A prenylflavone, artonin E, as arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor

Several naturally occurring prenylflavones were tested for their inhibitory actions on arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase purified from porcine leukocytes. Of the compounds tested, artonin E (5'-hydroxymorusin) exhibited the most potent inhibition on arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 0.36 microM). Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase purified from porcine leukocytes and human platelets, 15-lipoxygenase from rabbit reticulocytes and fatty acid cyclooxygenase from bovine vesicular glands were inhibited by the compound only at higher concentrations (IC50 = 2.3, 11, 5.2 and 2.5 microM, respectively).

Defective lectin-induced p55kDa-IL2R expression on peripheral T cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

We examined 19 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients for their responsiveness to lectin stimulation, as measured by T cell proliferative response and p55kDa-IL2R expression. Our results indicate that both these responses were remarkably depressed in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients and the deficiency of lectin-induced p55kDa-IL2R expression correlated closely with the reductions in the lectin-induced T cell proliferative responses. The evidence that costimulation with PMA can partially overcome the IL2R defect might allow us to localize the cellular defects and rationally design chemotherapeutic agents corrective for these patients' poor p55kDa-IL2R inducibility.

Monoclonal antibody to pseudouridine used to develop a radioimmunoassay

Pseudouridine, a component of tRNA, was modified to yield the derivatives: succinyl, palmitoyl pseudouridine, and protein conjugates. These derivatives were used in preparation of monoclonal antibodies specifically directed to pseudouridine. MAbs from three hybridomas (OAL 881, 812 and 814) were established and shown to be directed to pseudouridine, uridine and uracil. OAL 881 was equally reactive with the three substrates, OAL 812 showed the same reactivity for pseudouridine and uracil, while OAL 814 showed a reactivity mainly for pseudouridine. MAb OAL 814 was used in a radioimmunoassay (RIA) system unique for pseudouridine. A good dose-response curve was observed in the range between 31.3 and 2000 nmol/ml. Intra- and inter-assay CV values were below 4.1% and 7.4% respectively, and good results were obtained from recovery of added material and dilution tests. The ratio of pseudouridine/creatinin in urine was significantly higher in patients with cancer than in normal subjects.

Discrimination of liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis by analysis of serum cholinesterase isozymes using affinity electrophoresis with concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin

Isozymic alteration of serum cholinesterase (ChE) was investigated in patients with chronic liver diseases using affinity electrophoresis with concanavalin A (Con A) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). On Con A-containing agarose gel electrophoresis, three bands with enzyme activity (named bands I to III, from the anodic side to the cathodic) were observed in sera of normal controls. Disappearance of band II was observed in 50% (15/30) of cirrhotic patients, but only one of 20 patients with chronic hepatitis lacked band II of the serum ChE isozymes. Meanwhile, WGA-containing agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that normal controls had four ChE isozymes (named bands I to IV from the anodic side to the cathodic). These four isozymes were also observed in patients with chronic hepatitis. However approximately 67% (20/30) of cirrhotic patients lacked band II of ChE isozymes. When these two affinity electrophoreses were used in combination, 22 (73%) of 30 cirrhotic patients had isozymic alteration of their serum ChE on either Con A-containing or WGA-containing agarose gel electrophoresis, or both. Thus, affinity electrophoreses with Con A and WGA seemed to be useful methods in differentiating liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis.

Determination of succinylcholine hydrolytic enzyme activity in human plasma

Succinylcholine is frequently employed in surgical procedures as a pre-anaesthetic. However, the lack of existing metabolic activity for this compound in some individuals entails a substantial risk. Normally, the risk is assessed indirectly through the measurement of pseudocholinesterase activity using other substrates, such as acetylcholine, rather than the agent itself. Thus, a method was devised to assess directly the hydrolysis of succinylcholine in human plasma samples. This method was applied to plasma samples derived from healthy men, healthy women, pregnant women and patients with silent pseudocholinesterasaemia.

A case of rheumatoid arthritis which developed after recovery from adult respiratory distress syndrome

A 53-year-old previously healthy woman suddenly developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of unknown etiology. High-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy and artificial ventilation were started immediately and she dramatically responded to the treatment. However, soon after recovery from ARDS, she developed typical rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although no apparent relationship between RA and ARDS was clear, this case is quite suggestive in the consideration of the etiology of ARDS.

