Increased frequency of 6-thioguanine-resistant peripheral blood lymphocytes in Werner syndrome patients

The frequency of spontaneous 6-thioguanine (TG)-resistant peripheral blood lymphocytes in five unrelated Werner syndrome (WS) patients was determined using an autoradiographic labeling assay. The average frequency of TG-resistant lymphocytes was eightfold higher in WS patients than in sex- and age-matched normal control donors. This finding and previous identification of increased spontaneous chromosomal rearrangements and deletions in WS cells or cell lines suggest that WS is a human genomic instability or mutator syndrome.

[The significance of moment analysis of spirogram]

In order to assess the significance of moment analysis of transit times on spirograms, we investigated the characteristics of this analysis and the distribution of mechanical time constants of the lung derived from this method. Assuming the log-normal distribution of time constants, mu is the mean and sigma is the standard deviation of the natural logarithms of the time constants. The normal value for mu was -0.64 +/- 0.41 and for sigma was 1.54 +/- 0.42 (mean +/- 1 S.D.) in 94 normal males. The smoking habits enhanced the response of sigma on age-effect, but did not enhance the response of V25/HT. Compared with the normal group, excessive sigma was observed in the patients with bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema and interstitial lung disease. Mu was especially greater in the patients with the former two diseases. In bronchial asthma, mu decreased and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1.0) increased after inhalation of salbutamol, but these did not always correlate. Mu correlated with some clinical conditions. Moment analysis was available on the volume-time profile of quiet breathing with good reproducibility. The first moment (alpha 1) and standardized first moment (alpha 1') showed an increase in bronchial asthma and pulmonary emphysema, and decreased with treatment in bronchial asthma. It was concluded that the moment analysis of transit times on spirogram is useful as an index of time-course aspects of expiration.

[An attempt at clinical applications of adhesive protein from the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis L]

Polyphenolic or adhesive protein (PPP, Mr = 125,000) from the marine mussel Mytilus edulis consists largely of tandemly repeated decapeptide sequence, ala-lys-pro/hyp-ser-tyr/dopa-hyp-hyp-thr-dopa-lys. Because of our interest in better understanding of the mechanism of under water adhesion by this protein, we have attempted to ascertain the adhesiveness of PPP to a cultured chondrocyte. About 90% of the chondrocyte were rapidly attached to the dish coated by PPP within 60 minutes. A protein with 216 amino acids and molecular weight of 24,000 has 20 repeats of decapeptide sequence (20 mer), which designed as a synthetic analogue of proto-PPP. Nearly 44% of tyrosyl group in the 20 mer were converted to dopa which is thought to play an essential role in the adhesive and cohesive properties of the protein by mushroom tyrosinase. The dopa conversion ratios of tyr-5 (-ser-tyr-pro-) and tyr-9 (-thr-tyr-lys) in the decapeptide sequence of the 20 mer were very similar to those of PPP. These findings may contribute to design a new type of adhesives for living tissues.

[Cisplatin combination chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer in the aged]

Eleven aged patients over 65 years of age with advanced lung cancer (mean age = 70.8 +/- 1.4, non-small cell:small cell = 9:2, stage III:IV = 5:6) were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin (50 or 80 mg/m2) and vincaloids (vindesine 3 mg/m2 or etoposide 80 mg/m2). To evaluate this cisplatin combination therapy, the aged group was compared with a young group consisting of eleven patients (mean age = 53.3 +/- 1.7, non-small cell:small cell = 9:2, stage III:IV = 5:6) matched for cell type, stage and dose regimen. The mean dose of cisplatin was 58.2 mg/m2 in the aged and 63.6 mg/m2 in the younger group. A notable reduction in tumor size was observed in 9.1% of the aged and 27.3% of the young, while one-year survival rate was 63.6% in the aged and 72.7% in the young. The common side effects were nausea and vomiting, while diarrhea was seen in 18.2% of the aged. Neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were found in both groups and the time course of myelosuppression in the aged (18.2 +/- 0.8 days) was significantly shorter than that in the younger patients (22.0 +/- 1.4 days, p less than 0.05). With regard to nephrotoxicity, creatinine clearance rate in the aged decreased remarkably from 56.9 to 38.9 ml/min, while there was no significant change in BUN, serum creatinine and urine NAG between the aged and the young. Disorders of electrolytes such as hypokalemia and hyponatremia were seen in 45.5% of the aged. We conclude that advanced lung cancer in the aged was effectively treated with cisplatin combination therapy with tolerable nephrotoxicity and myelosuppression.

