Synthesis and characterization of bactericidal oligopeptides designed on the basis of an insect anti-bacterial peptide

Defensin from a beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma, is known to have anti-bacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. This peptide, which comprises 43 amino acid residues, was effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We identified the active site of beetle defensin by measuring anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus of 64 overlapping 12-mer peptides with either a free carboxylate or a free amide group at their C-termini. An LCAAHCLAIGRR-NH2 (19L-30R-NH2) fragment showed the greatest activity of the synthetic oligopeptides. The 19L-30R-NH2 fragment was effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. CD spectra showed that the 19L-30R-NH2 fragment formed an alpha-helical structure in the lipidic environment. The anti-bacterial effect of the 19L-30R-NH2 fragment was due to its interaction with bacterial membranes, judging from the leakage of liposome-entrapped glucose. Its anti-bacterial activity was increased when certain amino acid residues were replaced. Truncated peptides having had some amino acids removed from the N-terminus of the 19L-30R-NH2 fragment (8-10-mer peptides) still had strong anti-bacterial activity. Deleting some amino acids from the C-terminal region of the fragment dramatically reduced activity, indicating that the C-terminal region of the 19L-30R-NH2 fragment, i.e. RR-NH2, is important for exerting anti-bacterial activity. The AHCLAIGRR-NH2 (22A-30R-NH2) fragment and its analogues exhibited about 3-fold and 9-12-fold higher activity against S. aureus than did the 19L-30R-NH2 fragment, and these analogues were effective against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients. These oligopeptides showed no haemolytic activity and did not inhibit the growth of murine fibroblast cells.

Induction of gene expression of antibacterial proteins by chitin oligomers in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Activation of antibacterial protein genes by various chitin oligomers (from dimer to hexamer) was investigated by Northern blot analysis using cDNAs encoding cecropin B, attacin and lebocin from Bombyx mori as probes. All chitin oligomers tested were found to strongly trigger expression of cecropin B, attacin and lebocin genes. Furthermore, gene expression triggered by chitin oligomers was confirmed to occur specifically in the fat body and haemocytes. These results suggest that chitin oligomers have the same characteristics as those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan in triggering gene expression of insect antibacterial proteins.

Development of follicular dendritic cells: a study using short-term bone marrow cell grafting in SCID mice

To evaluate the cellular origin of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in lymphoid follicles (LFs), severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice (H-2d) were grafted with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-incorporated bone marrow cells from CB-17 mice (H-2d) and with non-BrdU-incorporated bone marrow cells from C3H mice (H-2k) and Wistar rats (RT1u). This procedure was followed by antigenic stimulation with horseradish peroxidase and related immune complex (mouse peroxidase anti-peroxidase) administration. Secondary LFs in the lymph nodes and spleen of the reconstructed SCID mice were examined morphologically and immunocytochemically. LFs reconstructed with CB-17 mouse bone marrow cells contained FDCs capable of trapping and/or retaining mouse peroxidase anti-peroxidase as immune complexes. Secondary LFs contained BrdU-incorporated germinal center lymphocytes but not non-lymphoid stromal cells. A cell grafting study in SCID mice using bone marrow cells from C3H mice and Wistar rats demonstrated that FDCs in reconstructed LFs exhibited a marker specific for the recipient but not for the donor. These data indicate that functionally active FDCs occur de novo in reconstructed LFs in SCID mice, and do not support the view that FDCs originate from bone marrow cells in short-term reconstructed LFs.

Molecular characterization of double-stranded RNA segments encoding the major capsid proteins of a Palyam serogroup orbivirus that caused an epizootic of congenital abnormalities in cattle

cDNA cloning of the double-stranded RNA genome of Chuzan virus, a member of the Palyam serogroup orbiviruses, was carried out and the complete nucleotide sequences of RNA segments 2, 3, 6 and 7, encoding the major capsid proteins VP2, VP3, VP5 and VP7, respectively, were determined. The individual segments had single open reading frames and short inverted repeats adjacent to the conserved terminal sequences. Comparative sequence analysis with other serogroups of the genus Orbivirus suggested that VP2 is the principal determinant of serotype specificity and the neutralizing antigen of the Palyam serogroup. VP5 is also considered to be associated with antigenic variability. Both VP3 and VP7 probably contain serogroup-specific epitopes. Phylogenetic profiles demonstrated that the Palyam serogroup virus is more closely related to African horsesickness virus than to bluetongue virus and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus.

Surgical margin and breast recurrence after breast-conserving therapy

A total of 161 patients with clinical stage I and II breast cancer received breast-conserving therapy between August 1991 and December 1997, and local recurrence occurred in five patients. The actuarial local control 5 years after breast-conserving surgery was 96.6%. We studied microscopic surgical margins of resected specimens in patients with breast-conserving surgery to determine whether the surgical margin was a risk factor for local recurrence in the conserved breast. Microscopic margins were negative in 125 (78%) of 161 patients and positive in 36 (22%). There were no differences between patients with positive surgical margins and those with negative surgical margins in age at operation, tumor size, clinical stage, lymph node status, estrogen receptor status, or distance from tumor to nipple. Local control was significantly better in the surgical margin-negative patients than in the surgical margin-positive patients. We conclude that microscopic surgical margin is a risk factor for local recurrence in the conserved breast.

31P NMR spectroscopy can predict the optimum interval between fractionated irradiation doses

This study was performed to clarify whether changes in the metabolites observed by phosphorous-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) could indicate an optimum interval between two doses of radiation in a murine tumor model. Murine mammary carcinoma cells, FM3A, were irradiated 7 days after transplantation with a single 5 Gy dose without anesthesia. 31P spectra were measured with a spectrometer up to 30 days. The beta-ATP/Pi and PCr/Pi values were calculated from the peak area of each spectrum. In a fractionation experiment, two fractions of irradiation at a 5 Gy per fraction were given at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 day intervals. Tumor growth delay was also scored to determine the fractionated radiation effect. In the control group, beta-ATP/Pi and PCr/Pi decreased with tumor growth. In the single irradiation group, the tumor did not grow up to day 6, and an initial rise and subsequent decrease in beta-ATP/Pi and PCr/Pi were observed. Maximum beta-ATP/Pi and PCr/Pi were observed on day 2 after irradiation. In a fractionation experiment, the greatest growth delay was observed in the two day interval group, in which maximum beta-ATP/Pi and PCr/Pi were demonstrated in 31P-MRS. Our results suggested that changes in the metabolites observed by 31P-MRS could be useful indicators for determining the fractionation schedule in radiation therapy.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma and interdigitating reticulum cell sarcoma: a review

Neoplasms of reticular dendritic origin are extremely rare and include the follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) and the interdigitating reticulum (or dendritic) cell sarcoma (IDCS). In this article, we review the literature pertaining to the two diseases and describe clinical observations and salient pathologic features, including information provided by authors of FDCS and IDDCS reports. We performed a computerized database search for published articles regarding FDCS and IDDCS. The articles were evaluated critically by the authors. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. There are 51 cases of FDCS and 21 cases of IDDCS that are well documented in the literature. The pathologic diagnosis of FDCS and IDDCS is often challenging and requires morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytochemical, and electron-microscopic analysis. Patients with FDCS usually present with cervical or axillary lymphadenopathy, but extranodal disease has been described. In at least some patients, preexisting Castleman's disease has been recognized. Resected localized disease may be prevented from recurrence by consolidative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens have shown nondurable antitumor activity in FDCS. Patients with IDDCS usually present with lymphadenopathy. The clinical course of IDDCS has been variable, but it seems to be more aggressive than that of FDCS. Variable degrees of remission may be achieved with chemotherapy. FDCS and IDDCS are rare neoplasms that may pose difficulty in pathologic diagnosis. IDDCS seems to display a more aggressive behavior than FDCS. Patients with IDDCS and FDCS can eventually die of disease progression. The role of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is not clearly defined.

Characterization of transcription of genes involved in hairy root induction on pRi1724 core-T-DNA in two Ajuga reptans hairy root lines

The detailed status of the transcription of genes on pRil724 T-DNA in two independent hairy root lines of the plant Ajuga reptans, Ar-4 and Ar-24, which have several different characteristics, was obtained by Northern blotting and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. In the Northern blotting analysis DNA fragments corresponding to the putative open reading frames (ORFs) as probes, transcripts from putative ORFs 10 (1724rolA), 11 (1724rolB), 12 (1724rolC), 13a and 14, which are homologs to each ORF on pRiA4, were detected in both hairy root lines, whereas no transcripts derived from ORF 13 were detected. The transcription of ORF 13 was, however, detected in the RT-PCR analysis, suggesting a minor expression of ORF 13. All of the putative ORFs were transcribed with their expected directions, since DNA fragments were amplified when the antisense primers were employed in the reverse transcription. We also found that different transcripts with a reverse direction were present at the locations of 1724rolA, 1724rolC and ORF 13a, because the DNA fragments were amplified from the templates when their sense primers were used in the reverse transcription.

Molecular cloning of the dnaK locus, and purification and characterization of a DnaK protein from Bacillus brevis HPD31

Using part of the dnaK gene from Bacillus subtilis as a probe, a 4. 4-kbp SacI-BglII fragment of chromosomal DNA of Bacillus brevis, a protein-hypersecreting bacterium, was cloned. Nucleotide sequencing revealed 3 open reading frames in the order of grpE-dnaK-dnaJ homologues. We purified DnaK protein to homogeneity from B. brevis HPD31 harboring a multi-copy dnaK expression plasmid. Purified DnaK showed ATPase activity which was synergistically stimulated 14-fold by the addition of glutathione S-transferase-DnaJ and glutathione S-transferase-GrpE fusion proteins. DnaK hydrolyzed not only ATP but also CTP, UTP, and GTP at about 40% of the efficiency of ATP. The specific activity of DnaK-ATPase was 7.25x10-3 unit/mg protein (the turnover number against ATP was 0.47 min-1) under our assay conditions. The DnaK dimers dissociated into monomers on addition of ATP, GTP, CTP, UTP and ATPgammaS, but not ADP or AMP. DnaK formed a stable complex with permanently unfolded carboxymethylated alpha-lactalbumin but not with native alpha-lactalbumin, and this complex was dissociated by addition of ATP/Mg. Formation of this complex was inhibited in the presence of inorganic phosphate.

Cellular localization of interleukin-5 expression in rectal carcinoma with eosinophilia

Eosinophilia often occurs in malignant diseases. This report concerns a female patient aged 76 years, diagnosed with rectal carcinoma with eosinophilia. Sera were obtained at two different periods (at diagnosis and after the operation) for the evaluation of levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5). The serum IL-5 level increased to 264 pg/mL, and returned to an undetectable level after the operation. The serum at diagnosis enhanced the viability of normal eosinophils in vitro, and this activity was inhibited by antihuman IL-5 polyclonal antibody. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that stromal eosinophils contained IL-5 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA), but no IL-5 transcripts were detected in eosinophils attached to carcinoma cells. In situ detection of apoptosis showed that several eosinophils attached to tumor cells underwent apoptosis and lost their eosinophil secreted cationic protein (ECP) and major basic protein (MBP). These results may suggest that activated eosinophils by IL-5 play an important role in host defense mechanisms, releasing their toxic granule proteins on adjoining tumor cells.

Isolation, cDNA cloning and gene expression of an antibacterial protein from larvae of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros

An antibacterial protein, designated rhinocerosin, was purified to homogeneity from larvae of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros immunized with Escherichia coli. Based on the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region, a degenerate primer was synthesized and reverse-transcriptase PCR was performed to clone rhinocerosin cDNA. As a result, a 279-bp fragment was obtained. The complete nucleotide sequence was determined by sequencing the extended rhinocerosin cDNA clone by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature portion of rhinocerosin was composed of 72 amino acids without cystein residues and was shown to be rich in glycine (11.1%) and proline (11.1%) residues. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of rhinocerosin with those of other antibacterial proteins indicated that it has 77.8% and 44.6% identity with holotricin 2 and coleoptrecin, respectively. Rhinocerosin had strong antibacterial activity against E. coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus but not against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results of reverse-transcriptase PCR analysis of gene expression in different tissues indicated that the rhinocerosin gene is strongly expressed in the fat body and the Malpighian tubule, and weakly expressed in hemocytes and midgut. In addition, gene expression was inducible by bacteria in the fat body, the Malpighian tubule and hemocyte but constitutive expression was observed in the midgut.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of a cytochrome P450 cDNA from a pyrethroid-resistant mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus say

A novel cDNA clone encoding a cytochrome P450 was screened from a gut cDNA library of permethrin-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Nucleotide sequence of the clone designated CYP6E1 was determined. This is the first full-length sequence of a mosquito P450 cDNA. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of CYP6E1 to those of other known cytochrome P450s indicates that this clone belongs to CYP6 family. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis of CYP6E1 primary structure showed that it is related to CYP6A and CYP6C subfamilies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers designed on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA showed that mRNA encoding CYP6E1 is present in permethrin-susceptible larvae as well as -resistant larvae, suggesting the ubiquitous distribution of CYP6E1.

Radiotherapeutic Management of Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer

We have reviewed the medical records of 28 breast cancer patients with brainmetastases who were treated with radiotherapy at our clinic from 1980 through 1994(4 patients, postoperatively; 24 patients, radiotherapy alone). Radiotherapy was delivered as whole brain irradiation using lateral opposed 10 MV X-rays. Tenpatients received an additional boost to a reduced field. One patient was treated with localized stereotactic irradiation alone. The radiation dose for tumorsranged from 32 Gy to 60 Gy(mean, 49 Gy)in 2 or 3 Gy daily fractionated doses. The brain was the first site of metastatic involvement in only two patients. In the 26 evaluable patients, neurologic functional improvement was achieved in 24 patients(92%)with complete response(CR)in 12 patients(46%)and partial response(PR)in 12 patients(46%). The survival rates from the initial treatment were 39% at 5 years and 16% at 10 years(median survival time, 50 months), and those after treatment of brain metastases were 29% at one year and 18% at 2 years(median survival time, 6 months). Performance status tended to be associated with survival(p=0.10), and the presence of liver metastasis was the most important risk factor concerning survival(p=0.056). Two patients suffered severe chronic complications.One patient developed severe dementia after whole brain irradiation with a total dose of 45 Gy in 3 Gy daily fractionated dose, and another patient developed widespread brain necrosis after combined radiotherapy with intrathecal local infusion of methotrexate. Radiotherapeutic management is useful for breast cancer patients with brain metastasis, and long-term survival may also be possible even if patients have preexisting extracranial metastases, except for hepatic involvement. Radiation-related complications should therefore be avoided in these patients.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome manifesting complete intussusception of the appendix and associated with a focal cancer of the duodenum and a cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas: report of a case

The unusual occurrence of an "inside-out" appendix reported here is a case of complete intussusception of the appendix of a 45-year-old woman with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in whom the diagnosis of intussusception was made preoperatively. At laparotomy, the lead point of intussusceptum was revealed to be a Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyp of the appendix. There was also a cystic lesion in the pancreas, and subsequent distal pancreatectomy revealed a cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Two jejunal Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyps and two duodenal Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyps were found via intraoperative endoscopies. The duodenal polyps were endoscopically removed, whereas a jejunal wedge resection was performed for the adjoining jejunal polyps. One of the two duodenal polyps possessed an adenocarcinoma focus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of complete intussusception of the appendix caused by a Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyp.

The lymphocyte-dendritic cell system

Antigens provoke immune responses. The group of immunocompetent cells related directly to this response includes T and B cells, macrophages (M phi) and dendritic cells (DCs). DCs acting as antigen-presenting cells have been recently recognized to be important in initiating the immune response. B cells and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), the major immunocompetent cells in the B-cell dependent area, play an important role in humoral immunity, while T cells and interdigitating cells (IDCs), which are the major immunocompetent cells in the T-cell dependent (TD)-area, play an important role in cellular immunity. The B cell-IDC interaction in the TD-area is also essential for the B-cell response against TD-antigen. Consequently, the lymphocyte-DC interaction is essential in the response to antigenic stimulation and in inducing the potent effector cells. B cell-DC, T cell-DC and DC-B cell-T cell interactions are regulated in predetermined sites by complex and varied mechanisms. Much recent evidence demonstrates that DCs modulate lymphocyte biology in its broadest aspects, including generation, differentiation, proliferation, and activation. In this review, we outline recent studies on the generation, structure, and function of lymphatic tissues, propose the concept of the "Lymphocyte-Dendritic Cell System (LDS)", and finally describe the significance and functions of this system in health and disease.

Parathyroid hormone activity increases during endotoxemia in conscious rats

Our previous studies showed that the phosphaturic effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is blunted during acute-phase endotoxemia in anesthetized rats. However, the possibility that the antiphosphaturia was secondary to hyponatriuresis due to endotoxin (Et)-induced acute renal failure could not be ruled out. The objective of this study was to evaluate phosphate (Pi) excretion during early- and late-phase endotoxemia in conscious rats fed by total parenteral nutrition. Male Wistar rats weighing 270 g were used. Urine samples were taken to determine the Pi excretion rate for 12 h just after Et (E. coli B055) challenge (early-phase endotoxemia), and for 12 h after a 36-h recovery period following Et challenge (late-phase endotoxemia). Rats given isovolumetric saline instead of Et served as controls. Et injection reduced endogenous creatinine clearance markedly (0.88 +/- 0.12 ml/min, P < 0.0001, n = 7) and caused hyponatriuresis (0.80 +/- 0.19 microliters/min, P < 0.001) compared with saline injection (1.78 +/- 0.10 ml/min and 3.12 +/- 0.39 microliters/min, respectively, n = 8) during the early phase. Greater phosphaturia and hypocalciuria were observed simultaneously during early- (Pi excretion = 4.18 +/- 1.38 micrograms/min, P < 0.05; calcium excretion = 0.70 +/- 0.14 micrograms/min, P < 0.05) and late-phase (4.76 +/- 1.72 micrograms/min, P < 0.05; 0.60 +/- 0.18 micrograms/min, P < 0.05, respectively) endotoxemia (n = 8) in comparison with the respective control values (1.61 +/- 0.39 and 1.40 +/- 0.21 micrograms/min, early; 0.34 +/- 0.14 and 1.97 +/- 0.55 micrograms/min, late, n = 6). Et adminidstration resulted in a significantly increased plasma PTH concentration during the late phase (34.7 +/- 7.0 pg/ml, P < 0.05) compared with saline administration (15.4 +/- 2.4 pg/ml). In conclusion, these data suggest that the hyperphosphaturia during endotoxemia lasting longer than 12 h is attributable to elevated PTH secretion.

Transrectal ultrasonography in evaluation of chronic rectal complications after radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors studied the ability of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to assess chronic rectal complications after radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-five TRUSs were performed for 67 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Transrectal ultrasonography images of the rectal anterior wall and perirectal connective tissue adjacent to the uterine cervix were recorded with real-time scanner with 7.5 MHz transducer. The severity of TRUS abnormalities was graded on a scale developed by the authors. The relationships of the TRUS grade with the clinical grade of chronic rectal complications and with rectal radiation doses were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Thickening of the perirectal connective tissue associated with obscuration of the submucosal echogenic layer in rectal anterior wall was observed between 6 months to 2 years after radiation therapy in all 19 patients who developed chronic rectal complications. The TRUS grade correlated with the clinical grade of chronic rectal complications, but did not correlate with rectal radiation doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Transrectal ultrasonography can monitor the chronic rectal complications after radiation therapy for the patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

IL-1 beta and IL-6 in mouse parotid acinar cells: characterization of synthesis, storage, and release

Synthesis, storage, and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 have not been established in normal exocrine gland secretory cells. Parotid glands and isolated acinar cells prepared from BALB/c mice were homogenized for RNA isolation and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IL-1 beta and IL-6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were done on supernatants prepared from mouse parotid acinar cell (MPAC) preparations unstimulated or stimulated between 0 and 10 min with 10(-5) M norepinephrine at 37 degrees C. MPACs were fixed in paraformaldehyde, frozen sectioned for light and electron microscopy, and labeled with antibodies to IL-1 beta and IL-6. Mouse specific riboprobes to IL-1 and IL-6 were used for in situ hybridization. RT-PCR yielded the expected IL-1 (336-bp) and IL-6 (614-bp) mRNA products. By ELISA, stimulated MPACs showed a significant increase in IL-1 beta (P < 0.03) and IL-6 (P < 0.01) release into supernatants by 10 min that paralleled the time course of amylase release. In situ hybridization showed the presence of transcripts for IL-1 and IL-6 in glandular epithelial cells. Gold-labeled IL-1 beta and IL-6 were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in granules than in the nucleus and cytoplasm. This study shows that MPACs synthesize IL-1 beta and IL-6 and release these cytokines from their granules after alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation.

