Alteration of annexin IV expression in alcoholics

Western blot analysis was performed by using a specific antibody to measure annexin IV in human postmortem brain samples from alcoholic subjects. The analysis showed a significantly augmented expression in the hippocampus compared with controls, whereas the expression in the frontal cortex was equivalent in both groups. Annexin IV expression in the occipital cortex tended to increase in alcoholics. It was shown further that autoantibodies to annexin IV were increased significantly in alcoholic patients compared with controls. Thus, annexin IV may become a novel biological marker for alcoholics.

Y chromosome compound haplotypes with the microsatellite markers DXYS265, DXYS266, and DXYS241

Two newly developed microsatellite markers on Yp11 (DXYS265) and Yq11.21 (DXYS266) and our previously reported marker, on Yp11 (DXYS241), were typed by triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 102 Japanese, 18 white American, and 17 black American males. The DXYS265 locus revealed three alleles, the DXYS266 locus showed two alleles, while the DXYS241 locus showed five alleles. Nine different compound haplotypes were observed among the males. Of these, two haplotypes were common to all groups, while four were limited to Japanese. Pedigree analysis of 61 Japanese families revealed no mutations of these loci. The triplex PCR developed in this study, as well as the new loci, are useful for tracing paternal lineages in human migration studies and population analysis, in addition to Y chromosome evolutionary studies.

Histological evaluation of allograft bone after acetabular revision arthroplasty: report of two cases

We recently had the opportunity to take histological sections from two patients who underwent acetabular reconstruction in which allograft and ME Müller acetabular roof reinforcement rings were used. In one patient (case 1), histological sections of the chipped allograft were taken on two separate occasions from the same area, at 7 months, and at 3 years and 11 months after the bone graft. The histology of the chipped allograft showed necrosis at 7 months, but almost normal morphology of trabecular bone formation at 3 years and 11 months after the bone graft. In the other patient (case 2) histological sections of the block allograft and chipped allograft were taken at 1 year and 8 months after the bone graft. The block allograft showed only a small amount of admixture of newly formed bone with the necrotic bone, while the chipped allograft showed a large amount of newly formed bone, with only a small amount of necrotic bone remaining. Therefore, we principally use chipped allograft for acetabular reconstruction, in order to achieve early and complete graft incorporation. If a block allograft is used in a weight-bearing area, it should be protected from excessive load by using an acetabular reinforcement device.

Thrombin-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation is mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation pathway

Thrombin is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and has been implicated its pathogenic role in vascular remodelling. However, the signalling pathways by which thrombin mediates its mitogenic response are not fully understood. We have previously reported that thrombin activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) by a tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism, and that p38 MAPK has a role in thrombin-induced mitogenic response in rat VSMC. In the present study, we examine the involvement of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in thrombin-induced p38 MAPK activation. We found that thrombin induced EGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation (transactivation) in A10 cells, a clonal VSMC cell line. A selective inhibitor of EGF receptor kinase (AG1478) inhibited the p38 MAPK activation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it had no effect on the response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). EGF receptor phosphorylation induced by thrombin was inhibited by BAPTA-AM and GF109203X, which suggest a requirement for intracellular Ca(2+) increase and protein kinase C. We next examined the effect of AG1478 on thrombin-induced DNA synthesis. AG1478 inhibited thrombin-induced DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, PDGF-induced DNA synthesis was not affected by AG1478. In conclusion, these data suggest that the EGF receptor transactivation and subsequent p38 MAPK activation is required for thrombin-induced proliferation of VSMC.

Thrombin activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in vascular smooth muscle cells

Thrombin is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the signaling pathways by which thrombin mediates its mitogenic response are not fully understood. The ERK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family are reported to be activated by thrombin. We have investigated the response to thrombin of another member of the MAPK family, p38 MAPK, which has been suggested to be activated by both stress and inflammatory stimuli in vascular smooth muscle cells. We found that thrombin induced time- and dose-dependent activation of p38 MAPK. Maximal stimulation of p38 MAPK was observed after a 10-min incubation with 1 unit ml(-1) thrombin. GF109203X, a protein kinase C inhibitor, and prolonged treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate partially inhibited p38 MAPK activation. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, also inhibited p38 MAPK activation in a dose-dependent manner. p38 MAPK activation was inhibited by overexpression of betaARK1ct (beta-adrenergic receptor kinase I C-terminal peptide). p38 MAPK activation was also inhibited by expression of dominant-negative Ras, not by dominant-negative Rac. We next examined the effect of a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, on thrombin-induced proliferation. SB203580 inhibited thrombin-induced DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that thrombin activates p38 MAPK in a manner dependent on Gbetagamma, protein kinase C, a tyrosine kinase, and Ras, that p38 MAPK has a role in thrombin-induced mitogenic response in the cells.

Differential lipid specificities of the repeated domains of annexin IV

The roles of the four domains of annexin IV in binding to phospholipids and glycolipids were assessed by analyzing the binding of a group of mutant annexins IV in which one or more of the four domains was inactivated by replacing a critical amino residue(s) (Asp or Glu) with the neutral residue Ala. The data reveal that individual annexin domains may have characteristic affinities for different lipids. In particular, inactivation of the fourth domain inhibits the binding to phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) but not to phosphatidylglycerol (PG), suggesting that this domain specifically can accommodate the larger head groups of PS and PI whereas the other three domains may form more restricted binding pockets. In order to block binding to PG, domain 1, or both domains 2 and 3 must be inactivated in addition to domain 4, suggesting that all four domains may be able to accommodate the headgroup of PG to some extent. Binding to acidic glycolipids (sulfatides) was also sensitive to inactivation of domain 4. However, in the case of sulfatides the nature of the binding reaction is fundamentally different compared with the binding to phospholipids since the interaction with sulfatides was highly sensitive to an increase in ionic strength. The binding to sulfatides may depend therefore on charge-charge interactions whereas the binding to phospholipid may involve a more specific interaction between the lipid headgroup and the protein surface, and/or interaction of the protein with the hydrophobic portion of a lipid bilayer.

Rat mannose-binding protein a binds CD14

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been known to induce inflammation by interacting with CD14, which serves as a receptor for LPS. Mannose-binding protein (MBP) belongs to the collectin subgroup of the C-type lectin superfamily, along with surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D. We have recently demonstrated that SP-A modulates LPS-induced cellular responses by interaction with CD14 (H. Sano, H. Sohma, T. Muta, S. Nomura, D. R. Voelker, and Y. Kuroki, J. Immunol. 163:387-395, 2000) and that SP-D also interacts with CD14 (H. Sano, H. Chiba, D. Iwaki, H. Sohma, D. R. Voelker, and Y. Kuroki, J. Biol. Chem. 275:22442-22451, 2000). In this study, we examined whether MBP, a collectin highly homologous to SP-A and SP-D, could bind CD14. Recombinant rat MBP-A bound recombinant human soluble CD14 in a concentration-dependent manner. Its binding was not inhibited in the presence of excess mannose or EDTA. MBP-A bound deglycosylated CD14 treated with N-glycosidase F, neuraminidase, and O-glycosidase, indicating that MBP-A interacts with the peptide portion of CD14. Since LPS was also a ligand for the collectins, we compared the characteristics of binding of MBP-A to LPS with those of binding to CD14. MBP-A bound to lipid A from Salmonella enterica serovar Minnesota and rough LPS (S. enterica serovar Minnesota Re595 and Escherichia coli J5, Rc), but not to smooth LPS (E. coli O26:B6 and O111:B4). Unlike CD14 binding, EDTA and excess mannose attenuated the binding of MBP-A to rough LPS. From these results, we conclude that CD14 is a novel ligand for MBP-A and that MBP-A utilizes a different mechanism for CD14 recognition from that for LPS.

Mechanisms of photoreceptor cell death in cancer-associated retinopathy

PURPOSE

In a previous study, both recoverin and heat shock cognate protein (hsc) 70 were recognized as autoantigens by sera from patients with cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR), and retinal dysfunction similar to CAR was inducible by intravitreous injection of anti-recoverin and anti-hsc 70 antibodies to Lewis rat. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of these antibodies on retinal photoreceptor cell functions, the contribution of caspase during the photoreceptor degeneration, and the roles of aberrant expression of recoverin in tumor cells.

METHODS

As photoreceptor functions, rhodopsin phosphorylation using freshly prepared rod outer segments (ROS) and electroretinogram (ERG) were studied. Expression of recoverin in several kinds of tumors was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The effects of recoverin on calcium-dependent protein phosphorylation were studied using the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line, which does not express recoverin.

RESULTS

Rhodopsin phosphorylation in bovine ROS was significantly promoted by the addition of anti-recoverin antibody. Similar effects on rhodopsin phosphorylation and ERG impairment were observed in rat eyes treated with anti-recoverin antibody. Co-injection of caspase inhibitors with anti-recoverin antibody inhibited ERG impairment and significantly suppressed the antibody-induced enhancement of rhodopsin phosphorylation. Aberrant expression of recoverin was found in 15 of 30 tumor tissues from patients with cancer without CAR. Profiles of calcium-dependent protein phosphorylation of cell lysate from A549 cells were modulated by the presence of purified recoverin.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest that anti-recoverin antibody is incorporated into rod photoreceptor cells and modulates rhodopsin phosphorylation, which in turn produces activation of caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways. Regarding antibody generation in CAR, a high incidence of aberrant expression of recoverin in cancer tissues is important, as suggested previously.

Association of a novel constitutional translocation t(1q;3q) with familial renal cell carcinoma

Four cases of late onset clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a case of gastric cancer, and a case of exocrine pancreatic cancer were identified in a Japanese family. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanism for tumorigenesis in this family, extensive genetic studies were performed including routine and spectral karyotyping (SKY), fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH), loss of heterozygosity studies (LOH), and VHL mutation analysis. A germline translocation t(1;3)(q32-q41;q13-q21) was identified by karyotyping in five members of the family including all three RCC cases tested. The translocation was refined to t(1;3)(q32;q13.3) by FISH analysis using locus specific genomic clones, and the two breakpoints were mapped to a 5 cM region in 3q13.3 and a 3.6 cM region in 1q32. Both CGH and allelotyping using microsatellite markers showed loss of the derivative chromosome 3 carrying a 1q segment in the three familial RCCs analysed. Additional chromosomal imbalances were identified by CGH, including amplifications of chromosomes 5 and 7 and loss of 8p and 9. No germline VHL mutation was found but two different somatic mutations, a splice (IVS1-2A>C) and a frameshift (726delG), were identified in two RCCs from the same patient confirming their distinct origin. Taken together, these results firmly support a three step model for tumorigenesis in this family. A constitutional translocation t(1q;3q) increased the susceptibility to loss of the derivative chromosome 3 which is then followed by somatic mutations of the RCC related tumour suppressor gene VHL located in the remaining copy of chromosome 3.

Diagnostic significance of surfactant proteins A and D in sera from patients with radiation pneumonitis

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is the most common complication of radiotherapy for thoracic tumours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of pulmonary surfactant proteins (SP)-A and SP-D as new serum markers for RP. Twenty-five patients with lung tumour, who had received radiotherapy, were studied. At the completion of radiotherapy, the presence of RP was judged by chest plain radiography and chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). RP findings detected on chest plain radiography were seen in only three of 12 patients in whom RP was detected by HRCT. Nevertheless, both SP-A and SP-D concentrations in sera from the patients with RP were significantly higher than those from the 13 patients without RP (p = 0.0065, p = 0.0011, respectively). As with SP-A, ratios of SP-D at the completion, compared to at the initiation (1 week post/pre ratio), were also significantly higher in patients with RP than in patients without RP. When a post/pre ratio > 1.6 was considered positive, the SP-A and SP-D assays showed an 83% and 85% specificity, respectively. In conclusion, serum assays of surfactant proteins A and D may be of diagnostic value for detection of radiation pneumonitis, even when the radiographic change is faint.

Enantioselective rhodium(I)-catalyzed hydrogenation of trifluoromethyl ketones

[figure: see text] The asymmetric hydrogenation of trifluoromethyl ketones to yield chiral alpha-trifluoromethyl alcohols with enantiomeric excesses up to 98% was achieved in the presence of chiral rhodium-(amidephosphine-phosphinite) complexes.

Neuroprotection by estrogen via extracellular signal-regulated kinase against quinolinic acid-induced cell death in the rat hippocampus

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) belongs to the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are serine-threonine kinases activated by phosphorylation in response to a variety of mitogenic signals. We previously reported that 17 beta-estradiol rapidly activates ERK in the rat hippocampus. However, the physiological role of this rapid activation of ERK by estrogen in vivo has not yet been elucidated. This study investigated whether ERK may participate in mediating the neuroprotective effects of estrogen against quinolinic acid (QA) toxicity in the rat hippocampus in vivo. Injection of QA into the hippocampi of male rats produced a loss of Nissl-stained neurons in the CA1 after 24 h. Prior administration of 17 beta-estradiol (50 pmol/animal) to the ventricles prevented the QA-induced decrease in Nissl-stained neurons. Pretreatment with U0126, an inhibitor of MAPK/ERK kinase, inhibited the rapid activation of ERK by 17 beta-estradiol in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, the neuroprotective effects of 17beta-estradiol against QA toxicity were blocked by the pretreatment with U0126. U0126 alone did not produce a loss of neurons. These results indicate that ERK mediates estrogen neuroprotection after QA toxicity in the rat hippocampus.

