The role of the UL41 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 in evasion of non-specific host defence mechanisms during primary infection

The UL41 gene product (vhs) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is packaged in the virion, and mediates host protein synthesis shutoff at the early stage of the virus replication cycle. In order to clarify the role of vhs in virus replication and virulence, we isolated a completely UL41-deficient mutant (the VRDelta41 strain) and its revertant (the VRDelta41R strain). In the mouse encephalitis model, the replication of strain VRDelta41 was inhibited after 2 days post-infection, resulting in low virulence, by gamma-ray-sensitive cells such as lymphocytes and/or neutrophils. The result suggested that some cytokines, produced in VRDelta41-inoculated brains, activate and induce the migration of gamma-ray-sensitive cells to the infection site. Therefore, cytokines produced by HSV-1-infected human cells were screened, and potent inductions of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-8 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha by VRDelta41 infection were observed. Moreover, the VRDelta41 strain showed 20- and 5-fold higher sensitivity to interferon-alpha and -beta compared to the wild-type strain, respectively. These results indicate that one important role of vhs in vivo is evasion from non-specific host defence mechanisms during primary infection through suppression of cytokine production in HSV-infected cells and reduction of the anti-HSV activity of interferon-alpha and -beta.

Combined effects of adeno-associated virus vector and a herpes simplex virus mutant as neoplastic therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Although surgical therapy for pancreatic cancer has not been successful, new gene therapies, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors hold promise for treating cancer. However, expression of AAV vectors alone is insufficient for adequate effects in vivo for cancer therapy. We describe a novel therapy using the combined herpes simplex virus-ICP6 deletion mutant (ICP6delta) and AAV vector.

METHODS

We investigated ICP6delta and AAV regarding kinetics and dose-response relationships of LacZ expression in vitro. We studied the expression of LacZ in vivo using subcutaneous pancreatic cancer tumors (SW1990) in nude mice.

RESULTS

In vitro, ICP6delta enhanced the expression of AAV; 24 hr following inoculation there was more expression with AAV plus ICP6delta than with AAV plus KOS, and a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.5 was the optimal titer of ICP6delta to support maximal expression of AAV. In vivo, there was much higher expression of LacZ in mice injected with AAV-LacZ plus ICP6A than with AAV-LacZ alone.

CONCLUSIONS

ICP6delta enhances expression of AAV-vector in vitro and in vivo. These results suggested that combined therapy have potential for human cancer.

Monitoring of cell-free viral DNA in primary Epstein-Barr virus infection

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in childhood is usually asymptomatic, but sometimes causes infectious mononucleosis (IM). Very occasionally, IM develops into a life-threatening EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS). We studied the importance and usefulness of measuring cell-free viral DNA in the serum of patients with these primary EBV infections. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cell-free EBV-DNA was quantified in the serum of nine children with IM and three with EBV-AHS. In the acute phase of IM, an average of 10(2.4) copies/ml of EBV-DNA was detected in 95% of sera. The EBV load gradually decreased and disappeared within 1 month. Patients with EBV-AHS had an extremely high viral load in their sera (10(5.5)-10(7.4) copies/ ml). The viral load persisted longer in these patients, although it decreased in parallel with the improvement of symptoms. These results indicate that cell-free EBV-DNA was frequently detected in patients with primary EBV infection and could, therefore, be used as a marker for EBV infection. Measuring the cell-free EBV-DNA is useful for monitoring the primary EBV infection, especially in EBV-AHS.

In vitro leukemia cell models of Ara-C resistance

Cells of the human leukemia line K562 were continuously exposed to cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) at increasing concentrations for 3 months. The resulting cell line, termed K562/AC, showed 48-fold resistance to Ara-C, compared with the parental K562 cells. The sensitivities of K562/AC to adriamycin (ADR), vincristine (VCR) and etoposide (VP16) were similar to those of parental K562. Gene analysis revealed that this cell line lacked expression of the deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) gene, which was evident in Ara-C-sensitive cells. As in K562 cells, multidrug resistance (MDR-1) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP) genes were not expressed in K562/AC. We also established an in vitro model of Ara-C resistance using phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides to dCK (dCK-AS). Treatment of K562 with dCK-AS caused decreased dCK expression and 6- to 10-fold increases in resistance to Ara-C, compared with that in cells treated with sense oligonucleotides to dCK (dCK-S) or in non-transfected cells. The cells described here may contribute to the study of a novel mechanism associated with Ara-C resistance, in which reduced dCK activity may play an important role.

Comparative study of Tc-99m MIBI and TI-201 SPECT in predicting chemotherapeutic response in non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Tc-99m MIBI can be excluded from cytosol against its concentration gradient as a suitable transport substrate by P-glycoprotein. Tc-99m MIBI has also been shown to be more effective than TI-201 chloride for evaluating the response to chemotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer. The relation between Tc-99m MIBI accumulation by the tumor and its response to chemotherapy were evaluated in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and compared with the same parameters achieved using TI-201 chloride.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with NSCLC were examined before chemotherapy was begun. They were classified according to the results of a follow-up computed tomogram into two groups: responders were patients in whom there was a > or =50% decrease and nonresponders were patients in whom there was a <50% decrease in the sum of the product of the maximum perpendicular diameters of all measurable lesions. All patients underwent dual-isotope imaging with TI-201 chloride and Tc-99m MIBI just before chemotherapy. Regions of interest were placed over the tumor uptake (T) and contralateral normal lung tissue (N) areas on one coronal view with a clearly defined lesion, and the T:N ratio and retention index were calculated.