Natural killer cell activity and recycling capacity of natural killer cells in patients with carcinoma of the prostate

Natural killer (NK) cell activity and recycling capacity of NK cells in patients with carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) was determined by combining the 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay and single cell cytotoxicity assay in agarose. The NK cell activity in patients with advanced CaP (stage D) was significantly lower than the NK cell activity of normal controls and that of patients with localized CaP (stage B and C). The number of active NK cells in the peripheral blood lymphocytes was similar in all groups tested including normal controls, patients with localized CaP, and patients with advanced CaP. Maximal killing potential (Vmax) and maximal recycling capacity (MRC) were significantly reduced in patients with advanced CaP as compared to patients with localized CaP or normal controls. Obtained results indicated that the depressed NK cell activity in advanced CaP was not due to a reduced number of active NK cells but due to the decreased recycling capacity of the individual NK cells.

Mussel glue protein has an open conformation

Both native glue protein from marine mussels and a synthetic nonhydroxylated analog were analyzed by far-uv CD under a variety of conditions. Analysis of the CD spectra using various models strongly suggest a primarily random coil structure for both forms of the protein, a fact also supported by the absence of spectral change for the glue protein upon dilution into 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. The nonhydroxylated analog, which consists of 20 repeats of the peptide sequence Ala-Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Thr-Tyr-Lys, was further characterized by enzyme modification using mushroom tyrosinase. Enzymatic hydroxylation of tyrosines was found to be best fit by a model containing two rate constants, 5.6 (+/- 0.6) X 10(-3) and 7.2 (+/- 0.3) X 10(-2) min-1. At equilibrium, HPLC analysis of digests showed nearly 100% conversion of Tyr-9 and only 15 to 35% conversion of Tyr-5. The Chou and Fasman rules for predicting structure were applied to the repeat sequence listed above. The rules predict the absence of alpha helix and beta pleated sheets in the structure of this peptide. On the other hand, beta turns are predicted to be present with Tyr-5 being in the region of highest probability. These data suggest that the protein in solution has only a small amount of secondary structure.

Immunologic study of human recombinant interleukin-2 (low-dose) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma

Immunologic and antitumor effects of human recombinant interleukin-2 was studied in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Intravenous drip infusion for inpatients or subsequent subcutaneous injection for outpatients at a daily dose of 1 x 10(6) units of interleukin-2 was given over a period varying from twenty-one to two hundred forty days to 13 patients. Natural killer cell activity increased 20 percent or more in 11 of the 13 patients, and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity increased 40 percent or more in 9 of the patients tested. Interleukin-2-receptor positive cells and HLA-DR positive cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes increased in 12 and 11 patients, respectively. Two patients achieved complete response; 1 had a partial response; 6 had no change; and 2 had progressive disease. Two patients were not evaluated because the therapy had been discontinued in less than four weeks. We conclude that low-dose interleukin-2 enhances patients' immunity and has a potential antitumor activity against renal cell carcinoma.

Degradation of 125I-glucagon, -pancreatic polypeptide and -insulin by acid saline extract of rat submaxillary gland and their protection by proteinase inhibitors

The acid saline extract (ASE) of rat submaxillary gland exerts a powerful degrading effect on 125I-glucagon. In order to study the degradation of other 125I-peptides by ASE and the effects of their inhibitors, 125I-pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and 125I-insulin were used together with 125I-glucagon. The degradation studies were done by the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) method or gel filtration. Besides 125I-glucagon, 125I-PP was found to be destroyed by ASE in the ordinary immunoassay system using the TCA method, but 125I-insulin was intact in the presence of ASE. Leupeptin, and to a lesser extent p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonic acid (PCMS) and N-ethylmaleimide, inhibited the destruction of 125I-glucagon or -PP under the TCA method. PCMS was especially protective at high concentrations, for example 16 mM. These findings were confirmed by gel filtration of the assay mixture. In the presence of leupeptin (0.4 mM) and PCMS (16 mM), no shift in the peak of labelled glucagon or PP occurred. Thus ASE degrades not only 125I-glucagon but -PP, and thiol proteinase inhibitors have a strong inhibitory action on them.

[Anti-tumor effects of interleukin 2 against genitourinary cancer--basic study and clinical application]

In order to establish an optimum mode for systemic administration of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2), the effects of rIL-2 (Biogen, Switzerland) on lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against established renal carcinoma cell line Caki 1. KU-2 and freshly prepared renal carcinoma cells were studied. Augmentation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity by rIL-2 was dose- and time-dependent. The results indicated that the optimal dose of rIL-2 was 100 to 500 units (Jurkat units)/ml, and that cytotoxicity increased significantly even at a low concentration such as 4 units/ml. We thus chose daily administration of multiple repeated dose for inpatients. To prevent withdrawal from the therapy as a result of un-tolerable adverse effects, the daily dose was set at 1 x 10(6) units, and rIL-2 was given to 17 patients with advanced genitourinary cancer. Two-hour intravenous drip infusions containing 5 x 10(5) units of rIL-2 was given daily two times to inpatients and after at least 28 days of this mode of administration, subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1 x 10(6) units was given 6 days a week to outpatients. In 12 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 2 patients showed complete response; 1 patient partial response; 7 patients no change, and 2 patients progressive disease. In patients with carcinoma of the prostate or bladder carcinoma, all patients were no change from criteria of Japan Society for Cancer Therapy, however, marked decrease in serum acid-phosphatase and improvement of performance status in 1 patient with carcinoma of the prostate, and massive necrosis of tumor accompanied by disappearance of severe leg edema in a patient with bladder carcinoma were observed.

Prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the foot of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis L.: purification and characterization

The mussel foot secretes a variety of unusual hydroxyproline-containing collagenous and noncollagenous proteins. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase acting on one or more of the secreted proteins was isolated from the foot by using conventional gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Mr of the intact enzyme was 230,000 (alpha 2 beta 2) composed of two subunits with Mr of 60,000 (alpha) and 57,000 (beta) as estimated by HPLC gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. The enzyme utilized (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 as a substrate with an apparent Km value of 0.17 mM. Cofactors and inhibitors were very similar to animal, plant, and microbial prolyl hydroxylases previously described. The enzyme had a relatively sharp pH optimum in the range of 7.8-8.3 and the hydroxyproline formed increased in proportion to the rise in the temperature between 5 and 20 degrees C. No detectable hydroxylation occurred with poly-L-proline or the unhydroxylated decapeptide analog (Ala-Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Thr-Tyr-Lys) of the polyphenolic protein. Kinetic studies, however, revealed that the mussel prolyl 4-hydroxylase was competitively inhibited by poly-L-proline and uncompetitively inhibited by the decapeptide. These results suggest that the decapeptide binds the enzyme-substrate i.e. (Pro-Pro-Gly)10 complex. It is not yet clear whether this enzyme acts exclusively on collagenous substrates or whether its catalytic purview extends as well to the polyphenolic protein.

Augmentation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity against renal carcinoma cells by recombinant interleukin 2

The effects of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) on natural killer (NK) cell activity against established renal carcinoma cell lines CaKi 1, KU-2, and freshly prepared renal carcinoma cells were studied. Augmentation of NK cell activity by IL-2 was dose- and time-dependent. The results indicate that the optimal dose of IL-2 was 100 to 500 U/mL, and that cytotoxicity increased significantly even at a low concentration such as 4 U/mL. IL-2 induced significantly higher levels of cytotoxicity against renal carcinoma cells than did gamma-interferon. The influence of IL-2 on lymphocyte subpopulations was then examined using flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, Leu 7, and Leu 11. The results showed that IL-2 increased the number of cells positive to Leu 11, the so-called active NK cells. We concluded that IL-2 has an important role in the treatment of renal carcinoma.

[Comparative study of the activating effects of recombinant human interleukin 2 and interferon-gamma on cell-mediated cytotoxicity against renal cell carcinoma in vitro]

The effects of recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against established human renal carcinoma cell lines KU-2 and Caki 1, and freshly prepared human renal carcinoma cells were compared in vitro. After incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal adult volunteers with IL-2 and IFN-gamma over a range of concentrations, cytotoxicity was determined by 4-h 51Cr-release assay. Augmentation of cytotoxicity by IL-2 and IFN-gamma was dose-and time-dependent. IL-2 induced significantly greater cytotoxicity against renal carcinoma cells than did IFN-gamma. The optimal dose of IL-2 was 100 to 500 units/ml, and cytotoxicity was increased even at concentrations as low as 4 units/ml. The results indicated that the systemic administration of IL-2 to patients will be effective for treatment of renal cell carcinoma which is resistant to interferon therapy. A continuous infusion or multiple repeated bolus doses over a period of one day, however, should be considered in order to maintain high levels of IL-2 in the serum.

C-peptide immunoreactivity and insulin content in the diabetic human pancreas and the relation to the stability of diabetic serum glucose level

The content of insulin and C-peptide-like immunoreactivity (CPR) were determined in the tail of pancreas from 35 autopsied diabetic and 21 non-diabetic subjects. In the 28 diabetics who had been followed for more than 6 months, the relation between the amount of insulin or CPR in the pancreas and the stability of fasting serum glucose during diabetic life before death was analyzed together with the relation between the serum CPR response to the breakfast tolerance test before death and insulin content at autopsy. As an index of the instability of the blood sugar level, the standard deviation of the mean of 15 successive determinations of fasting serum glucose was used. Both insulin and CPR content in the pancreas were significantly decreased in diabetics as compared with non-diabetics. SD of the mean fasting serum glucose and insulin or CPR content in the tail of pancreas showed a significant inverse correlation on a logarithmic scale (P less than 0.01, r = -0.704 and P less than 0.01, gamma = -0.757, respectively). Serum CPR value during the breakfast tolerance test correlated significantly with the insulin content in the pancreas of diabetic subjects. These findings suggest that one of the causes of the instability of fasting serum glucose levels is the devastation of pancreatic beta-cells and that the pancreatic insulin content is logarithmically and inversely related to fluctuations in fasting serum glucose.

Optimization of hydroxylation of tyrosine and tyrosine-containing peptides by mushroom tyrosinase

Free tyrosine and tyrosine residues in various peptides and proteins are converted into dopa and dopa residues by tyrosinase (monophenol,L-dopa:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.18.1) in the presence of reductants. The efficiency of the tyrosine-to-dopa conversion was examined under varied conditions, such as the substrate-to-tyrosine ratio, concentrations of reductant and oxygen in the reaction solution, pH, temperature and reaction time. The highest dopa yields were achieved with the following optimal conditions for hydroxylation: 0.1 M phosphate buffer at pH 7, 25 mM ascorbic acid, 1 mM tyrosine, 50 micrograms/ml tyrosinase and 20 degrees C. Using these conditions, up to 70% of free tyrosine was converted into dopa, and tyrosine residues in several synthetic peptides were also hydroxylated to dopa residues at ratios as high as free tyrosine. The preparation of hydroxylated analogues of the decapeptide (Ala-Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Pro-Thr-Tyr-Lys), in particular, may contribute to a better understanding of adhesion in the dopa-containing mussel glue protein.

[Sequential combination therapy with alpha interferon and OK-432 (streptococcal preparation) against advanced renal cell carcinoma]

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most insensitive urologic tumors to either radiotherapy or anticancer chemotherapy. Recently, effectiveness of interferon (IFN) against RCC has been reported. However, because this effect is somewhat limited, a new modality of treatment is needed. We herein report our experience with IFN and OK-432, a streptococcal preparation for patients with advanced RCC. Twenty patients aged from 26 years to 75 years, with an average age of 52.3 years, were entered into this study. Intramuscular injection of human lymphoblastoid interferon (HLBI) at a dose of 3 X 10(6) units was given daily for between 4 and 76 weeks. Treatment with OK-432 then followed HLBI, unless the patient achieved CR or the status of the patient seriously deteriorated during the initial treatment with HLBI. OK-432 was given to 12 patients at a dose of 5KE (Klinische Einheit) 2 days a week for between 10 and 64 weeks. Effectiveness of HLBI therapy was 20% (CR 1 case, MR 3 cases, NC 11 cases, PD 5 cases). With adjuvant OK-432 therapy for patients whose disease proved to be resistant to HLBI, effectiveness was 25% (CR 1 case, MR 2 cases, NC 6 cases, PD 3 cases). The results obtained indicated that OK-432 following IFN is a potentially active antitumor regimen in patients with advanced RCC.

Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin content of the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse pancreas and plasma virus antibodies to Coxsackie B- and reoviruses

The amounts of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin in the pancreas of NOD mice were determined and the results were compared with those of normal ICR-strain mice, and plasma antibodies to Coxsackie B-3 and reovirus types 1, 2 and 3 were measured. In the pancreas of NOD mice with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) less than 140 mg/100 ml, the insulin content of the male mice was similar to that of the normal controls, ranging to 3.55 +/- 0.31 U/g wet weight of pancreas, but it was already significantly decreased to 0.85 +/- 0.52 U/g in the female mice. In the NOD mice with FPG more than 201 mg/100 ml, it was 0.002 +/- 0.001 U/g. The glucagon content of the pancreas was 7.76 +/- 0.89 micrograms/g in the normal controls and it was decreased slightly in the NOD mice, but the values among the NOD mice were not significantly different. Pancreas somatostatin showed a tendency to be higher in the NOD mice with FPG more than 201 mg/100 ml. Histologically cell infiltration into the pancreatic islets was conspicuous in the hyperglycemic NOD mice, but it was found even in the normoglycemic NOD. Plasma antibodies to Coxsackie B-3 Virus and reovirus types 1, 2 and 3 were not detected at any stage of FPG.

