FAK is the upstream signal protein of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt survival pathway in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of a human glioblastoma cell line

Protein phosphorylation in a human glioblastoma cell line, T98G, was examined after exposure to oxidative stress in vitro. Hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) markedly induced tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and serine phosphorylation of Akt at 1 h after stimulation. Concommitantly, the association of FAK with phosphatidylinositide 3'-OH-kinase (PI 3-kinase) was also observed by the hydrogen peroxide stimulation. When T98G cells were incubated with wortmannin, a PI 3-kinase inhibitor, both PI 3-kinase activity and phosphorylation of Akt were inhibited, whereas apoptosis by oxidative stress was accelerated. Concomitant with apoptosis, elevated level of CPP32 protease activity (caspase-3) was observed, with decreases in Bcl-2 protein and increases in Bax protein. These results suggested that in the signal transduction pathway from FAK to PI 3-kinase, Akt promotes survival. Thus, it became apparent that FAK is the upstream signal protein of the PI 3-kinase-Akt survival pathway in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in T98G cells.

Peripheral nerve structure and function in long-term galactosemic dogs: morphometric and electron microscopic analyses

Experimental galactosemia for activating the polyol pathway is used extensively to explore the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. However, despite the presence of severe neuropathy in galactosemic rats, changes in the peripheral nerve have not been well established in galactosemic dogs. We therefore conducted biochemical, electrophysiological, and morphometric studies on peripheral nervous systems (PNS) in dogs given a 30% galactose diet for 44 months. Age- and sex-matched dogs given a 30% cellulose diet were used as control. Chronic galactosemia resulted in accumulation of galactitol and decrease in myo-inositol in the sciatic nerve. Electrophysiological and teased fiber analyses demonstrated no significant abnormalities in the ulnar and peroneal nerves in galactosemic dogs. Morphometric analyses revealed a tendency of myelinated fiber atrophy (24% reduction of average fiber size) associated with 20% decrease (P < 0.05 vs control) in mean myelinated fiber occupancy rate in the peroneal nerve in galactosemic dogs. In the anterior mesenteric ganglion, there was a slight but significant increase (8%) in mean neuronal cell size in galactosemic dogs (P < 0.05 vs control). Electron microscopy revealed that galactosemia did not produce dystrophic and degenerative changes in the autonomic ganglion in dogs. We conclude that structural and functional changes in the PNS of galactosemic dogs are mild and different from those of the rat model. These findings suggest that the severity of peripheral neuropathy induced by chronic galactosemia may be species dependent.

Constitutive expression of mRNA for the same choline acetyltransferase as that in the nervous system, an acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme, in human leukemic T-cell lines

Both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors are known to be present on the surface of lymphocytes. We have shown that variable amounts of ACh are detectable in the blood of various mammals including humans, and a major portion of blood ACh is localized in circulating mononuclear leukocytes in humans. In order to investigate which types of blood cell are the source of ACh in human blood, expression of mRNA for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, EC 2.3.1.6), which catalyzes ACh synthesis, was analyzed using human leukemic cell lines as models of lymphocytes and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. We observed that mRNA for the same ChAT as that in the nervous system is expressed constitutively in all the T-cell lines tested, but not in B-, pre-lymphoma or monocytic cell lines. Furthermore, only T-cell lines showed high ACh-synthesizing activities and intracellular ACh contents. These results suggest that the major portion of ACh in the circulating blood originates from T-lymphocytes.

Eotaxin contributes to renal interstitial eosinophilia

BACKGROUND

A potent eosinophil chemotactic cytokine, human eotaxin, is directly chemotactic for eosinophils. Therefore, the specific expression of eotaxin in tissue might play a crucial role in tissue eosinophilia. However, the precise molecular mechanism of the recruitment and activation of eosinophils in human renal diseases remains to be investigated. We evaluated the role of eotaxin in the pathogenesis of human diffuse interstitial nephritis with marked infiltration of eosinophils.