Identification of human antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes epitopes of recoverin, a cancer-associated retinopathy antigen, possibly related with a better prognosis in a paraneoplastic syndrome

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, and the recoverin-specific autoantibody is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of retinopathy, including apoptosis of retinal cells. Because it is known that CAR(+) cancer patients have a preferable prognosis, we hypothesized that aberrantly expressed recoverin in cancer cells can become a target of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Here we tested nine recoverin-derived HLA-A24-binding peptides for their capacity to elicit antitumor CTL. We observed recoverin-specific CTL responses in two HLA-A24(+) CAR(+) cancer patients. In addition, the CTL responses were obtained from three of ten CAR(-) cancer patients and two of six healthy individuals. The CTL precursor frequency of CAR(+) cancer patients and that of CAR(-) cancer patients was higher than that of healthy individuals. Of nine recoverin peptides, R49 (QFQSIYAKF), R49.2 (QFQSIYAKFF), and R64 (AYAQHVFRSF) were discovered to induce the peptide-specific CTL. Taken together, our present data suggest that peripheral activation of recoverin-specific antitumor CTL is likely to contribute to the preferable prognosis of CAR(+) cancer patients. Moreover, in cases other than CAR(+) cancer patients, recoverin may offer the opportunity to design epitope-based immunotherapeutic approaches for treating HLA-A24(+) cancer patients with a recoverin-expressing tumor.

Pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D are potent endogenous inhibitors of lipid peroxidation and oxidative cellular injury

The lung is composed of a series of branching conducting airways that terminate in grape-like clusters of delicate gas-exchanging airspaces called pulmonary alveoli. Maintenance of alveolar patency at end expiration requires pulmonary surfactant, a mixture of phospholipids and proteins that coats the epithelial surface and reduces surface tension. The surfactant lining is exposed to the highest ambient oxygen tension of any internal interface and encounters a variety of oxidizing toxicants including ozone and trace metals contained within the 10 kl of air that is respired daily. The pathophysiological consequences of surfactant oxidation in humans and experimental animals include airspace collapse, reduced lung compliance, and impaired gas exchange. We now report that the hydrophilic surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) directly protect surfactant phospholipids and macrophages from oxidative damage. Both proteins block accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes during copper-induced oxidation of surfactant lipids or low density lipoprotein particles by a mechanism that does not involve metal chelation or oxidative modification of the proteins. Low density lipoprotein oxidation is instantaneously arrested upon SP-A or SP-D addition, suggesting direct interference with free radical formation or propagation. The antioxidant activity of SP-A maps to the carboxyl-terminal domain of the protein, which, like SP-D, contains a C-type lectin carbohydrate recognition domain. These results indicate that SP-A and SP-D, which are ubiquitous among air breathing organisms, could contribute to the protection of the lung from oxidative stresses due to atmospheric or supplemental oxygen, air pollutants, and lung inflammation.

Standard growth curves for Japanese patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

We constructed the standard growth (length/height and weight) curves for Japanese individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Crude height and weight data were collected from 153 males and 99 females with the syndrome, and the collected data were arranged by a mathematical method to construct the curves. Height growth patterns were quite different between PWS and normal children. Mean height of individuals with the syndrome by puberty is -2 SD for normal children, and it drops off far below -2 SD value after puberty. Final mean height is 141.2 +/- 4.8 cm for females (n = 13) and 147.7 +/- 7.7 cm for males (n = 17), showing 15.8 and 21.9 cm below the average height for normal Japanese girls and boys, respectively. Thus, the degree of shortness is more pronounced in male than in female patients. There was no difference in height between those with chromosome 15q deletion and those without. Mean weight at birth of girls (n = 88) and boys (n = 131) were 2.70 +/- 0.45 Kg and 2.62 +/- 0.47 Kg, respectively. These values were smaller than those for normal neonates (P < 0.05, t-test). The weight of PWS children was under the mean value for normal infants by age 2 years, but gradually increase above the mean values for normal children around ages 2-4 years. Overweight in both males and females becomes obvious during prepuberty. Growth patterns are not different between Japanese and Caucasian children with the syndrome. Short stature is more prominent in boys of both ethnic groups, whereas the degree of overweight appears much more severe in Caucasians.

