Molecular strategy using cis-element 'decoy' of E2F binding site inhibits neointimal formation in porcine balloon-injured coronary artery model

Transcription factor E2F plays a pivotal role in the transactivation of cell cycle regulatory genes, leading to vascular lesion formation. Double-stranded DNA with high affinity for E2F as 'decoy' cis elements may block the activation of genes mediating the cell cycle, resulting in an effective therapeutic agent for treating intimal hyperplasia. In this study, we tested the feasibility of E2F decoy therapy to treat neointimal formation in a porcine coronary artery balloon injury model. An angioplasty catheter was inserted in the left anterior descending coronary artery of pigs to cause vascular injury. Initially, we tested the feasibility of transfection of FITC-labeled E2F decoy ODN using a hydrogel balloon catheter. Fluorescence due to E2F decoy ODN could be detected throughout the medial layer. Therefore, we transfected E2F decoy ODN into the balloon-injured artery using hydrogel catheter. Of importance, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histological evaluation demonstrated that plaque area in the balloon-injured artery was significantly reduced by E2F decoy ODN compared with mismatched decoy ODN at 1 month after a single transfection (P < 0.01). In contrast, luminal and total vessel areas were significantly increased in vessels treated with E2F decoy ODN as compared with mismatched decoy. Endothelial function after angioplasty was not affected by E2F decoy transfection. Finally, we tested the acute toxicity of E2F decoy ODN in monkeys, and no apparent side-effects were detected. Here, we report the successful in vivo transfer of E2F decoy ODN using a hydrogel catheter to inhibit vascular lesion formation in balloon-injured porcine coronary artery without any apparent side-effects.

History of allergic disorders in common neurologic diseases in Japanese patients

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the association between past and present history of allergic disorders and neurologic diseases.

METHODS

The past and present history of common allergic disorders together with family history was prospectively studied in all out-patients at the Department of Neurology at Kyushu University Hospital from March 1998 to February 2000.

RESULTS

Among 3113 out-patients, 2152 (69.1%) completed a questionnaire. Myelitis showed a statistically significant increase of concomitant atopic dermatitis (P=0.006) and concomitant and past atopic dermatitis (P=0.014), as compared with neurologically healthy controls. Moreover, patients with lower motoneuron disease (LMND) had a statistically significant increase of past and concomitant asthma (P=0.007). None of the other common neurologic diseases showed any increase of allergic disorders when compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study supports the significant association between allergic disorders and such spinal cord diseases as myelitis and LMND in Japanese patients.

Monoterpene glucosides from Origanum syriacum

From the aerial parts of Origanum syriacum, three new monoterpene glucosides thymoquinol 2,5-O-beta-diglucopyranoside (3), carvacrol 2-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside (4) and p-menth-1-ene-3,4-diol 4-O-beta-glucopyranoside (5) together with two known monoterpene glucosides thymoquinol 2-O-beta-glucopyranoside (1), thymoquinol 5-O-beta-glucopyranoside (2) have been isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analyses.

In vitro and in vivo properties of recombinant human serum albumin from Pichia pastoris purified by a method of short processing time

PURPOSE

Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA), secreted by a Pichia pastoris expression system, was purified by a fast and efficient method, the essential feature of which is strong but reversible binding of the protein to Blue Sepharose. The structural characteristics, stability, and ligand-binding properties of the resulting protein were examined, and pre-clinical studies were performed.

METHODS

Protein structure was investigated by amino acid sequencing, sodium polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, CD spectroscopy and chromatography. Stability was examined by denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride and by calorimetry, and ligand binding was studied by ultrafiltration. Rat experiments were performed with 125I-labeled albumin.

RESULTS

Far-ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet CD spectra of rHSA were identical to those of human serum albumin isolated from serum (HSA). Mercaptalbumin and non-mercaptalbumin were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography using an N-methylpyridinium polymer-based column. 60% of rHSA existed as mercaptalbumin, a content that is higher than that of a commercial preparation of HSA. Fatty acids, N-acetyl-L-tryptophan and pasteurization had similar effects on the conformational stability of rHSA and HSA. Stereoselective ligand-binding properties (warfarin, phenprocoumon, pranoprofen and ibuprofen) of rHSA were the same as those of HSA. The effect of the neutral to base transition on warfarin (site I-ligand) and dansylsarcosine (site II-ligand) binding to rHSA was also similar to HSA. In vivo studies showed comparable half-lives, excretion and tissue distributions of the two albumin preparations.

CONCLUSION

The present yeast expression system and purification procedure result in rHSA with structural and functional properties very similar to those of HSA.