METHODS

In this study, we examined 20 healthy volunteers. 56 patients with primary or secondary glomerular diseases and two hypereosinophilic syndrome patients without renal involvement. Urinary and serum eotaxin levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also detected the presence of eotaxin protein immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

On the one hand, urinary levels of eotaxin were significantly higher before the initiation of glucocorticoid administration in the patient with interstitial nephritis with marked infiltration of eosinophils. On the other hand, urinary eotaxin levels were not detected in any patients with nephrotic syndrome, interstitial nephritis without eosinophils, hypereosinophilic syndrome without renal involvement or other renal diseases. Serum eotaxin levels were not detected in any of the patients. Therefore, the detection of eotaxin in the urine was specific for renal interstitial eosinophilia. Moreover, endothelial cells, infiltrating mononuclear cells and renal epithelial cells in the tubulointerstitial lesions were immunostained with specific anti-eotaxin antibodies. Furthermore, the elevated urinary levels of eotaxin decreased dramatically during glucocorticoid-induced convalescence.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that in situ expression of eotaxin may provide a new mechanism to explain the renal interstitial eosinophil infiltration.

Liver and kidney function in Japanese patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young

OBJECTIVE

Heterozygous mutations in the transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1 alpha, HNF-1 beta, and HNF-4 alpha are associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and are believed to cause this form of diabetes by impairing pancreatic beta-cell function. The HNFs also play a central role in the tissue-specific regulation of gene expression in liver and kidney, suggesting that patients with MODY due to a mutation in HNF-1 alpha, HNF-1 beta, or HNF-4 alpha may exhibit abnormal liver or kidney function. Here, we have examined liver and kidney function in a series of Japanese patients with HNF-4 alpha/MODY1, HNF-1 alpha/MODY3, and HNF-1 beta/MODY5 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Clinical and biochemical data were obtained from Japanese subjects with HNF-1 alpha, HNF-1 beta, and HNF-4 alpha diabetes. The clinical data included information on BMI, age at diagnosis, current treatment, and the presence and nature of any complications. The biochemical studies examined liver and kidney function and included measures of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and 17 serum proteins.

RESULTS

The present age and duration of diabetes were similar in patients with HNF-1 alpha, HNF-1 beta, or HNF-4 alpha diabetes, as was the age at diagnosis of diabetes in the youngest generation. All subjects were lean. Of the subjects with HNF-1 alpha and HNF-4 alpha diabetes, 50% were treated with insulin, as were all three subjects with HNF-1 beta diabetes. Retinopathy was present in patients with each form of diabetes. None of the subjects with HNF-4 alpha diabetes had evidence of nephropathy, whereas 36% of the patients with HNF-1 alpha diabetes and 100% of those with HNF-1 beta diabetes showed diminished kidney function. The three subjects with HNF-1 beta diabetes also had abnormally high serum creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen levels, which are consistent with impaired kidney function, and one of seven subjects with HNF-1 alpha diabetes had a mild elevation in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. These values were within the normal range in the three patients with HNF-4 alpha diabetes. Although the HNFs play a role in regulating the expression of the genes for most, if not all, serum proteins, there was no decrease in the levels of any of the 17 serum proteins examined, and most were within or slightly above the normal range. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels were elevated in the three patients with HNF-4 alpha diabetes and in one patient with HNF-1 beta diabetes, and in a second patient with HNF-1 beta diabetes, Lp(a) was at the upper limit of normal.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that as in white patients, MODY resulting from mutations in the HNF-1 alpha, HNF-1 beta, and HNF-4 alpha genes in Japanese patients may be a severe disease similar to classic type 2 diabetes. In addition, they suggest that patients with HNF-1 beta diabetes may be characterized by diminished kidney function and perhaps abnormal liver function. Further studies are needed to determine whether tests of liver and kidney function will be useful in the diagnosis and subclassification of MODY.

