Gestational choriocarcinoma whose responsible pregnancy was a complete hydatidiform mole identified by PCR analysis with new sequence tagged site primers

We report a case where the pregnancy responsible for a gestational choriocarcinoma was not the antecedent pregnancy or the second normal term delivery, but a complete hydatidiform mole that had advanced to clinically invasive mole. This responsible pregnancy was identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis (PCR). PCR analysis was performed by using five new sets of sequence-tagged site (STS) primers on four chromosomes (chr. 1, D1S225; chr. 3, D3S1744; chr. 12, D12S1090; chr. 18, D18S849 and D18S877). The constitution of alleles of choriocarcinoma was shown to be almost identical with that of the husband on every marker. The allele patterns of choriocarcinoma on D3S1744 and D12S1090 were not observed with DNA from the patient. The band pattern originating from molar DNA was also identical with those of the husband and choriocarcinomas on D18S849 and D1S225.

Troglitazone but not pioglitazone affects ATP-sensitive K(+) channel activity

We compared the effects of the two thiazolidinedione derivatives, troglitazone and pioglitazone, on ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel activities. Pancreatic beta-cell type and cardiac type K(ATP) channels were reconstituted in COS-1 cells (SV 40-transformed African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells) by heterologously expressing sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) plus Kir6.2 and sulfonylurea receptor 2A (SUR2A) plus Kir6.2, respectively. Troglitazone inhibited [86Rb(+)] efflux in both K(ATP) channel types in the presence of metabolic inhibitors, which was confirmed by electrophysiological techniques. The [86Rb(+)] efflux increased by the channel openers diazoxide and pinacidil was abolished by troglitazone. In contrast, pioglitazone did not affect these channel activities in either type K(ATP) channel. These results suggest that troglitazone modulates the various cellular functions including insulin secretion by inhibiting the K(ATP) channels, while pioglitazone has no effect on K(ATP) channel activity.

Role of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate in the regulation of chemical mediator release and cytokine production from cultured human mast cells

BACKGROUND

Cultured human mast cells are known to resemble human lung mast cells in terms of the profiles of intracellular protease, the characteristics of histamine release, and the pharmacologic properties.

OBJECTIVE

The role of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in chemical mediator release and cytokine production by human mast cells was determined.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of cAMP-elevating agents on IgE-mediated chemical mediator release and cytokine production by cultured human mast cells. We also examined the relationship between intracellular cAMP levels and the inhibition of chemical mediator release or cytokine production by various drugs.

RESULTS

beta-agonists significantly suppressed IgE-mediated release of histamine, leukotrienes, and PGD2 (chemical mediators) and the production of GM-CSF, IL-5 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (cytokines). Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (theophylline, rolipram, and cilostazol) had no effect on chemical mediators but suppressed cytokine production. Dibutyryl cAMP significantly suppressed both chemical mediator release and cytokine production, suggesting that their induction was regulated by intracellular cAMP. Elevation of cAMP by beta-agonists at 10 minutes after treatment correlated well with the inhibition of histamine release. There was a significant relationship between cAMP elevation at 180 minutes and the inhibition of GM-CSF production at 360 minutes by beta-agonists, rolipram, or cilostazol. Although 100 micromol/L theophylline significantly inhibited GM-CSF production, it had no effect on cAMP.

CONCLUSION

Elevation of cAMP may be responsible for the inhibitory effect of beta-agonists, rolipram, and cilostazol on chemical mediator release and cytokine production by cultured human mast cells. In contrast, theophylline may inhibit GM-CSF production independently of cAMP.

Phospholipase C-gamma and phosphoinositide 3-kinase mediate cytoplasmic signaling in nerve growth cone guidance

Expression of rat TrkA in Xenopus spinal neurons confers responsiveness of these neurons to nerve growth factor (NGF) in assays of neuronal survival and growth cone chemotropism. Mutational analysis indicates that coactivation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) by specific cytoplasmic domains of TrkA is essential for triggering chemoattraction of the growth cone in an NGF gradient. Uniform exposure of TrkA-expressing neurons to NGF resulted in a cross-desensitization of turning responses induced by a gradient of netrin-1, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) but not by a gradient of collapsin-1/semaphorin III/D or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). These results, together with the effects of pharmacological inhibitors, support the notion that there are common cytosolic signaling pathways for two separate groups of guidance cues, one of which requires coactivation of PLC-gamma and PI3-kinase pathways.

