin A, and genistein to various extents. Vanadate and insulin both showed the full effect in the absence of either K+, N+, or Ca2+ in the medium, while preincubation of the fat pads with a chelator of intracellular Ca2+ inhibited the vanadate action in a dose-dependent manner. The insulin action was not inhibited by it at tested concentrations. These results suggest that the vanadate action, in contrast to the insulin one, is dependent on the intracellular level of Ca2+. Preincubation of the fat pads with inhibitors of protein kinase C such as 1-(5-isoquinoline sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and staurosporine inhibited, in part, the vanadate action but did not inhibit the insulin one. Furthermore, vanadate increased the protein kinase C activity in fat pads but insulin did not increase. H-7 and amiloride showed a significant inhibition of stimulation of protein kinase C activity by vanadate. These results suggest that vanadate stimulates, in part, the 3',5'-cyclic GMP-inhibited low Km cAMP PDE activity in the microsomal fraction of fat pads through the activation of tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C-mediated processes.

Analysis of collagen gene expression by cultured fibroblasts in morphoea

Collagen gene expression was studied in dermal fibroblasts derived from the inflammatory and sclerotic skin lesions of patients with localized or generalized morphoea. The levels of mRNA for type I collagen in early-passage fibroblasts derived from inflammatory lesions were higher than those obtained from the uninvolved skin, whereas those fibroblasts obtained from sclerotic lesions were unaltered. No alteration in type I collagen mRNA levels was observed in late-passage fibroblasts derived from the inflammatory lesions. The relative rate of collagen to total protein synthesis in early-passage fibroblasts derived from inflammatory lesions was higher than that of fibroblasts from uninvolved skin, while no alteration or a slight decrease was observed in fibroblasts from the sclerotic lesions. The data suggest that the inflammatory reactions induce increased collagen synthesis by fibroblasts in the skin in scleroderma.

Inhibition of increasing effect of vanadate on glycogen content and lipoprotein lipase activity in fat pads by 5-N,N-hexamethylene amiloride

Sodium orthovanadate (vanadate) increased the glycogen content in isolated rat fat pads in a dose-dependent manner up to 2 mM. Biochanin A, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, inhibited the increasing effect of vanadate or insulin on both glycogen content and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in fat pads. The increasing effect of vanadate on glycogen content was not decreased by the replacement of Na+ with choline ion in the incubation medium. 5-N,N-Hexamethylene amiloride, a potent inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchange system, showed a 50%-inhibition of the vanadate-increased LPL activity and glycogen content at 25 and 80 microM, respectively, suggesting that mechanisms of the inhibition differ in part between the vanadate actions. Furthermore, a similar inhibitory profile of the vanadate-increased glycogen content was observed with incubation in the presence of absence of Na+ in the medium. These results suggest that the activation of the Na+/H+ exchange system by vanadate is not involved in an increase in the glycogen content in fat pads.

Anticoagulant action of vanadate

Sodium orthovanadate (vanadate) prolonged the clotting time of normal human plasma in a dose-dependent manner. The prolongation of clotting time by vanadate linearly decreased with an increase in the concentration of amiloride. Vanadate also was completely additive to prolongation by heparin. When factor Xa or thrombin was incubated with vanadate, the amidolytic activity of each decreased in a dose-dependent manner with vanadate. Amiloride protected the decrease of amidolytic activity of both factor Xa and thrombin by vanadate. The amidolytic activity of trypsin also was inhibited by vanadate, but that of alpha-chymotrypsin was not inhibited, suggesting that vanadate preferentially inhibits the amidolytic activity of trypsin and trypsin-like enzymes. These results show that vanadate prolongs the clotting time of plasma through mechanisms involving in part the inhibition of the activity of both factor Xa and thrombin.