Immunocytochemical localization of beta-citryl-L-glutamate in primary neuronal cells and in the differentiation of P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells into neuronal cells

The immunocytochemical localization of beta-citryl-L-glutamate (beta-CG) in primary neuronal cells and in the differentiation of P19 cells was examined. 1: Cells with the morphological features of neurons in the primary culture were specifically stained with the anti-beta-CG antibody both in neurites and in the cell body. 2: The neuronal cells differentiated from P19 cells were distinctly stained with the anti-beta-CG antibody both in neurites and in the cell body, while the non-neuronal cells were not. 3: The concentration of beta-CG was low in the P19 cells, but increased significantly with the differentiation of P19 cells into neurons. It was shown that beta-CG was localized exclusively in neurons. These findings suggest that beta-CG plays functional roles in the differentiation and growth of neuron.

[Treatment and prognosis of children with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--a report from CCLSG-NHL 890 Study. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG)]

To address the issue of salvageability in relapsed children with NHL who had all received the same frontline therapy, we retrospectively studied the treatment response and the outcome of 27 children who relapsed following the CCLSG-NHL890 protocol. The reinduction rates and 3-year survival rates (mean +/- SD) were as follows: lymphoblastic lymphoma (LB, n = 9), 44% & 17 +/- 14%; leukemia lymphoma syndrome (LLS, n = 8), 25% & 0%; large cell lymphoma (LC, n = 3) 100% & 67 +/- 27%; Burkitt's lymphoma (B, n = 7) 0% & 0%. Thus, the salvageability of LC lymphoma was good, but the outcome of Burkitt's lymphoma was very poor. CCLSG-NHL960 protocol for LB lymphomas and intensive multiagent regimens for LC lymphomas produced favorable response rates, but the effect of the high-dose Ara-C regimen for Burkitt's lymphoma was not determined. The initial stages of the disease seemed to be associated with the patient outcome: the outcome of the patients in stage IV was inferior to that of patients in stages II or III. Other clinical variables, such as relapse sites, relapse time and BM rescue did not affect the patients' outcome.

Haemophilus influenzae infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome

It has been reported recently that Haemophilus influenzae can elicit an axonal form of Guillain-Barré syndrome. To investigate the incidence and features of H. influenzae-related Guillain-Barré syndrome, anti-H. influenzae antibody titres were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 46 consecutive Japanese patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, 49 normal controls, 24 patients with multiple sclerosis and 27 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Whole bacteria of non-encapsulated (non-typable) H. influenzae isolated from one of the Guillain-Barré syndrome patients was the antigen used. Elevated anti-H. influenzae antibodies for two or three classes of IgG, IgM and IgA were found in six (13%) Guillain-Barré syndrome patients, but not in the normal controls and patients with multiple sclerosis or ALS. The incidence was significantly higher in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome than in the normal controls (P = 0.01) and patients with multiple sclerosis or ALS (P = 0.009). Western blot analysis confirmed that the H. influenzae-positive patients' IgG recognized the lipopolysaccharides of H. influenzae. Guillain-Barré syndrome patients with anti-H. influenzae antibodies showed relatively uniform clinical and laboratory features: prodromal respiratory infection, less frequent cranial and sensory nerve involvement, pure motor axonal degeneration on electrophysiology, and positivity for IgG anti-GM1 antibodies. Although the features were similar to those in Guillain-Barré syndrome patients infected by Campylobacter jejuni, the recoveries seemed to be better in patients with H. influenzae-related Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is concluded that a form of Guillain-Barré syndrome occurs after respiratory infection by H. influenzae in the Japanese population. A particular strain of non-typable H. influenzae has a ganglioside GM1-like structure and elicits axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome similar to C. jejuni-related Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Phosphotransacetylase as a key factor in biological production of polyhydroxybutyrate

Phosphotransacetylase (Pta) catalyzes the reversible conversion of acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) to acetyl phosphate. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase and accumulation were compared between a Pta-deficient mutant and the wild-type Escherichia coli, which were transformed with pAE100, coding for 3-ketothiolase, NADPH-dependent acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, and PHB synthase from Ralstonia eutropha. During the growth period, PHB synthase activity in the Pta-deficient mutant was lower than that in the wild type. PHB accumulation in the Pta-deficient mutant, however, was higher than that in wild-type cells grown in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium containing 1% glucose (high C:N ratio). The Pta-deficient mutant showed PHB accumulation even in LB medium (low C:N ratio), whereas wild-type cells showed no PHB accumulation. These data suggest the activation of PHB synthase by acetyl phosphate that is synthesized by Pta. A decrease in Pta activity probably causes some increase in acetyl-CoA as substrate for the PHB synthesis pathway, resulting in increased PHB accumulation.

Polyhydroxybutyrate production from carbon dioxide by cyanobacteria

Genetic characterization and enhancement of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation in cyanobacteria were investigated for efficient PHB production from CO2. The genome DNAs in the PHB-accumulating strains Synechococcus sp. MA19 and Spirulina platensis NIES46 retained the highly homologous region to phaC of Synechocystis PCC6803, whereas low homology was detected in the nonaccumulating strains Synechococcus sp. PCC7942 and Anabaena cylindrica NIES19. Synechococcus sp. MA19, which accumulates PHB up to 30% of dry cell weight from CO2 as the sole carbon source, was mutated by insertion of transposon Tn5 to enhance the PHB accumulation. Genetic and physiological analysis of the mutant indicated that decreased phosphotransacetylase activity could trigger an increase of acetyl coenzyme A leading to enhancement of PHB accumulation. PHB synthase in Synechococcus sp. MA19 was probably attached to thylakoid membrane since PHB granules were associated with pigments. A genetically engineered cyanobacteria retaining soluble PHB synthase from Ralstonia eutropha accumulated pigment-free PHB granules, which is an advantage for the purification of PHB.

Early clearance of circulating hepatitis C virus enhanced by induction therapy with twice-a-day intravenous injection of IFN-beta

To improve the long-term efficacy of interferon (IFN) for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we proposed induction therapy with twice-a-day IFN-beta injection. This study was intended to clarify the antiviral mechanism. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (twice-a-day therapy) received 3 MU IFN-beta intravenously (i.v.) twice a day for 2 weeks; group B (once-a-day therapy) received 6 MU of IFN-beta daily. HCV RNA, IFN-beta, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'5'-AS) activity, and beta2-microglobulin in serum were compared between the two groups during the first 2 weeks of IFN therapy. The clearance rate of serum HCV RNA in group A (86.7%) was significantly higher than that in group B (13.3%) at day 3 (p = 0.0006). No accumulation of IFN-beta was shown in serum throughout the therapy. The ratio (day 3/day 1) of 2'5'-AS activity was significantly higher in group A. Multivariate analysis indicated twice-a-day IFN-beta injection therapy led to significantly early clearance of circulating HCV. Twice-a-day IFN-beta injection therapy could induce biologically enhanced antiviral activities and be an efficient induction therapy for eradication of HCV.

Novel proteinaceous toxins from the box jellyfish (sea wasp) Carybdea rastoni

During summer and autumn, the box jellyfish (sea wasp) Carybdea rastoni is one of the most bothersome stinging pests to swimmers and bathers on the Japanese coast. Two labile but potent hemolytic toxins from the tentacles of Carybdea rastoni were isolated in their active forms using newly developed purification methods. The molecular masses of the isolated C. rastoni toxin-A and toxin-B (CrTX-A and CrTX-B) are 43 and 46 kDa, respectively, as calculated from SDS-PAGE. In the present study, we sequenced the full-length cDNA (1600 bp), which encodes both CrTX-A and CrTX-B. The deduced 450 amino acid sequence of the CrTXs, showed no significant homology with any known protein. This report presents the first complete sequence of a proteinaceous jellyfish toxin. Furthermore, it was revealed that CrTX-A was primarily localized in the nematocyst, whereas CrTX-B was detected only in the tentacle. Because the nematocyst is the organ responsible for the cnidarian sting, the remainder of the study focused on the toxicity of CrTX-A. We found that CrTX-A was fatally toxic to mice at 20 microg/kg (i.v.) and crayfish at 5 microg/kg (i.p.). Subcutaneously injected CrTX-A (0.1 microg) caused inflammation of mouse skin. These results showed that CrTX-A is responsible for the cutaneous inflammation observed in humans stung by C. rastoni.

