Polarization of Th1/Th2 in human CD4 T cells separated by CD62L: analysis by transcription factors

BACKGROUND

T-cell surface antigens that differentiate clearly between Th1 and Th2 have not been identified. Discrimination of Th1/Th2 subpopulations by CD62L expression has been reported. We investigated the expression of transcription factors that regulate Th1/Th2 cytokine synthesis in human CD4+ T-cell subpopulations separated by CD45RO and CD62L, and compared the ratio of CD62L+ to CD62L- cells between healthy individuals and patients with allergic diseases.

METHODS

Human peripheral blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers and patients. CD4+ T cells were isolated by negative selection. Three CD4+ T-cell subpopulations separated by CD45RO and CD62L were isolated using three-color fluorescence. Sorted cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, and the cytokine levels were measured using a Cytometric Bead Array Kit. Transcription factor expression was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 production levels by CD45RO+CD62L+CD4+ T cells were higher than those of CD45RO+CD62L-CD4+ T cells (P < 0.05), whereas interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production were lower levels (P < 0.05). T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 and T-bet expression were detected in CD45RO-CD62L+ and CD45RO+CD62L- cells following stimulation, but not in CD45RO+CD62L+ cells. However, the ratio of CD62L+ to CD62L- cells was the same in both healthy individuals and patients (P = 0.54). There was no difference in Th1/Th2 cytokine synthesis by CD4+ T cells.

CONCLUSION

Analyses of cytokine syntheses and transcription factor expression demonstrated that CD62-negative and -positive subpopulations of human CD45RO+CD4+ T cells represent characteristics of Th1 and Th2, respectively.

The macrophage stimulating protein/RON system: a potential novel target for prevention and treatment of endometriosis

Our recent DNA microarray analysis using tissue obtained by laser capture microdissection (LCM) identified up-regulation of RON (a tyrosine kinase receptor) during the late secretory phase in eutopic endometrial epithelial cells from patients with deep endometriosis compared with control endometrium from women with macroscopically normal pelvic cavities. In the present study, we further investigated mRNA expression of RON and its ligand, macrophage stimulating protein (MSP), in deep endometriotic lesions, eutopic endometrium from patients with deep endometriosis and control endometrium by using LCM and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. MSP mRNA expression in endometrial epithelial cells was significantly up-regulated in endometriosis patients during the late secretory phase compared with expression in controls. Furthermore, we detected up-regulation of MSP mRNA in ectopic endometrial epithelial cells compared with matched eutopic endometrial epithelial cells within the same patients regardless of the menstrual phase. MSP has an intrinsically dual functional nature through its receptor RON-it is a trophic cytokine preventing apoptosis and a scatter factor promoting invasion, both of which may be necessary for the initial development and growth of endometriosis. The present findings suggest that the MSP/RON system may be involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

DNA microarray analysis of gene expression profiles in deep endometriosis using laser capture microdissection

Endometriosis, a common gynecological disorder that causes infertility and pelvic pain, is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within extra-uterine sites. However, despite extensive studies its etiology and pathogenesis are not completely understood. Differentially expressed genes were investigated in epithelial and stromal cells from deep endometriosis and matched eutopic endometrium using cDNA microarrays and laser capture microdissection. Validation of results of several up- and down-regulated genes was performed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Our data showed that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), protein kinase C beta1 (PKC beta1) and janus kinase 1 (JAK1) were upregulated, and Sprouty2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) were downregulated in endometriosis stromal cells, suggesting the involvement of the RAS/RAF/MAPK signaling pathway through PDGFRA in endometriosis pathophysiology. In addition, two potential negative regulators of aromatase expression, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 2 (COUP-TF2) and prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype EP3 (PGE2EP3), were downregulated in endometriosis epithelial cells, which might result in increased local production of estrogen in endometriosis epithelial cells. Furthermore, three potential candidate genes that might be involved in endometriosis related pain were identified: tyrosine kinase receptor B (TRkB) in endometriosis epithelial cells, and serotonin transporter (5HTT) and mu opioid receptor (MOR) in endometriosis stromal cells were all upregulated. One of the candidate genes, MOR, may be involved in a defective immune system in endometriosis. This study has provided new insights into endometriosis pathophysiology.

Use of the time-signal intensity curve from dynamic magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate remnant pancreatic fibrosis after pancreaticojejunostomy in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the value of the time-signal intensity curve (TIC) obtained from dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of remnant pancreatic fibrosis after pancreaticojejunostomy in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODS

Two modes of pancreaticojejunostomy-duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (DMA; 24 patients) and pancreatojejunoserosal anastomosis (PJSA; 22 patients)-were used in 46 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. All patients underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the pancreas before pancreaticoduodenectomy. Retrospective review of the pancreatic magnetic resonance images and histological examination of the pancreas were performed, and the patterns of TICs from dynamic MRI were compared with the degree of pancreatic fibrosis. Dynamic MRI of the residual pancreas was carried out for 1-3 years after pancreaticoduodenectomy in 26 patients (14 DMA, 12 PJSA) who had a histologically verified normal pancreas with no fibrosis at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

RESULTS

Evaluation of preoperative dynamic magnetic resonance images showed that a pancreatic TIC with a rapid rise to a peak followed by a rapid decline (type I) was characteristic of a normal pancreas without fibrosis. Pancreatic TICs with a slow rise to a peak followed by a slow decline or a plateau (types II and III) indicated a fibrotic pancreas. Postoperative pancreatic MRI demonstrated that six of 12 patients with a PJSA had a type II TIC, whereas 12 of 14 patients with a DMA had a type I curve (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

The TIC obtained from dynamic MRI is a reliable indicator of fibrosis in the remnant pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Use of a DMA was associated with a lower risk of pancreatic fibrosis 1-3 years after surgery than a PJSA.

Ultrastructural localization of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in the uterine gland of cow

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is thought to act mainly as a neurotransmitter and localized almost exclusively to neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Recently, the localization of GRP in mammalian uterus and placenta has been demonstrated. Moreover, the exocrine manner of GRP release was deduced in ewes from the distribution of GRP on the uterine gland cells and its secretion as well as in the circulation. However, these reports have been examined at light-microscopic level. The present study was designed to make clear the localization of GRP in the uterine gland cells of nonpregnant and pregnant cows using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method at light-microscopic level and a pre-embedding immunogold with silver enhancement method at electron-microscopic level. The light-microscopic observation showed positive staining for GRP immunoreactivity in the supranuclear region and in the secreted materials of the uterine gland cells. At the electron-microscopic level, the supranuclear secretory granules and the secreted materials on the surface of the cell were labeled with immunogold particles representing GRP immunoreactivity in the uterine gland cells of nonpregnant and pregnant cows. Western blotting analysis showed a larger molecular form of GRP in the endometrial tissues taken from nonpregnant and pregnant cows. The present results revealed the localization of GRP in the uterine gland cells at light- and electron-microscopic levels and suggested the release of GRP from the cell into the lumen of the gland by exocrine manner.

Amelioration by active hexose correlated compound of endocrine disturbances induced by oxidative stress in the rat

OBJECTIVE

Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), an extract derived from fungi of Basidiomycetes family, has been found to be a potent antioxidant. Since the secretion of some hormones can be affected by reactive oxygen species, the objective of this study was to examine how ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA), which generates hydroxyl radicals in vivo, modulates the hormone secretion and the effects of AHCC.

METHODS

AHCC at 3 % in drinking water was given to male rats for one week, and the animals were decapitated at different time intervals after the treatment with FeNTA intraperitoneally. Serum levels of hormones (corticosterone, testosterone, thyroxine and triiodothyronine), adrenal ascorbic acid as well as changes in hepatic oxidative status were evaluated by immunoassay and spectrometry.

RESULTS

Serum corticosterone levels increased significantly following FeNTA treatment, while AHCC reduced the increased levels to normal. Adrenal ascorbic acid levels that reflect ACTH secretion, were decreased by FeNTA and restored to normal by AHCC. Serum levels of testosterone and thyroxine (T4) decreased rapidly after FeNTA treatment, while AHCC pretreatment prevented this fall. Serum triiodothyroxine (T3) levels remained unchanged either by FeNTA or AHCC treatment. The hepatic oxidized glutathione, glutathione-related enzymes and also serum lipid peroxide were greatly enhanced after FeNTA treatment. All of these changes were restored to normal by AHCC pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

FeNTA induces various endocrine disorders and AHCC ameliorates these effects by acting as an antioxidant.

Gabaa receptors in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus play a crucial role in rat shell-specific dopamine-mediated, but not shell-specific acetylcholine-mediated, turning behaviour

The role of GABA(A) receptors in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in turning behaviour of rats was studied. Unilateral injection of the GABA(A) receptor agonist, muscimol (25-100 ng), into the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus dose-dependently produced contraversive pivoting, namely tight head-to-tail turning marked by abnormal hindlimb backward stepping. This effect was GABA(A) receptor specific, since it was prevented by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline (50 ng), which alone did not elicit turning behaviour. Unilateral injection of a mixture of dopamine D(1) ((+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol [SKF 38393], 5 microg) and D(2) (quinpirole, 10 microg) receptor agonists into the nucleus accumbens shell has been found to elicit contraversive pivoting, whilst unilateral injection of the acetylcholine receptor agonist (carbachol, 5 microg) into the same site is known to elicit contraversive circling, namely turning marked by normal stepping. The pivoting induced by a mixture of SKF 38393 (5 microg) and quinpirole (10 microg) injected into the nucleus accumbens shell was significantly inhibited by bicuculline (50 ng) injected into the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, whereas muscimol (25 ng) had no effect. Neither muscimol (25 ng) nor bicuculline (50 ng) modulated the contraversive circling induced by carbachol (5 microg) injected into the nucleus accumbens shell. It is therefore concluded that unilateral stimulation of GABA(A) receptors in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus can elicit contraversive pivoting and that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus is one of the output stations of the accumbens region that mediates shell-specific, dopaminergic pivoting, but not of the accumbens region that mediates shell-specific, cholinergic circling.

Coumestrol as well as isoflavones in soybean extract prevent bone resorption in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

Soybeans contain an abundance of phytoestrogens such as genistein and daidzein, and these compounds are thought to protect against bone loss under estrogen deficient conditions. It is possible, however, that phytoestrogens other than isoflavones may suppress bone resorption. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there are any phytoestrogens other than isoflavones in soybeans that can act as antiosteoporotic agents.

METHODS

The isoflavones genistein and daidzein, and an extract of soybeans that contained very low levels of isoflavones were tested for their ability to reduce bone resorption in ovariectomized rats. The extract of soybeans was further analyzed for its main components by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The soybean extract, as well as the two isoflavones, were effective to reduce urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline and pyridinoline, typical markers of bone resorption in ovariectomized rats. However the extract, unlike the isoflavones, increased the uterine weight of ovariectomized rats significantly. Analysis by thin-layer and gas chromatography revealed that the main constituent of this extract exhibited a chromatographic profile corresponding to coumestrol. This substance was positively identified as coumestrol by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the phytoestrogens including coumestrol and isoflavones in soybeans may exert effective prevention against bone resorption in estrogen deficient conditions.

Induced HMGA1a expression causes aberrant splicing of Presenilin-2 pre-mRNA in sporadic Alzheimer's disease

The aberrant splicing isoform (PS2V), generated by exon 5 skipping of the Presenilin-2 (PS2) gene transcript, is a diagnostic feature of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found PS2V is hypoxia-inducible in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. We purified a responsible trans-acting factor based on its binding to an exon 5 fragment. The factor was identified as the high mobility group A1a protein (HMGA1a; formerly HMG-I). HMGA1a bound to a specific sequence on exon 5, located upstream of the 5' splice site. HMGA1a expression was induced by hypoxia and the protein was accumulated in the nuclear speckles with the endogenous splicing factor SC35. Overexpression of HMGA1a generated PS2V, but PS2V was repressed by cotransfection with the U1 snRNP 70K protein that has a strong affinity to HMGA1a. HMGA1a could interfere with U1 snRNP binding to the 5' splice site and caused exon 5 skipping. HMGA1a levels were significantly increased in the brain tissue from sporadic AD patients. We propose a novel mechanism of sporadic AD that involves HMGA1a-induced aberrant splicing of PS2 pre-mRNA in the absence of any mutations.

Amelioration of hyperalgesia by kinin receptor antagonists or kininogen deficiency in chronic constriction nerve injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to examine the involvement of bradykinin in thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia induced by chronic constriction nerve injury (CCI) using B1 and B2 receptor antagonists and mutant kininogen-deficient rats.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and Brown Norway (B/N-) rats given CCI treatment on day 0, were used as a model of neuropathic pain. Either a kinin B1 antagonist des-Arg9-[Leu8]-bradykinin or the receptor B2 antagonist HOE-140 was constantly infused into the left jugular vein of SD rats on days 15 to 22 after CCI. Vehicle-treated rats and sham-operated rats without nerve injury were also prepared as controls. In all rats, we observed pain behavior, and measured the latency period of paw withdrawal from the thermal stimuli and, with von Frey filaments, the mechanical pain threshold, before surgery and on days 14 and 22 after CCI. B/N-Katholiek rats, which congenitally lack plasma kininogen and release no kinin, were also tested for hyperalgesic parameters. Expression of kinin receptor mRNA in the dorsal root ganglia was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Most of the rats (88%) showed some pain behavior, which was reduced to 67% by a B1 antagonist and to 57% by a B2 antagonist infused between days 15 to 22. Thermal hyperalgesia was significantly reduced from 7.25 +/- 0.41 sec (mean +/- SEM) to 8.36 +/- 0.41 sec in paw withdrawal latency on day 22 by a B1 antagonist and from 7.24 +/- 0.19 sec to 8.23 +/- 0.21 sec by a B2 antagonist (P < 0.05). Mechanical hyperalgesia was also ameliorated from 0.02 +/- 0.007 g force to 0.16 +/- 0.08 g force in pain threshold by a B1 antagonist and from 0.03 +/- 0.007 g force to 0.10 +/- 0.003 g force on day 22 by a B2 antagonist. Moreover, deficient B/N-Katholiek rats showed a low incidence of thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia on day 14. Expression of both B1 and B2 receptor mRNAs was detected in the lumbar dorsal ganglia ipsilateral to the site of the nerve injury.

CONCLUSION

These data suggests that kinin were at least partly involved in yielding nociceptor hypersensitivity up to day 14 after CCI. Bradykinin and its B1 and B2 receptors were involved in the maintenance of hyperalgesia.

Single-cell nonphotochemical hole burning of ovarian surface epithelial carcinoma and normal cells

Persistent spectral nonphotochemical hole-burning (NPHB) spectroscopy has recently been applied to dye molecules in cells. The sensitivity of NPHB to the nanoenvironment of the probe is well established. It has been shown that NPHB applied to bulk suspensions of cultured human cells can distinguish between normal and cancer cells. Thus, NPHB has potential as a diagnostic cancer tool. For this reason, the methodology is referred to as hole-burning imaging, by analogy with MRI. The optical dephasing time (T(2)) of the dye in hole-burning image replaces the proton T(1) relaxation time in MRI. In addition to the T(2) mode of operation, there are four other modes including measurement of the spectral hole growth kinetics (HGK). Reported here is that the selectivity and sensitivity of NPHB operating in the HGK mode allow for distinction between normal and carcinoma cells at the single-cell level. The ovarian cell lines are ovarian surface epithelial cells with temperature-sensitive large T antigens (analogously normal) and ovarian surface epithelial carcinoma (OV167) cells. The mitochondrial specific dye used was rhodamine 800 (Molecular Probes). This carbocationic dye is highly specific for the outer and inner membranes of mitochondria. In line with the results for bulk suspensions of the two cell lines, the hole-burning efficiency for OV167 cells was found to be significantly higher than that for normal cells. Theoretical analysis of the HGK data leads to the conclusion that the degree of structural heterogeneity for the probe-host configurations in OV167 cells is lower than in the normal cells. Possible reasons for this are given.

Early pancreatic cancer

The results of surgical treatment for ordinary carcinoma of the pancreas, even now considered the only means for cure, have been dismal. In order to define early pancreatic cancer, aiming amelioration of surgical results, early pancreatic cancer has been seeked. It may be readily conceivable that the smaller the tumor size, the earlier the lesion. The relationship between tumor size and surgical results was reviewed from the literature, some of which included articles written in Japanese. Tumor size < or = 2 cm in diameter is not always an early cancer. Tumor < 1 cm could be an early cancer but does not definitely reveal long-term survival. An increase of pancreatic cancer in Japan may be strongly related with the increased elderly population. Small cystic lesions which develop in elderly persons seem to indicate carcinogenesis of ordinary ductal cancer of the pancreas. Carcinoma in situ may be an early pancreatic cancer. Early pancreatic cancer is defined as an intraductal adenocarcinoma without any invasion or with minimal invasion to the stroma, regardless of size or extent of the lesion.

Ultrastructural differences in bovine morulae classified as high and low qualities by morphological evaluation

Bovine morulae collected from superovulated cows were classified into four groups (excellent, good, fair, poor) using morphological evaluation under a phase contrast microscope. The number of blastomeres in morulae classified as excellent and good (high quality) was significantly higher than the number in fair and poor (low quality) morulae. The ultrastructure of morulae in each group was compared. In morulae classified as excellent and good, two characteristic cell types could be identified by the electron density of their cytoplasm and by their ultrastructural features. One type (presumptive trophoblast cells) was located in the peripheral layer of the embryo mass, was generally characterized by low electron density of cytoplasm, and possessed numerous cellular organelles such as mitochondria and Golgi apparatus and had numerous microvilli projecting into the perivitelline space. The other type (presumptive embryonic cells) was located in the interior of the embryo mass and distinguished by cytoplasm that stained more densely than that of the lighter-appearing cells. The darker-appearing cells generally possessed fewer organelles than the lighter cells, but many lysosome-like structures were present in the cytoplasm. All high quality morulae contained well-developed mature nucleoli. Many embryos classified as fair contained both types of cells, while cells in some fair and most poor quality morulae could not be distinguished by the electron density of their cytoplasm and ultrastructural features. The morulae classified as fair and poor showed less well-developed junctional complexes between cells, less well-developed apical microvilli on the blastomeres, and contained large numbers of lipid droplets, vesicles, immature mitochondria, and nucleoli with low transcriptional activity. This study demonstrates conspicuous differences in the ultrastructural features between the high quality and the low quality morulae, suggesting that these ultrastructural features may reflect the various physiological anomalies observed in previous studies.

Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin subunits in the testis of the bull

The differential localization of the inhibin beta subunits betaA and betaB in the testis of adult bull was studied using specific monoclonal and polyclonal primary antibodies. Inhibin betaA- and betaB-subunits were localized only in the Sertoli cells. The inhibin betaA-subunit was observed in the cytoplasm while the betaB-subunit was localized in the nucleus. No specific findings depending on spermatogenic stages were observed among the seminiferous tubules. Moreover, the inhibin alpha-subunit was not detected in the testis of the bulls. In addition, no inhibin subunits were detected in the Leydig cells and spermatogenic cells. These findings indicate the presence of betaA- and betaB-subunits in the bull, which may suggest a possibility that activin is produced and/or stored in the Sertoli cells and regulates spermatogenesis in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Moreover, the inhibin betaB-subunit may be produced in the nucleus but the functional meaning of this is not yet clear.

Prepubertal changes in immunoreactive inhibin concentration in blood serum and testicular tissue in Holstein bull calves

Age-related changes in immunoreactive inhibin (ir-inhibin) levels and the relationship among ir-inhibin, gonadotropins and testosterone were examined in 53 Holstein bull calves from neonates to 8.6 months old. Serum levels of ir-inhibin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, as well as ir-inhibin levels in testicular extracts, and testicular sizes were measured. All hormones were measured by specific radioimmunoassays. The concentrations of ir-inhibin in serum and testicular tissue were high in neonatal calves and tended to decrease with age. In contrast, serum concentrations of gonadotropins did not show any age-related changes within the experimental period. Serum testosterone levels and testicular sizes (length, width and weight) were positively correlated with age. Furthermore, a positive immunostaining to antiserum for the inhibin alpha-subunit was immunocytochemically observed only in Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules from neonates to calves less than 6 months old. These results indicate that the immature bovine testis produces and secretes high levels of ir-inhibin and that the Sertoli cells are a major source of ir-inhibin in prepubertal bull calves.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the role of angiogenic status in the vasculature of peritoneal endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the angiogenic status of the vasculature in peritoneal endometriosis based on macroscopic appearance.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Patients with peritoneal endometriosis.

INTERVENTION(S)

During laparoscopy, 25 samples of predominantly red peritoneal lesions and 27 samples of predominantly black peritoneal lesions were collected from a total of 31 patients with endometriosis. Eutopic endometrium from 25 patients with endometriosis was collected by curettage during laparoscopy or just after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

A proliferating endothelial cell index (PCI) was determined by calculating the percentage of microvessels that contained proliferating endothelial cells. A vessel maturation index (VMI) was determined by calculating the percentage of microvessels showing colocalization of CD34- and alpha-SMA-positive staining.

RESULT(S)

Peritoneal endometriotic tissues had extremely low or null PCI. The VMI of red peritoneal lesions was significantly lower than that of black ones. Vessel maturation index of red lesions was higher that that of proliferative eutopic endometrium and similar to that of secretory eutopic endometrium.

CONCLUSION(S)

Compared with the case of black peritoneal lesions, red lesions had a much higher fraction of immature vessels.

The expression of IL-12 p40 and its homologue, Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3, in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

It has recently been suggested that Crohn's Disease (CD) is associated with an exaggerated T helper 1 cytokine response as manifest by increased production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) encodes a 34-kDa glycoprotein that is 27% identical to the p40 unit of IL-12 and has recently been reported to be up-regulated in ulcerative colitis (UC).

AIM

To determine whether mucosal expression of IL-12 p40 or EBI3 correlates with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

PATIENTS/METHODS

mRNA expression in colonic mucosa from patients with UC, Crohn's disease (CD) and non-IBD controls was measured by reverse-transcribed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

EBI3 was significantly increased in both involved and uninvolved colonic mucosa in patients with UC. Although IL-12 p40 was increased in some patients with CD relative to non-IBD controls, the increase was not statistically significant. However, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) use was significantly correlated with reduced IL-12 p40 levels in the patients with CD, but not in UC cases. A similar reduction was not seen in 5-ASA-treated UC patients.

CONCLUSION

IL-12 p40 expression in CD is heterogeneous. In contrast, expression of the IL-12 p40 homologue, EBI3, is up-regulated in nearly all UC cases and in a subset of CD.

Heparin column analysis of serum type 5 tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoforms

The objective of the present study was to develop a specific method for the separation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) derived exclusively from osteoclasts. Heparin column-bound TRAP in human serum was separated into three peaks of TRAP activity when eluted with a linear gradient of sodium chloride. The last peak corresponded to TRAP 5b which was first named according to its electrophoretic mobility [Clin. Chem. 24 (1978) 309] and was considered to be derived from osteoclasts [J. Bone Miner. Res. 13 (1998) 683]. The second peak was found to be TRAP 5a. The height of the last peak varied from age to age.

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To quantify and compare messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of ER-alpha and ER-beta among ovarian endometriotic cysts and red and black peritoneal endometriotic lesions.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Patients with or without endometriosis.

INTERVENTION(S)

Samples of peritoneal (n = 33) and ovarian endometriotic lesions (n = 37) were obtained during laparoscopic surgery. Normal eutopic endometrial tissues and macroscopically normal peritoneal tissues were obtained as controls during or just after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Expression of mRNA for ER-alpha and ER-beta, using a real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay, TaqMan RT-PCR, and nonradioactive in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques.

RESULT(S)

Both eutopic endometrium and endometriotic tissues showed predominantly higher levels of ER-alpha than ER-beta mRNA. Relative ratio of ER-alpha to ER-beta (ER-alpha/ER-beta) mRNA in red peritoneal lesions was significantly higher than in black lesions and ovarian endometriotic cysts. There was no significant difference in ER-alpha/ER-beta between proliferative eutopic endometrium and red peritoneal lesions. These results were confirmed by ISH analysis, which also revealed that the two estrogen receptors were localized in both epithelial and stromal cells of endometriotic tissues.

CONCLUSION(S)

The predominant expression of ER-alpha in both glandular epithelial and stromal cells may be essential for the development and growth of peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis.

X chromosome inactivation patterns in 45,X/46,XX mosaics

To investigate X chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns in 45,X/46.XX mosaics, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 15 female subjects who showed different proportions of 45,X cell clones. XCI patterns were analyzed using two assays. The first assay was the BstXI restriction endonuclease detection of an X-linked phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) gene polymorphism following digestion of the DNA with methylation-sensitive HpaII, or with methylation-insensitive AfaI as a control. The second assay was the detection of a CAG triplet repeat polymorphism in the X-linked androgen receptor (AR) gene after sodium bisulfite treatment. Of the 15 subjects, 11 were informative due to heterozygosity for at least one of the polymorphisms (6 were heterozygous for the PGK polymorphism and 9 were heterozygous for the AR polymorphism). Four of the 11 informative subjects (36%) showed extremely skewed XCI for at least one of the polymorphisms, which was a much higher incidence than previously reported for normal females. Moreover, 3 of these 4 women had proportions of 45,X cell clones greater than 20%. Although our results may be due to several possible cytogenetic or molecular mechanisms, the most likely explanation is that cases of 45,X/46,XX that contain relatively high levels of 45,X cell clones probably arose due to structural aberrations of the X chromosome undetectable by conventional karyotyping.