RESULTS

The delayed T:N ratio and retention index for Tc-99m MIBI in the responder group were significantly greater (P<0.05) than those in the nonresponder group. There was no significant correlation between the T:N ratio and retention index and tumor response using TI-201 chloride.

CONCLUSION

Tc-99m MIBI SPECT may be more effective than TI-201 chloride SPECT for evaluating the response to chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC.

Evaluation of radiotherapeutic response in non-small cell lung cancer patients by technetium-99m MIBT and thallium-201 chloride SPET

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) accumulation in tumours and response to radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients in comparison with the findings obtained using thallium-201 chloride (201Tl). Simultaneous dual single-photon emission tomography (SPET) imaging with 600 MBq 99mTc-MIBI and 111 MBq 201Tl was performed in 31 patients with biopsy- or sputum cytology-proven lung cancer. SPET images were acquired 15 min (early) and 2 h (delayed) after injection, and the early ratio, delayed ratio and retention index were measured. The tumours were classified into two groups on the basis of follow-up computed tomography (CT): responders (at least 50% reduction in tumour size) and non-responders (little or no change in tumour size). The mean (+/-SD) values of early ratio, delayed ratio and retention index using 99mTc-MIBI SPET were 3.0+/-1.1, 2.7+/-1.0 and -9.5+/-12.7, respectively, in responders and 2.4+/-0.7, 2.0+/-0.5 and -18.4+/-9.0, respectively, in non-responders. The corresponding values using 201Tl chloride SPET were 3.7+/-1.0, 4.7+/-1.5 and 24.2+/-22.1 in responders and 3.3+/-1.2, 4.0+/-1.3 and 20.4+/-20.5 in nonresponders. Using 99mTc-MIBI, the delayed ratio and retention index in responders were significantly higher than those in non-responders (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). The results of this study indicate that patients with higher delayed ratio and retention index values using 99mTc-MIBI SPET are likely to respond better to radiotherapy than those with lower values. 99mTc-MIBI SPET may give an indication of the short-term response to radiotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

[Molecular mechanism of alpha-herpesvirus proliferation]

Among members of the subfamily alpha herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most well-studied and the most important human pathogen. HSV is reported to possess the large, double-stranded DNA genome which contains at least 80 genes. Recent studies have revealed the functions and roles of many gene products in HSV-infected cells. This article briefly reviews the results of these studies relating to HSV replication mechanism in cells and latent infection in central nerve system (CNS).

Inactivation of photosystems I and II in response to osmotic stress in Synechococcus. Contribution of water channels

The effects of osmotic stress due to sorbitol on the photosynthetic machinery were investigated in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus R-2. Incubation of cells in 1.0 M sorbitol inactivated photosystems I and II and decreased the intracellular solute space by 50%. These effects of sorbitol were reversible: Photosynthetic activity and cytoplasmic volume returned to the original values after removal of the osmotic stress. A blocker of water channels prevented the osmotic-stress-induced inactivation and shrinkage of the intracellular space. It also prevented the recovery of photosynthetic activity and cytoplasmic volume when applied just before release from osmotic stress. Inhibition of protein synthesis by lincomycin had no significant effects on the inactivation and recovery processes, an observation that suggests that protein synthesis was not involved in these processes. Our results suggest that osmotic stress decreased the amount of water in the cytoplasm via the efflux of water through water channels (aquaporins), with resultant increases in intracellular concentrations of ions and a decrease in photosynthetic activity.

Compound heterozygous mutations (PHE53/54DEL and HIS373LEU) of the P450c17 gene result in a 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficient male pseudohermaphrodite with unambiguous external genitalia

The autosomal recessive disease 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency is characterized by mutation of the P450c17 enzyme, which catalyzes 17alpha-hydroxylation and 17,20-lysis in the steroidogenic pathways. Although 17 mutations of this enzyme have been reported, only a few of them resulted in a completely unambiguous phenotype of female external genitalia in 46, XY individuals. We report here a Japanese patient with a 46,XY karyotype, who showed such a unambiguous female external genitalia. Nucleotide sequencing of the P450c17 gene revealed the patient to be a compound heterozygote carrying two different mutations (PHE53/54DEL in exon 1 and HIS373LEU in exon 6). As these mutations have been previously detected in unrelated Japanese patients, it is confirmed that these mutations accumulate regionally. Since these mutations could be screened by a multiple genotyping method, the method is applicable when 17alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency is suspected in Japanese patients.

Avoidance of bone marrow suppression using A-5021 as a nucleoside analog for retrovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus type I thymidine kinase gene therapy

Gene therapy using the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene combined with an anti-herpes drug, ganciclovir (GCV), has been applied for human diseases, especially for cancer treatment. However, bone marrow toxicity has been the most consistent adverse effect of GCV treatment in clinical settings. We evaluated the cytotoxic activity of a novel guanosine analog, (1'S,2'R)-9[[1',2'-bis(hydroxymethyl)cycloprop-1'-yl]methyl]guanin e (A-5021), against retrovirus-mediated HSV-TK gene-transduced human lung cancer cells. The bone marrow toxicity of A-5021 and GCV was studied by colony formation assay in both rodent and human bone marrow specimens. We demonstrated that A-5021 had potent cytotoxic activity equal to that of GCV against the retroviral vector-mediated HSV-TK gene-transduced lung cancer cell lines. Further, phosphorylated A-5021 could be transferred to neighboring cells, and this analog killed HSV-TK- neighboring cells, as was the case for GCV. In contrast, A-5021 did not exhibit an inhibitory effect on bone marrow progenitor cells and colony formation (the 50% inhibitory concentration of the colony-forming units in culture = >100 microg/mL in human bone marrow specimens and >66 microg/mL in rodent bone marrow specimens). These results indicate that A-5021 has potent cytotoxic activity as a nucleoside analog for gene therapy using HSV-TK gene, and can be used much more safely than GCV.

Effect of olprinone, phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, on cerebral blood flow assessed with technetium-99m-ECD SPECT

Few clinical reports exist regarding the effects of phosphodiesterase III inhibitors on cerebral arteries. Therefore we used a [99mTc]-ECD brain SPECT and an ultrasound method to quantitatively evaluate cerebral and systemic flow dynamics after the administration of olprinone, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor. In 15 patients (65 +/- 8 years, M/F = 13/2) with no abnormalities on a brain computed tomography (CT), cerebral blood flow and cardiac output were measured using [99mTc]-ECD brain SPECT and Doppler echocardiography, respectively. Measurements were repeated at baseline and after the administration of olprinone. Significant increases in cerebral blood flow (p = 0.0007) and cardiac output (p = 0.001) were observed, and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.02) and systemic vascular resistance (p = 0.002) significantly decreased. No significant correlation between the increase in cerebral blood flow and the increase in cardiac output was observed. The data indicate that olprinone has a direct vasodilator effect on the cerebral artery, which was little related to the increase in cardiac output in patients who had not experienced stroke.

Diagnostic value of TI-201 and three-phase bone scintigraphy for bone and soft-tissue tumors

PURPOSE

Although TI-201 is highly sensitive for detecting bone and soft-tissue tumors, its uptake is not specific for malignant lesions. This study assessed the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions and evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TI-201 imaging and three-phase bone scans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty bone and soft-tissue tumors (16 malignant and 24 benign) were evaluated. TI-201 static images were acquired 10 minutes (early) and 2 hours (delayed) after injection of the radionuclide. Within 14 days, three-phase bone scintigraphy was performed using Tc-99m HMDP with the patient in the same position. The count ratio of the lesion compared with the normal contralateral or adjacent site (L:N ratio) was measured.

RESULTS

With TI-201 scintigraphy, mean (+/- SD) values of early and delayed L:N ratios were 3.36 +/- 1.25 and 2.88 +/- 1.20, respectively, in malignant lesions; and 1.88 +/- 1.14 and 1.48 +/- 0.76, respectively, in benign lesions. TI-201 accumulation in benign lesions was significantly less than that of malignancies on early and delayed images. However, an overlap of both ratios between malignant and benign lesions was seen. No such significance was detected on three-phase bone scintigraphy (L:N ratios of malignant and benign tumors were 2.57 +/- 1.22 and 2.24 +/- 2.11, respectively, for blood flow imaging; 2.41 +/- 0.78 and 2.26 +/- 1.54, respectively, for blood pool imaging; and 2.80 +/- 2.10 and 2.89 +/- 4.55, respectively, for bone imaging). When we assumed that the tumor was malignant when the delayed TI-201 L:N ratio exceeded the blood pool phase L:N ratio with bone scintigraphy, the sensitivity rate was 81%, specificity rate was 100%, and accuracy rate was 93%.

CONCLUSIONS

TI-201 imaging for bone and soft-tissue tumors was better than three-phase bone scintigraphy alone but was not good enough to clearly differentiate malignant lesions from benign ones. TI-201 scintigraphy, performed in combination with three-phase bone scintigraphy, may be superior to either one of the two imaging procedures alone for bone and soft-tissue tumor diagnosis.

The Epstein-Barr virus pol catalytic subunit physically interacts with the BBLF4-BSLF1-BBLF2/3 complex

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded replication proteins that account for the basic reactions at the replication fork are thought to be the EBV Pol holoenzyme, consisting of the BALF5 Pol catalytic and the BMRF1 Pol accessory subunits, the putative helicase-primase complex, comprising the BBLF4, BSLF1, and BBLF2/3 proteins, and the BALF2 single-stranded DNA-binding protein. Immunoprecipitation analyses using anti-BSLF1 or anti-BBLF2/3 protein-specific antibody with clarified lysates of B95-8 cells in a viral productive cycle suggested that the EBV Pol holoenzyme physically interacts with the BBLF4-BSLF1-BBLF2/3 complex to form a large complex. Although the complex was stable in 500 mM NaCl and 1% NP-40, the BALF5 protein became dissociated in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Experiments using lysates from insect cells superinfected with combinations of recombinant baculoviruses capable of expressing each of viral replication proteins showed that not the BMRF1 Pol accessory subunit but rather the BALF5 Pol catalytic subunit directly interacts with the BBLF4-BSLF1-BBLF2/3 complex. Furthermore, double infection with pairs of recombinant viruses revealed that each component of the BBLF4-BSLF1-BBLF2/3 complex makes contact with the BALF5 Pol catalytic subunit. The interactions of the EBV DNA polymerase with the EBV putative helicase-primase complex warrant particular attention because they are thought to coordinate leading- and lagging-strand DNA synthesis at the replication fork.

O-(N-succinimidyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate-N-hydroxysuccinimide-CuCl2: a facile and reliable system for racemization-free coupling of peptides having a carboxy-terminal N-methylamino acid

Simultaneous use of N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu) and CuCl2 with a HOSu-based uronium coupling reagent, O-(N-succinimidyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate, has been found to eliminate the racemization of the carboxy-terminal N-methylamino acid residue during the segment condensation.

Improvement in corrected QT dispersion by physical training and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with recent myocardial infarction

The aim of the present study was to assess whether physical training and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) improve the corrected QT (QTc) dispersion in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). Twenty-four patients with recent MI were allocated to one of 3 groups: training (n = 8), PTCA (n = 7) or controls (n = 9). Physical training as well as PTCA decreased QTc dispersion, whereas QTc dispersion increased in the control group. Changes in QTc dispersion after physical training or PTCA were inversely correlated with exercise-induced ST depression at the baseline test. These observations suggest that physical training, as well as PTCA, could improve QTc dispersion and electrical instability in patients with recent MI, possibly due to improvement of myocardial ischemia.

Visualization of the motor activation area using SPECT in neurosurgical patients with lesions near the central sulcus

The purpose of this study was to visualize the motor area related to finger movement and a fist-making task using SPECT in patients with lesions near the central sulcus.

METHODS

Eleven patients (9 with a brain tumor, 1 with cerebral infarction, and 1 with an arteriovenous malformation) were investigated. The first intravenous injection of 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) for the motor activation SPECT images was administered 2 min after completion of the fist-making task with the hand contralateral to the brain lesion. The movement was stopped 2 min after injection, and activation SPECT was performed. After the scan, the second dose of 99mTc-ECD was injected into resting patients, and a second set of SPECT images was acquired. The first set of images was subtracted from the second set to obtain control images. Regions of interest were set bilaterally on the sensorimotor hand area; the supplementary motor area; the frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes; and the cerebellar hemispheres. The results of activation SPECT were expressed as positive or negative for a high-count area, and the regional percentage change for activation images relative to resting images was calculated.

RESULTS

Visual assessment of activation images was positive in 9 patients for the sensorimotor hand area and 7 patients for the supplementary motor area. The regional percentage change between activation and resting images for the high-count areas was 19.7% for the sensorimotor hand area and 18.2% for the supplementary motor area. Both values were significantly higher than those for other areas (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Motor activation SPECT using a 99mTc-ECD split-dose method is easy to perform and may be helpful for presurgical visualization and identification of the sensorimotor hand area or the supplementary motor area.

Amino acids and peptides. LVII. Synthetic peptide with a sequence of ribonuclease from Sulfolobus solfataricus, SSR(1-62), does not function as an RNase

The 62 residue peptide, SSR(1-62), whose sequence corresponds to that of ribonuclease (RNase) from Sulfolobus solfataricus, and its related peptides, SSR(1-22) and SSR(10-62), were chemically synthesized and their RNase activity and DNA-binding activity were examined. The RNase activity assay using yeast RNA or tRNA(fMet) as substrate showed that the synthetic peptide SSR(1-62) did not hydrolyze yeast RNA or tRNA(fMet). These data were not consistent with previous reports that both the native peptide isolated from S. solfataricus [Fusi et al. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 211, 305-311] and the recombinant peptide expressed in Escherichia coli [Fusi et al. (1995) Gene 154, 99-103] were able to hydrolyze tRNA(fMet). However, the synthetic SSR(1-62) exhibited DNA-binding activity. In the presence of synthetic SSR(1-62), the cleavage of DNA (plasmid pUCRh2-4) by restriction endonuclease (EcoRI) was not observed, suggesting that synthetic SSR(1-62) bound to DNA protected DNA from its enzymatic digestion. Neither SSR(1-22) nor SSR(10-62) prevented DNA from being cleaved by a restriction enzyme. These findings strongly suggest the importance of not only the N-terminal region of SSR(1-62) but also the C-terminal region for DNA-binding. Circular dichroism spectroscopy of synthetic SSR(1-62) indicated a beta-sheet conformation, in contrast with synthetic SSR(1-22), which exhibited an unordered conformation.

Mitochondrial distribution and function in herpes simplex virus-infected cells

In this study, mitochondria migrated to a perinuclear region in the cytoplasm in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells. HSV infection did not promote the expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 but did promote that of stress-responsive HSP60, both of which are known to be components of mitochondria. The levels of cellular ATP and lactate and mitochondrial membrane potential were maintained for at least 6 h but decreased at the late stage of infection. It was also found that the UL41 and UL46 gene products, both of which are known to be tegument proteins, accumulated in the perinuclear region. The clustering of mitochondria and the accumulation of tegument proteins were completely blocked by the addition of nocodazole and vinblastine. These results suggest that mitochondria respond to the stimulation of HSV infection, migrating with tegument proteins along microtubules to a site around the nucleus, and maintain function until at least the middle stage of infection.

Comparative evaluation of Tc-99m MIBI and Tl-201 chloride SPECT in non-small-cell lung cancer mediastinal lymph node metastases

PURPOSE

To compare the utility of Tc-99m MIBI SPECT and Tl-201 chloride SPECT for presurgical assessment of lung cancer mediastinal lymph node metastases.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with non-small-cell lung cancer underwent dual-isotope imaging with Tl-201 chloride and Tc-99m MIBI and were evaluated for mediastinal lymph node involvement.

RESULTS

The sensitivity rates of early and delayed Tc-99m MIBI SPECT and of early and delayed Tl-201 chloride SPECT for detecting mediastinal nodal metastases were 69%, 69%, 92%, and 92%, respectively. The corresponding specificity rates were 96%, 96%, 93%, and 96%.

CONCLUSION

Tl-201 chloride SPECT is superior to Tc-99m MIBI SPECT when used to detect mediastinal lymph node metastases in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Detection of mutations in adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency using the LightCycler system

We have applied an established technique, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with LightCycler technology, to a single disease with well-defined mutations. This assay produces results within only 30 min by combining PCR and fluorescence detection in one tube without electrophoretic band detection. In this study, we found 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (DHA) lithiasis in Japanese patients who were heterozygous for Japanese-type (type II) adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency (APRT*J). These patients, from a family with 2,8-DHA lithiasis, had a heterozygous mutation in the J region of the APRT gene. We demonstrated that the present system, using LightCycler technology, was simple, rapid, and reliable for detecting known mutations, and capable of identifying heterozygous and homozygous mutations in this family with APRT deficiency.

Facile synthesis of a chitosan hybrid of a laminin-related peptide and its antimetastatic effect in mice

Laminin, a cell adhesion protein, consists of three peptide chains (alpha-1, beta-1 and gamma-1). The beta-1 chain contains a Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR) sequence that has been found to inhibit experimental metastasis in mice. We have prepared a hybrid of a water-soluble chitosan and a laminin-related peptide, and have examined its inhibitory effect on experimental metastasis in mice. A laminin-related peptide, acetyl-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-betaAla-OH (Ac-YIGSRbetaA-OH), was prepared by a solid-phase method. Ac-YIGSRbetaA-OH was then reacted with a water-soluble chitosan. BetaAla is a spacer and was placed to avoid racemization of the Arg residue when the peptide was coupled with chitosan. Although chitosan has amino groups, they did not react with the peptide. Four methods were tried to achieve a coupling reaction, the diphenylphosphoryl azide method, the diisopropylcarbodiimide/1-hydroxybenzotriazole method, the water-soluble carbodiimide (WSC), and the 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) method, but all four methods were unsuccessful. Therefore, a small spacer, tert-butyloxycarbonyl-Gly, was intercalated in chitosan, by the TBTU method, to facilitate its coupling with the peptide. After removal of the protecting group, the Gly-chitosan was coupled with Ac-YIGSRbetaA-OH by the water-soluble carbodiimide method to give Ac-YIGSRbetaAG-chitosan. Conjugation of the peptide with the larger chitosan molecule did not reduce the inhibitory effect of the peptide on experimental metastasis in mice, it actually potentiated the antimetastatic effect, demonstrating that chitosan may be effective as a drug carrier for peptides.

A comparative study of Embelia schiperi and Embelia keniensis on blood glucose and triglycerides in normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice

Intraperitoneal administration of the methanol extract of Embelia schiperi (ES) to normal mice caused a significant decrease in blood glucose (p < 0.01) and a significant increase in triglycerides 4 hours after administration at 100 mg/kg (p < 0.01). The toluene fraction of Embelia keniensis methanol extract (TS) showed hypoglycemic and lipid lowering activity 7 hours after intraperitoneal administration at 100 mg/kg. In addition, TS (100 mg/kg) administration significantly decreased blood glucose in epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice (p < 0.01). Moreover, ES tended to increase while TS tended to decrease the blood triglycerides in epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice. On the other hand, no changes in blood cholesterol were observed after the administration of ES or TS in normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice. We found that two species from Embelia, ES and TS, have different activities on blood glucose and triglycerides in normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice.

High resolution neutron fibre diffraction data on hydrogenated and deuterated cellulose

High-resolution fibre neutron diffraction data were recorded from cellulose samples on a D19 diffractometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin (Grenoble). Highly crystalline cellulose I samples from Cladophora (cellulose I alpha + I beta) or Halocynthia (cellulose I beta) origin were prepared in the form of oriented films. Samples were studied in a hydrogenated form and in a hydrogen-deuterium exchanged deuterated form corresponding to all OH moieties being replaced by ODs. These samples, which diffracted to a resolution of around 0.9 A, gave diffraction diagrams consisting of several hundred independent diffraction spots. Crystalline cellulose II fibres resulting from the mercerization of flax were also studied in a hydrogenated form using NaOH/H2O as mercerizing medium and in a deuterated form using NaOD/D2O. Both of these samples diffracted to around 1.2 A, giving fibre diffraction diagrams slightly less resolved than those of cellulose I, but still consisting of more than one hundred independent diffraction spots. For cellulose I as well as for cellulose II, significant differences between the hydrogenated and deuterated patterns were observed and recorded. These new data should lead to improved structures for cellulose and direct identification of the position of hydrogen atoms involved in hydrogen bonding.