Human lymphoblastoid interferon therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Antitumor activity of human lymphoblastoid interferon (HLBI) in advanced renal cell carcinoma was studied. Intramuscular injection at a dose of 3 X 10(6) IU was given daily to 18 patients, including 14 patients who had undergone nephrectomy and 4 patients who had not undergone the procedure. One patient (5.6%) showed complete remission; 2 patients (11.1%) minor remission, 8 patients (44.4%) stable disease, and 7 patients (38.9%) progression. Three responders were the patients who had had nephrectomy, and whose metastatic sites were lung. Tumor responses were observed in patients with renal cell carcinoma of clear cell type or mixed type of clear cells and granular cells. We concluded that interferon has a potential antitumor activity in selected patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Plasma responses and pancreatic content of pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon and insulin in alloxan diabetic and normal dogs and their immunohistological studies

Responses of plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP), glucagon (IRG) and insulin (IRI) after administration of beef soup were studied in normal and alloxan diabetic dogs and their regional content in the pancreas was determined in normal and four or twelve weeks alloxan diabetic dogs. Plasma PP levels of the diabetic dogs were significantly higher than those of the normal dogs and they increased after beef soup administration in both groups. Higher levels of IRG were also found in the diabetic dogs, although IRG increased significantly after beef soup ingestion only in normal dogs. The amounts of PP in the pancreas of normal and diabetic dogs were greatest at the uncinate process, followed in order by the head, body and tail. The IRG content in the pancreas was highest at the tail and lowest at the uncinate process in both dogs. The differences in both PP and IRG in pancreas between normal and diabetic dogs kept in a poor metabolic state for one or three months were not significant in any region of the pancreas. Immunocytochemical studies also suggested these findings. These results show that, irrespective of high plasma levels of PP and IRG in the diabetic dogs, their levels in the pancreas did not change significantly as also indicated by histological studies.

Plasma responses of pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon and insulin in normal and alloxan diabetic dogs, and their regional levels in the pancreas

The plasma responses of pancreatic polypeptide (PP), glucagon (IRG) and insulin (IRI) after administration of beef soup were studied in normal and alloxan diabetic dogs kept in a poor metabolic state for 4 weeks, and their regional levels in the pancreas were determined and compared at the uncinate process, head, body and tail. The plasma PP levels of the diabetic dogs were significantly higher than those of the normal dogs and they increased after beef soup administration in both groups. The plasma IRG levels did not change significantly after beef soup administration in either group, but significantly high levels were found in the diabetic dogs. The IRI content in the normal dog pancreas was highest at the tail, followed in order by the body, head and uncinate process, and was decreased to about one-tenth to one-fortieth in the alloxan diabetic dogs. On the other hand, the amounts of PP in the pancreas of both normal and diabetic dogs were greatest at the uncinate process, followed in order by the head, body and tail. In an inverse relationship with the PP findings, the IRG content in the pancreas was highest at the tail and lowest at the uncinate process in both kinds of dogs. The differences in both PP and IRG between diabetic and normal dogs were generally not significant. These results show that irrespective of the high plasma levels of PP and IRG in the diabetic dogs, their levels in the pancreas did not change significantly.

Pancreatic polypeptide and insulin contents in diabetic and nondiabetic human pancreas and their relationship to the stability of the fasting serum glucose

The amounts of insulin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in twenty four autopsied diabetic and nineteen nondiabetic human pancreases were determined and their relationship to the stability of the fasting serum glucose level was investigated. The PP content of the tail of the pancreas in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects was 9.55 +/- 2.41 and 7.71 +/- 1.52 micrograms/g pancreas, and that of the head of the pancreas was 16.86 +/- 5.51 and 15.82 +/- 5.38 micrograms/g, respectively. No significant differences in content were found between diabetic and nondiabetic pancreases. The PP content of the head pancreas of some diabetics and nondiabetics was higher than that of the tail. The insulin content of the tail of the diabetic pancreas was lower than that of the nondiabetic pancreas. In those diabetics where there was less than 0.5 U/g of insulin in the tail pancreas, the stability of the fasting serum glucose was very poor, indicating an unstable type of diabetes. There was a significant inverse correlation between standard deviation of FBS and the amount of insulin, but the PP content of the pancreas had no relation to the stability of the fasting serum glucose.

Plasma amino acid levels in hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma

The plasma amino acid levels in five patients with hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma and in seven normal subjects were analysed. In the patients with hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma, total amino acids were generally low, especially, the concentrations and the molar ratios of arginine, taurine and serine were significantly low, and ornithine decreased only at the concentration. The level of phenylalanine increased both at the concentration and the molar ratio, and tyrosine did only at the molar ratio. The significance of such changes in the plasma is discussed in relation to diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis.