Significance of immunohistochemical over-expression of CD44v6 as an indicator of malignant potential in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of the current study was to find out a clinicopathologic significance of CD44v6 over-expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which has not been elucidated fully.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical expression of CD44v6 was examined for 81 ESCCs. Correlation of CD44 over-expression with the clinicopathologic features were investigated.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight ESCCs (46.9%) had over-expression of CD44v6. The proportions of the incidence of lymph node metastasis (P=0.039), lymphatic permeation (P=0.003), and blood vessel invasion (P=0.037) in ESCCs with over-expression of CD44v6 were significantly higher than those in ESCCs without over-expression of CD44v6. The stage of the tumor in ESCCs with over-expression of CD44v6 was significantly more advanced (P=0.045). Survival rates of patients with ESCC with over-expression of CD44v6 were significantly worse (P=0.0005). Moreover, CD44v6 over-expression (P=0.048) as well as blood vessel invasion (P=0.014) and stage of the tumor ( P=0.010) were factors independently associated with the unfavorable prognosis of the patients with ESCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Over-expression of CD44v6 can be an indicator of the malignant potential of ESCC.

Bias induced by the use of creatinine-corrected values in evaluation of beta2-microgloblin levels

The present study was initiated to examine if the correction for creatinine (CR or cr) is the best approach among the three methods of correction for CR, correction for a specific gravity (SG or sg) and the use of observed values in managing difference in urine density. For this purpose, a database previously developed on 10,753 adult women in 10 non-polluted areas in Japan was re-visited for information on age, urinary levels of Cd, Mg, Ca, Zn, beta(2)-MG, and creatinine, and urine specific gravity as well as smoking habits. Never-smoking women with various urine density counted 8975 cases (the various urine density group). From these cases, 7081 cases with adequate urine density (i.e. 0.5 g/l < or = CR < or = 3.0 g/l and 1.010 < or = SG < or = 1.030) were selected (the adequate urine density group). When a beta(2)-MG level of 400 microg/g CR or 400 microg/l was taken as a cut-off value for beta(2)-MG-uria, both the prevalence of beta(2)-MG(cr)-uria [i.e. cases with beta(2)-MG (as corrected for CR) in excess of 400 microg/g cr] and that of beta(2)-MG(sg)-uria increased as a function of the decrease in Cd(cr) or Cd(sg). The prevalence of beta(2)-MG(ob)-uria also varied as a function of CR and SG, especially of CR, but its range of variation was smaller than the corresponding changes in beta(2)-MG(cr)-uria prevalence. A noteworthy advantage for the use of observed values over that of SG-corrected values was the minimum effect of age. In over-all evaluation, therefore, the recommended approach appeared to be the use of non-corrected observed values (after selection of urine samples for adequate urine density if desired) or correction for SG, rather than correction for CR.

Neurilemmoma of the diaphragm mimicking a liver tumor: case report

A 47-year-old male with a solid, previously cystic tumor in the subphrenic part of the liver consulted for surgery. Laparotomy showed a well-circumscribed tumor originating from the diaphragm, which made a significant depression in the liver. Complete removal of the tumor was achieved. Pathologic examination led to a diagnosis of neurilemmoma originating from the diaphragm.

[Lung adenocarcinoma with multiple pulmonary metastases completely responsive to combination chemotherapy with carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel--a case report]

We report a case in which lung adenocarcinoma with multiple pulmonary metastases was completely responsive to combination chemotherapy with carboplatin (CBDCA) and weekly paclitaxel (TXL). CBDCA AUC = 5 (day 1) and TXL 75 mg/m2 (day 1, 8, 15) were infused over 1 hour after short premedication on an outpatient basis. Administration was continued for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest. The patient was a 54-year-old woman who suffered from lung adenocarcinoma with mediastinal lymph node metastases, stage III A, and underwent complete resection. However, multiple pulmonary metastases were found 3 years after operation. On an outpatient treatment, she was treated with CBDCA combined with weekly TXL for 6 cycles. The multiple pulmonary metastases had completely disappeared after 2 cycles and CEA decreased to within normal limit after 5 cycles. The toxic events were anemia (grade 2), leucocytopenia (grade 2) and alopecia (grade 3). No major adverse effects such as hypersensitivity reaction or peripheral neuropathy were observed.

Comparative evaluation of four urinary tubular dysfunction markers, with special references to the effects of aging and correction for creatinine concentration

Comparative evaluation was made on alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha(1)-MG), beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG), retinol binding protein (RBP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), as a marker of renal tubular dysfunction after environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd), with special references to the effects of aging and correction for creatinine concentration. For this purpose, a previously established database of 817 never-smoking Japanese women (at the ages of 20 to 74 years) on hematological [hemoglobin, serum ferritin (FE), etc.] and urinary parameters [alpha(1)-MG, beta(2)-MG, creatinine (cr), and a specific gravity] was revisited. For the present analysis, the database was supplemented by the data on RBP and NAG in urine. The exposure of the women to Cd was such that the geometric mean Cd in urine was 1.3 microg/g cr. Among the four tubular dysfunction markers, NAG showed the closest correlation with Cd, followed by alpha(1)-MG and then beta(2)-MG, and RBP was least so although the correlations were all statistically significant. The observed values of the markers gave the best results, whereas correction for a urine specific gravity gave poorer correlation, and it was the worst when correction for creatinine concentration was applied. Age was the most influential confounding factor. The effect of age appeared to be attributable at least in part to the fact that both creatinine and, to a lesser extent, the specific gravity decreased as a function of age. Iron deficiency anemia of sub-clinical degree as observed among the women did not affect any of the four tubular dysfunction markers. In conclusion, NAG and alpha(1)-MG, rather beta(2)-MG or RBP, are more sensitive to detect Cd-induced tubular dysfunction in mass screening. The use of uncorrected observed values of the markers rather than traditional creatinine-corrected values is recommended when comparison covers people of a wide range of ages.

Significance of thymidine phosphorylase in HCC with chronic liver disease for long-term postoperative recurrence

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Little is known about the significance of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) levels in HCC. The authors investigated the TP activity of HCC and adjacent normal liver tissue in 70 HCC patients, and the prognostic significance of the TP levels.

METHODS

We obtained fresh samples (tumors with adjacent normal tissues) from 70 patients with HCC who have undergone curative hepatic resection. The levels of TP activity in unfixed, fresh, frozen HCC tissue, together with adjacent normal liver tissue specimens, were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

RESULTS

The mean TP activity in HCC was approximately 1.5-fold higher than that in adjacent liver tissues (P = 0.0013). Disease-free survival rates for patients with low and high TP levels in HCC were not significantly different. Although disease-free survival rates for low and high TP levels in adjacent normal liver tissue were also not significantly different, disease-free survival for patients with low and high TP levels in adjacent normal liver tissue, excluding cases of postoperative recurrence within 700 days of hepatectomy, showed a significant difference (P = 0.0494). The group with high TP activity in adjacent liver tissue showed more frequent postoperative recurrence in the long-term than that with low TP activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of TP activity of adjacent normal liver tissue to HCC may allow us to predict metachronous long-term postoperative recurrence.

No significant effect of iron deficiency on cadmium body burden or kidney dysfunction among women in the general population in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To examine if iron-deficient conditions modify body burden or health effects of cadmium among women in the general population in Japan.

METHODS

In 2002, 1,482 women aged 20 to 74 years in six prefectures in Japan provided informed consent to participate in this study. They offered peripheral blood and spot urine samples, and answered questionnaires on their social habits and health conditions. Never-smoking, non-pregnant and non-lactating healthy women (1,190 subjects) were selected from the volunteers. Blood samples were analyzed for serum iron, ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) in addition to red blood cell (RBC) counts and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration as markers of anemia and iron deficiency. Urine samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha(1)-MG), beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG) as markers of Cd burden and Cd-induced tubular dysfunction; the measures were expressed after being corrected for creatinine (cr) as, e.g., Cd-Ucr.

RESULTS

The subjects were classified into anemic (37 women) and iron-deficient (388 women) groups separately from healthy controls (765 women), taking ferritin (<20 ng/ml) and Hb (<10 g/100 ml) as classification indicators. Strictly matched pairs (with regard to age and prefecture) were established for 36 anemic and 280 iron-deficient cases. Comparison between the cases and the matched controls showed that serum iron was lower and TIBC was higher in accordance with lower levels of ferritin and Hb in the anemic and iron-deficient groups, although the RBC count was only slightly reduced (the anemic group) or stayed essentially unchanged (the iron-deficient group). In contrast, no significant increase in Cd-Ucr, alpha(1)-MG, or beta(2)-MG was observed in either the anemic group or the iron-deficient group compared with the matched controls. Cd-Ucr in one case of clinical anemia, however, tended to be higher than the levels among women of the same age range and from the same prefecture. Her alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr, however, remained un-elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

The current level of iron deficiency among women in the general population in Japan may not induce significant increase in Cd body burden or Cd-induced tubular dysfunction.

No clear-cut evidence for cadmium-induced renal tubular dysfunction among over 10,000 women in the Japanese general population: a nationwide large-scale survey

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether environmental exposure to cadmium has been inducing kidney dysfunction among middle-aged women in the general population in Japan.

METHODS

This study was conducted in 2000 and 2001. Morning spot urine samples were collected from 10,753 women (mostly aged 35 to 60 years) in ten prefectures all over Japan (thus about 1,000 women per site). Urine samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd-U), calcium (Ca-U), magnesium (Mg-U), zinc (Zn-U), alpha(1)- and beta(2)-microglobulins (alpha(1)- and beta(2)-MG-U). The urinary analyte concentrations were corrected for creatinine (cr) concentration (i.e., Ucr). The data thus obtained were subjected to statistical evaluation by chi-square test, ANOVA, multiple comparison test, and simple regression analysis (SRA) as well as multiple regression analysis (MRA) including logistic regression analysis (LRA). Log-normal distribution was assumed for Cd-Ucr, alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr, whereas normal distribution was considered for age, Ca-Ucr, Mg-Ucr and Zn-Ucr.

RESULTS

Geometric mean values (GM) of Cd-Ucr were distributed unevenly, depending on the sampling areas, with a grand GM of 1.3 microg/g cr, the highest (3.2 microg/g cr) and lowest GM values(0.8 microg/g cr) being significantly different from GMs of other areas. Correlation matrix analysis with subjects of all ages showed that log alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and log beta(2)-MG-Ucr correlated significantly (r=0.272 and 0.202, respectively) with log Cd-Ucr, but they correlated also with age (r=0.280 and 0.213, respectively). The same analysis with the two selected age groups (41-50 and 51-60 years), however, failed to show close correlation of alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and log beta(2)-MG-Ucr with Cd-Ucr. Both MRA and LRA indicated that age was a confounding factor in the evaluation of the effect of Cd-U on the two MG levels. Whereas the LRA with the all-age group showed a positive influence of log Cd-Ucr on log alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and log beta(2)-MG-Ucr, such effect disappeared in parallel with the disappearance of age effects when LRA was conducted with the two selected age groups. An exceptional observation was the influence of log Cd-Ucr on log alpha(1)-MG-Ucr (but not on log beta(2)-MG-Ucr) in LRA when a cut-off value of 5.00 mg for alpha(1)-MG-U/g cr was applied. Comparison between the low and high Cd-U groups showed that both alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr were higher in the high Cd-U groups, but prevalence of cases with alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr in excess of the cut-off values did not differ between the two groups except when a cut-off value of 5.00 mg/g cr was employed for alpha(1)-MG-U.

CONCLUSIONS

In over-all evaluation, no clear-cut evidence was obtained in the present study to show that environmental exposure to Cd has induced tubule dysfunction among middle-aged women in the general population in Japan. It might be the case, however, that an increase in alpha(1)-MG-U was associated with Cd exposure. In this sense, it is apparently desirable from public health viewpoints to make further efforts to reduce the intensity of the general population's exposure to environmental Cd.

Analysis for threshold levels of cadmium in urine that induce tubular dysfunction among women in non-polluted areas in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To examine if there is a threshold in urinary cadmium concentration that induces elevation in urinary microglobulins.

METHODS

The database developed in a previous field survey (Ezaki et al. 2002) was employed. In the survey conducted in 2000 and 2001, more than 10,000 middle-aged women (with no occupational exposure to Cd) in ten prefectures all over Japan gave morning spot urine samples, which were analyzed for cadmium (Cd-U), calcium (Ca-U), magnesium (Mg-U), zinc (Zn-U), alpha(1)- and beta(2)-microglobulins (alpha(1)- and beta(2)-MG-U), and creatinine (cr). The urinary analyte concentrations were corrected for cr concentration (to be expressed as, e.g., Cd-Ucr), and the data thus obtained were subjected to statistical evaluation. The largest geometric mean (GM) for Cd-Ucr among the ten prefecture was 3.2 microg Cd/g cr, and the maximum Cd-Ucr observed among the women studied was 20.9 microg Cd/g cr.

RESULTS

Both alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr increased as a function of the increase in Cd-Ucr among all the women and also in sub-populations of narrow age ranges (i.e., 41-50 and 51-60 years), with no apparent threshold Cd-Ucr. Comparison of the cases exceeding cut-off alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr levels also indicated a Cd dose-dependent increase in the prevalence, similarly without a threshold Cd-Ucr. In addition, such findings were essentially reproducible when elevation in alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr levels was examined with the three essential elements, especially with Ca-Ucr and Mg-Ucr, although less clearly with Zn-Ucr. The observations as a whole suggest a possibility that the dose-dependent increases in alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr with no apparent threshold for element concentration is not specific to Cd-Ucr but common to other elements.

CONCLUSIONS

No threshold Cd-Ucr was detected in relation to the increases in alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr. The element dose-dependent increases in the two MGs with no threshold in the element concentration might be not limited to Cd, but common to other elements. Further studies are apparently necessary.

Threshold levels of urinary cadmium in relation to increases in urinary beta2-microglobulin among general Japanese populations

Through literature survey, paired data on cadmium (Cd) and beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG) levels (as corrected for creatinine concentration) in urine (i.e., Cd-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr) among Japanese populations were available for 32 groups of men and 58 groups of women in 12 publications. Plotting of the Cd-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr data for the groups of women showed that beta(2)-MG-Ucr stayed unchanged when Cd-Ucr was at lower levels, whereas beta(2)-MG-Ucr increased sharply when Cd-Ucr was in excess of 10-20 microg/g cr. Regression analysis was made for groups of women with no elevation in beta(2)-MG-Ucr, and those with >400 or >1000 microg beta(2)-MG-U/g cr. A threshold Cd-Ucr level in relation to an increase in beta(2)-MG-Ucr was estimated as Cd-Ucr at the point of intercept of the two regression lines, one with no beta(2)-MG-Ucr elevation, and the other with >400 or >1000 microg beta(2)-MG-U/g cr. Cd-Ucr at the point of flexion thus calculated was 11-12 microg/g cr. Such observation was quantitatively reproduced by the analysis of data for men, giving 10-11 microg Cd-U/g cr at the point of flexion. This study suggests that the relationship of beta(2)-MG-Ucr with Cd-Ucr is not linear but in the shape of letter 'J', i.e., beta(2)-MG-Ucr increases sharply when Cd-Ucr is in excess of 10-12 microg/g cr.

A case of gallbladder carcinoma diagnosed preoperatively by the detection of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA in endoscopically obtained gallbladder bile

It is difficult to accurately diagnose the nature of polypoid lesions in the gallbladder. To increase diagnostic accuracy, we have developed an endoscopic technique for obtaining gallbladder bile, termed endoscopic transpapillary catheterization into the gallbladder (ETCG). We describe here a case of gallbladder carcinoma diagnosed preoperatively by the detection of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA, a catalytic subunit of telomerase, in gallbladder bile obtained using the ETCG technique. A patient with a polypoid lesion 15 mm in diameter in the gallbladder was admitted to our hospital for further examinations. Gallbladder bile collected by the ETCG technique was evaluated cytologically and also analyzed for telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA. Although the results for cytology and telomerase activity were negative, that for hTERT mRNA was positive. Open surgery was carried out and it was confirmed that the lesion was an adenocarcinoma invading the subserosa. The molecular biological analysis of gallbladder bile collected using the ETCG technique was shown to be effective for diagnosing the nature of the polypoid lesion in the gallbladder.

[Effective weekly paclitaxel administration for gastric cancer with malignant ascites--a case report]

We report a case in which weekly paclitaxel (TXL) administration was effective for gastric cancer with malignant ascites. TXL (80 mg/m2) was infused over 1 hour after short premedication on an outpatient basis. Administration was continued for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest. The patient was a 49-year-old woman who suffered from non-resectable gastric cancer, staged intraoperatively as having severe lymph node metastasis and malignant ascites. As an outpatient treatment, she was first treated with 5-fluorouracil combined with high-dose Leucovorin for 4 cycles. However, she complained of abdominal fullness and ascites, and received weekly TXL administration as the second line treatment. The ascites had completely disappeared 3 months after administration. The toxic events were anemia (grade 1) and alopecia (grade 2). No major adverse effects such as hypersensitivity reaction, leukopenia or peripheral neuropathy were observed.

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma existing with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatocellular carcinoma is usually complicated with liver cirrhosis, which makes its treatment difficult. Also a high rate of recurrence exists after surgical resection. However, how the prognosis after surgical treatment is affected by the severity of coexisting cirrhosis has not been clarified.

METHODOLOGY

We compared the postoperative longterm courses of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis according to the liver function. All 112 hepatocellular carcinoma patients in this study underwent curative hepatic resection, and were classified into three groups according to the severity of liver dysfunction. The ICG R15' (indocyanine green retention test) normal: < 10%) was used in this study. Patients whose ICG R15' was less than 20% were classified as group I of 62, patients equal to 20% or between 20% and 30% as group II of 24, and patients equal to and more than 30% as group III of 26.

RESULTS

In this series, 76 of 112 patients had recurrence (68%). A second hepatic resection was performed in six cases of group I and one case in group II. Fifty-eight of 76 recurrent cases (76%) were treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. A total of eleven cases had no transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the three groups: 3 cases in group I, 5 cases in group II, and 3 cases in group III; The three cases of group III had no treatment because of extremely poor liver dysfunction, whilst the 8 patients without transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in groups I and II had hepatocellular carcinoma itself and other diseases. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after recurrence were 92%, 48%, and 14%, respectively, in group I; 83%, 37%, 12%, respectively, in group II; and 66%, 30%, 0%, respectively, in group III. The prognosis was significantly worse according to the degree of liver dysfunction (p = 0.0206).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis is affected not only by hepatocellular carcinoma itself, but also by the severity of the coexisting cirrhosis. Moreover, the cirrhotic liver can decline due to surgery. Surgical resection of this disease should be performed after careful patient selection and using a less invasive technique.

Oligonucleotide probe for detecting Enterobacteriaceae by in situ hybridization

AIMS

To develop oligonucleotide probes for visualizing bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae.

METHODS AND RESULTS

24-mer oligonucleotide probe (probe D) was designed by comparison of 16S rDNA sequences of 35 species of Enterobacteriaceae, eight species of Vibrionaceae and six species of Pasteurellaceae. The sequence of the probe corresponding to the complementary sequence of a position 1251-1274 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA was found to be a highly conserved region of 16S rDNA sequence in Enterobacteriaceae different from that of Vibrionaceae and Pasteurellaceae. The fluorescent dye-labelled probe was tested for the specificity by in situ hybridization and epifluorescence microscopy. Seventy-six out of 78 strains belonging to Enterobacteriaceae were visualized in an optimal hybridization condition. No bacterial strains belonging to Vibrionaceae (31 strains) and Gram-positive bacteria (three strains) were visualized.