Ca2+ and protein kinase C signaling for histamine and sulfidoleukotrienes released from human cultured mast cells

Human cultured mast cells (HCMC) release histamine and sulfidoleukotrienes (LTs) upon IgE-FcepsilonRI-mediated mast cell activation. We analyzed the Ca2+ and PKC signaling in HCMC and compared it to that in rodent mast cells. In HCMC, after IgE-mediated stimulation, an elevation of [Ca2+]i and PKC translocation to the membrane fraction was observed. As concerns Ca2+ signaling, 1) IgE-mediated histamine and LTs release was abolished after Ca2+ depletion, and the reconstitution of Ca2+ recovered the release of histamine and LTs. As regards PKC signaling, 1) staurosporine inhibited IgE-mediated mediator release. 2) PKC-downregulated mast cells did not release histamine and LTs. A23187 and PMA synergistically potentiated the activation of extracellular-regulated kinase and synergistically induced histamine and LTs release. These results demonstrated that HCMC might be useful for analysis of the signal transduction pathway for mediator release, such as histamine and LTs.

IPD-1151T (suplatast tosilate) inhibits interleukin (IL)-13 release but not IL-4 release from basophils

The effect of suplatast tosilate (IPD-1151T), which is known to suppress interleukin (IL)-4 release from T cells, on the release of IL-4 and IL-13 from human peripheral basophils was investigated. Basophils were obtained from 16 mite-sensitive atopic asthmatic patients. IPD-1151T clearly inhibited the antigen-induced release of IL-13 but not IL-4. These results suggest that IPD-1151T possesses different activity for the regulation of cytokine release in basophils and T cells.

Terreic acid, a quinone epoxide inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) plays pivotal roles in mast cell activation as well as in B cell development. Btk mutations lead to severe impairments in proinflammatory cytokine production induced by cross-linking of high-affinity IgE receptor on mast cells. By using an in vitro assay to measure the activity that blocks the interaction between protein kinase C and the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk, terreic acid (TA) was identified and characterized in this study. This quinone epoxide specifically inhibited the enzymatic activity of Btk in mast cells and cell-free assays. TA faithfully recapitulated the phenotypic defects of btk mutant mast cells in high-affinity IgE receptor-stimulated wild-type mast cells without affecting the enzymatic activities and expressions of many other signaling molecules, including those of protein kinase C. Therefore, this study confirmed the important roles of Btk in mast cell functions and showed the usefulness of TA in probing into the functions of Btk in mast cells and other immune cell systems. Another insight obtained from this study is that the screening method used to identify TA is a useful approach to finding more efficacious Btk inhibitors.

Participation of histamine H1 and H2 receptors in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-induced scratching behavior in ICR mice

Scratching behavior associated with passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was examined and compared to that induced by compound 48/80 or histamine in ICR mice. Elicitation of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, and intradermal injections of compound 48/80, histamine or serotonin induced both scratching behavior and vascular permeability increase in ICR mice. In mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice, although histamine induced scratching behavior and vascular permeability increase, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was not observed. Cetirizine and terfenadine significantly inhibited the scratching behavior and vascular permeability increase caused by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, compound 48/80 and histamine. The histamine H1 receptor antagonists inhibited the vascular permeability increase almost completely, whereas they failed to abolish the scratching behavior. Famotidine and ranitidine significantly inhibited the scratching behavior caused by histamine. The histamine H2 receptor antagonists did not affect the vascular permeability increase caused by histamine. The combination of cetirizine and ranitidine abolished the histamine-induced scratching behavior. The combination, however, failed to potentiate the inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-induced scratching behavior significantly. The results indicated that histamine induces scratching behavior in ICR mice through both histamine H1 and H2 receptors, and that histamine plays a major role in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-induced scratching behavior. Histamine might also play an important role in compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior.