The effect of completely purine-free diet of low sodium content on purine intermediates and end-product

Intake of completely purine-free foods of low sodium content increased the plasma concentrations of both hypoxanthine and inosine and the urinary excretion of hypoxanthine, while it decreased the urinary excretion of uric acid and the fractional clearance of uric acid. However, this diet affects neither nucleotides (inosine monophosphate, adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate) in red blood cells, enzymes (purine nucleoside phosphorylase, adenosine deaminase and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase) in red blood cells nor the fractional clearance of oxypurines. These results suggest that the salvage of purines becomes more effective by limiting the conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine and limiting the loss of uric acid during intake of completely purine-free foods of low sodium content; also that a decrease in the fractional clearance of uric acid due to completely purine-free foods of low sodium content may be an additional mechanism associated with the conservation of purines but is more likely to be a response to the low sodium diet on the renal handling of uric acid.

Lymphokine-regulated differential expression of mRNA for p75kDa-IL-2R and p55kDa-IL-2R in a cloned B lymphoma line (BLC1-CL-3 cells)

IL-5 renders BCL1-CL-3 (CL-3) cells responsive to IL-2 by increasing the number of high affinity IL-2R, whereas IL-4 prohibits such action of IL-5 to prepare CL-3 cells responsive to IL-2. Here we have found that genes for p75kDa-IL-2R and p55kDa-IL-2R are differentially regulated by IL-4 and IL-5. Nonstimulated CL-3 cells constitutively express mRNA for p75kDa-IL-2R and p55kDa-IL-2R. IL-5 stimulation principally augments the expression of p75kDa-IL-2R mRNA (4- to 8-fold), although modestly increasing the expression of p55kDa-IL-2R mRNA. Kinetic studies have revealed a maximal increase in p75kDa-IL-2R mRNA expression at 12 h and a decline thereafter, substantiating our previous kinetic study of the expression of high affinity IL-2R after the IL-5 stimulation. By contrast, IL-4 stimulation modestly increases the expression of p75kDa-IL-2R mRNA, whereas markedly reducing the expression of p55kDa-IL-2R mRNA, irrespective of whether CL-3 cells were stimulated with IL-4 alone or together with IL-5 and IL-2. Moreover, addition of IL-4 into the culture containing IL-5 and IL-2 causes striking reduction in the level of J-chain mRNA, which otherwise is markedly induced by stimulation with IL-5 and IL-2. These results clearly illustrate the differential regulation of p75kDa- and p55kDa-IL-2R-gene expression by IL-5 and IL-4, and reinforce our notion that increased expression of high affinity IL-2R induced by IL-5 is responsible for the IL-2 competent state, and decreased expression of p55kDa-IL-2R by IL-4 is responsible for IL-2 unresponsive state.

Lymphokine-regulated differential expression of mRNA for p75kDa-IL-2R and p55kDa-IL-2R in a cloned B lymphoma line (BLC1-CL-3 cells)

IL-5 renders BCL1-CL-3 (CL-3) cells responsive to IL-2 by increasing the number of high affinity IL-2R, whereas IL-4 prohibits such action of IL-5 to prepare CL-3 cells responsive to IL-2. Here we have found that genes for p75kDa-IL-2R and p55kDa-IL-2R are differentially regulated by IL-4 and IL-5. Nonstimulated CL-3 cells constitutively express mRNA for p75kDa-IL-2R and p55kDa-IL-2R. IL-5 stimulation principally augments the expression of p75kDa-IL-2R mRNA (4- to 8-fold), although modestly increasing the expression of p55kDa-IL-2R mRNA. Kinetic studies have revealed a maximal increase in p75kDa-IL-2R mRNA expression at 12 h and a decline thereafter, substantiating our previous kinetic study of the expression of high affinity IL-2R after the IL-5 stimulation. By contrast, IL-4 stimulation modestly increases the expression of p75kDa-IL-2R mRNA, whereas markedly reducing the expression of p55kDa-IL-2R mRNA, irrespective of whether CL-3 cells were stimulated with IL-4 alone or together with IL-5 and IL-2. Moreover, addition of IL-4 into the culture containing IL-5 and IL-2 causes striking reduction in the level of J-chain mRNA, which otherwise is markedly induced by stimulation with IL-5 and IL-2. These results clearly illustrate the differential regulation of p75kDa- and p55kDa-IL-2R-gene expression by IL-5 and IL-4, and reinforce our notion that increased expression of high affinity IL-2R induced by IL-5 is responsible for the IL-2 competent state, and decreased expression of p55kDa-IL-2R by IL-4 is responsible for IL-2 unresponsive state.

