Cloning and sequence analysis of the rat tumor necrosis factor-encoding genes

We have isolated an approximately 22-kb TNF locus (encoding tumor necrosis factor) from a rat genomic library and sequenced the 7105-bp fragment that comprises the TNF-alpha and TNF-beta genes, including their flanking sequences. The two genes are tandemly arranged with TNF-beta 5' to TNF-alpha and separated by approximately 1.1 kb of intergenic space, and each gene consists of four exons and three introns, similar to those of the other species examined thus far. Comparison analysis showed that the rat TNF have high sequence homology with the mouse TNF (TNF-alpha, 86.5%; TNF-beta, 89.3%) and relatively low homology with the human, rabbit, and porcine TNF. The upstream sequence of rat TNF-alpha contains a number of sequence motifs implicated in the expression and regulation of eukaryotic genes, including binding sites for the transcription factors Sp-1, Ap-2, IFN.1 and NF-kappa B. The possible significance of potential regulatory sequence elements found in the rat TNF-alpha in the context of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms is discussed.

Role of protein kinase C activity in tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression. Involvement at the transcriptional level

Primary rat astrocytes express TNF-alpha protein in response to various stimuli including a combined treatment with IFN-gamma and LPS, or IFN-gamma and IL-1 beta. This study was undertaken to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying TNF-alpha gene expression in the astrocyte, and to determine the intracellular signaling pathways involved in IFN-gamma/LPS and/or IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta induction of the TNF-alpha gene. We demonstrate that TNF-alpha mRNA is rapidly induced, and mRNA levels peak after 2 h of stimulation. De novo protein synthesis is not required for TNF-alpha expression because the inclusion of cycloheximide does not prevent expression of the gene and acts to superinduce TNF-alpha mRNA levels. IFN-gamma/LPS induces transcriptional activation of the TNF-alpha gene as assessed by nuclear run-on experiments. Cycloheximide acts to increase both transcription of the TNF-alpha gene and stability of TNF-alpha mRNA thereby resulting in increased TNF-alpha steady state mRNA levels. Two protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, H7 and staurosporine, abrogate IFN-gamma/LPS- and IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta-induced TNF-alpha expression in a dose-dependent manner. PKC activity is required for transcription of the TNF-alpha gene, and does not appear to be involved in TNF-alpha mRNA stabilization. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TNF-alpha gene expression in primary rat astrocytes is induced in a PKC-dependent manner.

Role of protein kinase C activity in tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression. Involvement at the transcriptional level

Primary rat astrocytes express TNF-alpha protein in response to various stimuli including a combined treatment with IFN-gamma and LPS, or IFN-gamma and IL-1 beta. This study was undertaken to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying TNF-alpha gene expression in the astrocyte, and to determine the intracellular signaling pathways involved in IFN-gamma/LPS and/or IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta induction of the TNF-alpha gene. We demonstrate that TNF-alpha mRNA is rapidly induced, and mRNA levels peak after 2 h of stimulation. De novo protein synthesis is not required for TNF-alpha expression because the inclusion of cycloheximide does not prevent expression of the gene and acts to superinduce TNF-alpha mRNA levels. IFN-gamma/LPS induces transcriptional activation of the TNF-alpha gene as assessed by nuclear run-on experiments. Cycloheximide acts to increase both transcription of the TNF-alpha gene and stability of TNF-alpha mRNA thereby resulting in increased TNF-alpha steady state mRNA levels. Two protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, H7 and staurosporine, abrogate IFN-gamma/LPS- and IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta-induced TNF-alpha expression in a dose-dependent manner. PKC activity is required for transcription of the TNF-alpha gene, and does not appear to be involved in TNF-alpha mRNA stabilization. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TNF-alpha gene expression in primary rat astrocytes is induced in a PKC-dependent manner.

Expression of neurotrophins and the low-affinity NGF receptor in septal and hippocampal reaggregate cultures: local physiologic effects of NGF synthesized in the septal region

Nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are members of a family of trophic factors designated the neurotrophins, each of which can bind to the low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR). To investigate the mechanisms that regulate the expression of the neurotrophins and the LNGFR in the developing brain, we grew cells from the embryonic mouse septum and hippocampus in reaggregating cell culture and compared neurotrophin and LNGFR expression in developing reaggregates with that seen in the developing septum and hippocampus in situ. NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and LNGFR were each expressed in septal and hippocampal reaggregates as well as the native septum and hippocampus. Additionally, the temporal expression profiles observed in reaggregates were generally similar to those seen in the respective brain regions in situ. In order to determine whether NGF can modulate neurotrophin or LNGFR expression, reaggregates were cultured in the continual presence of either exogenous NGF or anti-NGF antibodies. NGF-treated septal cultures expressed twice the level of LNGFR mRNA as was seen in untreated septal cultures; on the other hand, septal cultures grown in the presence of anti-NGF antibodies, to neutralize endogenously synthesized NGF, displayed a 3-fold decrease in LNGFR mRNA expression compared to untreated cultures. No effects of NGF or anti-NGF were observed on LNGFR expression in hippocampal reaggregates, or on neurotrophin mRNA expression in either reaggregate type. These results suggest that regulatory mechanisms intrinsic to the septal and hippocampal regions control neurotrophin and LNGFR expression. NGF is likely to be one of these regulatory cues since it acts locally in septal reaggregates to control the developmental expression of LNGFR mRNA. The possible roles of locally synthesized NGF and other neurotrophins in the development of septal neurons are discussed.

Effect of combined substance use on laboratory markers of alcoholism

This article examines the commonly used laboratory indicators of heavy alcohol use (elevated MCV, GGTP and AST values) in subgroups of drug-using and non-drug-using alcoholic men admitted to an inpatient alcoholism treatment program. A total of 380 consecutive admissions meeting DSM-III diagnostic criteria for alcohol use or dependence were studied. Of these subjects, 75% used both alcohol and drugs. The most frequently used drugs were marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and tranquilizers. Overall, subjects who used drugs with alcohol had significantly lower MCV and GGTP values than subjects who used alcohol alone. More specifically, cocaine use was associated with lower MCV values, marijuana use with lower AST values and heroin use with higher AST and GGTP values. These differences between drug-using and non-drug-using alcoholics were significant even after controlling for variables that affect the laboratory values such as age, quantity, frequency and duration of alcohol consumption. These findings indicate that any study of laboratory markers of alcoholism needs to consider concomitant illicit drug use patterns.

Aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses--diagnostic significance of the computed tomography

Aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses appears to be relatively rare in occurrence, but there is a growing incidence of it in accordance with the increasing use of antibiotics, steroid hormones, anticancer drugs, and radiation therapy. We have seen 15 cases of aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses in which computed tomography (CT) was helpful for diagnosis. The characteristic feature of CT findings was the intermixture of high and low density areas in the affected paranasal sinuses, apparently caused by increased X-ray absorption due to calcification. These findings indicate that CT is useful in the preoperative diagnosis of aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses.