IL-6 positively regulates Foxp3+CD8+ T cells in vivo

Although recent studies have identified regulatory roles for Foxp3(+)CD8(+) T cells, the mechanisms that induce their development and underlie their functions in vivo have not been elucidated. Here, we show that IL-6 positively regulates the Foxp3(+)CD8(+) T-cell development and function. The Foxp3(+)CD8(+) T cells that differentiated in vitro in the presence of IL-6 suppressed autoimmune colitis and arthritis in vivo. Moreover, Foxp3(+)CD8(+) T cells that developed in vivo in the presence of enhanced IL-6 signaling suppressed the development of a spontaneous T(h)17 cell-mediated autoimmune arthritis. Thus, we concluded that Foxp3(+)CD8(+) T cells develop in response to IL-6 and regulate chronic inflammation in T(h)17 cell-mediated F759 autoimmune arthritis. These results suggested that Foxp3(+)CD8(+) T cells may develop in response to IL-6 under certain inflammatory conditions in vivo and may regulate some other chronic inflammation diseases.

Multicenter phase II study of FOLFOX for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in Japan; SWIFT-1 and 2 study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study assessed the efficacy and toxicity of the FOLFOX4 (SWIFT1) and mFOLFOX6 (SWIFT2) regimens in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

METHODOLOGY

Patients with mCRC were required to have ECOG performance status of 0 to 1, and to have adequate organ function. Two multicenter Phase II studies (SWIFT1/SWIFT2) were conducted in chemotherapy naive patients with mCRC.

RESULTS

112 patients were enrolled in these studies (SWIFT1: 54 patients / SWIFT2: 58 patients). The disease sites for each study were the colon in 27 patients and 28 patients, and the rectum in 27 patients and 30 patients, respectively. All patients received a median of 8 courses. After a median follow-up period of 35 months, 54 patients and 58 patients were evaluable in the respective studies, and the overall response rate was 50.0% (CR:31 PR:53). The response rate according to the sites of metastasis were as follows: liver, 54.1% (46/85); lung, 17.4% (4/23); and lymph node, 23.3% (7/30). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 14 patients (12.5%), while Grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities were observed in 16 patients (31.0%) and Grade 3 neurotoxicity was observed in 6patients (5.4%) and 5 patients (4.5%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

FOLFOX4 (SWIFT1) and mFOLFOX6 (SWIFT2) regimens complying with the international standard dosage and schedule can also be administered safely and effectively in Japan.

Use of genotype subset selections of multi-UGT1As polymorphisms to predict severe neutropenia and tumor responses of metastatic CRC patients received FOLFIRI regimen

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Introduction: The pharmacogenetics of irinotecan indicate that a common polymorphism in the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1As (UGT1As) gene predict severe toxicity. However the tumor response to irinotecan is variable and unpredictable. Methods: Two multi-center phase II studies of FOLFIRI (FLIGHT-1 and FLIGHT-2 study) were conducted for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) in Japan. FLIGHT-1 study was first-line chemotherapy, and FLIGHT-2 study was FOLFOX-refractory second-line chemotherapy. 103 patients have been enrolled in these studies (53 patients in FLIGHT-1 and 50 patients in FLIGHT-2) from 20 institutions by April 2007 from November 2005. Seventy one patients were analyzed UGT1As polymorphisms, UGT1A1*28 (TA6>TA7), UGT1A1*6 (G>A), UGT1A1*60 (T>C), UGT1A7 (N129K; T>G), UGT1A7 (-57 T>G), UGT1A9*22 (T10>T9). Results: Out of 71 patients, 34 had G3/4 neutropenia or leukopenia, and 23 had tumor responses (CR +PR). G3/4 neutropenia was more frequent in patients with *6, N129K(G), -57(G), *22 allele than patients without these allele (p<0.05). Other polymorphism was not the predictive factor for toxicity and tumor response, independently. On the other hand, genotype subset selection of multi-UGT1As polymorphisms was useful to predict severe toxicities and tumor responses. Only 7 patients of 22 patients with TA6/TA6 and T10/T10, or TA6/TA7 and -57(T/T), or *6(G/G) and *60(T/T) had grade3/4 toxicity. Similarly, high risk group of toxicity or high and low tumor responses groups was also predicted by genotype subset selections. Conclusions: Genotype subset selections of multi-UGT1As polymorphisms were the excellent predictor for severe toxicities and tumor responses of metastatic CRC patients received FOLFIRI regimen.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Interleukin-17 promotes autoimmunity by triggering a positive-feedback loop via interleukin-6 induction

Dysregulated cytokine expression and signaling are major contributors to a number of autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-6 are important in many disorders characterized by immune self-recognition, and IL-6 is known to induce the differentiation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Here we described an IL-17A-triggered positive-feedback loop of IL-6 signaling, which involved the activation of the transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in fibroblasts. Importantly, enhancement of this loop caused by disruption of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3)-dependent negative regulation of the IL-6 signal transducer gp130 contributed to the development of arthritis. Because this mechanism also enhanced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in wild-type mice, it may be a general etiologic process underlying other Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Bone response to titanium implants coated with thin sputtered HA film subject to hydrothermal treatment and implanted in the canine mandible

Hydroxyapatite (HA) was coated onto titanium implants using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The HA films were crystallized in an autoclave tube using low temperature hydrothermal treatment. The average film thickness on the implant was 1.1 microm. HA-coated and pure-titanium implants were inserted into canine mandibles for up to 24 weeks. Forty-eight implants were placed in eight beagles. After 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks, implants were retrieved and prepared for histological observation, and the HA film thickness was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Light microscopy revealed that, after two weeks, the bone response to the HA-coated implants was much better than to the pure titanium implants, and osteoblasts were observed at the bone-implant interface. After four weeks, the screw threads of the HA-coated implants were almost completely covered with bone. The HA film thickness rapidly decreased up to four weeks of implantation, then gently decreased, reaching 0.40+/-0.03 microm at the upper region of the implant after 12 weeks. That indicates that about 80% of the HA film had dissolved after 12 weeks of implantation. The rate of decrease in the HA film thickness was greater with increasing implant depth.

Serial changes in plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration at the infarct and non-infarct sites in patients with left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the role of infarct and non-infarct sites on left ventricular (LV) remodelling after myocardial infarction by measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) from each site.

METHODS AND RESULTS

BNP from the aorta and the anterior interventricular vein (AIV) was measured in 45 patients with first anterior myocardial infarction at one, six, and 18 months. The LV was significantly dilated (> 10 ml/m(2) of end diastolic volume from one to 18 months) in 20 patients (remodelling (R) group) but not in 25 others (non-remodelling (NR) group). Patient characteristics and LV functions did not differ significantly at one month but plasma BNP concentration was higher in group R than in group NR (336 (288) v 116 (106) pg/ml, p < 0.01), predicting the degree of LV dilatation. The difference in BNP concentration between the aortic root and AIV (DeltaBNP), reflecting BNP secreted from the infarct site, did not differ at one month. In both groups BNP and DeltaBNP significantly decreased from one to six months (p < 0.05) and decreased from six months to 18 months, but the change was not significant. BNP and DeltaBNP were significantly higher in group R than in group NR after six months, when LV dilatation was not evident in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced BNP secretion at one month in the non-infarct and infarct ventricular sites predicts subsequent LV dilatation (that is, remodelling). The slower process of LV remodelling decreased BNP secretion at both sites. Thus, BNP concentration should be useful for monitoring ventricular remodelling after infarction.

Stroke outcome prediction using reciprocal number of initial activities of daily living status

Multiple regression analysis was performed in 87 stroke patients who were admitted to a rehabilitation hospital to predict the total motor subscore of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at discharge. In addition to the total cognitive subscore of the FIM at admission, age, and days from stroke onset to admission, the total motor subscore of the FIM at admission or its reciprocal number was added to independent variables. The correlation coefficients between the predicted and actual values were .88 (ordinary regression) and .93 (reciprocal regression) in the validation group (44 stroke patients). The median of the residuals (i.e, absolute values of subtraction of predicted motor-FIM from actual motor-FIM at discharge) of the reciprocal prediction (4.57) was significantly smaller than that of the ordinary prediction (6.26). In conclusion, the reciprocal prediction of regression analysis provided a more precise prediction without additional complex calculations.

Chiral Phosphinooxazolidine Ligands for Palladium- and Platinum-Catalyzed Asymmetric Diels−Alder Reactions

Cationic palladium (Pd)- and platinum (Pt)-phosphinooxazolidine catalysts 13a-c, 15a-d, 17a-c, and 19a-c were prepared from phosphinooxazolidine ligands 1-3, MCl(2) (M = Pd and Pt), and counterions, and the activities of the catalysts in the asymmetric Diels-Alder (DA) reactions of cyclic or acyclic dienes with imide dienophiles were investigated. These catalysts demonstrated high levels of catalytic activity. The cationic Pd-POZ complex 13c provided particularly excellent enantioselectivity (98% ee) in the DA reactions of cyclopentadiene with acryloyl-, crotonyl-, and fumaroyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones (20a-c).

Clinical features and treatment of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated gastric antral vascular ectasia

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) may occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and cause severe and prolonged gastric bleeding. The underlying pathology of transplant-associated GAVE (HSCT-GAVE) is poorly understood and an effective therapeutic strategy has not been established yet. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 230 consecutive allogeneic transplant recipients in our institution between January 1997 and June 2002. We identified five patients who developed HSCT-GAVE (2.2%). Four patients had bleeding from HSCT-GAVE and one patient had HSCT-GAVE discovered incidentally. The clinical features of these patients were similar in that they all received conditioning treatment with busulfan and had history of thrombotic microangiopathy. Furthermore, treatment with a beta-blocker apparently improved the outcome of HSCT-GAVE in three patients.

Interaction between fibroblast cells and fluorinated polyimide with nano-modified surface

In this study, we investigated the effect of surface nano-modification of aromatic fluorinated polyimide (6FDA-6FAP) derived from 2,2'-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and 2,2'-bis (4-aminophenyl) hexafluoropropane (6FAP) on the interaction with proteins and cells. The surface of 6FDA-6FAP was modified by surface-rubbing showed nano-ordered stripes along the rubbing direction. The rat fibroblast FR cells formed multicellular spheroids with high cell density on the rubbed surface then expressed excellent collagen production similarly in vivo, while on the non-modified surface the cells formed two-dimensional monolayers and the collagen production was negligible. The modulation of cell function by the surface nano-modification along with surface micro-modification may be one of the most important considerations during the design and manufacture of novel biochips or tissue engineering materials.

Cycloadditions of 1-substituted 1,3-butadienes with 4- or 3-substituted 2(1H)-quinolones acting as dienophiles

Cycloadditions of 1,3-butadiene derivatives having an electron-rich group at the 1-position with 4- or 3-substituted 2(1H)-quinolones were carried out to give the richly functionalized phenanthridines under both atmospheric and high pressure conditions. Furthermore, the reactivity of 4- or 3-substituted 2(1H)-quinolones acting as a dienophile with 1-substituted dienes was examined using MO calculation.

Novel and efficient chiral sulfideoxathiane ligands for palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

Easily prepared, chiral sulfideoxathiane ligands are described which give excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) in the Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with a range of alkyl malonate nucleophiles.

A novel and efficient chiral palladium-phosphinooxazolidine catalyst for the enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction

An efficient ruthenium-catalyzed transfer dehydrogenation of amines to imines was acheived under mild conditions using 2,6-dimethoxy benzoquinone (2) or cat. 2/MnO2 as oxidant.

Isolation of an Acinetobacter sp. ST-550 which produces a high level of indigo in a water-organic solvent two-phase system containing high levels of indole

Acinetobacter sp. strain ST-550 was isolated from fumus soil as an efficient indigo producer in the presence of organic solvent. The minimum inhibitory concentration of indole was 0.4 mg/ml for ST-550. ST-550 produced only a small amount of indigo (less than 0.01 microg/ml) when grown in the presence of indole at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.3 mg/ml without any organic solvent. However. ST-550 produced indigo effectively when grown in the presence of a large volume of diphenylmethane and a high level of indole: optimized conditions were 3 ml of a medium containing 0.3 ml diphenylmethane and 2.7 mg indole. Under these conditions, ST-550 produced 0.88 mg indigo (292 microg/mI medium).