Purification and properties of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as a 3-keto bile acid reductase from human liver cytosol

The NADPH-dependent 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (peaks 1, 2 and 3) acting on 3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid separated by carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography from human liver cytosol were purified to homogeneous protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, using Affi-Gel blue, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, TSKgel G3000 SW chromatography and chromatofocusing. The overall purifications of the enzymes from cytosol were 316-fold (peak 1), 232-fold (peak 2) and 345-fold (peak 3) and the recoveries of the enzymes were 0.4% (peak 1), 7.1% (peak 2) and 3.7% (peak 3). The isoelectric points of the enzymes were found to be 7.34, 7.46 and 7.88 by chromatofocusing. The molecular weights of the enzymes were similar and estimated to be about 32,000 by size exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzymological properties were nearly identical among the three forms. The reaction was reversible and the optimum pH of the enzymes for oxidation was about 8.4 and that for reduction was about 7.4. The enzymes could not reduce 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid, 7 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-3-one and 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-3-one to the corresponding 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids, whereas the enzymes could reduce 3,7-disubstituted 3-keto bile acids. Thus, the enzymes purified in this study were found to have a stereospecific character for some 3-ketosteroids. The enzyme activity was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate; however, the inhibition was prevented by addition of dithiothreitol to the reaction mixture, indicating that the enzyme required a sulfhydryl group for activity.

Expression of a hybrid form of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in a newly established cell line (HuG-1) from a gastric cancer patient

An unusual alkaline phosphatase (AP), named HuG-AP, was found in a newly established cell line (HuG-1) derived from a patient with stomach cancer. The enzyme was purified about 300-fold by affinity chromatography. On polyacrylamide gradient (4-30%) gel electrophoresis, the one band with the enzyme activity was observed. The enzymic properties of HuG-AP did not conform to those of liver, intestinal, placental, and germ cell AP isoenzymes which were recognized as homodimeric structure. Thermostability of the HuG-AP showed an intermediate value between intestinal and placental APs. Immunologically, the HuG-AP reacted with both anti-intestinal and anti-placental AP monoclonal antibodies. Dot blot analysis showed that both intestinal and placental AP mRNAs were expressed in HuG-1 cells concurrently. Therefore, we concluded that this novel AP had a hybrid form, namely heterodimeric structure, consisting of one subunit each of intestinal and placental APs. However, all of the properties of this hybrid AP did not conform to the intermediate enzymic properties between intestinal and placental APs which would be shown when they both coexist. Because an AP identical to HuG-AP had already been found in the metastatic lesion of the liver of the same patient, the expression of this novel AP seemed to occur in the patient's original cancer cells but did not result from spontaneous transformation of cultured cells.

Gallium-67 scanning in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma

The findings of Gallium-67 scans in eleven patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were reviewed and compared to those of chest CT findings. All patients had an abnormal thoracic Ga-67 accumulation. Six out of 11 showed a diffuse accumulation over the entire involved hemithorax and a localized uptake was shown in 5. A marked diffuse thickening of pleura in the absence of adequate gallium accumulation was observed in one patient. Two out of 11 had a reduction of gallium uptake after having combination chemotherapy. These results suggest that a diffusely increased uptake over the entire involved hemithorax is the most characteristic finding of Ga-67 scan in malignant pleural mesothelioma, and that Ga-67 scans may be helpful as a valuable indicator of the proper therapy. However, the superiority of Ga-67 scan to thoracic CT as a means of determining the extent of disease process could not be verified.

Structures of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of an alkaline phosphatase, kasahara isozyme, purified from FL amnion cells

Asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were quantitatively released by hydrazinolysis from an alkaline phosphatase, Kasahara isozyme, which was purified from FL amnion cells. Almost all of the oligosaccharides (98%) were acidic components, all of which can be converted to neutral oligosaccharides upon sialidase digestion. Structural analysis of the oligosaccharides by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis revealed that the alkaline phosphatase of FL cells contains sialylated mono-, bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary complex type sugar chains with the Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1---- outer chains. Some of the tetraantennary sugar chains contain a single Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1---- outer chain on their Man alpha 1----6 arm. Both fucosylated and nonfucosylated trimannosyl cores were found in the sugar chains. However, it is of interest that the core portion of monoantennary oligosaccharide was not fucosylated and that of the tetraantennary oligosaccharide with a tetrasaccharide outer chain was completely fucosylated.

Analysis of uric acid transport in renal tubules using benzbromarone and pyrazinamide

Both the benzbromarone loading test alone and the pyrazinamide suppression test combined with the benzbromarone loading test were performed in four healthy male volunteers to examine the renal handling of uric acid and to demonstrate whether benzbromarone selectively blocks postsecretory reabsorption. On the basis of the four-component theory, equations of four states of fractional uric acid clearance were constructed: 1) the control state, the states of 2) benzbromarone loading, 3) pyrazinamide suppression and 4) both pyrazinamide suppression and benzbromarone loading. As a result, presecretory reabsorption, tubular secretion and postsecretory reabsorption of uric acid were calculated to be about 93-98%, 30-44% and 79-92%, respectively. In addition, it was calculated that benzbromarone inhibited postsecretory reabsorption selectively. Because of the selectivity of the action site of benzbromarone in renal tubules, this loading test is considered to reflect uric acid transport more precisely than tests using probenecid.

Purification and some properties of the fast migrating alkaline phosphatase in FL-amnion cells (the Kasahara isoenzyme) and its cDNA cloning

One of two main FL-amnion cell alkaline phosphatase (AP), the fast migrating one (FL-APF) has been reported to be identical to Kasahara isoenzyme (K.I.), which occurs preferentially in sera of patients with primary hepatoma. We purified FL-APF of which the apparent molecular weight was 135,000 by gel filtration, and that of the subunit was 62,000 on SDS/PAGE, indicating homodimeric structure of FL-AL-APF. FL-APF was found to react with monoclonal antibody against adult intestinal AP, but not with monoclonal antibody to placental AP. We isolated FL-APF cDNA clone from FL-amnion cells, of which cDNA was 2525 base pairs in length. Nucleotide sequence of the coding region and the 3' untranslated region was identical to the sequence of human adult intestinal AP cDNA. But the untranslated region of the 5' end of the isolated clone was slightly longer than that of intestinal AP. Hence, FL-APF (K.I.) may occur by altered glycosylation of intestinal AP.

IL-5 up-regulates but IL-4 down-regulates IL-2R expression on a cloned B lymphoma line

Both IL-4 and IL-5 demonstrate B cell growth activity. IL-5 can render a cloned neoplastic B cell line, BCL1-CL-3 cells, responsive to IL-2, whereas IL-4 has no such activity. The response to IL-5 and IL-2 proceeds in two phases: the first phase which clearly depends upon IL-5 is the obvious increase in number of high affinity IL-2R (3.1-fold) with modest increase of low affinity IL-2R (1.2-fold) and gain of the ability of facilitated IL-2-binding and internalization of IL-2, and the second phase which is induced by IL-2 in the IL-5-stimulated CL-3 cells comprises the striking increase of low affinity IL-2R (8.5-fold). Kinetic study has revealed that high affinity IL-2R expressed on CL-3 cells begins to increase at 6 h and reaches to maximum at 12 h after stimulation with IL-5 or IL-5 plus IL-2, whereas low affinity IL-2R expression increases at 18 h and becomes maximal at 24 h after stimulation of CL-3 cells with IL-5 and IL-2. However, in the presence of IL-4, IL-5 cannot induce an increase in number of high affinity IL-2R on CL-3 cells. Thus, CL-3 cells stimulated with the mixture of IL-5 and IL-4 cannot respond to IL-2, and fail to show up-regulated expression of low affinity IL-2R. IL-4 also has a capacity to modestly interfere with the action of IL-2 to up-regulate low affinity IL-2R expression on IL-5-pretreated CL-3 cells. Thus, this monoclonal B cell system provides an excellent model system to define the roles of IL-5 and IL-4 involved in the B cell differentiation and to characterize the properties of B cells competent to IL-2 stimulation and the signal transduction mechanism which operates through IL-2/IL-2R system.

IL-5 up-regulates but IL-4 down-regulates IL-2R expression on a cloned B lymphoma line

Both IL-4 and IL-5 demonstrate B cell growth activity. IL-5 can render a cloned neoplastic B cell line, BCL1-CL-3 cells, responsive to IL-2, whereas IL-4 has no such activity. The response to IL-5 and IL-2 proceeds in two phases: the first phase which clearly depends upon IL-5 is the obvious increase in number of high affinity IL-2R (3.1-fold) with modest increase of low affinity IL-2R (1.2-fold) and gain of the ability of facilitated IL-2-binding and internalization of IL-2, and the second phase which is induced by IL-2 in the IL-5-stimulated CL-3 cells comprises the striking increase of low affinity IL-2R (8.5-fold). Kinetic study has revealed that high affinity IL-2R expressed on CL-3 cells begins to increase at 6 h and reaches to maximum at 12 h after stimulation with IL-5 or IL-5 plus IL-2, whereas low affinity IL-2R expression increases at 18 h and becomes maximal at 24 h after stimulation of CL-3 cells with IL-5 and IL-2. However, in the presence of IL-4, IL-5 cannot induce an increase in number of high affinity IL-2R on CL-3 cells. Thus, CL-3 cells stimulated with the mixture of IL-5 and IL-4 cannot respond to IL-2, and fail to show up-regulated expression of low affinity IL-2R. IL-4 also has a capacity to modestly interfere with the action of IL-2 to up-regulate low affinity IL-2R expression on IL-5-pretreated CL-3 cells. Thus, this monoclonal B cell system provides an excellent model system to define the roles of IL-5 and IL-4 involved in the B cell differentiation and to characterize the properties of B cells competent to IL-2 stimulation and the signal transduction mechanism which operates through IL-2/IL-2R system.