Intracellular localization of the UL31 protein of herpes simplex virus type 2

We studied intracellular localization of the UL31 protein of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in infected and transfected cells. The UL31 protein localized diffusely throughout the nucleus in infected Vero cells and the distribution patterns of the UL31 protein appeared to be different from those of either replication protein ICP8 or capsid protein ICP35. In transfected Vero cells it localized diffusely throughout the nucleus except the nucleolus at early times after transfection. At very low efficiency, it accumulated in the nucleolus. At intermediate times after transfection, the UL31 protein showed punctate staining in the nucleus. These punctate forms fused and became larger. At later times after transfection, granular forms further fused and a nuclear diffuse pattern virtually disappeared. We also constructed five N and C terminal deletion mutants of the UL31 protein for transfection assays and showed that the region containing amino acids 44 to 110 was important for nuclear and nucleolar localization. Moreover, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-targeting experiments showed that the UL31 protein was able to transport nonnuclear GFP to the nucleus and nucleolus as a fusion protein.

Intraperitoneal delivery of hrR3 and ganciclovir prolongs survival in mice with disseminated pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES; Intraperitoneal dissemination of pancreatic cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. Surgical resection does not prolong survival. Here we describe a novel approach to this difficult clinical problem consisting of intraperitoneal delivery of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector (hrR3) to mice with peritoneal dissemination of the pancreatic cancer cells.

METHODS

The human pancreatic cancer cell line (SW1990) was implanted into the abdominal cavity of nude mice. Fifteen days later, the abdominal neoplasm was treated by intraperitoneal injection of the replication-conditional HSV vector (hrR3). The mutant lacks the ribonucleotide reductase gene, but contains an intact HSV-tk gene. Beginning 5 days after vector injection, mice were treated with a 14-day course of ganciclovir.

RESULTS

Long-term survival (150 days) was seen in 70% of mice receiving hrR3 and ganciclovir, 40% of mice receiving hrR3 alone, and 0% of untreated mice. No vector-related mortality was observed. X-Gal tissue staining revealed blue-stained cells only in tumor nodules, not in normal organs.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraperitoneal delivery of hrR3 and ganciclovir improves survival in this murine model of peritoneal dissemination of pancreatic cancer. The ability of hrR3 to replicate only in rapidly dividing cells makes this virus an attractive vector for gene therapy of cancer.

[Clinical features and management of the elderly patients with ulcerative colitis]

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is commonly observed in young generation, but a considerable number of patients(1.7-4.6%) distribute over 65 years old. The clinical features of the elderly UC patients are not so severe, and most of them could maintain clinical remission after treatment. These are the most characteristic features of the elderly UC patients. Although the elderly UC patients are treated with similar therapeutic strategy for younger UC patients, we must pay an attention to several special points, e.g. differences in drug efficacy and complication with other diseases. Especially it must be emphasized that the risk of colon cancer development is much higher in the elderly UC patients, and strong efforts should be paid to the surveillance for colon cancer in these patients.

A human homolog of Drosophila warts tumor suppressor, h-warts, localized to mitotic apparatus and specifically phosphorylated during mitosis

We identified a human homolog of Drosophila warts tumor suppressor gene, termed h-warts, which was mapped at chromosome 6q24-25.1. The h-warts protein has a serine/threonine kinase domain and is localized to centrosomes in interphase cells. However, it becomes localized to the mitotic apparatus, including spindle pole bodies, mitotic spindle, and midbody, in a highly dynamic manner during mitosis. Furthermore, h-warts is specifically phosphorylated in cells at mitotic phase, most likely by Cdc2 kinase. These findings suggest that h-warts functions as a component of the mitotic apparatus and is involved in proper progression of mitosis.

Accumulation of technetium-99m pertechnetate in a patient with metastases of thyroid carcinoma

Accumulation of both Tc-99m pertechnetate and radioiodine upon scintigraphy in thyroid carcinoma and/or in its metastases is a rare occurrence. In this paper we describe a patient who was taken to surgery for left lobectomy of the thyroid with follicular adenocarcinoma and who had accumulation of both I-131 and Tc-99m pertechnetate in lung metastases. The accumulation of I-131 was less than that of Tc-99m pertechnetate. The use of Tc-99m pertechnetate for imaging for diagnosis of functioning thyroid metastases is discussed.

Successful autotransplantation of an adrenal gland using a new method of omental wrapping: report of a case

Bilateral total adrenalectomy results in the need for patients to take lifelong supplements of adrenal steroids, with the risk of possible Addisonian crisis. Few reports of the successful autotransplantation of adrenal tissue in muscular pockets have been documented; however, we describe herein the case of a 22-year-old woman in whom autotransplantation of an adrenal gland was successfully performed employing a new method of omental wrapping. The patient underwent bilateral total adrenalectomy for bilateral pheochromocytoma at which time adrenal tissue was sliced into 1-2-mm thick pieces, half of which were placed in muscular pockets in the abdominal rectus muscles, and the remaining half put onto the omentum and wrapped with it. Laboratory examinations done 6 months after surgery showed recovery of her adrenal function, and 4 months later steroid supplements were able to be discontinued. Scintigraphic studies using [131I]-iodomethyl-norcholesterol ([131]I-Adosterol) demonstrated clear activity in the omentum, weak activity in the rectus muscles, and no activity in the adrenal beds. These findings suggest that the omentum may be more suitable as an implantation site for adrenal tissue than muscular pockets.