Synthesis of trimethylhydroquinone derivatives as anti-allergic agents with anti-oxidative actions

A novel series of trimethylhydroquinone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their anti-lipid peroxidation activity in rat liver microsomes, inhibition of rat basophilic leukemia-1 (RBL-1) cell 5-lipoxygenase and 48 h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) activity in rats. 4-[4-[4-(Diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-butoxy]-2,3,6-trimethyl phenol (9c) exhibited the ability to inhibit Fe(3+)-ADP induced NADPH dependent lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 5.3 x 10(-7) M), 5-lipoxygenase ((IC50 = 3.5 x 10(-7) M) and PCA reaction (57% inhibition at 100 mg/kg p.o.).

Effect of overproduction of interleukin 5 on dinitrofluorobenzene-induced allergic cutaneous response in mice

The effect of overproduction of interleukin (IL) 5 on the allergic cutaneous response was investigated in transgenic mice overexpressing IL-5. Five repeated topical applications of 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to the ears of mice resulted in allergic dermatitis on the ears as well as significant elevation in dinitrophenol-specific IgE antibody and total IgE in the serum in both wild-type and transgenic mice. The development of dermatitis as measured by skin thickness and histopathological changes were potentiated in the transgenic mice. In IL-5 transgenic mice, significant accumulation of eosinophils in skin lesions was observed after five paintings of DNFB, and the magnitudes of eosinophilia and IL-5 messenger RNA expression were significantly higher than in wild-type mice. The dinitrophenol-specific and total IgE in the serum were higher in IL-5 transgenic mice. The late phase reaction of IgE antibody-mediated biphasic cutaneous response was potentiated in IL-5 transgenic mice. The magnitudes of vasopermeability increase by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, serotonin, and platelet-activating factor were similar in both mice. These results indicate that overproduction of IL-5 resulted in the potentiation of DNFB-induced dermatitis by elevation of IgE production, IgE-mediated allergic late-phase cutaneous reaction, and eosinophilia in the skin lesion.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels: structures, functions, and pathophysiology

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) play important roles in various tissues by coupling cell metabolic status to electrical activity. Recently, molecular biological and electrophysiological techniques have revealed the molecular basis of the KATP channels to be a complex of the Kir6.0 subunit, a member of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel subfamily Kir6.0, and the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) subunit, a member of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily; the functional diversity of the various KATP channels is being determined by a combination of the Kir6.0 subunit (Kir6.1 or Kir6.2) and the SUR subunit (SUR1 or SUR2) comprising it. Recent studies of the KATP channels have suggested mechanisms of KATP channel regulation and pathophysiology and also a new model in which ABC proteins regulate the functional expression of ion channels.

Roles of Rho-associated kinase in cytokinesis; mutations in Rho-associated kinase phosphorylation sites impair cytokinetic segregation of glial filaments

Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), which is activated by the small GTPase Rho, regulates formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions, myosin fiber organization, and neurite retraction through the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins, including myosin light chain, the ERM family proteins (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) and adducin. Rho-kinase was found to phosphorylate a type III intermediate filament (IF) protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), exclusively at the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. In the present study, we examined the roles of Rho-kinase in cytokinesis, in particular organization of glial filaments during cytokinesis. Expression of the dominant-negative form of Rho-kinase inhibited the cytokinesis of Xenopus embryo and mammalian cells, the result being production of multinuclei. We then constructed a series of mutant GFAPs, where Rho-kinase phosphorylation sites were variously mutated, and expressed them in type III IF-negative cells. The mutations induced impaired segregation of glial filament (GFAP filament) into postmitotic daughter cells. As a result, an unusually long bridge-like cytoplasmic structure formed between the unseparated daughter cells. Alteration of other sites, including the cdc2 kinase phosphorylation site, led to no remarkable defect in glial filament separation. These results suggest that Rho-kinase is essential not only for actomyosin regulation but also for segregation of glial filaments into daughter cells which in turn ensures correct cytokinetic processes.

The effects of anti-asthma drugs on mediator release from cultured human mast cells

BACKGROUND

A method for generating human mast cells in vitro was recently established. Little is known about the pharmacological profiles of allergic mediator release from cultured mast cells.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective was to investigate the nature of cultured mast cells from a pharmacological point of view. We examined the effect of anti-asthma drugs on the release of histamine, sulfidoleukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) from the cultured mast cells.

METHODS

Using the method established by Saito et al. we cultured cord blood mononuclear cells in the presence of 80 ng/mL stem cell factor (SCF), 50 ng/mL interleukin-6 (IL-6) and 300 nmol/L prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and obtained almost pure (> 99%) mast cells. We sensitized cultured mast cells with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-rich serum, and then treated them with some anti-asthma drugs before challenge with anti-human IgE. Released histamine, LTs and PGD2 were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) systems, respectively.

RESULTS

The cultured mast cells released histamine, LTs and PGD2 following immunological stimulation through IgE. The mast cell stabilizing agents disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, 1 mmol/L) and azelastine (100 micromol/L) significantly inhibited the release of these three mediators. The beta-adrenoceptor agonists isoproterenol, salbutamol, and clenbuterol also inhibited all three mediators' release in a concentration-dependent manner. The non-selective and selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors theophylline, rolipram, and cilostazol had no significant effect on mediator release at clinically useful concentrations. BAY x 1005 (a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor) inhibited the LTs release, whereas indomethacin (a cyclo-oxygenase I and II inhibitor) and NS-398 (a cyclo-oxygenase II inhibitor) inhibited PGD2 release.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicate that cultured mast cells release histamine, LTs and PGD2 following IgE crosslinking. Anti-asthma drugs showed a characteristic suppression of the release of each mediator. The suppressive actions of these drugs are similar to their pharmacological actions on human lung mast cells. These results suggest that cultured mast cells are useful for the analysis of function and pharmacological profiles of lung mast cells.

Antiallergic action of betotastine besilate (TAU-284) in animal models: A comparison with ketotifen

The effects of betotastine besilate (betotastine: TAU-284), a novel antiallergic drug, on homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), mediator-induced cutaneous reaction, antigen-induced asthmatic responses and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced airway eosinophilia in several animal models, were compared to ketotifen. Betotastine (0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) and ketotifen (1 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited both rat PCA and histamine-induced cutaneous reaction, whereas they showed little effect on serotonin-induced cutaneous reaction. Betotastine (0.3 mg/kg, p.o.) and ketotifen (1 mg/kg, p.o. ) significantly inhibited antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs which had been passively sensitized with guinea pig IgE antibody. In actively sensitized guinea pigs, the immediate and late phase increase in airway resistance (Rrs) were observed within 5 min and between 4 and 7 h after the aeroantigen challenge. Betotastine (1 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited both responses. Ketotifen (1 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the immediate phase response, but did not affect the late phase response. Exposure of guinea pigs to aerosolized PAF increased the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 24 h after the stimulation. Betotastine (3-10 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently inhibited PAF-induced accumulation of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar cavity. In contrast, cetirizine (10 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a tendency to inhibit eosinophil accumulation, and ketotifen (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and terfenadine (10 mg/kg, p.o.) did not have any affect. These results indicate that betotastine could be useful in the treatment of allergic disease such as bronchial asthma.

Characterization of antihistamines using biphasic cutaneous reaction in BALB/c mice

Effects of 11 histamine H1 receptor antagonists on IgE-mediated biphasic cutaneous reaction in mice were examined. The immediate phase reaction (IPR) assessed at 1 hour after antigen application was significantly inhibited by all antihistamines examined. The inhibition of IPR by cetirizine and mequitazine were potent, but those by cyproheptadine and diphenhydramine were weak. The later phase reaction (LPR) assessed at 24 hours after antigen application was inhibited by chlorpheniramine, oxatomide, ketotifen, mequitazine, emedastine, terfenadine and azelastine. The inhibition of LPR by emedastine was potent, but those by ketotifen and terfenadine were only partial. Emedastine inhibited both IPR and LPR comparably. Present results indicate that H1 receptor activation is involved in the IPR of the biphasic cutaneous reaction, and that the blockade of H1 receptors at IPR does not contribute to the attenuation of following LPR. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists inhibiting the LPR have a property distinct from H1 receptor antagonism, which may have an additional benefit for the treatment of allergic diseases.