[A case of multiple cavities on chest film with high titer of serum cryptococcal antigen]

A 26-year-old man admitted to Nishinomiya Municipal Hospital for further evaluation for abnormal shadows on the chest film in a mass examination. He had no subjective complaints; for example, cough, sputum or dyspnea. His past history and physical examinations yielded no significant findings. The chest film revealed the multiple cavities accompanied with a little infiltration throughout several lobes bilaterally. The inflammatory reactions; such as, CRP and ESR, were all intact, but the titer of the serum cryptococcal antigen was high. He was not immunocompromised. Although bronchoscopy and transbronchial lung biopsy were performed twice during admission, they revealed no pathogenic findings both bacteriologically and histologically. The elevation of the serum cryptococcal antigen titer suggested that this disease is the primary pulmonary cryptococcosis. The titer decreased with spontaneous disappearance of the abnormal shadows on the chest film. This test has a sensitivity of 90% for cryptococcal infection, but in rheumatoid arthritis, a small percentage of false positive results have been reported. Therefore, if the rheumatoid factor is eliminated, the test is more specific for cryptococcal infection. On the other hand, some authors have reported the false positive results in Trichosporon beigelii infection by this method. But this disease is negligible for its frequency in clinical features in our country. We emphasized that this non-invasive test is more useful for the diagnosis of the primary pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Effect of probenecid on oxypurines in plasma

Probenecid decreased the plasma concentration of oxypurines (hypoxanthine and xanthine) but did not increase the renal excretion of oxypurines. However, the concentrations of hypoxanthine and nucleotides (inosine monophosphate, adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, guanosine diphosphate and guanosine triphosphate) in red blood cells did not change after the administration of probenecid. In addition, the drug did not inhibit adenosine deaminase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase and xanthine oxidase in vitro. These results suggested that the rapid fall of plasma concentration of uric acid due to the potent uricosuric action of probenecid resulted in the fall of plasma concentration of oxypurines.

The effect of phenobarbital on human plasma lipids

The effect of phenobarbital to increase the activity of hepatic microsomal enzyme system, resulting in an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, is well known. However, it remains uncertain whether phenobarbital increases plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride, and which subfractions of the high density lipoprotein fractions phenobarbital increases. The present study was therefore, conducted to investigate these points. Long-term treatment of phenobarbital increased the plasma concentrations of HDL2-cholesterol, HDL3-cholesterol and HDL3-phospholipid, and decreased the plasma concentrations of low density lipoprotein + very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol. On the other hand, its long-term treatment did not affect the plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid. In addition, phenobarbital increased the plasma concentration of apolipoprotein A-I, decreased the plasma concentration of apolipoprotein B, but did not affect the plasma concentration of apolipoprotein A-II. These results indicate the possibility that phenobarbital has an antiatherogenic effect.

Pancreatitis in the annulus of annular pancreas demonstrated by the combined use of computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Annular pancreas, an uncommon condition, is often hard to diagnose before operation. We report a case of annular pancreas with pancreatitis of the annulus that was diagnosed by the use of computed tomography followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. An upper gastrointestinal series and duodenoscopy revealed stenosis of the second portion of the duodenum. Computed tomography revealed enlargement of the annulus of the pancreas. Two years later, follow-up computed tomography demonstrated calcifications of the annulus, although the remaining pancreas seemed to be normal.

B cell response pathways regulated by IL-5 and IL-2. Secretory microH chain-mRNA and J chain mRNA expression are separately controlled events

We have examined the effect of IL-5 and/or IL-2 on the expression of the secretory form of microH chain (microsecond) and J chain mRNA in a homogeneous neoplastic B cell clone, in which proliferation, IL-2R up-regulation and entry into the IgM secretory state are separately controlled events. The IL-5 signal triggers a partial induction of CL-3 cells into the IgM secretory state, characterized by a striking increase of microsecond mRNA expression and an increase in the ratio of the secretory to membrane forms of microH chain mRNA, with a modest increase of J chain mRNA. In contrast, amplification of J chain mRNA is accomplished by the late-acting B cell differentiation stimulus, IL-2, acting on IL-5-pretreated CL-3 cells or acting simultaneously with IL-5 on CL-3 cells. Such dually stimulated cells now are fully induced into IgM secreting cells. These results define the relative roles of IL-5 and IL-2 in B cell differentiation by showing important regulatory effects at the mRNA level. In addition, these results substantiate that appearance of mRNA for J chain, a molecule key to the formation of pentameric IgM, is a limiting factor for high level IgM secretion. The separate control of microsecond and J chain mRNA found in CL-3 cells stimulated with IL-5 and IL-2 elucidates a molecular mechanism by which these two lymphokines synergize in the development of CL-3 cells into IgM secreting cells.