CONCLUSIONS

In situ hybridization using probe D allows the detection of bacterial cells belonging to Enterobacteriaceae without false positive reaction.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

In situ hybridization techniques using the probe D are potential tools for detecting Enterobacteriaceae in food and water samples.

Bacterial population in Russian space station "Mir"

We had the opportunity to investigate the bacterial population in air samples, condensation water, and inner wall swabs from the Russian space station Mir. From the first and second air samples during the mission, 29 and 7 bacterial colonies were collected, respectively. The values were equivalent to 16.8 and 4.0 cfu/100 liter air, respectively. Condensation water was collected from three different sites. The total viable bacterial counts were 2.1 x 10(6), 5.2 x 10(2), and 3.0 x 10(1) cfu/ml. The phylogenetic position of each isolate was determined by total 16S rDNA sequencing. Bacteria from air samples were mainly Gram-positive (35/36 colonies), and staphylococci occupied dominant specifically (23/36 colonies). On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria were mainly isolated from condensation water samples. Most strains were thought to be opportunistic pathogens or environmental bacteria (such as those that inhabit soil, water, or air) found on earth. However, 6 of 23 isolates were suspected to be new species according to phylogenetic analysis and quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization data. The isolation of the other levels 3 and 2 bacteria, using specific selective media, was unsuccessful because all samples were heavily contaminated with fungi. To overcome this situation, PCR methods were applied to survey most levels 3 and 2 pathogenic bacteria in the condensation water samples. Up to 380 different primers for bacterial pathogens were used in this study. Only Mycobacterium avium 16S DNA sequences, however, could be amplified from the three water samples. The average bacteria count was estimated to be about 10(4) organisms/ml water.

Fungal flora on board the Mir-Space Station, identification by morphological features and ribosomal DNA sequences

This report is on the morphological and molecular biological identification, using 18S- and ITS1-rDNA sequences, of the "space fungi" isolated on board the Russian Mir-Space Station as the major constituents of the fungal flora. The six fungal strains were isolated from air by using an air sampler or from condensation. Strains were identified as Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor, or Penicillium sp. by both methods. The species of space fungi were common saprophytic fungi in our living environment, potential pathogens, and allergens. This study concluded that the environment on board the space station Mir allows the growth of potentially pathogenic fungi as true in residential areas on the earth. Therefore, to prevent infection or other health disorders caused by these fungi, easy and reliable methods should be established to survey the fungal flora in a space station.

Kupffer cell-mediated recruitment of rat dendritic cells to the liver: roles of N-acetylgalactosamine-specific sugar receptors

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Tissue recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) is essential for antigen presentation. This study aimed to examine cellular and molecular mechanisms for DC recruitment to the liver.

METHODS

Purified rat DCs were injected into circulation and their traffics were analyzed in normal and Kupffer cell-depleted rats by intravital confocal microscopy and immunohistology. Affinities of DCs to sinusoidal cells were examined by a cell-binding assay. DC precursor recruitment was induced by particulate injection.

RESULTS

Both DC precursors and DCs at the antigen-transporting stage could be recruited to the liver, and their majority initially showed a selective binding to Kupffer cells. In the Kupffer cell-depleted rats, DCs could neither be recruited to the liver nor adhere to sinusoidal walls. Pretreatment with varied monosaccharides showed that sugar residues consisting of N-acetylgalactosamine were necessary for this binding. The binding was calcium-dependent, implying the C-type lectin involvement. Furthermore, DCs could endocytose N-acetylgalactosamine polymers in a receptor-specific manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The DC-Kupffer cell binding through N-acetylgalactosamine-specific C-type lectin-like receptors is crucial for DC recruitment to the liver. Rat DCs at least partly possess receptors for endocytosis of galactosylated antigens. These DC receptors as well as Kupffer cell lectins are presumably responsible for this binding.

