A family with von Hippel-Lindau disease revealed by pheochromocytoma

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an inherited neoplastic disease characterized by a predisposition to develop retinal angiomas, central nervous system hemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinomas, pancreatic cysts and pheochromocytomas. Recently, we encountered three members of the same family who each had both VHL disease and pheochromocytoma. As in all three patients we suspected pheochromocytoma, the diagnosis of VHL disease should be considered. The possible presence of VHL disease was initially investigated in all three patients based on the presence of pheochromocytoma. A mutational analysis of the VHL gene revealed the presence of a missense mutation, consisting of a G to A transversion, at nucleotide 713 in all three patients. This germline point mutation in the VHL gene is often detected in type 2 VHL disease with pheochromocytoma. Genetic analysis seems to be useful for early detection of VHL disease, even when the formal criteria for diagnosis of this disease are lacking.

Intravenous injection of oligodeoxynucleotides to the NF-kappaB binding site inhibits hepatic metastasis of M5076 reticulosarcoma in mice

We have developed synthetic double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as 'decoy' cis elements that block the binding of nuclear factors to promoter regions of targeted genes, resulting in the inhibition of gene transactivation in vivo. In the present study, we employed decoy ODN targeting the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding cis-elements to hepatic metastasis of murine reticulosarcoma M5076 in mice. Intravenous inoculation of M5076 into mice caused a marked increase in gene expression of interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the liver, whereas intravenous treatment with NF-kappaB decoy ODN reduced M5076-induced transactivation of these genes. Treatment with NF-kappaB decoy ODN, but not scrambled decoy ODN, significantly inhibited hepatic metastasis of M5076 in mice, and furthermore the combined treatment of NF-kappaB decoy ODN with an anti-cancer drug resulted in complete inhibition of hepatic metastasis in half of the mice, without affecting myelosuppression induced by the anti-cancer drug. Here, NF-kappaB decoy ODN inhibited hepatic metastasis of M5076 in mice possibly through a decrease in transactivation of important NF-kappaB-driven genes and also potentiated the anti-metastatic effect of an anti-cancer drug, demonstrating the first successful in vivo therapy for cancer metastasis using NF-kappaB decoy ODN as a novel molecular decoy approach.

Extensive micrometastases to lymph nodes as a marker for rapid recurrence of colorectal cancer: a study of lymphatic mapping

To provide a detailed assessment of micrometastases of colorectal cancer by anatomical mapping of regional lymph nodes (LNs), we analyzed 237 LNs from 11 patients with colorectal cancer by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using carcinoembryonic antigen and cytokeratin 20 as genetic markers. All dissected LNs were mapped anatomically and subjected to detection assays for micrometastases. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed using anti-pancytokeratin antibody AE1/AE3 to confirm the existence of occult cancer cells. By histological analysis, 20 of 237 LNs contained metastatic cells, and they were all positive by both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Of the 217 histologically negative LNs, 14 (6.5%) harbored micrometastases by immunohistochemistry, and 57 (26.2%) were positive for at least one of the two genetic markers. Lymphatic mappings of all patients showed that micrometastases were distributed not only at the pericolic LNs but often at distant LNS: Clinical follow-up study showed that two patients developed recurrence within 1 year after surgery, and both of them had RT-PCR-positive micrometastases in not less than 70% of LNs examined. Moreover, both patients had frequent micrometastases at distant LNs, i.e., those around the root or along the inferior mesenteric artery, when compared with patients with no recurrence. Our findings suggest that genetic diagnosis using the RT-PCR method may be clinically useful along with conventional pathological diagnosis, especially when micrometastases spread to distant LNS:

Inhibition of neointima by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in porcine coronary artery balloon-injury model

Because hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulates growth of endothelial cells exclusively without replication of vascular smooth muscle cells, we hypothesized that HGF may play a role in cardiovascular disease. In human vascular smooth muscle cells, angiotensin II suppressed local vascular HGF production in a dose-dependent manner. Using a rat balloon-injury carotid artery model, we demonstrated that blockade of angiotensin II inhibited neointimal formation, accompanied by a significant increase in local HGF production. However, the relation of vascular HGF to endothelial function was not clarified. Moreover, it is important to test the hypothesis in animal models that are more similar to human restenosis. Thus, in the present study, we used a porcine coronary artery balloon-injury model to study the role of angiotensin II in regulation of the local HGF system in vivo. Expression of HGF mRNA was significantly decreased in balloon-injured coronary arteries versus intact vessels. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (perindopril) significantly inhibited neointimal formation after balloon injury compared with vehicle (P:<0.05). In addition, vasodilator response of balloon-injured coronary arteries to bradykinin was restored by perindopril treatment, whereas no vasodilator response was observed in balloon-injured vessels treated with vehicle. Vasodilator response of balloon-injured arteries induced by perindopril was completely abolished by N:(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Of particular interest, vascular HGF mRNA was significantly increased in balloon-injured vessels treated with perindopril as compared with vehicle. Overall, the present study demonstrated that ACE inhibitor significantly inhibited neointimal formation, accompanied by significant improvement of endothelial dysfunction and a significant increase in local vascular HGF mRNA in vivo in a porcine coronary artery balloon-injury model. Given the strong mitogenic activity of HGF on endothelial cells, improvement of endothelial dysfunction by perindopril might be due to increased local HGF expression through enhancement of reendothelialization after balloon injury, in addition to its direct effect, ACE inhibition. Downregulation of the local vascular HGF system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.