Expression of cytokine receptors on follicular dendritic cells

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in the lymphoid follicle (LF) are essential to the sequential processes of B-cell proliferation, selection, and differentiation. Although the importance of some cytokines in these processes has been pointed out, there is little information about the follicular localization of their receptors. We investigated, with special reference to FDCs, the localization of cytokine receptors as well as cytokines themselves in human tonsils by several means, including immunochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization. FDCs in the follicular apical light zone expressed transforming growth factor-beta receptor II (TGF-betaR II), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor alpha (GM-CSFRalpha; CDw116), tumor necrosis factor receptor I (TNFR I; CD120a), interleukin-1 receptor II (IL-1R II; CDw121b), IL-2 receptor beta (IL-2Rbeta; CD122), IL-4 receptor (IL-4R; CDw124), and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R; CD126), among the 10 receptors examined. Those in the basal light zone expressed strongly TNFR I and weakly GM-CSFR alpha, IL-1R II, IL-2Rbeta, IL-4R, and IL-6R, and often those in the outer and mantle zones expressed GM-CSFR alpha, IL-4R, and IL-6R. FDCs in the apical light zone expressed only TGF-beta among the 7 cytokines examined. On the other hand, follicular lymphocytes mainly in the light zone expressed 9 kinds of receptors, with the exception being TGF-betaR II; expression was rather frequent for TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-2 and less frequent for TGF-beta, GM-CSF, IL-4, and IL-6. These data indicate that only FDCs mainly in the light zone express many cytokine receptors, although FDCs may produce the cytokine, TGF-beta. Cytokines may act not only on some follicular lymphocytes but also on most FDCs in the light zone expressing cytokine receptors.

Efficient protein production using a Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus lacking the cysteine proteinase gene

Infection by a baculovirus (Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus, BmNPV) in silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae is highly efficient as an expression system for the production of useful proteins. However, the amount of the protein of interest expressed tends to decrease in the later stages of infection presumably due, in part, to a proteinase produced in the larval haemolymph. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of a proteinase purified from the haemolymph of BmNPV-infected larvae was identical to the internal amino acid sequence of the viral cysteine proteinase gene of BmNPV, suggesting that the cysteine proteinase in the haemolymph originated from the BmNPV gene. We constructed a mutant virus (CPd) which had a deletion in the cysteine proteinase gene. No proteinase activity corresponding to this proteinase was detected in the haemolymph of silkworm larvae infected with CPd. The firefly luciferase and the human growth hormone genes were separately introduced into CPd under control of the polyhedrin promoter. These constructs produced these proteins very efficiently, because of a greatly reduced degree of degradation of these proteins. A BmNPV vector system using CPd enhances the stability of foreign expressed proteins, especially for those that are cysteine proteinase-sensitive.

A case of pulmonary ossified adenocarcinoma with marked osteoplastic bone metastasis

We report the case of a 53-year-old man suffering from a pulmonary adenocarcinoma with ossification and diffuse metastatic osteoplastic lesions throughout the skeletal system. This is a rare condition in lung carcinomas. Radiographs of the chest and bones demonstrated mineral densities in the primary tumor and multiple expansive osseous lesions with a diffuse sclerotic pattern resembling multiple bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma.

Immunohistochemical detection of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and transforming growth factor beta-1 in tracheopathia osteochondroplastica

Tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is an unusual condition characterized by cartilaginous or bony submucosal nodules in the tracheobronchial tree. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) are potent inducers for new bone formation. We studied the precise localization of BMP-2 and TGF-beta 1 in two autopsied cases of TO, using immunohistochemical methods. Positive BMP-2 immunoreactivity was detected in numerous mesenchymal cells and chondroblasts lining the nodules in the tracheal submucosa. BMP-2 was not found in mature lamellar bony nodules. TGF-beta 1 was not seen in mesenchymal cells, though it did appear in chondrocytes and osteocytes in the nodules. These results suggest that BMP-2 plays an important role in nodule formation and acts synergistically with TGF-beta 1 to promote the nodules inductive cascade in the tracheal submucosa.

Characterization of nitric oxide synthase in the cerebellum of the chicken

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the chicken brain was examined, and higher activity was detected in the cerebellum. The NOS activity in the cerebellum was significantly inhibited in vitro by W-5, W-7 and trifluoperazine, and recovery of the activity was observed by the addition of calmodulin, suggesting that NOS is calmodulin dependent. Moreover, effects of EGTA and Ca2+ on NOS activity were also examined, and the results indicated that the enzyme is Ca2+ dependent. In addition, cofactors such as NADPH, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) were required for the full expression of NOS. The results suggest that chicken cerebellum NOS has similar properties to those of mammalian neural NOS.