Suppressive activity of the chloroform extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f on effector T cell activation during Hymenolepis nana infection in mice

The chloroform extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (TWH extract) administered into mice daily at doses of 80.0 to 200.0 micrograms/kg (but not 40.0 micrograms/kg) caused suppression of protective immunity to Hymenolepis nana when the extract was injected subcutaneously during the induction phase of protective immunity. Daily administration of 200.0 micrograms/kg TWH extract, during the course of larval development from challenge, also suppressed protective immunity. Inhibition of protective immunity was only observed in mice that received TWH extract for 6 days at a daily dose of 200.0 micrograms/kg and were challenged 24 h after the final injection. TWH extract did not inhibit formation of effector cells that mediate delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to H. nana egg antigen when the extract was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 200.0 micrograms/kg/day for 5 days before cell preparation. However, TWH extract did inhibit DTH effector cell activation when cells prepared from infected, PBS-injected mice were transferred into 200.0 micrograms/kg TWH extract-treated recipient mice. These results strongly indicate that TWH extract cannot inhibit the generation of effector cells but will suppress their function in vivo.

Tryptophan 388 in putative transmembrane segment 10 of the rat glucose transporter Glut1 is essential for glucose transport

The molecular mechanism of substrate recognition in membrane transport is not well understood. Two amino acid residues, Tyr446 and Trp455 in transmembrane segment 10 (TM10), have been shown to be important for galactose recognition by the yeast Gal2 transporter; Tyr446 was found to be essential in that its replacement by any of the other 19 amino acids abolished transport activity (Kasahara, M., Shimoda, E., and Maeda, M. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 16721-16724). The Glut1 glucose transporter of animal cells belongs to the same Glut transporter family as does Gal2 and thus might be expected to show a similar mechanism of substrate recognition. The role of the two amino acids, Phe379 and Trp388, in rat Glut1 corresponding to Tyr446 and Trp455 of Gal2 was therefore studied. Phe379 and Trp388 were individually replaced with each of the other 19 amino acids, and the mutant Glut1 transporters were expressed in yeast. The expression level of most mutants was similar to that of the wild-type Glut1, as revealed by immunoblot analysis. Glucose transport activity was assessed by reconstituting a crude membrane fraction of the yeast cells in liposomes. No significant glucose transport activity was observed with any of Trp388 mutants, whereas the Phe379 mutants showed reduced or no activity. These results indicate that the two aromatic amino acids in TM10 of Glut1 are important for glucose transport. However, unlike Gal2, the residue at the cytoplasmic end of TM10 (Trp388, corresponding to Trp455 of Gal2), rather than that in the middle of TM10 (Phe379, corresponding to Tyr446 of Gal2), is essential for transport activity.

Activated endothelial cells induce apoptosis in leukemic cells by endothelial interleukin-8

Tumor cells are eradicated by several systems, including Fas ligand-Fas and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR). In the previous study, we purified an apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to homogeneity from a medium conditioned by PDBu-treated HL-60 cells. N-terminal sequence analysis showed that AIF is identical to endothelial interleukin-8 (IL-8). A novel apoptosis system, in which endothelial cells participate via endothelial IL-8 release, is identified here. Human umbilical vein cells (VE cells) produce and secrete IL-8 by stimulation of IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha. Endothelial IL-8, which is secreted from VE cells by stimulation of IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha , induces apoptosis in myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 cells. Monocyte-derived IL-8 could not induce apoptosis in K562 cells. Moreover, interaction between VE cells and K562 cells induces the release of endothelial IL-8 from VE cells, and the attached K562 cells undergo apoptosis. Moreover, interactions between VE cell and other cell lines, such as HL-60, U937, Jurkat, and Daudi, induce the secretion of endothelial IL-8 and the induction of apoptosis in cell lines. Endothelial IL-8 significantly inhibits tumor growth of intraperitoneal and subcutaneous tumor mass of K562 cells and induces apoptosis in their cells in vivo. Endothelial IL-8 plays an important role in apoptosis involving endothelial cells, which may provide us with a new therapy for hematological malignancies.

Role of endogenous interferon-gamma on the enhancement of splenic NK cell activity by electroacupuncture stimulation in mice

Successive electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation applied to bilateral anterior tibial muscles, where Zusanli (ST36) acupoints are located, once a day (30 min) for 3 successive days significantly enhanced splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity in BALB/c mice. The percentage of splenic NK cells, as measured by flow cytometry, was not affected in these mice. Interferon (IFN)-gamma level in splenic aqueous extract, prepared from the ST36 acupoint-stimulated mice, was significantly higher than that of the controls. In vivo treatment with neutralizing monoclonal antibody against mouse IFN-gamma completely abrogated the increase in splenic NK cell activity induced by ST36 acupoint stimulation. The same stimulation also significantly increased the concentration of splenic beta-endorphin, which coincided with the significant increase in splenic IFN-gamma production. Pre-administration of 10 mg/kg naloxone before initiation of EA stimulation every day reduced the enhancements of NK cell activity and IFN-gamma level. These observations strongly suggest that endogenous IFN-gamma mediates the up-regulation of NK cell activity by EA stimulation at the ST36 acupoints. Furthermore, endogenous beta-endorphin secreted by EA stimulation also plays an important role in the up-regulation of NK cell function, which may be realized through regulating IFN-gamma production.

Nitric oxide-mediated modulation of interleukin-8 production by a human glioblastoma cell line, T98G, cocultured with myeloid and monocytic cell lines

Coculture of T98G glioblastoma cells with the myeloid and monocytic cell lines, HL-60, and THP-1 produced minimal amounts of interleukin-8 (IL-8). Pretreatment of HL-60 or THP-1 cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) enhanced their capacity to induce IL-8 production by T98G cells. In contrast, the murine macrophage cell lines J774 A.1 and RAW 264.7 induced high levels of IL-8 production by T98G cells without PMA activation. To determine the molecules responsible for the induction of IL-8 by T98G cells, we carried out coculture experiments with a membrane fraction prepared from RAW cells and indicated that membrane-associated and free forms of murine IL-1alpha acted on human T98G cells to produce IL-8. RAW cells were unique in that increasing the number of RAW cells relative to the number of T98G cells (RAW/T98G ratio > 4:1) significantly suppressed IL-8 production by T98G cells. Because RAW cells produce large amounts of nitric oxide (NO), we assumed that the suppression of IL-8 production was ascribable to the NO produced by the RAW cells. This was supported by the inverse relationship between increasing concentrations of NO and IL-8 production seen in this coculture system. The involvement of NO in the suppression of IL-8 production was confirmed by the finding that N-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), which inhibits NO production, reversed this suppression, whereas S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), a strong NO generator, suppressed IL-8 production. Our results indicate that high levels of NO suppress IL-8 production by T98G cells, and murine IL-1alpha plays a major role in the induction of IL-8 production by T98G cells. It is, therefore, possible that excessive production of NO during the interaction of glioma cells with macrophages may play a regulatory role in chemokine production, thus mitigating inflammatory responses.

Models of lineage switching in hematopoietic development: a new myeloid-committed eosinophil cell line (YJ) demonstrates trilineage potential

A new human leukemia cell line with an eosinophilic phenotype, designated YJ, was established from the peripheral blood cells of a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMMoL) with eosinophilia. When cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, most YJ cells were myeloblastoid with a small number of the cells having eosinophilic granules. Cell surface markers in the YJ cells were positive for CD33 and were negative for CD34, CD16 and CD23. The eosinophilic characteristics of YJ cells were confirmed by histochemical staining with Fast-Green/Neutral-Red and by the expression of mRNAs for eosinophil-associated granule proteins, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and major basic protein (MBP), and for the Charcot-Leyden crystal (CLC) protein. The YJ cells could be induced towards monocytic differentiation by stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The monocytic characteristics of YJ cells treated with PMA were confirmed by morphological analysis with alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase staining, by CD14 expression, and by increased expression of Egr-1 mRNA. Furthermore, YJ cells could be differentiated towards the neutrophil lineage by stimulation with all-trans retinoic acid (RA). YJ cells treated in vitro with 2 microM RA differentiated into metamyelocytes and band neutrophils, and increased the number of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-positive cells and increased gp91phox mRNA expression. Thus, the YJ cell line exhibited eosinophilic characteristics, but was able to differentiate to the monocytic or neutrophilic lineages in response to PMA or RA, respectively. The expression of genes for transcription factors involved in myeloid differentiation was evaluated by Northern blot analysis. Increased expression of Egr-1 was observed with macrophage differentiation. In contrast, increased expressions of C/EBPbeta and MZF-1 mRNA occurred with neutrophilic differentiation. The YJ cell line should be useful for elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing lineage switching from the eosinophil to monocytic or neutrophil lineages.

Antipyretic action of peripheral stimulation with electroacupuncture in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the antipyretic action of peripheral stimulation with electroacupuncture (EA) in SD rats. EA stimulation was applied for 30 min to the peripheral muscle where the equivalent Quchi (LI11) acupoint is located. We first examined the effects of EA stimulation on fever induced by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 100 micrograms/kg caused a high rectal temperature, which was suppressed by EA stimulation. EA stimulation also inhibited the development of fever induced by IL-1 beta injection either intravenously or into the preoptic area (POA). The rats that received administration of PGE2 into POA developed rapid and high fevers, which were attenuated by EA stimulation. In the second part of the experiment, we investigated the levels of cytokines and PGE2 during the development of fever. The concentrations of IL-6 and PGE2 but not IL-1 beta, in brain and serum were increased by intraperitoneal injection of 100 micrograms/kg LPS. EA stimulation reduced PGE2 levels in both brain and serum in LPS-injected rats, but failed to change the levels of IL-6. Intravenous injection of IL-1 beta produced high brain and serum PGE2 levels, which were also significantly suppressed by EA stimulation. The results suggest that EA stimulation possesses an antipyretic effect through the inhibition of the action of PGE2 in rats.

The angiogenic effect of tissue factor on tumors and wounds

We report a novel function of tissue factor (TF) as an angiogenic factor in malignant and non-malignant cells and tissue. When methylcholanthrene A-induced murine fibrosarcoma (Meth-A sarcoma) was stably transfected with mouse TF (mTF) cDNA (pXT1 expression vector), its vascularization in vivo was significantly enhanced, whereas TF-antisense suppressed the vascularization and tumor growth. In vitro expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was enhanced with stable transfection of mTF (pcDNA3 expression vector) into a mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH3T3). Moreover, in vivo topical transfection of mTF (pcDNA3) showed an enhanced vascularization and healing in a diabetic mouse wound-healing model. This effect of TF as an angiogenic factor might be useful as an antitumor therapy against hypervascular tumors or as a novel agent against delayed wound healing.

Influence of age at onset on the outcome of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

To investigate whether age at onset of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is predictive of subsequent relapses, or influences outcome, we retrospectively studied 60 patients who were under 10 years of age at onset and were followed for over 10 years. They were divided into three groups according to age at diagnosis: group 1-3 (1.0-3.9 years at onset, n=24), group 4-6 (4.0-6.9 years at onset, n=22), and group 7-9 (7.0-9.9 years at onset, n=14). In the 51 patients with long-term remission, defined as remaining relapse-free over 3 years, the total number of relapses was significantly more in group 1-3 (n=18) than in group 4-6 (n=19), and the interval between onset and long-term remission was significantly longer. Group 4-6 and group 7-9 had fewer patients with active disease at 10 years, follow-up than group 1-3, as assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. These data suggest that the age at onset of SSNS influences the clinical course (i.e., frequency of relapses) and the time to reach long-term remission. An age of less than 4 years at onset of SSNS is associated with greater likelihood for frequent relapses and a greater time interval to attain long-term remission.

[Clinical study on chlormadinone acetate alone followed by combination with LH-RH analogue for prostatic cancer: effects on lipid metabolism]

Twenty-four previously untreated patients with a diagnosis of prostatic cancer were treated with chlormadinone acetate (CMA) alone (100 mg/day) for 4 weeks, and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LH-RHa) was added for the next 24 weeks. Marked decreases in blood LH, testosterone (T), prostate specific antigen (PSA), gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm), and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were observed after a single dose of CMA. T levels were significantly increased 3 days after the initial dose of LH-RHa, and did not return to the pretreatment level. There were no significant increases in any of the markers, nor were there any flare-up cases. Triglyceride levels, which were slightly elevated before the start of treatment, were significantly decreased 24 weeks after the completion of combined therapy. PSA was evaluated as partial response (PR) or better in 86.7% of the patients. Overall evaluation showed PR or better in 75.0% of the patients. These findings suggest that prior administration of CMA followed by combined administration with LH-RHa is useful in the treatment of prostatic cancer. No negative effects on lipid metabolism were observed at any time during the treatment period.

Influence of moxibustion on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

The influence of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medical treatment; on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/1J mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at 3-week intervals with bovine type II collagen (C II). The main incidence of arthritis started around day 30 and lasted to day 60 after the first immunization. Moxibustion, using three different regimens, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV4 every other day. Moxibustion, from day 0 to day 30 after the first immunization, suppressed the onset and development of arthritis, as well as anti-collagen antibody level. Treatment with moxibustion, from the day 31 to day 60, also resulted in a significant inhibition of progression of arthritis and production of anti-C II antibody. Furtherfore we examined the influence of moxibustion on the established arthritis. Moxibustion given from day 61 to day 120, mildly but significantly decreased the anti-C II antibody level in diseased mice, while the bone erosion and joint destruction were not affected. These results indicate that moxibustion could prevent the incidence and attenuates the development of murine CIA.

Physiologic regulation of postovulatory neutrophil migration into vagina in mice by a C-X-C chemokine(s)

Leukocytes, particularly neutrophils, infiltrate into female genital organs after ovulation in both humans and mice. In mice, a female sexual cycle consists of 5 phases: proestrus, estrus, metestrus-1, metestrus-2, and diestrus. Ovulation occurs at estrus; at metestrus-2, a large number of neutrophils infiltrate into the vaginal epithelium accompanied by an increased neutrophil number in vaginal lavage fluid. Concomitantly, concentrations of a functional IL-8 homologue, murine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, were increased significantly in vaginal lavage fluid at metestrus-2 as compared with other phases. On the contrary, MIP-2 was not detected in plasma during the whole course of a sexual cycle. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that MIP-2 protein expression was prominent at the upper layer of the vaginal epithelium at metestrus-2, in contrast to a marginal staining in the vaginal epithelium at proestrus and estrus. These results suggest that a C-X-C chemokine, MIP-2, was produced physiologically in the vaginal epithelium in a sexual cycle-dependent manner. Furthermore, the administration of neutralizing anti-IL-8R homologue Abs at proestrus abrogated leukocyte infiltration into the vagina at metestrus. However, anti-MIP-2 Abs reduced leukocyte influx at metestrus by approximately 50%. Thus, a murine IL-8 homologue, MIP-2, and its related molecules physiologically regulate neutrophil migration into the vagina in a sexual cycle-dependent manner.

Retinal vessel changes in galactose-fed dogs

BACKGROUND

Retinal lesions similar to those in human early-stage diabetic retinopathy have been reported to occur in dogs fed galactose for long periods. Investigations of retinal changes, however, have been limited to studies of the intact retinal vasculature isolated by trypsin digestion.

OBJECTIVE

To document the onset and progression of retinal lesions in galactose-fed dogs by the common clinical techniques of fundus color photography and fluorescein angiography.

METHODS

Fourteen 6-month-old male beagles made aphakic in 1 eye were divided into a control group (4 dogs), receiving a diet containing 30% cellulose, and a galactosemic group (10 dogs), receiving a diet containing 30% galactose. The progression of retinal changes in these dogs was periodically monitored by color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

Dogs fed a 30% galactose diet for 28 to 41 months were observed by fluorescein angiography and color fundus photography to develop, in order of frequency, microaneurysms, retinal hemorrhages, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, retinal nonperfused areas, and varicose and serpiginous veins. These findings are similar to the early clinical retinal changes observed in humans with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm that galactosemic dogs are an appropriate and suitable animal model for investigating human diabetic retinopathy.