Increased levels of surfactant protein A and D in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in patients with bronchial asthma

Surfactant proteins (SP)-A and SP-D are collagen-like glycoproteins belonging to the "collectin" class of C-type lectins, which are primarily synthesized in type II cells. Recent studies reported the possibility of local production of SP-A and SP-D in the airways, but the amounts of surfactant proteins in patients with bronchial asthma have not been studied. The composition of surfactant proteins in mild, stable asthmatics in the first lavage as bronchial lavage (BL) and the second and third lavages consecutively as alveolar lavages (AL) were therefore, analysed separately. The co-relationships in the BL between the amounts of surfactant proteins and those of fucose, which is one of the markers of submucosal secretion were also analysed. Increased amounts of SP-A in BL and AL of in asthmatics were found as compared with those in controls. A high concentration of SP-D in the AL asthma patients was also found. The levels of SP-A correlated with those of fucose in patients with bronchial asthma (r=0.849, p<0.01). The observations in the present study suggested that surfactant protein A may be secreted from the airways with allergic inflammation in a different manner from the alveoli. The increased levels of surfactant proteins A and D may play a protective role in an allergic inflammation in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

Differentiation and the polymorphic nature of the Y chromosomes revealed by repetitive sequences in the dioecious plant, Rumex acetosa

The dioecious plant Rumex acetosa has a multiple sex chromosome system: females are 2n = XX + 12, males are 2n = XY1Y2 + 12, and the two Y chromosomes are heterochromatic. A DNA sequence abounded in the mare genome was isolated and analyzed. The sequence (RAE180) was a 180-bp-long tandemly arranged repetitive sequence, distributed in chromosomes Y1 and Y2, and two pairs of autosomes. Both Y chromosomes contained large amounts of RAE180 and the sequence formed many DAPI bands, while, on the two pairs of autosomes, RAE180 did not form DAPI bands. The internal structure and morphological changes of the Y chromosomes were analyzed by FISH, using RAE180 and the Y-chromosome-specific sequence RAYSI as probes. The pattern of the FISH signals caused by the accumulation of RAE180 and RAYSI suggested the structural change in the Y chromosomes during the process of sex chromosome evolution, and the morphological change in the Y chromosomes was explained by reciprocal translocation and inversion.

The stimulation of beta(3)-adrenoceptor causes phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 through a G(s)- but not G(i)-dependent pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with three beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists, (+/-)-(R*, R*)-(4-[2-([2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino)propyl]phenoxy)ac etic acid (BRL37344), 4-[3-[(1, 1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-1, 3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (CGP12177) and [(7S)7-¿(2R)2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl-amino¿-5,6,7, 8-tetrahydronapht-2-yl]ethyl oxyacetate, hydrochloride (SR58611) induces phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). The phosphorylations were not affected by pretreatment of the adipocytes with pertussis toxin, whereas the same treatment completely abolished lisophosphatidic acid-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, suggesting the role of pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein in the ERK1/2 phosphorylation by stimulation with the beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was mimicked by treating the adipocytes with cholera toxin, a direct activator of stimulatory G (G(s)) protein. In addition, the ERK1/2 phosphorylations by the beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists were completely diminished by long-term treatment of the adipocytes with cholera toxin (100 ng/ml, 24 h), whereas that obtained with lisophosphatidic acid stimulation was not. Our findings strongly suggest that the three beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists induce ERK1/2 phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through a G(s) protein-dependent cascade.

The potentiation of ox-LDL induced apoptosis by inhibition of NF-kappaB

We previously reported that oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the transcription factors important for apoptotic signalling have been little clarified. We investigated the involvement of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), by which apoptotic signalling is reported to be mediated, in ox-LDL-induced apoptosis. The effect of ox-LDL on the transcriptional factor NF-kappaB activation was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Ox-LDL caused NF-kappaB activation in VSMCs. Next, we investigated the effect on ox-LDL-induced apoptosis by introduction of synthetic double-stranded DNA with high affinity for NF-kappaB in vitro as "decoy" cis elements that bind the transcriptional factor. Treatment by transfection of NF-kappaB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN), but not scramble ones, blunted the activation of NF-kappaB by ox-LDL and caused a significant further induction of ox-LDL-induced apoptosis. Results indicate that the activation of NF-kappaB prevents excessive apoptosis by ox-LDL in VSMCs.