Protective effect of oral administration of a traditional medicine, Juzen-Taiho-To, and its components on lethal Candida albicans infection in immunosuppressed mice

Protective effects of a kampo medicine, Juzen-taiho-to (TJ-48) and its herbal components against experimental candidiasis in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice were investigated. ICR mice were immunosuppressed by intraperitoneal treatment with cyclophosphamide (day-4) and were orally given TJ-48 or one of its 10 herbal components for 4 consecutive days (day-4--1). They were then challenged intravenously with a lethal dose of Candida albicans (day 0). An oral dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-48 prolonged their life span. A similar protective effect was obtained by treatment with its component drugs Ginseng radix, Glycyrrhizae radix, Atractylodis lancea rhizoma or Cnidii rhizoma. These herbal components were suggested to have a main role in the protective effect of Juzen-taiho-to against Candida infection.

Visualization of mitotic radial glial lineage cells in the developing rat brain by Cdc2 kinase-phosphorylated vimentin

Although accumulating data reveal patterns of proliferation, migration, and differentiation of neuronal lineage cells in the developing brain, gliogenesis in the brain has not been well elucidated. In the rat brain, vimentin is selectively expressed in radial glia and in their progeny, not in oligodendrocytes or neurons from embryonic day 15 (E15) until postnatal day 15 (P15). Here we examined mitotic radial glial lineage cells in the rat brain E17-P7, using the monoclonal antibody 4A4, which recognizes vimentin phosphorylated by a mitosis-specific kinase, cdc2 kinase. In the neocortex, mainly radial glia in the ventricular zone, but not their progeny, underwent cell division. In contrast, not only radial glia but also various types of radial glial progeny including Bergmann glia continued to proliferate in the cerebellum. Radial glia in the neocortex divided horizontally, obliquely, and vertically against the ventricular surface. The percentage of the vertical division increased with progress in the stage of development, concurrently with the decrease of the population of horizontal divisions. Thus, the monoclonal antibody 4A4 provides an useful tool to label mitotic glia in the developing brain and revealed different patterns of gliogenesis in the neocortex and cerebellum. A possibility is discussed that the dynamics of mitotic orientation observed here may be related to the change of the pattern of gliogenesis during development.

Effects of vitamin B6 deficiency on cytokine levels and lymphocytes in mice

The effects of vitamin B6 (B6) deficiency on cytokine levels and proportions of lymphocyte subsets in BALB/c mice were investigated. The proportion of lymphocytes from the thymus and spleen of mice given no B6, that were CD4+ CD8- T cells, was larger than in mice given B6, and the ratio of CD8+ to CD4+ T cells in the thymus of mice given no B6 was lower. The concentrations of interleukin-5 and -10 in spleen cells stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A were significantly higher in the mice with B6 deficiency, as was their plasma corticosterone concentrations. These results suggested that B6 is necessary to maintain cytokine levels and lymphoid function in the thymus and spleen of mice.

Pharmacological modulation of LPS-induced MIP-1 alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

In the present study, we investigated the effects of some anti-asthmatic drugs on the production of the CC chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). MIP-1 alpha production was induced by LPS in a concentration-dependent fashion and reached the maximum at 10 micrograms/ml LPS (27.5 +/- 2.3 ng MIP-1 alpha/10(6) PBMC). At a submaximal concentration of LPS (1 microgram/ml), the release of MIP-1 alpha increased with time and reached the maximum 24 h after LPS stimulation. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide inhibited MIP-1 alpha production completely, but glucocorticoids did not completely inhibit MIP-1 alpha production, with a maximum inhibition of 70%. We examined the effect of beta-stimulants and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which upregulate intracellular cyclic AMP levels, on MIP-1 alpha production. When PBMC were treated with beta-stimulants alone, beta-stimulants showed a slightly inhibitory effect on MIP-1 alpha production. However, the coadministration of roliplam significantly potentiated the inhibitory effect of beta-stimulants on MIP-1 alpha production. Moreover, db-cAMP suppressed MIP-1 alpha production dose-dependently. The above data indicate that the production of MIP-1 alpha is regulated by cyclic AMP and that cyclic AMP could provide a useful target for therapeutic treatment in asthmatic diseases and other diseases where MIP-1 alpha is involved in their etiology.