Loss of heterozygosity in chromosomes 1, 5, 7 and 13 in mouse hepatoma detected by systematic genome-wide scanning using RLGS genetic map

We have developed an RLGS-based scanning system to detect DNA alteration in tumor tissues, using 575 mapped spots/loci in a single gel. This system is very powerful for screening and identifying not only loss of heterozygosity (LOH) but also DNA methylation change. In this study, we applied this system to search for the LOH of hepatoma from an interspecific F1 hybrid between Mus spretus and C57BL/6 with SV40 early T antigen transgene connected to a mouse major urinary protein enhancer/promoter. Comparing the RLGS profiles of each tumor to that of the normal tissue showed significant LOH in chromosomes 1, 5, 7 and 13.

A novel promoter, derived from the isocitrate lyase gene of Candida tropicalis, inducible with acetate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

When the isocitrate lyase gene, containing 5'-upstream and 3'-flanking regions, of an n-alkane-assimilating yeast Candida tropicalis was introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the enzyme was functionally overexpressed in the cells grown on acetate. The amount of the recombinant isocitrate lyase expressed in S. cerevisiae was as much as 30% of the total soluble proteins in the cells, being comparable to that with GAL7 functional under the control of galactose. The expression was also observed when the cells were grown on glycerol, lactate, ethanol or oleate. These facts indicate that the isocitrate lyase gene upstream region (UPR-ICL) contains a strong promoter functional in S. cerevisiae. UPR-ICL is active as a promoter on cheap carbon sources such as acetate and nonconventional carbon sources such as oleate, whereas many conventional strong promoters demand relatively expensive sugars or sugar derivatives. Therefore, it is promising to construct an economical recombinant protein production system by using UPR-ICL.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage of unknown origin associated with Weber-Christian disease--case report

A 58-year-old female, who had suffered from Weber-Christian disease for 26 years, presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography showed dilatation of the basilar tip. An operation was performed in the chronic stage. The wall of dilated basilar artery was tough, but that of the right superior cerebellar artery was very thin and three small aneurysms were found on the right middle cerebral artery. Blood levels of fibrin degradation products, plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex, and thrombin-antithrombin III complex were increased. The abnormality of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system and the fragility of the cerebral arteries related to Weber-Christian disease were probably the cause of the subarachnoid hemorrhage.

[Early changes at anastomotic sites of saphenous vein grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting]

Saphenous vein grafts are known to develop intimal fibrocellular proliferation, however, there is little information regarding early changes of intimal fibrocellular proliferation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study is based on 6 distal anastomotic sites obtained at autopsy from 3 patients who died within 9 days after CABG. The anastomotic sites were sectioned serially and studied with conventional and immunocytochemical techniques. Endothelial cells at all anastomotic sites showed desquamations. In two cases at 2 and 3 days after CABG, the luminal surfaces of anastomotic sites were covered by fibrin-platelet thrombus with infiltration of T-lymphocytes and macrophages. At these sites, moreover, some spindle-shaped cells were also present. Immunocytochemically, these spindle-shaped cells, which were stained with vimentin but negative with both anti-actin markers HHF35 and CGA7, were considered to be de-differentiated smooth muscle cells. In the case at 9 days after CABG, cellular reactions were mainly composed of macrophages and de-differentiated smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, these observations in human saphenous vein grafts at an early stage suggest that 1) endothelial denudation leads to adhesion of fibrin-platelet thrombus and subsequent cellular response. 2) T-lymphocytes and macrophages may play an important role in an early stage of intimal fibrocellular proliferation.

[Successful treatment of recurrent chronic myelogenous leukemia in allogeneic marrow transplant recipient with the donor leukocyte transfusion, without induction of acute graft-versus-host disease]

A 45-year-old female developed cytogenetic relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia 4 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. To induce a graft-versus-leukemia effect, peripheral blood buffy-coat cells were collected from the original marrow donor during 5 rounds of leukapheresis over 3 weeks, and 2.47 x 10(8) cells/kg were infused into the patient. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) did not develop even after an interval of 50 days from the last donor leukocyte transfusion (DLT). However, karyotypic analysis of bone marrow cells performed on the same day showed an apparent decrease in the proportion of Ph1 chromosome-positive cells (1/20) among all dividing cells, compared with the proportion (13/20) observed before DLT. At the same time, the proportion of red blood cells (RBCs) of donor origin among the peripheral RBCs of the patient, which was less than 10% before DLT, began to rise and reached 100% at 4 months after DLT. The karyotype of bone marrow cells obtained on day 90 after DLT was completely normal. Although chronic GVHD of the buccal mucosa and liver developed in association with pancytopenia on day 71 after DLT, this improved rapidly with oral administration of cyclosporine. The clinical course of this patient suggests that acute GVHD is not a prerequisite for elimination of Ph1-positive cells by DLT.

Crevicular fluid in the osseointegrated implant sulcus: a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between crevicular fluid volume in the osseointegrated implant sulcus and peri-implant condition. Crevicular fluid volume was measured in 63 osseointegrated implant sulci, and Gingival Index, Plaque Index, and probing depth were evaluated around the implants. The crevicular fluid volume in the sulci of osseointegrated implants with high Gingival Indexes was greater than that in those with low Gingival Indexes. The crevicular fluid volume in the sulci of the implants with high Plaque Indexes was greater than that in those with low Plaque Indexes.

[Two successful cases of total extracardiac right heart bypass]

We reported two successful cases of extracardiac total right heart bypass using 20 mm EPTFE conduit (modified total cavopulmonary connection). They were seven-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl. Both patients had complex heart disease including cyanosis, atrioventricular discordance. We selected this technique instead of modified Fontan or conventional total cavopulmonary connection because of safeness and easiness of surgery and the hemodynamic benefits. They don't have any restriction for their life postoperatively. We propose this technique as an alternative surgical option in candidates for a Fontan procedure or conventional total cavopulmonary connection.

Analysis of v-Ha-ras and v-fos oncogene transduction into a mouse epidermal cell line with "initiated" phenotype in culture but normal skin phenotype in vivo

Cell line SCR722 was derived from adult SENCAR mouse epidermal cells initiated in culture by treatment with the carcinogen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and selection for foci proliferating in medium with calcium levels that induce terminal differentiation in normal cells. Expansion of one of these foci and two additional cell clonings produced cell line SCR722, which was near-tetraploid and formed normal skin when grafted to athymic nude mouse hosts. However, unlike normal keratinocytes, SCR722 cells fail to suppress papilloma formation when grafted along with papilloma cell line SP-1. For optimum growth in culture, SCR722 cells required fibroblast-conditioned medium and 0.5 mM Ca2+. SCR722 cells had a wild-type c-Ha-ras gene but had lost their requirement for conditioned medium in culture and produced dysplastic papillomas in grafts when transduced with the v-Ha-ras gene. SCR722 cells stably expressing the v-fos gene produced normal epidermis in grafts, but when these cells were transduced with the v-Ha-ras gene, they produced carcinomas. Clones with greater expression of the transfected v-fos gene had a more invasive phenotype in vivo. These results indicate that carcinogen treatment of epithelial cells can result in an altered but nontumorigenic phenotype that may be at risk for becoming a more advanced neoplastic state with additional genetic alterations.

Electron-microscopic and immunohistochemical studies of Langerhans cells and Thy-1-positive cells in mouse tongue epithelium subjected to local hyperthermia

Local hyperthermia via skin has been used to treat cancer but may suppress local immune responses as a side-effect. To examine effects of heat on immunologically responsive cells in oral mucosa, mouse tongues were heated by an implant system at 43 degrees C for 20 min. The densities of Langerhans cells and Thy-1-positive cells rapidly increased within 3 h after the treatment, then returned to a normal level after 7 days. Electron microscopy confirmed that Langerhans cells in the tongue epithelium formed clusters with lymphocytic cells, suggesting an active response to the hyperthermia.

The upstream region of the isocitrate lyase gene (UPR-ICL) of Candida tropicalis induces gene expression in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli by acetate via two distinct promoters

The upstream region of the isocitrate lyase gene (UPR-ICL, 1530bp) of an n-alkane-utilizable yeast, Candida tropicalis, induced gene expression in another yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, when the yeasts were grown on acetate. Surprisingly, UPR-ICL displayed the same regulatory function in the bacterium Escherichia coli when grown on acetate. We determined the interesting nucleotide sequence of UPR-ICL. The deletion analysis of UPR-ICL in both cells revealed the presence of two distinct promoters: one was localized at -394 to -379 and regulated gene expression in S. cerevisiae; the other was located near the initiation codon and regulated gene expression in E. coli. The two promoter sequences were similar, but not identical to regulatory elements that have been previously reported in S. cerevisiae and E. coli, respectively. Accordingly, the possibility of novel regulatory mechanisms could not be excluded. This is an interesting example of the presence of distinct cis-acting regulatory elements responsible for the induction of gene expression in one gene by acetate in both S. cerevisiae and E. coli. Preservation of such promoters through evolution is also discussed.

The characteristics of cultured mucosal cell sheet as a material for grafting; comparison with cultured epidermal cell sheet

The characteristics of cultured mucosal cells from the oral mucosa were investigated and compared with those of cultured epidermal cells. Total cell counts showed that mucosal cells possessed greater proliferating ability than epidermal cells. The results of 3(4,5-dimethyle-thiazoyl-2-yl)2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay confirmed this observation and also suggested that the mucosal cells maintained biological activity longer than epidermal cells. The most important morphological characteristics of mucosal cells in culture were their low grade of differentiation. Interestingly, the epidermal cells showed enucleation and keratinization progressively during culture, whereas the mucosal cells showed no obvious enucleation when examined by light microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed a smaller number of desmosomes in cultured mucosal cells than epidermal cells. The results of this study reveal cultured mucosal cell sheets to be a possible material for grafting in addition to cultured epidermal cell sheets.

Establishment of a CD4+ T cell clone recognizing autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells from a patient with immune-mediated aplastic anemia

In some patients with aplastic anemia (AA), hematopoietic function is dependent on continuous administration of cyclosporine A (CyA). These AA patients may have T lymphocytes whose myelosuppressive effect is mitigated by CyA. We established a total of 29 T cell clones from the bone marrow of a CyA-dependent AA patient in relapse. Some of the CD4+ T cell clones demonstrated a specific proliferative response to irradiated autologous bone marrow cells enriched for CD34+ cells (CD34(+)-rich cells) obtained from the patient in remission. One of the T cell clones showing the best proliferative response to CD34(+)-rich cells carried the T cell receptor V beta 17 and produced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) only when cultured with autologous CD34(+)-rich cells. This T cell clone inhibited colony formation by colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) and burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) by approximately 60% when it was cultured with autologous CD34(+)-rich cells in methylcellulose medium, although the clone did not exhibit direct cytotoxicity to the CD34(+)-rich cells. The inhibition of in vitro hematopoietic progenitor cell growth by the T cell clone was partially abrogated by the addition of CyA to the culture. These findings suggest that in some patients with CyA-dependent AA, CD4+ T cells autoreactive to hematopoietic progenitor cells exist and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bone marrow failure.

Early recovery of host-derived hematopoiesis in marrow transplant recipients conditioned with high-dose busulfan and cyclophosphamide

Three marrow transplant recipients with hematologic malignancies (two AML, one myelodysplastic syndrome) experienced prolonged pancytopenia after allogeneic BMT following conditioning with non-TBI regimens containing high-dose busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu/CY), despite the use of G-CSF. Early recovery of host-derived hematopoiesis ensued. Although neutrophil counts in these patients exceeded 500 x 10(6)/l by day 30 after transplant, these cells were of host origin. This early recovery of host-derived hematopoiesis has been observed rarely among patients conditioned with TBI-based regimens. When patients conditioned with Bu/CY show delayed hematologic recovery, mixed chimerism should be considered even in the presence of normal neutrophil recovery.

A mouse monoclonal antibody, S2n8, detects a 140 kDa protein on the surface of human endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells

We developed a mouse monoclonal antibody, S2n8, by immunizing mice i.p. with human decidual cells collected in the first trimester of pregnancy. By indirect immunofluorescence staining of frozen sections, S2n8 was found to react with decidual cells and endometrial stromal cells throughout the menstrual cycle, but not with endometrial glandular cells or with the endometrial surface epithelium. Judging from the fluorescence intensity, the antigen expression on stromal cells was weak in the proliferative phase, and became stronger in the secretory phase. Decidual cells in the first trimester of pregnancy and decidual cells at term showed strong expression of this antigen. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of enzymatically dispersed decidual tissue revealed that the S2n8 antigen was expressed on the decidual cell surface. Flow cytometric analysis of 12 freshly prepared stromal cell-enriched cell suspensions showed that 74.8-94.2% (mean +/- SD 86.1 +/- 6.6%) of the cells carried the antigen. The expression of S2n8 antigen on cultured stromal cells was enhanced by the addition of oestradiol and/or progesterone. The antigenic molecule was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography from decidua collected in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 140 kDa. These findings indicate that the S2n8 antigen is a useful cell surface marker for stromal cells/decidual cells and is associated with their differentiation.

Cloning and sequencing of beta-mannanase gene from Bacillus subtilis NM-39

A gene encoding beta-mannanase from Bacillus subtilis NM-39 was cloned into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha by using pUC 18 and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The beta-mannanase gene was 1080 base pairs long and encoded a mature protein of 336 amino acids and a signal peptide of 24 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned mannanase showed sequence homology with mannanase from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain AM-001 (about 50%).

K-ras gene mutations in early colorectal cancer ... flat elevated vs polyp-forming cancer

K-ras gene mutations in early colorectal cancer were detected by two-step sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme digestion method. Early colorectal cancer was classified into flat elevated cancer or polyp-forming cancer according to morphology and presence of adenomatous components. A total of 60 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from patients with early colorectal cancer were analysed. K-ras codon 12 mutations were detected in 23.3% (7/30) of flat elevated cancer and 63.3% (19/30) of polyp-forming cancer. The incidence of K-ras codon 12 mutations in flat elevated cancer was significantly lower than in polyp-forming cancer (P < 0.01). These data suggested that K-ras gene mutations may be correlated with morphology or clinical features in flat elevated cancer, and that flat elevated cancer may originate from a pathway different from adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

Cotranslocation and colocalization of hsp40 (DnaJ) with hsp70 (DnaK) in mammalian cells

A novel 40-kDa heat-shock protein hsp 40 in mammalian cells has been recently identified to be a homolog of bacterial DnaJ protein. We have previously shown the colocalization of hsc70 (p73, constitutive form) with hsp40 in the nucleoli of heat-shocked HeLa cells. In this report we further investigated intracellular translocation and localization of hsp40 and hsp70 (both constitutive p73 and inducible p72) in several mammalian cells. Translocation kinetics of hsp40 during heating at mild temperature were almost the same as those of hsp70 in HeLa cells. Hsp40 colocalized not only with hsc70 (p73) but also with hsp70 (p72) in heat-shocked HeLa (human), HA-1 (Chinese hamster) and NRK (rat) cells. Direct interaction of hsp40 with hsp70 (p73 and/or p72) was observed in all cells tested by immunoprecipitation methods. Also, treatments of cells with cytoskeleton-acting drugs such as cytochalasin E, colchicine and taxol had no effect on the heat-induced translocation of hsc70 (p73) and hsp40 in NRK cells. These results strongly suggest that hsp40 and hsp70 (p73/p72) form a complex in the cytoplasm at normal temperature, translocate together and colocalize in the nuclei and nucleoli upon heat-shock, and that they may function cooperatively to repair (refold) denatured proteins under stress conditions.

Heat-shock protein 40, a novel predictor of thermotolerance in murine cells

We have investigated the relationship between the synthesis of hsp-40, recently identified as a mammalian homologue of DnaJ protein, as well as hsp-70 and the development of thermotolerance in cells of the mouse squamous cell carcinoma line SCCVII. Thermotolerance as determined by clonogenic survival was induced not only by prior heating at 44 degrees C for 30 min but also by prior treatment with 100 microM sodium arsenite for 1 h and 5 micrograms/ml prostaglandin J2 for 4 h. These treatments concomitantly induced both hsp-70 (p72, inducible form) and hsp-40. The extent of thermotolerance correlated well with the relative amount of hsp-70 and hsp-40. These results suggest that hsp-40 is a good predictor of thermotolerance in addition to hsp-70.

[Detection of IgE antibody to Pityrosporum orbiculare in patients with atopic dermatitis]

A lipophilic yeast, Pityrosporum orbiculare, found in normal microflora of the human skin, is considered to be a pathogenic allergen of atopic dermatitis (AD). We measured IgE antibody to P. orbiculare using a CAP RAST FEIA kit in 44 patients with AD (AD alone 17, AD+bronchial asthma (BA) 27). The incidence of positive RAST was 88.2% in the patients with AD alone and 74.1% in the patients with AD+BA. The IgE RAST index was 2.77 +/- 1.34 (mean +/- SD) in severe AD patients (n = 23), which was significantly higher than that in mild AD patients (1.88 +/- 1.41, n = 21). The patients with eczematous skin on the face, neck and scalp (n = 27) showed higher IgE titers (2.79 +/- 1.26) than those without skin lesions (1.64 +/- 1.44, n = 17). These results suggest that P. orbiculare is a pathogenic allergen of severe AD. IgE levels for P. orbiculare showed a statistically significant relation to those for Candida albicans (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). In RAST inhibition tests on five patients' sera, C. albicans extract significantly inhibited IgE RAST to P. orbiculare in only one serum, indicating that P. orbiculare shares some IgE binding epitopes with C. albicans, but that P. orbiculare-specific epitopes also exist.

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of capsaicin-evoked release of glutamate from rat spinal dorsal horn slices

It is known that the descending noradrenergic system suppresses nociceptive transmission in the spinal dorsal horn. To determine whether noradrenaline-alpha-adrenoceptor systems exert inhibitory influence on the release of glutamate from the nociceptive primary afferents, the effects of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists on the capsaicin (3 microM)-evoked release of glutamate from rat spinal dorsal horn slices were examined using an on-line continuous monitoring system for glutamate. The application of alpha 2-agonists clonidine (0.1-10 microM) and ST-91 (1 and 10 microM), respectively, decreased the capsaicin-evoked release of glutamate in a concentration-dependent manner. The partial alpha 2-agonist oxymetazoline (1 and 10 microM) produced a slight inhibition in the evoked release of glutamate. In contrast, the alpha 1-agonist phenylephrine (1 and 10 microM) did not show any significant effects on the evoked release of glutamate. The inhibitory action of 10 microM clonidine on the evoked glutamate release was antagonized by the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine (1 microM) but not by the opioid antagonist naloxone (10 microM). These findings suggest that noradrenaline, probably released from the descending inhibitory system, reduces the release of glutamate from the capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent terminals through alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Safety of the donor in living-related liver transplantation--an analysis of 100 parental donors

The safety and lack of undue operative stress on the donor are documented from an analysis of 100 parental donors, whose children (3 months to 17 years old), received LRLTx at our institution between June 1992 and May 1994. Survival rate of recipients was 86%. No primary nonfunctioning liver was observed. The donors were 56 mothers and 44 fathers. Their ages ranged from 19 to 51 years and their weight ranged from 44 to 80 kg. They received partial liver resections to harvest the grafts. With regard to the liver graft, the left lobe was used in 24 cases (group L) and the left lateral segment was used in 75 cases (group S). The right lobe was used in one case. In the two groups, blood losses were 242 +/- 5 (S) and 312 +/- 14 ml (L); operation times were 6.22 +/- 0.11 (S) and 7.15 +/- 0.21 hr (L), respectively; in both groups, the postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (S, L). No significant differences between the two groups were observed in peripheral RBC and WBC count or serum AST. An increase in total bilirubin was not observed. In the exceptional case using the right lobe, blood loss of 2300 ml necessitated a blood transfusion of 1000 ml, and the total bilirubin increased up to 4.0 mg/dl on the third postoperative day, which prolonged the postoperative hospital stay to 17 days. These results conclusively suggest that safety is guaranteed when the left lobe or the left lateral segment is used as the liver graft for LRLTx.

Characterization of a human glycoprotein (erythropoietin) produced in cultured tobacco cells

Erythropoietin (Epo), a glycoprotein that regulates the formation of erythrocytes in mammals, was produced in cultured tobacco BY2 cells (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2) by introducing human Epo cDNA via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. Epo was correctly processed and subsequently penetrated the plasma membrane of tobacco cells. However, it remained attached to the cell wall and was not released into the culture medium. Although Epo produced by tobacco cells was glycosylated with N-linked oligosaccharides, these carbohydrates were smaller than those of the recombinant Epo produced in mammalian cells. Epo produced in tobacco exhibited in vitro biological activities by inducing the differentiation and proliferation of erythroid cells. However, it had no in vivo biological activities. A lectin-binding assay indicated the lack of sialic acid residues in the N-linked oligosaccharides of Epo, suggesting that Epo was removed from the circulation before it reached erythropoietic tissues.