Borrelia sinica sp. nov., a lyme disease-related Borrelia species isolated in China

A survey was performed for Lyme disease borrelia in the southern part of China, in Zhejiang, Sichuan and Anhui provinces, along the Yangtze River valley, in May of 1997 and 1998. Twenty isolates from Ixodes granulatus, Ixodes ovatus, Apodemus agrarius and Niviventer confucianus were obtained. These isolates were characterized by RFLP of the 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer, sequence analysis of the intergenic spacer, 16S rDNA and flagellin gene, DNA-DNA hybridization analysis, SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with mAbs. Six isolates from A. agrarius, five from I. granulatus collected in Zhejiang province and one from N. confucianus in Sichuan province were highly similar to strains 10MT and 5MT isolated in Korea and classified as Borrelia valaisiana. Four isolates from A. agrarius and I. granulatus collected in Zhejiang province generated unique RFLP patterns and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA and flagellin gene sequences suggested that the isolates should be classified as B. valaisiana. Furthermore, three isolates (CMN1a, CNM2, CMN3T) from N. confucianus captured in Sichuan province and one (CWO1) from I. ovatus in Anhui province showed lower 165 rDNA sequence similarity (less than 99.0%) to sequences of previously described Lyme disease-related Borrelia species. DNA-DNA hybridization results revealed that strains CMN3T and CMN1a were clearly distinct from all other known Lyme disease Borrelia species. Electron microscope observation showed the spirochaetes to be morphologically similar to those of Borrelia, but the cells contained only four periplasmic flagella inserted at each end of the spirochaetes. Based on these results, a new Borrelia species, Borrelia sinica sp. nov., is proposed. Strain CMN3T is the type strain of this new species.

Separation of 6-deoxy-heptan [correction of 6-deoxy-heptane] from a smooth-type lipopolysaccharide preparation of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Smooth-type lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Burkholderia pseudomallei has been reported to contain two kinds of O-antigenic polysaccharides, a 1,3-linked homopolymer of 6-deoxy-heptose and a polymer with a repeating unit of -->3)-glucose-(1-->3)-6-deoxy-talose-(1--> with O-acetyl or O-methyl modifications. A LPS preparation containing these two polysaccharides was separated by gel-permeation chromatography in this study. Chemical analysis of the separated fractions revealed the 6-deoxy-heptan [corrected] to be a polysaccharide without a lipid portion and the polymer of glucose and 6-deoxy-talose to be an O-antigenic polysaccharide of the LPS. This result was further supported by the assay of these polysaccharide molecules for macrophage activation activity. The 6-deoxy-heptan [corrected] showed no macrophage activation, indicating that this polysaccharide was not the LPS, but one of the capsular polysaccharides of B. pseudomallei.

Proposal of the genera Anaerococcus gen. nov., Peptoniphilus gen. nov. and Gallicola gen. nov. for members of the genus Peptostreptococcus

Members of genus Peptostreptococcus have previously been found to be distantly related to the type species, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence similarities. They were divided into three major phylogenetic groups, and their peptidoglycan structure and biochemical traits differed between groups. The reclassification of the species of these three groups into three new genera, Peptoniphilus gen. nov., Anaerococcus gen. nov. and Gallicola gen. nov., is proposed. The genus Peptoniphilus gen. nov. includes the following butyrate-producing, non-saccharolytic species that use peptone and amino acids as major energy sources: Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus comb. nov. (type species), Peptoniphilus lacrimaris comb. nov., Peptoniphilus harei comb. nov., Peptoniphilus indolicus comb. nov. and Peptoniphilus ivorii comb. nov. The genus Anaerococcus gen. nov. contains the saccharolytic, butyrate-producing species Anaerococcus prevotii comb. nov. (type species), Anaerococcus tetradius comb. nov., Anaerococcus lactolyticus comb. nov., Anaerococcus hydrogenalis comb. nov., Anaerococcus vaginalis comb. nov. and Anaerococcus octavius sp. nov. The genus Gallicola gen. nov. contains a single species, Gallicola barnesae comb. nov.