Identification and characterization of the UL14 gene product of herpes simplex virus type 2

The UL14 gene of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is predicted to encode a 219 amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 23 kDa. In this study, the HSV-2 UL14 gene product has been identified by using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum raised against a recombinant 6 x His-UL14 fusion protein expressed in E. coli. The antiserum reacted specifically with 34, 33 and 28 kDa proteins in HSV-2-infected cell lysates and also with a 34 kDa protein produced by in vitro transcription and translation reactions, suggesting that the 34 kDa protein is the primary translation product of the UL14 gene. The protein was synthesized at late times post-infection (p.i.) and was not detectable in the presence of the viral DNA synthesis inhibitor acycloguanosine. Indirect immunofluorescence studies localized the UL14 protein both to the nucleus and to perinuclear regions of the cytoplasm, and the nuclear UL14 protein was found to co-localize with the scaffolding protein ICP35 at 9 h p.i. However, the protein accumulated in a perinuclear region of the cytoplasm at 12 h p.i., while most of the ICP35 protein localized within assemblons in the nucleus. Although no detectable UL14 protein was associated with intracellular capsids isolated in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl, it was detected in purified virions. Furthermore, the UL14 protein expressed alone was detected both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm at 24 h after transfection, but was mainly localized to the cytoplasm at later times.

Stimulation of peroxidase activity by decamerization related to ionic strength: AhpC protein from Amphibacillus xylanus

AhpC protein, purified from Amphibacillus xylanus with a molecular mass of 20.8 kDa, protects cells against oxidation damage. The enzyme catalyses the reduction of hydroperoxides in cooperation with the 55 kDa flavoprotein, A. xylanus NADH oxidase (NADH oxidase-AhpC system). A. xylanus AhpC has two disulfide linkages between monomers and can act in the homodimer form. Gel-filtration column chromatography and dynamic light scattering (DLS) suggest that A. xylanus AhpC also forms a large oligomeric assembly (10-12 mers). A. xylanus AhpC was crystallized and X-ray diffraction data were collected to 3.0 A. The self-rotation function revealed fivefold and twofold axes located perpendicularly to each other, suggesting that the molecular assembly of A. xylanus AhpC is composed of ten monomers. The oligomerization of A. xylanus AhpC is affected by ionic strength in the DLS measurements. The H(2)O(2) reductase activity of the A. xylanus NADH oxidase-AhpC system is also affected by ionic strength, and it was found that the decamerization of AhpC might be required for the activation of the NADH oxidase-AhpC system.

Little contribution of GB virus C to the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan

RNA of GB virus C was searched for in sera from 109 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. It was detected in 11 patients (10%), and was more frequent than in 3 of 342 blood donors (0.9%) (P < 0.001). The 11 patients included 4 of 29 patients (14%) with hepatitis B surface antigen and 7 of 74 patients (9%) with antibody to hepatitis C virus. RNA of GB virus C was not detected in any of 4 patients without hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody to hepatitis C virus. These results suggest that GB virus C may contribute little to the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan.

Antiapoptotic activity of herpes simplex virus type 2: the role of US3 protein kinase gene

In order to determine the ability of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) to suppress apoptosis, we examined the effect of HSV-2 infection on apoptosis induced in HEp-2 cells by treatment with 1 M sorbitol. Although a wild-type strain of HSV-2 induced apoptosis in a significant fraction of the infected cells, HSV-2 could suppress sorbitol-induced apoptosis in a manner similar to that of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), indicating that HSV-2, like HSV-1, has an antiapoptosis gene. Characterization of the cells infected with a US3-deletion mutant of HSV-2 revealed the necessity of a US3 gene in the antiapoptotic activity of this virus.

Evaluation of anti-herpesvirus activity of (1'S,2'R)-9-[[1',2'-bis(hydroxymethyl)cycloprop-1'-yl]methyl]- guanine (A-5021) in mice

The anti-herpesvirus activity of (1'S,2'R)-9-[[1',2'-bis(hydroxymethyl)cycloprop-1'-yl]methyl]guani ne (A-5021) was evaluated in murine cells and in several murine models of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Against HSV type 1 (HSV-1), A-5021 was 15-30- and 30-60-fold more active, and against HSV type 2 (HSV-2), it was 2- and 8-fold more active than acyclovir and penciclovir in Balb/3T3 cells, respectively. When antiviral compounds were administered orally (once daily) to mice infected intraperitoneally with HSV-1 (Tomioka), A-5021 was more active than acyclovir or famciclovir in spite of its relatively low oral bioavailability. A-5021 was as active as penciclovir when the antiviral compounds were given intravenously (three times daily) to mice infected intraperitoneally with HSV-2 (186). In mice with a cutaneous HSV-1 (KOS) infection, three times daily oral therapy with A-5021 at 25 mg/kg per day produced more significant reduction in severity of skin lesions than equivalent treatment with acyclovir or famciclovir. In mice infected intracerebrally with HSV-1 (Tomioka), complete survival was observed in the group treated intravenously with A-5021 at 25 mg/kg per day (three times daily), while more than 50% of mice died in the groups treated intravenously with acyclovir of up to 100 mg/kg per day (three times daily). Moreover, A-5021 was more effective than acyclovir in clearing infectious virus from the brain. These findings demonstrate that A-5021 has potent anti-HSV activity in several murine models.