B cell response pathways regulated by IL-5 and IL-2. Secretory microH chain-mRNA and J chain mRNA expression are separately controlled events

We have examined the effect of IL-5 and/or IL-2 on the expression of the secretory form of microH chain (microsecond) and J chain mRNA in a homogeneous neoplastic B cell clone, in which proliferation, IL-2R up-regulation and entry into the IgM secretory state are separately controlled events. The IL-5 signal triggers a partial induction of CL-3 cells into the IgM secretory state, characterized by a striking increase of microsecond mRNA expression and an increase in the ratio of the secretory to membrane forms of microH chain mRNA, with a modest increase of J chain mRNA. In contrast, amplification of J chain mRNA is accomplished by the late-acting B cell differentiation stimulus, IL-2, acting on IL-5-pretreated CL-3 cells or acting simultaneously with IL-5 on CL-3 cells. Such dually stimulated cells now are fully induced into IgM secreting cells. These results define the relative roles of IL-5 and IL-2 in B cell differentiation by showing important regulatory effects at the mRNA level. In addition, these results substantiate that appearance of mRNA for J chain, a molecule key to the formation of pentameric IgM, is a limiting factor for high level IgM secretion. The separate control of microsecond and J chain mRNA found in CL-3 cells stimulated with IL-5 and IL-2 elucidates a molecular mechanism by which these two lymphokines synergize in the development of CL-3 cells into IgM secreting cells.

Metabolism of pyrazinamide and allopurinol in hereditary xanthine oxidase deficiency

The metabolism of pyrazinamide and allopurinol was studied in three xanthinuric patients from two families with hereditary xanthinuria to determine whether both substrates were oxidized only by xanthine oxidase or by other oxidases as well. One xanthinuric patient could neither metabolize pyrazinamide into 5-hydroxypyrazinamide nor allopurinol into oxypurinol. Two xanthinuric patients could metabolize both pyrazinamide into 5-hydroxypyrazinamide and allopurinol into oxypurinol but could not oxidize pyrazinoic acid to 5-hydroxypyrazinoic acid. These findings suggest that xanthinuria comprises at least two subgroups.

Reduction of 7-ketolithocholic acid by human liver enzyme preparations in vitro

The formation of chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids from 7-ketolithocholic acid by human liver preparations was examined in vitro. Liver preparations were incubated with 7-ketolithocholic acid at pH 5.5 in a sodium-potassium-phosphate buffer containing NADPH or NADH. The products formed were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results showed that chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids could be formed from 7-ketolithocholic acid by human liver enzyme(s). The enzyme(s) required NADPH but not NADH as coenzyme and was localized largely in the microsomes. The conjugated 7-ketolithocholic acid, especially the taurine conjugated, was predominantly reduced to chenodeoxycholic acid, whereas the unconjugated 7-ketolithocholic acid was not reduced well to either chenodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid. Thus the reduction of 7-ketolithocholic acid by human liver enzyme(s) was found to be dependent on whether the substrate was conjugated or not.

Serum pseudouridine as a biochemical marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The concentration of serum pseudouridine, a degradation product of transfer ribonucleic acid, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis, other benign hepatobiliary diseases, and healthy controls. The serum pseudouridine concentration in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than that in patients with cirrhosis or the controls. Twenty-seven (51.9%) of 52 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had serum pseudouridine concentrations higher than the mean value for healthy controls plus 2 SD. Fourteen of the 36 patients who had serum alpha-fetoprotein levels below 400 ng/ml, had elevated serum pseudouridine concentration. In total, 36 of the 52 patients (69.2%) could be detected by combination of these two markers. Two patients who had developed hepatocellular carcinoma during the course of cirrhosis and were continuously negative for alpha-fetoprotein, had higher levels of the pseudouridine concentration when hepatocellular carcinoma occurred. Furthermore, 4 of the 7 patients who had a very small cancer and were negative for alpha-fetoprotein, had elevated serum pseudouridine concentration. These results indicate that serum pseudouridine is a useful biochemical marker and that serum pseudouridine and alpha-fetoprotein in combination are considered to serve as complementary markers, for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Urinary pseudouridine as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of primary hepatocellular carcinoma