Therapeutic angiogenesis induced by human hepatocyte growth factor gene in rat diabetic hind limb ischemia model: molecular mechanisms of delayed angiogenesis in diabetes

BACKGROUND

Because no study has documented the angiogenic properties of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in a diabetes model, we examined the feasibility of gene therapy using HGF to treat peripheral arterial disease in diabetes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Because intramuscular injection of luciferase plasmid by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome method had much higher efficiency than injection of naked plasmid, we used the HVJ-liposome method to transfect the human HGF gene into the rat diabetic hindlimb model. As expected, transfection of human HGF vector resulted in a significant increase in blood flow as assessed by laser Doppler imaging and capillary density, even in the diabetes model, accompanied by the detection of human HGF protein. Interestingly, the degree of natural recovery of blood flow was significantly greater in nondiabetic rats than in diabetic rats. Thus, in an in vitro culture system, we further studied the molecular mechanisms of how diabetes delayed angiogenesis. Importantly, high-D-glucose treatment of endothelial cells resulted in a significant decrease in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 protein and ets-1 expression in human aortic endothelial cells. Similarly, high D-glucose significantly decreased mRNA and protein of HGF in endothelial cells. Downregulation of MMP-1 and ets-1 by high D-glucose might be due to a significant decrease in HGF, because HGF stimulated MMP-1 production and activated ets-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, intramuscular injection of human HGF plasmid induced therapeutic angiogenesis in a rat diabetic ischemic hindlimb model as a potential therapy for peripheral arterial disease. The delay of angiogenesis in diabetes might be due to downregulation of MMP-1 and ets-1 through a decrease in HGF by high D-glucose.

Changes in the weights of the accessory sex organs in male CD/IGS rats (Rattus norvegicus) after castration

This study was designed to detect time-course changes in the weights of accessory sex organs after castration. Crj:CD(SD) IGS rats (Rattus norvegicus) were castrated at age of 6-weeks and sacrificed within 14 days of the procedure. The ventral prostate, vesicular gland, bulbospongiosus/levator ani muscle, glans penis and bulbourethral glands were then weighed. The ventral prostate and vesicular gland had significantly decreased in weight 8 and 6 days after castration, respectively. The other organs did not decrease in weight significantly between time periods though there was an overall decrease in weight.

Effects of hostility and lifestyle on coronary heart disease among middle-aged urban Japanese

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between multi-dimensional aspects of hostility and coronary heart disease among middle-aged urban Japanese.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a case-control study. Cases were consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to a hospital in Japan. Fifty-three patients (45 men and 8 women) aged 35 to 65 were enrolled. For each case, two sex and age (+/-2 years) matched controls were recruited from among participants in a health check-up program at a health promotion center located in the same area as the hospital. Two questionnaires, both with four components, were used to measure hostility and coping with anger: the one was for anger, hostility, physical aggression and verbal aggression, and the other for aggression, social inhibition, guilt, and controlled affect.

RESULTS

The scores of all components from two questionnaires were higher for cases than controls, but the differences were not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that anger, fat intake, alcohol consumption and house size were significantly associated with the etiology of acute coronary syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Anger, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status play important roles for the etiology of coronary heart disease in middle-aged urban Japanese.

Megastigmane, aliphatic alcohol and benzoxazinoid glycosides from Acanthus ebracteatus

From the aerial part of Acanthus ebracteatus, a megastigmane glycoside (ebracteatoside A), three aliphatic alcohol glycosides (ebracteatosides B-D), as well as 7-chloro-(2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (7-Cl-DIBOA-Glc) were isolated together with 22 known compounds. Structural elucidations were based on analyses of spectroscopic data.

Dilazep dihydrochloride prolongs the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning in rabbits

Recent studies have indicated the key role of adenosine receptor activation as a trigger for ischemic preconditioning (PC). Hence, the augmentation of endogenous adenosine may potentiate the cardioprotective effects of PC. In this study. we aimed to test the hypothesis that dilazep dihydrochloride, an adenosine transport inhibitor, potentiates the PC effect. Protocol 1: Infarcts were produced in open-chest anesthetized rabbits by 30-min occlusion of a coronary artery and 2 days' reperfusion. PC was elicited by a preceding 5-min occlusion and either 5, 40, or 120 min of reperfusion. PC with the 5-min reperfusion markedly limited the infarct size after the 30-min ischemia (infarct size to area at risk (IS): 10%+/-3% vs 41%+/-3%, P < 0.05). PC was not protective when the reperfusion periods were 40 or 120 min (IS: 47%+/-5% and 44%+/-3%. P = not significant (NS) vs control, respectively). However, concomitant treatment with dilazep (0.2mg/kg) preserved the PC effect in the 40-min reperfusion group (18%+/-5%, P < 0.05 vs control) but not in the 120-min reperfusion group (43%+/-4%, P = NS vs control). Protocol 2: Infarct was produced in a similar rabbit model by either a 45- or 50-min occlusion of a coronary artery and 2 days of reperfusion. PC was elicited by a preceding 5-min occlusion and a 5-min reperfusion. PC was protective in the 45-min occlusion group (30%+/-7% vs 67%+/-3%, P < 0.05) but not in the 50-min occlusion group (74%+/-4% vs 79%+/-5%, P = NS). Treatment with dilazep (0.2mg/kg) failed to retrieve protection in this preconditioned group (77%+/-6%, P = NS vs 50-min occlusion group without PC). Thus, dilazep prolonged the infarct size-limiting effect of PC, but failed to retrieve protection in the group with a longer sustained ischemia.

Differentiated keratinocytes are responsible for TNF-alpha regulated production of macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha/CCL20, a potent chemokine for Langerhans cells

The recruitment of immature dendritic cells into the epidermis is a key step in the development of cutaneous immunity, although the mechanism remains to be clarified. Recently, it was reported that both macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha (MIP-3alpha)/CCL20 produced by keratinocytes and TNF-alpha are important in recruiting Langerhans cells (LC) to the epidermis. In this study, we examined the production of MIP-3alpha by human keratinocytes stimulated with TNF-alpha. Cultured keratinocytes showed enhanced expression of MIP-3alpha mRNA and protein when stimulated with TNF-alpha. In addition, conditioned medium from TNF-alpha-stimulated keratinocyte cultures induced the migration of L1.2 cells expressing CCR6. We next examined the production of MIP-3alpha in stratified keratinocytes and found that, in contrast to non-stratified keratinocytes, stimulation with TNF-alpha increased the expression of MIP-3alpha mRNA and protein. Moreover, skin samples grown in organ culture and treated with TNF-alpha showed MIP-3alpha in the keratinocytes of the spinous layer, but not in the basal layer, by immunofluorescence staining. Based on these results, we postulate that MIP-3alpha produced by keratinocytes in the spinous layer in response to TNF-alpha stimulation is a key chemokine responsible for the epidermal recruitment of Langerhans cells.

Cardiac glycosides from Cryptostegia grandiflora

From the leaves of Cryptostegia grandiflora, four new cardiac glycosides oleandrigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-digitoxopyranoside, cryptostigmin I, oleandrigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside, cryptostigmin II, 16-propionylgitoxigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside, cryptostigmin III and oleandrigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-digitoxopyranoside, cryptostigmin IV have been isolated together with two known cardenolides subalpinosid and 16-O-acetyl-digitalinum verum. The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analyses.

Benzoxazinoid glucosides from Acanthus ilicifolius

From the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius, two benzoxazinoid glucosides, 7-chloro-(2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one and (2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one have been isolated, together with six known compounds. The structural elucidations were based on the analyses of spectroscopic data.

Organization of cytoplasmic domains of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in E(1)P and E(1)ATP states: a limited proteolysis study

In order to characterize the domain organization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in different physiological states, limited proteolysis using three proteases (proteinase K (prtK), V8 and trypsin) was conducted systematically and quantitatively. The differences between E(2) and E(2)P were examined in our previous study and E(2)P was characterized by the complete resistance to all three proteases (except for trypsin attack at the very top of the molecule (T1 site)). The same strategies were employed in this study for E(1)ATP, E(1)PADP and E(1)P states. Because of the transient nature of these states, they were either stabilized by non-hydrolyzable analogues or made predominant by adjusting buffer conditions. Aluminum fluoride (without ADP) was found to stabilize E(1)P. All these states were characterized by strong (E(1)ATP) to complete (E(1)PADP and E(1)P) resistance to prtK and to V8 but only weak resistance to trypsin at the T2 site. Because prtK and V8 primarily attack the loops connecting the A domain to the transmembrane helices whereas the trypsin T2 site (Arg(198)) is located on the outermost loop in the A domain, these results lead us to propose that the A domain undergoes a large amount of rotation between E(1)P and E(2)P. Combined with previous results, we demonstrated that four states can be clearly distinguished by the susceptibility to three proteases, which will be very useful for establishing the conditions for structural studies.

Acetylated triterpene saponins from the Thai medicinal plant, Sapindus emarginatus

From the pericarps of Sapindus emarginatus (Sapindaceae), three new acetylated triterpene saponins were isolated together with hederagenin and five known triterpene saponins, as well as one known sweet acyclic sesquiterpene glycoside, mukurozioside IIb. The structures of new compounds were elucidated as hederagenin 3-O-(2-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, 23-O-acetyl-hederagenin 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside and oleanolic acid 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside by chemical and spectroscopic data.

Preputial separation and glans penis changes in normal growing Crj: CD (SD) IGS rats

This study was designed to detect preputial separation and glans penis changes in normal growing SD rats. We examined the changes until 53 days after birth. The glans penis surface changed from a protruding os penis structure to a W shape, and from a W shape to a flattened surface with age. The protruding os penis structure changed gradually to the W shape from postnatal day (PND) 30, and all rats had the W shape by PND 35. The flattened surface was observed from PND 39, and all rats had this structure by PND 44. In all rats, the day of complete preputial separation exactly corresponded to the day of appearance of the flattened surface.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in intrahepatic bile duct, presenting with hemobilia: a case report

We present a 66-year-old man with unique heterotopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct causing hemobilia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed irregular stenosis of the left intrahepatic bile duct, and a provisional diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was made. Therefore, partial hepatic lobectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Histological examination of the liver showed the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct containing mucous glands with parietal and chief cells and bile. Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct is a rare cause of hemobilia.

Iridoid glucosides from Barleria lupulina

From the aerial part of Barleria lupulina, 8-O-acetyl-6-O-trans-p-coumaroylshanzhiside, saletpangponosides A-C and 8-O-acetylmussaenoside were isolated together with 13 known compounds. The structural elucidations were based on analyses of physical and spectroscopic data.

Megastigmane and iridoid glucosides from Clerodendrum inerme

From the aerial parts of Clerodendrum inerme, two megastigmane glucosides (sammangaosides A and B) and a iridoid glucoside (sammangaoside C) were isolated together with 15 known compounds. The structural elucidations were based on analyses of physical and spectroscopic data.

Refraction imaging and histologic correlation in excised tissue from a normal human lung: preliminary report

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors performed this study to evaluate the spatial resolution of refraction imaging performed with synchrotron radiation (SR) on 2-mm-thick sections of excised normal human lung.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Refraction images of specimens from a normal human lung were obtained with 19 keV, a 5-second exposure time, and a 2.4 x 2.4-cm field of view. The specimen-detector distance was 83 cm.

RESULTS

Structures of secondary pulmonary lobule consisting of pulmonary arteriole, terminal bronchiole, air sac, and venules in the interlobular septum in normal lung were clearly illustrated on refraction images obtained with SR. The imaging findings showed good correlation with those from histologic examination. The spatial resolution of the refraction images was approximately 10-30 microm, as measured with light microscopic analysis of specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin.

CONCLUSION

With refinement, this technique may have some practical purpose for diagnosing lung disease in vivo.

Mutations of either or both Cys876 and Cys888 residues of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase result in a complete loss of Ca2+ transport activity without a loss of Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity. Role of the CYS876-CYS888 disulfide bond

Disulfide-containing peptides in pepsin digest of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were identified by using a fluorogenic thiol-specific reagent 4-fluoro-7-sulfamoylbenzofurazan and a reductant tributylphosphine. Sequencing of the purified peptides revealed the presence of a Cys(876)-Cys(888) disulfide bond on the luminal loop connecting the 7th and 8th transmembrane helices (loop 7-8) of the Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1a). We substituted either or both of these cysteine residues with alanine and made three mutants (C876A, C888A, C876A/C888A), in which the disulfide bond is disrupted. The mutants and the wild type were expressed in COS-1 cells, and functional analysis was performed with the microsomes isolated from the cells. Electrophoresis performed under reducing and non-reducing conditions confirmed the presence of Cys(876)-Cys(888) disulfide bond in the expressed wild type. All the three mutants possessed high Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. In contrast, no Ca(2+) transport activity was detected with these mutants. These mutants formed almost the same amount of phosphoenzyme intermediate as the wild type from ATP and from P(i). Detailed kinetic analysis showed that the three mutants hydrolyze ATP in the mechanism well accepted for the Ca(2+)-ATPase; activation of the catalytic site upon high affinity Ca(2+) binding, formation of ADP-sensitive phosphoenzyme, subsequent rate-limiting transition to ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme, and hydrolysis of the latter phosphoenzyme. It is likely that the pathway for delivery of Ca(2+) from the binding sites into the lumen of vesicles is disrupted by disruption of the Cys(876)-Cys(888) disulfide bond, and therefore that the loop 7-8 having the disulfide bond is important for formation of the proper structure of the Ca(2+) pathway.

Acylated flavonoid glycosides from Bassia muricata

From the arial parts of Bassia muricata, two acylated flavonoid glycosides quercetin-3-O-(6"-caffeoyl)-sophoroside and quercetin-3-O-(6"-feruloyl)-sophoroside have been isolated together with two known flavonoid glycosides quercetin-3-O-sophoroside and quercetin-3,7-O-beta-diglucopyranoside, as well as four known triterpenoidal saponins, oleanolic acid-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside, chikusetsusaponin IVa, chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester and oleanolic acid-3,28-beta-diglucopyranoside. The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analyses.

Lignan and phenylpropanoid glycosides from Fernandoa adenophylla

From the leaves and branches of Fernandoa adenophylla, a lignan glycoside (fernandoside) and a phenylpropanoid glycoside (2"-O-beta-apiosylverbascoside) were isolated together with 12 known compounds. The structural elucidations were based on analyses of physical and spectroscopic data.