[The association of TTV genetic variant with liver disease]

TT virus (TTV), a novel DNA virus, has been reported in non-A to non-G posttransfusion hepatitis patients. Among 61 Japanese patients with liver diseases of non-B and non-C etiology, TTV DNA was detected in 15(25%) patients. The N22 region of TTV was sequenced and compared with the published sequence. Four genetic groups corresponding to G1a, G1b, G2 and G4 were formed. TTV was detected persistently regardless of its genotype/subtype. However, G2 and G4 contained 10 to 100 folds lower in titer than G1. Co-existing multiple mutants and subtypes were identified in one case. Since changes of TTV DNA titer and appearance of deduced amino acid substitution was not linked to ALT levels, the association of TTV to chronic liver diseases seemed low.

Low-molecular-weight anti-HIV-1 peptides from the amino-terminal sequence of RANTES: possible lead compounds for coreceptor-directed anti-HIV-1 agents

A series of small peptides corresponding to the amino-terminal sequence of RANTES were synthesized, and their anti-HIV-1 activity was evaluated. Pentapeptides, H-(10Ala-RANTES 6-10)-OH and Ac-(10Ala-RANTES 6-10)-NH2, were the smallest anti-HIV-1 peptides so far developed, and would be potentially important lead compounds for coreceptor-directed anti-HIV-1 drugs.

Genetic engineering of the unsaturation of fatty acids in membrane lipids alters the tolerance of Synechocystis to salt stress

The role of unsaturated fatty acids in membrane lipids in the tolerance of the photosynthetic machinery to salt stress was studied by comparing the desA-/desD- mutant of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, which contained monounsaturated fatty acids, with the wild-type strain, which contained a full complement of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In darkness, the loss of oxygen-evolving photosystem II activity in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl or 0.5 M LiCl was much more rapid in desA-/desD- cells than in wild-type cells. Oxygen-evolving activity that had been lost during incubation with 0.5 M NaCl in darkness returned when cells were transferred to conditions that allowed photosynthesis or respiration. Recovery was much greater in wild-type than in desA-/desD- cells, and it was prevented by lincomycin. Thus, the unsaturation of fatty acids is important in the tolerance of the photosynthetic machinery to salt stress. It appears also that the activity and synthesis of the Na+/H+ antiporter system might be suppressed under high-salt conditions and that this effect can be reversed, in part, by the unsaturation of fatty acids in membrane lipids.

PsbU, a protein associated with photosystem II, is required for the acquisition of cellular thermotolerance in synechococcus species PCC 7002

PsbU is an extrinsic protein of the photosystem II complex of cyanobacteria and red algae. Our previous in vitro studies (Y. Nishiyama, D.A. Los, H. Hayashi, N. Murata [1997] Plant Physiol 115: 1473-1480) revealed that PsbU stabilizes the oxygen-evolving machinery of the photosystem II complex against heat-induced inactivation in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. To elucidate the role of PsbU in vivo, we inactivated the psbU gene in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 by targeted mutagenesis. Inactivation of the psbU gene resulted in marked changes in the acclimative responses of cells to high temperature: Mutated cells were unable to increase the thermal stability of their oxygen-evolving machinery when grown at moderately high temperatures. Moreover, the cellular thermotolerance of the mutated cells failed to increase upon acclimation of cells to high temperature. The heat-shock response, as assessed in terms of the levels of homologs of the heat-shock proteins Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp17, was unaffected by the mutation in psbU, suggesting that heat-shock proteins were not involved in the changes in the acclimative responses. Our observations indicate that PsbU is involved in the mechanism that underlies the enhancement of the thermal stability of the oxygen-evolving machinery and that the stabilization of the oxygen-evolving machinery is crucial for the acquisition of cellular thermotolerance.

[Quantitative study of 99mTc-Technegas SPECT for ventilatory impairment in pulmonary emphysema]

99mTc-Technegas scintigraphy is used to evaluate ventilation abnormalities in patients with pulmonary emphysema. Although abnormalities of ventilation distribution are easy to find, no objective index exits. Evaluation is subjective and differs with each radiologist. Thus, it is difficult to compare cases and the clinical course in the same case. The present study for quantitative evaluation demonstrated an excellent correlations between mean voxel values of the lung and stage classification. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between the mean and FEV1.0%. These findings indicate that the quantitative analysis of SPECT data is useful for classifying clinical stage and comparing cases.

Regioselective conjugation of chitosan with a laminin-related peptide, Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg, and evaluation of its inhibitory effect on experimental cancer metastasis

A conjugate from the YIGSR peptide and chitosan has been prepared on the basis of a regioselective modification strategy of chitosan, and its antimetastatic activity has been assayed. Chitosan was converted to its organosoluble derivative, 6-O-trityl-chitosan, in 3 steps, and then coupled with the peptide portion containing a spacer amino acid, Ac-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-beta Ala-OH [beta Ala; beta-alanine]. The product was treated with CHCl2CO2H to afford the desired conjugate, Ac-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-beta Ala-chitosan, which proved to inhibit the experimental lung metastasis of B16BL6 melanoma cells in mice at lower doses than the parent peptide.

Induction of apoptosis in HEp-2 cells by infection with herpes simplex virus type 2

Although herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) does not induce apoptosis in infected HEp-2 cells, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) did induce apoptosis in a small but significant fraction of the same cells. Apoptosis was not observed in Vero or HeLa cells infected with HSV-2. In addition, HSV-2 infection in the presence of cycloheximide induced extensive apoptosis of HEp-2 or HeLa cells.