Usefulness of repeated direct intratumoral gene transfer using hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome method for cytosine deaminase suicide gene therapy

To investigate the feasibility of repeated gene transfection in suicide gene therapy against human solid tumors by a combination of 5- fluorocytosine (5-FC) and its converting enzyme, cytosine deaminase (CD), we repeatedly transfected the yeast CD gene into the human pancreatic cancer cell line BXPC3 using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome in a new gene transfer method. The in vivo growth of the s.c. transplanted BXPC3 tumor in nude mice given CD-gene transfection was significantly suppressed by i.p. injection of 5-FC when compared with tumors treated with the control vector. Furthermore, the tumor transfected with the CD gene during a 7-day interval was suppressed much more than that of a single transfection. These results suggest that repeated transfection of the suicide gene together with the combination of 5-FC and the yeast CD gene using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome gene transfer method may be useful for the treatment of human solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer.

Interferon-alpha-induced pure red cell aplasia following chronic myelogenous leukemia

We report a case of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that resulted from interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia. PRCA improved within 1 month after IFN-alpha was discontinued. This case indicates the involvement of IFN-alpha in the pathogenesis of PRCA.

[Two cases of home parenteral nutrition in which home care was difficult]

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is usually conducted after hospital training and home trials, but in more than a few cases self-care is virtually impossible or the ability of carers is insufficient. We investigated the problem points in the cases of two HPN patients from our hospital. Patient 1 was a 76-year-old man who had undergone surgery for esophageal cancer. He was rehospitalized with passage disorders due to eating difficulties such as dysmasesis and dysphagia and an insufficient ability to comprehend meals. Self-care was virtually impossible owing to his lack of understanding of the disease and his dementia. Even if subcutaneous leakage of the subcutaneously implanted port occurred or the connecting portion became dislocated, the patient would not be able to alert others to this by himself. His wife, the key person in his care, could not undergo hospital training because of her advanced age. She received instruction on the techniques for the completion of IVH for one month from the visiting carer, but handling the syringe and needle and the clamp maneuver were difficult for her, and she later developed an infection and was hospitalized. Upon consultation with the primary physician, a change was made to a Groshong catheter, which reduced the maneuver burden, but the prepared checklist was not used and there were problems in the handling of the catheter and management during the period when the maneuvers were being carried out. In addition, discord arose in the family relations, so a grandchild who was a university student rather than the daughter-in-law received instruction according to the manual in order to care for the patient on the nurse's days off. Currently, HPN is being carried out 3/week with meal instructions adjusted to the patient's dysphagia and contact with the family on the nurse's days off. An issue remaining for the future is the use of informal resources in terms of both micro-intervention, including selection of a catheter with consideration of care ability and meal instruction matched to his eating function, and macro-intervention with consideration of the family environment and interpersonal relationships. Patient 2 was a 41-year-old woman with SLE. She was a former nurse, but self-care was not possible due to steroid myopathy. Her main carer was her mother, but due to Alzheimer's-type dementia her mother had difficulty with sterile maneuvers, and sometime allowed the syringe, needle, and set to get dirty or refused to administer the medication or change the batteries on the pump. A visiting nurse and helper visit twice/week each and another volunteer provides daily support, but to continue home care in the future it will be essential to further train the helper and deepen the cooperation between all related.

Inhibition of experimental choroidal neovascularization by overexpression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 in retinal pigment epithelium cells

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility of introducing exogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene into the rat retinal pigment epithelium using hemagglutinating virus of Japan liposomes and to assess the effect of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 overexpression in retinal pigment epithelium cells on the formation of experimental choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

Hemagglutinating virus of Japan liposomes containing hemagglutin epitope-tagged tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene were injected into the subretinal space in rat eyes. Localization of oligonucleotides was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Exogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction. Exogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 protein expression was visualized by immunostaining with monoclonal antibody 12CA5 against the hemagglutin epitope. Three days after transfection of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene into retinal pigment epithelium cells, intense laser photocoagulation was performed and the incidence of choroidal neovascularization was assessed by fluorescein fundus angiography.