The urinary level of pseudouridine, primarily a degradation product of transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA), was determined in 38 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 18 with liver cirrhosis, 12 with chronic hepatitis, nine with acute hepatitis, and 28 healthy subjects. The mean urinary pseudouridine concentration was significantly higher in the patients with hepatoma [38.2 +/- 12.8 (SD) nmol/mumol creatinine] than in those with liver cirrhosis (20.3 +/- 6.8), chronic hepatitis (24.4 +/- 8.2), and acute hepatitis (21.7 +/- 8.2), and in healthy subjects (23.8 +/- 4.9). Urinary pseudouridine level was elevated above the mean value plus 2 SD for the healthy subjects (33.6 nmol/mumol creatinine) in 71% of our hepatoma cases. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels correlated poorly with urinary pseudouridine levels, thus, the combination assay for urinary pseudouridine and serum alpha-fetoprotein could detect 79% of the patients with hepatoma. Moreover, urinary pseudouridine level was reduced after effective transcatheter arterial embolization therapy.

Bilateral multiple cavities in bronchiolar carcinoma

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Direct determination of urinary pseudouridine by high-performance liquid chromatography

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of pseudouridine in urine. This method does not need pretreatment by boronate affinity gel. Therefore, it can be used in screening patients with malignant disease and for monitoring clinical response to chemotherapy with other tumor markers.

Tumor markers in pleural effusion diagnosis

In order to discriminate between malignant and benign effusions, the values of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), ferritin, beta2-microglobulin (BMG), acid-soluble glycoprotein (ASP), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) were measured in the pleural fluid of 54 patients with lung cancer, 20 with malignancies other than lung cancer, 18 with tuberculous pleurisy, and 22 with benign diseases other than tuberculosis. CEA levels in malignant effusions were significantly higher than those in benign effusions. At a cutoff level of 5 ng/ml, 68% of the patients with lung cancer and 44% of the patients with other malignancies showed elevated pleural fluid CEA levels. In 13 lung cancer cases with negative pleural fluid cytology, nine cases had elevated pleural fluid CEA levels. The mean pleural fluid BMG level of patients with benign diseases was significantly higher than that of patients with malignant diseases, but there was a marked overlap between those with malignant and benign diseases. No significant differences were found in the pleural fluid ferritin, ASP, TPA, and IAP levels between malignant and benign conditions. ASP and IAP pleural fluid levels showed significant correlations with the pleural fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations suggesting that they also reflect inflammatory activity. The mean ADA activity in tuberculous effusion was significantly higher than that resulting from other causes of pleural effusion.

Renal excretion of purine bases. Effects of probenecid, benzbromarone and pyrazinamide

Experiments were conducted which revealed the renal transport mechanism(s) of oxypurines by employing uricosuric agents and pyrazinamide. All specimens being drawn from healthy, normal subjects, the data showed that probenecid increased fractional uric acid, fractional hypoxanthine and fractional xanthine clearance, 3.97-, 1.52- and 2.31-fold, respectively, while benzbromarone increased fractional uric acid clearance 2.11-fold, decreased fractional xanthine clearance 0.48-fold and had no effect on fractional hypoxanthine clearance. In addition, pyrazinamide decreased both fractional uric acid clearance 0.35-fold and fractional xanthine clearance 0.44-fold but increased fractional hypoxanthine clearance 1.49-fold. These results suggest the possibility of differing renal transport mechanisms among the purine bases, uric acid, hypoxanthine and xanthine.

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in liver diseases

The erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) was studied in patients with liver diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in normal subjects. The level of 2,3-DPG in liver diseases occurred in the following increasing order: chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. A significant negative correlation between the 2,3-DPG concentration and serum albumin concentration was found in the liver diseases. The 2,3-DPG level was correlated to the serum concentration of total bile acids and to the arterial blood pH. A negative correlation was found between the arterial blood pH and the serum albumin concentration. The level of 2,3-DPG in hepatocellular carcinoma and/or liver cirrhosis was higher than that in more hypoxic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. And an increased level of 2,3-DPG was also shown in nonhypoxic patients with liver diseases. These results suggest that the level of erythrocyte 2,3-DPG increases according to the severity of the liver disease, and compared to the level in hypoxic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the level of erythrocyte 2,3-DPG is higher in both hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis.

A primary lung carcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and human chorionic gonadotropin. Immunohistochemical and biochemical studies

This article documents a patient with lung carcinoma that produced three oncofetal antigens including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Serum AFP, CEA, and hCG-beta-subunit were extremely high--118,000 ng/ml, 133 ng/ml and 0.9 ng/ml, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of these tumor markers revealed that these proteins were present in different cells. The pattern of lectin affinity electrophoresis of AFP resembled that of hepatocellular carcinoma. Also investigated was the reactivity of serum CEA to monoclonal antibodies against peptide or sugar moieties. Serum CEA values measured by antipeptide monoclonal antibodies were higher than those measured by antisugar monoclonal antibodies. The demonstration of AFP, CEA, and hCG in different tumor cells suggests that three genomes were not reactivated together in a cell, and the lung carcinoma probably consisted of at least three clones of cancer cells with different phenotypes.