Sensing stability and dynamic response of the F-Scan in-shoe sensing system: a technical note

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the F-Scan to determine its appropriate clinical application. Vertical pressure was applied to a sensor foil over the range of 10-80 kPa with or without the intervention of 0.2-0.8 mm thick felt. Sensor sensitivity reached a maximum without the felt, and decreased with increasing felt thickness, stabilizing at 48-74% of the maximum level when felt thickness exceeded 0.4 mm. This sensitivity change was caused by the slight difference in thickness of sensing areas from that of non-sensing areas. Dynamic response time was delayed by a mean of 0.32 s. Although the cause of this dynamic response delay remains unclear, it was considered to be inappropriate for accurate dynamic measurements. Therefore, rather than using F-Scan measurement to accurately obtain actual values, it should be used for relative comparisons of the plantar pressure distributions under constant conditions.

Suppressive effects of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f., a traditional Chinese medicine, on collagen arthritis in mice

The effect of chloroform extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. (TWH extract), a traditional immunosuppressive Chinese herb, on type II collagen (C II)-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice was studied. In the first set of experiments, we examined the effect of TWH extract on cellular immune responses to C II. As compared with mice treated with saline, TWH extract administered orally at doses of more than 400 microg kg(-1) once a day for 14 days inhibited the ability of inguinal lymph node cells to produce T cell cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma when the cells were obtained from mice 21 days after immunization and cultured in vitro with C II. Treatment with TWH extract also inhibited production of macrophage cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in response to in vitro stimulation of lymph node cells with C II. In the second part of the experiment, we evaluated the influence of TWH extract on the incidence and development of arthritis in murine CIA. Mice were immunized twice at a 3-week interval with bovine C II, with TWH extract being given orally once a day for 14 days with four different regimens. A 14-day course of TWH extract treatment at a daily dose of 400 microg kg(-1), which began on the day of the first C II immunization, suppressed the development of arthritis, as well as antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity to C II. Treatment with TWH extract, which started on the same day as the booster immunization, also resulted in inhibition of development of arthritis and of immune responses to C II. On the other hand, therapeutic administration with TWH extract did not affect the clinical course of the disease and the immune response to C II.

Effect of aldose reductase inhibitor on corneal epithelial barrier function in galactose-fed dogs

The effect of concomitant administration of galactose and the aldose reductase inhibitor(ARI) Epalrestat (Kinedak) on corneal barrier function was examined in dogs. Six-month-old male beagles were rendered aphakic in one eye and then divided into four groups as follows: 1) a control group fed on 30% cellulose, 2) a galactosemic group fed on 30% galactose, 3) a 30% galactose-fed group treated with low dose (20 mg/kg) ARI and 4) a 30% galactose-fed group treated with high dose (50 mg/kg) ARI. Forty-one months after the start of these diets, corneal autofluorescence and the corneal barrier function were measured in each dog using anterior fluorophotometry (FL-500). When barrier function was analyzed in non-operated eyes, fluorescence data were significantly higher in the galactosemic group compared to the control group. In non-operated eyes, fluorescent data in high-dose ARI treated group were significantly lower than those in the galactosemic group. However, in operated eyes, no significant difference was observed between the galactosemic group and the ARI treated groups. Similar trends were observed when corneal autofluorescence of each group was compared. Long-term galactose feeding appeared to damage corneal epithelial barrier function. This damage was not observed in the high-dose ARI treated group suggesting that this damage may be linked to the polyol pathway.