Trafficking of host- and donor-derived dendritic cells in rat cardiac transplantation: allosensitization in the spleen and hepatic nodes

BACKGROUND

Kinetics and role of host and donor dendritic cells (DCs) in transplantation immunity are still ill-defined. Using a rat cardiac transplantation model, we studied DC trafficking and sites for allosensitization.

METHODS

Host and donor DCs were defined as host- or donor-type class II major histocompatibility complex antigen single-positive cells by double-immunostaining. Proliferative response of both donor and host cells were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Host DCs were recruited to the graft soon after transplantation. These cells represented definitive precursors because of high labeling index by a continuous bromodeoxyuridine infusion, their small round shape, and their putative bone marrow origin. Donor interstitial DCs showed a significant self-replicating capability. Both recruited host DCs in a regraft experiment and donor DCs preferentially performed blood-borne migration to the T-cell area of host spleen. Furthermore, they also migrated to the T-cell area of hepatic lymph nodes after executing the sinusoids-lymph translocation as a novel pathway for these DCs. Selectively at their migration sites, a strong T-cell proliferative response occurred, which preceded that in the graft tissues. Removal of spleen and hepatic lymph nodes significantly prolonged the mean graft survival time.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that allogeneic heart transplantation induces the recruitment of host DC precursors to the graft tissues and the blood-borne migration of both recruited host and donor DCs to the host spleen and hepatic nodes where effector cells are predominantly sensitized.

Time course of endothelial cell proliferation and microvascular remodeling in chronic inflammation

Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling are features of many chronic inflammatory diseases. When diseases evolve slowly, the accompanying changes in the microvasculature would seem to be similarly gradual. Here we report that the rate of endothelial cell proliferation and the size of blood vessels increases rapidly after the onset of an infection that leads to chronic inflammatory airway disease. In C3H mice inoculated with Mycoplasma pulmonis, the tracheal microvasculature, made visible by perfusion of Lycopersicon esculentum lectin, rapidly enlarged from 4 to 7 days after infection and then plateaued. Diameters of arterioles, capillaries, and venules increased on average 148, 214, and 74%, respectively. Endothelial cell proliferation, measured by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, peaked at 5 days (18 times the pathogen-free value), declined sharply until day 9, but remained at approximately 3 times the pathogen-free value for at least 28 days. Remodeled capillaries and venules were sites of focal plasma leakage and extensive leukocyte adherence. Most systemic manifestations of the infection occurred well after the peak of endothelial proliferation, and the humoral immune response to M. pulmonis was among the latest, increasing after 14 days. These data show that endothelial cell proliferation and microvascular remodeling occur at an early stage of chronic airway disease and suggest that the vascular changes precede widespread tissue remodeling.

5 alpha-reductase type 2 is constitutively expressed in the dermal papilla and connective tissue sheath of the hair follicle in vivo but not during culture in vitro

Recent studies suggest that 5 alpha-reductase type 2 (5 alpha R2) rather than 5 alpha R1 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of male-pattern baldness. To clarify the localization of the androgen receptor (AR), 5 alpha R1, and 5 alpha R2 in the hair follicle, we investigated the expression of the corresponding genes by RT-PCR using microdissected hair follicles. AR and 5 alpha R1 mRNAs were expressed in all portions of the hair follicle. By contrast, 5 alpha R2 mRNA was expressed only in mesenchymal portions that included the dermal papilla and connective tissue sheath, and hardly any was expressed in epithelial portions. The intensity of expression of these genes in each portion of the hair follicles did not differ between follicles from balding and nonbalding scalp. We also examined the expression of these genes in cultured fibroblasts derived from the dermal papilla and connective tissue sheath. Although expression of AR and 5 alpha R1 mRNAs was easily detected, there was no obvious expression of 5 alpha R2 mRNA in either type of cell. Type-specific inhibition of 5 alpha R activity by MK386 and MK906 confirmed these patterns of expression of 5 alpha R mRNA. Thus, the expression of 5 alpha R2 mRNA seems to be characteristic of freshly microdissected mesenchymal portions of the hair follicle, but such expression might not be maintained in culture.