Expression of high and low molecular weight caldesmons during phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells

We investigated the expression of two molecular weight forms of caldesmon in a wide range of tissues and cells. The distribution of high molecular weight caldesmon (h-caldesmon, Mr 120,000-150,000) was restricted to smooth muscles where it was found in large quantity. The low molecular weight protein (l-caldesmon, Mr 70,000-80,000) was widely distributed in nonmuscle tissues and cells. Therefore, the expression of h-caldesmon might be much more specific to smooth muscles. We then examined the expressional changes of two caldesmons during phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In developing gizzards, the expression of caldesmons switched from the l- to the h-form. Contrarily, the expression turned from h- to l-caldesmon in association with dedifferentiation of aortic SMCs in primary culture. In agreement with these observations, the levels of those mRNAs that direct the synthesis of both caldesmons were apparently in proportion to the quantities of protein, as determined by use of an in vitro translation system. In addition, h-caldesmon in smooth muscle-like BC3H1 cells increased in its amount with a concomitant reduction of l-caldesmon following serum-depleted and contact-inhibited cytodifferentiation. These results suggest that the expressional changes of two caldesmons are closely correlated with the phenotypic modulation of SMCs.

A newly discovered apolipoprotein B-containing high-density lipoprotein produced by human hepatoma cells

Apolipoprotein B-containing high-density lipoprotein was detected in the high-density lipoprotein fraction of the concentrated conditioned medium of human hepatoma HuH-7 cells (Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7). Electrophoretically, the Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7 migrated more slowly and broadly than beta-lipoprotein on agarose gel. The Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7 was not precipitated by heparin-Mn2+ treatment. High-performance gel filtration chromatography indicated that the peak of Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7 was eluted faster than that of plasma LDL and electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that the particles of Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7 ranged from 140 A to about 450 A, indicating the heterogeneity of Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7. The protein/lipid ratio of HDLHuH-7 (1.35) is higher than that of plasma HDL3 (1.2). The lipids of HDLHuH-7 are composed of phospholipids (170 micrograms/mg protein), free cholesterol (410 micrograms/mg protein), cholesterol ester (20 micrograms/mg protein) and triacylglycerols (140 micrograms/mg protein). The results described above indicated that Apo-B-containing HDLHuH-7 was a novel lipoprotein discovered for the first time.

Serum pseudouridine as a biochemical marker in small cell lung cancer

The serum level of pseudouridine, primarily a degradation product of tRNA, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in 24 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 13 patients with non-SCLC with advanced stages, 15 patients with pulmonary infectious diseases, and 18 healthy controls. The mean serum pseudouridine concentration was significantly higher in the patients with SCLC [4.75 +/- 1.76 (SD) nmol/ml] than that in the patients with pulmonary infectious diseases (3.39 +/- 1.38 nmol/ml) or in healthy controls (2.21 +/- 0.78 nmol/ml). The mean serum pseudouridine concentration in the patients with non-SCLC (4.07 +/- 0.95 nmol/ml) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls but not statistically different from that in the patients with pulmonary infectious diseases. The serum pseudouridine level was elevated above the mean value plus 2 SD for the healthy subjects (3.77 nmol/ml) in 66.7% of all patients with SCLC including 3 of 8 (37.5%) with limited disease and 13 of 16 (81.3%) with extensive disease, and 53.8% of the patients with non-SCLC. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen was elevated (greater than 5 ng/ml) in 29.2% and serum neuron-specific enolase (greater than 10 ng/ml) in 58.3% of the cases with SCLC. In the patients with SCLC followed up during chemotherapy, serum pseudouridine levels changed considerably parallel with the changes in the clinical response. These findings indicate that serum pseudouridine may be a useful biochemical marker in the patients with SCLC.

Immunohistochemical and affinity electrophoretic studies of alpha-fetoprotein of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma in the intrathoracic space

Immunohistochemical and affinity electrophoretic studies were carried out on alpha-fetoprotein components produced by a tumor of hepatocellular origin located on the chest wall and originating from the intrathoracic and extrapleural space tissue. The major components of alpha-fetoprotein were consistent with those produced by the hepatocellular carcinoma. Accordingly, this seems to be the first reported case of hepatocellular carcinoma that may have developed from accessory liver tissue seemingly isolated from the liver and located in the intrathoracic space.