Changes in epididymal protein anti-agglutinin on ejaculated boar spermatozoa during capacitation in vitro

This study is a detailed investigation of changes in epididymal protein anti-agglutinin on ejaculated boar spermatozoa during an incubation designed to promote capacitation in vitro. Ejaculated spermatozoa were collected from six mature boars, washed, and incubated to promote capacitation. Sperm samples were subjected to Western blotting-densitometric analyses, flow cytometry after immunostaining and immunocytochemical observation by indirect immunofluorescence. An antiserum to anti-agglutinin was raised in a rabbit by subcutaneous injection of a purified antigen, as described previously (Harayama et al. 1999). Western blotting-densitometric analyses revealed an approximate halving of the amount of sperm-bound anti-agglutinin during the first 45-min incubation, followed by a gradual decrease thereafter. Comparison between immunostained sperm samples by flow cytometry before and after incubation confirmed this decrease in sperm-bound anti-agglutinin during the incubation. Microscopic characterization established that this decrease occurred mainly on the acrosome. Supplementation with seminal plasma (5% or 10%, v/v) attenuated the decrease. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that a large portion of the anti-agglutinin bound to sperm acrosomes is released at an early stage of the capacitation process in vitro.

Anti-mouse sperm monoclonal antibody, A-1, inhibits sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction and calcium influx into spermatocytes

An anti mouse sperm monoclonal antibody (A-1) inhibited sperm penetration into the egg zona pellucida and bound to an acrosomal area of sperm. In this study, we examined whether or not the antibody affects the sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Sperm were incubated in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium in the presence or absence of the antibody. The capacitation of sperm was assessed by chlortetracycline fluorescence pattern assay. The percentage of capacitated sperm did not increase in the presence of antibody, but increased time-dependently in its absence. The acrosome reaction of the capacitated sperm was induced by the addition of ionophore. The ionophore, however, failed to induce the reaction in the presence of the A-1 antibody. Next, the calcium influx into spermatocytes was examined. The capacitated sperm, preloaded with Fura-2, were treated with ionomycin in the presence or absence of the A-1 antibody. The influx of calcium ions into capacitated spermatozoa was also inhibited by the antibody. Thus a monoclonal antibody, A-1, inhibited the sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction and calcium influx into spermatocytes.

Inhibition of in vitro fertilization of mouse gametes by sulfated sialic acid polymers

The effect of sialic acid (N-acetyl neuraminic acid), sialic acid dimer, sialic acid polymers (colominic acid) and sulfated colominic acid on the activity of hyaluronidase, on the dispersion of cumulus cells by mouse sperm and on in vitro mouse fertilization (sperm penetration of zona pellucida) were evaluated. Bovine testicular hyaluronidase activity was significantly inhibited by colominic acid and sulfated colominic acid, but not by sialic acid and its dimer. The dispersion of cumulus cells from eggs by mouse sperm was also inhibited by colominic acid and sulfated colominic acid. In vitro fertilization of mouse gametes was inhibited by sulfated colominic acid. The IC50 value of sulfated colominic acid-induced inhibition of fertilization was 0.3 mg/ml (ca. 0.9 mM). The value changed from 0.9 mM for cumulus-surrounded egg to 1.5 mM for cumulus free-egg. On the other hand, colominic acid showed little or no inhibitory effect on mouse in vitro fertilization at 0.5 mg/ml (ca. 1.6 mM). This antifertility activity by sulfated colominic acid did not appear to be due to an effect on sperm motility or on the oocytes. These results suggest that (1) the cumulus cells surrounding the eggs were dispersed by sperm hyaluronidase, (2) hyaluronidase was inhibited by colominic acid and by sulfated colominic acid, (3) sulfated colominic acid inhibits sperm penetration of zona pellucida by the inhibition of hyaluronidase and/or some enzymes required for mouse gametes fertilization.

Thrombopoietin enhances neutrophil production by bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors with the aid of stem cell factor in congenital neutropenia

We examined the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF), and thrombopoietin (TPO), alone or in combination, on the generation of neutrophils by bone marrow (BM) cells from three patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) through the use of a serum-deprived liquid culture system. Synergistic effects of G-CSF and SCF on the neutrophil production by BM CD34+CD38+c-kit+ cells were observed in SCN patients as well as in normal controls. The addition of TPO to the culture containing G-CSF and SCF further augmented the growth of neutrophils in the two groups. Single-cell culture experiments revealed that the three-factor combination caused increases in both the number and size of neutrophil colonies compared with G-CSF + SCF in normal BM cells, whereas only a significant increment in the colony size was observed in SCN patients. Even in the presence of SCF or SCF + TPO, the concentrations of G-CSF necessary for the substantial production of neutrophils by CD34+CD38+c-kit+ cells were higher in two patients compared with the levels obtained by normal control cells. In addition, TPO did not accelerate the maturation of neutrophilic cells supported by G-CSF + SCF. When BM CD34+CD38-c-kit+ cells were targeted, the addition of TPO to the culture containing G-CSF and SCF was required for significant neutrophil colony growth in the two groups. These results suggest that TPO enhances the G-CSF-dependent neutrophil production with the aid of SCF in this disorder.

Mechanical tensile properties of the aortic wall in the premature rat exposed to the microgravity environment during space flight for 16 days

Under microgravity environment, blood shifts headward and thereafter decrease in volume to adapt to the environment, which could affect cardiovascular hemodynamics and their regulatory mechanisms. Baroreceptor sensitivity is known to be reduced in newborn animals and to gradually increase with development. The baroreceptor is a stretch receptor; therefore its function is closely related to the rheological properties and fine structure of the aortic wall in which the baroreceptor lies. The mechanical and histological properties could be altered under microgravity conditions in the process of development with change in circulatory function. In the present study, we investigated the mechanical tensile characteristics and histological structure of the aortic wall in the proximal thoracic aorta of premature rats bred in the microgravity environment of the space shuttle for 16 days.

Binding of avian ovomucoid to shiga-like toxin type 1 and its utilization for receptor analog affinity chromatography

Development of a simple and efficient purification procedure for Shiga-like toxin I (Stx1) was attempted. Since it has been suggested that pigeon egg white ovomucoid carries a P1 antigenic determinant, we examined its ability to bind Stx1. The ovomucoid glycoprotein fraction (GPro) was prepared from pigeon egg white by acetone precipitation, and a portion of the GPro was treated with pronase to obtain the glycopeptide fraction (GPep). When both GPro and GPep were coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B and subjected to affinity chromatography, Stx1 specifically bound to both columns. The Stx1 eluted with a buffer containing 4.5 M MgCl2 was shown to be highly purified to homogeneity by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denatured condition; only two protein bands with molecular weights of 32,000 and 8000, which correspond to the A and the B subunits of Stx1, respectively, were recognized. The purified toxin showed cytotoxicity on Vero cells with a specific activity of approximately 6 x 10(8) CD50/mg protein; almost 100% of the activity was recovered from Escherichia coli cell lysate. We propose that the utilization of avian ovmucoid for the affinity chromatography provides a potentially simple, convenient, and widely available method to purify Shiga-like toxins.

Immunohistochemical and chemical changes of beta-citryl-L-glutamate in the differentiation of bovine lens epithelial cells into lens fiber cells

Beta-citryl-L-glutamate (beta-CG) concentration was determined by HPLC during the differentiation of bovine lens epithelial cells into lens fiber cells in culture. beta-CG increased from 1 to 4 weeks of culture and then decreased slightly, while alpha-crystallin, a marker of lens cell differentiation, increased rapidly 4 weeks after the culture and continued to increase gradually until week 11. In addition, the localization of beta-CG was immunohistochemically examined using anti-beta-CG antibody. Cells around lentoid bodies were stained with anti-beta-CG antibody, whereas cells in the bodies were stained strongly with anti-gamma-crystallin antibody. These findings suggest that beta-CG accumulated immediately before the differentiation of the bovine lens epithelial cells into lens fiber cells and may play a role in regulating the differentiation of lens cells.

Enhancement of poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation in human hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Poly-adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation, catalysed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), is a post-translational modification of nuclear proteins and is involved in a wide range of biological processes including DNA repair, cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Alteration of this reaction in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is of interest, but has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate poly-ADP-ribosylation and to compare the expression of PARP in HCC and adjacent non-tumour tissues.

METHODS

Tumorous and adjacent non-tumorous tissues were obtained from five consecutive patients with HCC during surgery for tumour resection. Tissue homogenates were subjected to ADP-ribosylation with [32P]-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The ADP-ribosylated proteins were separated by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by autoradiography. Expression of PARP was also evaluated by western blotting.

RESULTS

Several proteins were ADP-ribosylated in human HCC tissues. Notably, the radiolabelling of a 116-kDa protein was remarkably greater than that in adjacent non-tumorous tissues (86.5 +/- 35.2 arbitrary units by densitometry vs 12.2 +/- 9.9, mean +/- SD, n = 5, P < 0.02). The radiolabelling of the 116-kDa protein was decreased in the presence of PARP inhibitors in a concentration-dependent manner. Immunoblot analyses revealed that the radiolabelled protein was PARP and that its expression was significantly greater in HCC than in adjacent non-tumorous tissues (333 +/- 204% of non-tumorous tissue, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that poly-ADP-ribosylation and PARP expression were significantly increased in human HCC compared with those in adjacent non-tumorous tissues in surgically obtained specimens.

A novel natural killer cell line (KHYG-1) from a patient with aggressive natural killer cell leukemia carrying a p53 point mutation

We present the establishment of a natural killer (NK) leukemia cell line, designated KHYG-1, from the blood of a patient with aggressive NK leukemia, which both possessed the same p53 point mutation. The immunophenotype of the primary leukemia cells was CD2+, surface CD3-, cytoplasmic CD3epsilon+, CD7+, CD8alphaalpha+, CD16+, CD56+, CD57+ and HLA-DR+. A new cell line (KHYG-1) was established by culturing peripheral leukemia cells with 100 units of recombinant interleukin (IL)-2. The KHYG-1 cells showed LGL morphology with a large nucleus, coarse chromatin, conspicuous nucleoli, and abundant basophilic cytoplasm with many azurophilic granules. The immunophenotype of KHYG-1 cells was CD1-, CD2+, surface CD3-, cytoplasmic CD3epsilon+, CD7+, CD8alphaalpha+, CD16-, CD25-, CD33+, CD34-, CD56+, CD57-, CD122+, CD132+, and TdT-. Southern blot analysis of these cells revealed a normal germline configuration for the beta, delta, and gamma chains of the T cell receptor and the immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes. Moreover, the KHYG-1 cells displayed NK cell activity and IL-2-dependent proliferation in vitro, suggesting that they are of NK cell origin. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was not detected in KHYG-1 cells by Southern blot analysis with a terminal repeat probe from an EBV genome. A point mutation in exon 7 of the p53 gene was detected in the KHYG-1 cells by PCR/SSCP analysis, and direct sequencing revealed the conversion of C to T at nucleotide 877 in codon 248. The primary leukemia cells also carried the same point mutation. Although the precise role of the p53 point mutation in leukemogenesis remains to be clarified, the establishment of an NK leukemia cell line with a p53 point mutation could be valuable in the study of leukemogenesis.

In vivo EPR dosimetry of accidental exposures to radiation: experimental results indicating the feasibility of practical use in human subjects

Low frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) provides the potential advantage of making accurate and sensitive measurements of absorbed radiation dose in teeth in situ, i.e. without removing the teeth from the potential victim. The potential limiting factors for making such measurements are: (1) whether low frequency EPR is sufficiently sensitive to detect radiation-induced signal in human teeth; (2) whether sufficient sensitivity can be maintained under in vivo conditions. In this manuscript, we summarize results indicating that this approach is feasible. Using 1.2 GHz EPR spectroscopy, we found that the lower limit for these measurements in isolated human teeth is 0.2 Gy or lower. Measurements of radiation-induced EPR signals in the teeth of living rats were achieved with sufficient sensitivity to indicate that, when taking into consideration the larger mass of human teeth, similar measurements in human teeth in situ would provide sensitivity in the dose range for potential accidental exposures. We estimate that the current lower limit for detecting radiation doses in human teeth in situ (in vivo) is 0.5-1.0 Gy; this would be sufficient for determining if a person has been exposed to potentially life threatening doses of ionizing radiation. The limiting factor for sensitivity appears to be background signals rather than signal/noise, and there are feasible means to overcome this problem and further increase sensitivity. The additional instrumental developments required to make an effective in vivo EPR dosimetric spectrometer for the measurements in teeth in human subjects in situ, seem quite achievable.

Successful implantation of in vitro-matured, electro-activated oocytes in the pig

In the present study, we derived parthenogenetic porcine fetuses from in vitro-matured oocytes following a simple activation process in order to evaluate their developmental limitations in-vivo. Follicular oocytes collected from gilts at local slaughterhouses were matured for 48 h. They were subjected to a single square pulse of direct current for 100 microsec at 1,500 V/cm and then treated with 5 microg/mL cytochalasin B for 4 h to obtain activated diploid oocytes. The diploids were cultured in modified Whitten's medium until transfer. Diploids which had cleaved to the 2- and 3- to 4-cell stages were transferred to oviducts of recipients. Live and/or dead parthenogenetic fetuses were recovered in 6 of 8 trials at 17, 18, 19, 24 and 29 d post activation. The total proportion of fetuses to transferred diploids was 31.3% (62/198). When fetuses were recovered at 19 d post activation, the proportion of development into fetuses was 71% (15/21). Our results, however, suggest that periods of gestation longer than 19 d resulted in a decrease of these proportions to 45% (18/40) at 24 d and to 18% (7/40) at 29 d. The hearts were beating in nearly all of the fetuses recovered at 19, 24 and 29 d post activation. Thus, parthenogenetic porcine diploids developed to at least the stage of limb-bud formation beyond the early heart-beating stage. Abnormalities were also externally visible on some fetuses. Formation of cyst-like structures in the heart and liver, and insufficient development of the head region and acephali were observed in some cases.

A long-term study of implanted artificial hydroxyapatite particles surrounding the carotid artery in adult dogs

In this long-term study, we implanted HAP into adult dogs using a silicone chamber attached to the carotid artery to clarify tissue reaction to HAP implantation over a long period. We designed chambers and both hemispheres of the chambers were filled with HAP particles, and were placed around both carotid arteries of seven adult dogs. The implants were removed after 150, 300, 380 days, and histological and ultrastructual examination was undertaken. We observed bone-like tissue which was formed where HAP particles were implanted. Immunohistochemical findings showed that osteocalcin and osteonectin were as positive in the bone-like tissue as in normal bone. This study suggests that biological factors from the arterial wall might play an important role in new bone-like tissue forming, and that HAP has a strong osteoconductive ability even at heterogeneous sites.