Onset age-dependent variations of three islet specific autoantibodies in Japanese IDDM patients

The age related incidence rate of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus shows a bimodal distribution, not only in Caucasians but also in Japanese. To evaluate the onset age-related autoimmune profile at presentation in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) autoantibody, islet cell antibody (ICA), and insulin autoantibody (IAA) were measured in 137 newly diagnosed Japanese IDDM patients with onset ages between 0-29 years. The prevalence of GAD autoantibody was significantly increased from the lowest (32%) in the 0-5 years onset age group to 75% in the 13-19 years onset age group (P < 0.05), whereas the IAA prevalence significantly decreased from the peak (48%) in the 6-12 years onset age group to 10% in the 20-29 years onset age group (P < 0.05). The ICA prevalence was increased from the lowest (32%) in the 0-5 years onset age group to the highest (53%) in the 20-29 years onset age group similar to that for the GAD autoantibody. Such results demonstrate that there was age-related autoimmune characteristics at presentation of IDDM in Japanese as well as in Caucasians.

Cloning and sequencing of the Sphingomonas (Pseudomonas) paucimobilis gene essential for the O demethylation of vanillate and syringate

Sphingomonas (Pseudomonas) paucimobilis SYK-6 is able to grow on 5,5'-dehydrodivanillic acid (DDVA), syringate, vanillate, and other dimeric model compounds of lignin as a sole carbon source. Nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis of S. paucimobilis SYK-6 was performed, and two mutants with altered DDVA degradation pathways were isolated. The mutant strain NT-1 could not degrade DDVA, but could degrade syringate, vanillate, and 2,2',3'-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-5,5'-dicarboxybiphenyl (OH-DDVA). Strain DC-49 could slowly assimilate DDVA, but could degrade neither vanillate nor syringate, although it could degrade protocatechuate and 3-O-methylgallate. A complementing DNA fragment of strain DC-49 was isolated from the cosmid library of strain SYK-6. The minimum DNA fragment complementing DC-49 was determined to be the 1.8-kbp insert of pKEX2.0. Sequencing analysis showed an open reading frame of 1,671 bp in this fragment, and a similarity search indicated that the deduced amino acid sequence of this open reading frame had significant similarity (60%) to the formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase of Clostridium thermoaceticum.

Interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 production by a human glioblastoma cell line, T98G in coculture with monocytes: involvement of monocyte-derived interleukin-1alpha

We have previously demonstrated that a human glioblastoma cell line, T98G cells, produced high levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) when stimulated with IL-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In this study, we found that T98G cells are capable of producing large amounts of IL-8 and MCP-1 when cocultured with human peripheral blood monocytes or a monocytic cell line, U937 cells. Since it is possible that both glioblastoma cells and monocytes are capable of producing chemokines, we determined which type of cells actually produced IL-8 and MCP-1, by the fixation of one or the other cell type with 3% paraformaldehyde (PA). This procedure revealed that T98G cells were the main source and that PA-treated monocytes effectively stimulated IL-8 and MCP-1 production by T98G cells. Both IL-8 and MCP-1 gene expression and protein production by T98G cells were confirmed by northern blot as well as immunohistochemical staining methods. To analyze the molecules on human monocytes responsible for inducing IL-8 and MCP-1 by T98G cells, several antibodies (Abs) as well as IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were tested. Anti-IL-1alpha Ab and IL-1Ra almost completely abolished the IL-8/MCP-1-inducing capacity of the PA-fixed monocytes, while no inhibition was obtained with anti-IL-1beta, anti-TNF-alpha or Abs against CD11b/18, L-selectin or ICAM-1, indicating that membrane-associated IL-1alpha is involved in the IL-8/MCP-1 induction, while secreted IL-1alpha plays a major role in this cell-to-cell, i.e., juxtacrine interaction in unfixed conditions.

Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits the expression of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 induced by angiotensin II in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells

The pharmacological characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), such as natriuresis, vasodilation, or suppression of smooth muscle cell proliferation, are well investigated. However, this is the first study to report its role on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis mediated by vascular endothelial cells. In this study, the effects of ANP on the enhanced expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) by angiotensin II (Ang II) in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were examined. The expressions of TF and PAI-1 mRNA were detected by northern blotting methods. The activities of TF on the surface of RAECs and PAI-1 in the culture media were measured by chromogenic assay. ANP suppressed mRNA expressions of TF and PAI-1 induced by Ang II in a concentration-dependent manner. This suppression was accompanied by the decreased activities of TF and PAI-1.