The K-ras gene regulates vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in non-small cell lung cancers

Tumor angiogenesis is an essential step for tumor cell growth, progression and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is mitogen specific for endothelial cells, and therefore is believed to play a key role in tumor angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of VEGF expression remain virtually unknown and the only major regulator of VEGF expression has been reported to be hypoxia. Recently, it was reported that a mutant p53 in#duced the expression of VEGF mRNA, and that wild-type p53 down-regulated endogenous VEGF mRNA levels. In contrast, it has also been reported that mutant ras oncogenes were associated with the marked up-regulation of VEGF in transformed epithelial cells. Based on these results, we performed a retrospective study of the p53 and K-ras genes status and VEGF gene expression in the tumor tissues from 181 patients with non-small cell lung cancer using SSCP, sequencing, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical techniques. Forty-six carcinomas (25.4%) were evaluated as having high VEGF expression, and 135 tumors (74.6%) had low VEGF expression. Of the 181 primary NSCLC studied, 63 carcinomas (34.8%) contained mutations of p53, whereas only 14 carcinomas (7.7%) had mutations of K-ras. There were no significant relationships between VEGF expression and p53 status or each mutant exon of p53. In contrast, a significant difference was found between VEGF expression and K-ras status. Of the 14 tumors with mutant K-ras genes, 7 cases (50.0%) had high VEGF expression whereas only 39 of the 167 tumors with wild-type K-ras (23.4%) had high VEGF expression (p=0.0278). The mean VEGF conservation rate for the 14 tumors with mutant K-ras genes was 0.77+/-0.58 and the rate of the 167 tumors with wild-type K-ras genes was 0.49+/-0.46 (p=0. 0350). Moreover, the overall survival rate of patients with high VEGF expression was lower than patients with low VEGF expression (45.7% vs 60.7%, p=0.0419). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the overall survival rate between patients with a mutant p53 and those with a wild-type p53; there was also no difference in the overall survival between patients with a mutant K-ras and those with a wild-type K-ras. The Cox regression model analysis indicated that three variables, VEGF status, K-ras status and nodal status, were found to be significant indicators for prognosis (p=0.0236, p=0.0172 and p<0.0001, respectively). Our data suggest that a high expression of VEGF in lung cancer may be associated with a poor prognosis. This may be a clue to improving lung cancer diagnoses and therapies aimed at inhibiting tumor angiogenesis due to VEGF.

A novel monoclonal antibody, H9, directed against the core protein of MUC1 mucin

MUC1 mucin is a target protein for many monoclonal antibodies. Human MUC1 detected by a murine anti-KL-6 monoclonal antibody that recognizes a sialylated carbohydrate chain has been designated KL-6/MUC1. Given the heterogeneous antigenicity of KL-6/MUC1, we established a new murine monoclonal antibody, H9, that reacts with epitope DTRP (Asp-Thr-Arg-Pro) peptides within the immunodominant region of the tandem repeat of MUC1 mucin. The reactivity of the H9 antibody differs from that of other previously reported antibodies that recognize the tandem repeat region of MUC1. Immunohistochemical experiments indicate that the reactivity of the H9 antibody is similar to that of other antibodies directed against MUC1 core proteins. A new cancer-associated protein detected by a sandwich assay using the H9 antibody as a catcher and the KL-6 antibody as a tracer is designated HK9. Serum HK9 levels showed a high expression level in lung cancer: 51% (19/37 cases) for adenocarcinoma, 39% (11/28 cases) for squamous cell carcinoma, and 67% (10/15 cases) for small cell carcinoma. The HK9 expression in lung cancer increased with cancer progression. These findings suggest monoclonal antibody H9 to be a novel antibody that reacts with an epitope within the tandem repeat region of MUC1, and that the cancer-associated antigen HK9 may have useful tumor-associated properties.