RESULTS

Exogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 mRNA expression in the choroid and retina was detected on day 3. The efficiency of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene transfection into retinal pigment epithelium cells was greatest on day 7 and decreased gradually thereafter. The incidence of choroidal neovascularization in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene-transfected eyes was markedly decreased compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene can be transferred into rat retinal pigment epithelium using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome method and that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene overexpression can inhibit development of experimental choroidal neovascularization. This method may represent a future treatment modality for human macular degeneration associated with choroidal neovascularization.

Gene therapy for attenuating cardiac allograft arteriopathy using ex vivo E2F decoy transfection by HVJ-AVE-liposome method in mice and nonhuman primates

Cardiac allograft arteriopathy, which limits the long-term survival of recipients, is characterized by diffuse intimal thickening composed of proliferative smooth muscle cells. The transcription factor E2F plays a pivotal role in the coordinated transcription of cell-cycle regulatory genes. To test the hypothesis that double-stranded DNA with specific affinity for E2F (E2F decoy) is effective in preventing intimal hyperplasia, we performed ex vivo single intraluminal delivery of E2F decoy into cardiac allografts of mice and Japanese monkeys using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) artificial viral envelope-liposome method. In murine models, antisense cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) kinase oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) and no transfers were performed to compare the effects. Severe intimal thickening was observed, and multiple cell-cycle regulatory genes were enhanced in untreated allografts. E2F decoy prevented neointimal formation and suppressed these genes for up to 8 weeks, whereas antisense cdk2 kinase ODN had limited effects. In primate models, E2F decoy dramatically prevented neointimal thickening and suppressed multiple cell-cycle regulatory genes, whereas intimal thickening developed in the nontransfected or mismatch decoy-transfected allografts. Gel mobility shift assay proved the specific effects of E2F decoy, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction documented that neither complication nor dissemination of HVJ into other organs was observed. We demonstrate that ex vivo gene delivery to allografts is a potent strategy to modify allograft gene expression, resulting in prevention of graft arteriopathy without systemic adverse effects.

In vivo transfer of antisense oligonucleotide against urinary kininase blunts deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension in rats

We have previously reported that the renal kallikrein-kinin system suppressed the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension. Kinins were degraded in the kidney mainly by carboxypeptidase Y (CPY)-like kininase. Blockade of renal kinin degradation may reduce hypertension in the developmental stage. We constructed an antisense oligonucleotide against rat CPY homologue (5'-CAT-CTC-TGC-TTC-CTT-GTG-TC-3', AS) and its randomized control oligonucleotide (5'-TCC-TTC-CTG-CTT-GAG-TTC-CT-3', RC), and prepared an HVJ-liposome complex that prolongs and increases the effectiveness of the antisense oligonucleotide. Antisense oligonucleotide was transfected (25 nmole rat(-1), in terms of nucleotide) into the kidney from the renal artery. Blood pressure was measured through a catheter inserted into the abdominal aorta. Mean blood pressure (MBP) in DOCA-salt treated (for 2 weeks) Sprague Dawley strain rats was 130+/-3 mmHg (n=11), and was reduced significantly (P<0.05) more by AS transfection (122+/-4 mmHg, n=6) than by RC treatment (137+/-6 mmHg, n=5) 4 days after the transfection. This reduction in MBP was accompanied by increased urinary sodium excretion (AS, 8.4+/-1.5 mmole day(-1); RC, 4.6+/-0.5 mmole day(-1), P<0.05) and a reduction in urinary CPY-like kininase activity. Ebelactone B (5 mg kg(-1), twice a day, p.o.), an inhibitor for urinary CPY-like kininase, also reduced MBP and induced natriuresis to the same degree as AS. Lisinopril, an inhibitor for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) failed to reduce the elevated MBP. These results suggest that CPY-like kininase may have more contribution than ACE to degrade kinin in the kidney, and that knockdown of CPY-like kininase in the kidney may partly prevent rat DOCA-salt hypertension.

Ribozyme oligonucleotides against transforming growth factor-beta inhibited neointimal formation after vascular injury in rat model: potential application of ribozyme strategy to treat cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Because the mechanisms of atherosclerosis or restenosis after angioplasty have been postulated to involve an increase in transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, a selective decrease in TGF-beta may have therapeutic value. Thus, we used the ribozyme strategy to actively cleave the targeted gene to selectively inhibit TGF-beta expression.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We constructed ribozyme oligonucleotides (ONs) targeted to the sequence of the TGF-beta gene that shows 100% homology among the human, rat, and mouse species. The specificity of ribozyme against TGF-beta gene was confirmed by selective inhibition of TGF-beta mRNA in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells as well as balloon-injured blood vessels in vivo. Importantly, the marked decrease in TGF-beta resulted in significant inhibition of neointimal formation after vascular injury in a rat carotid artery model (P:<0.01), whereas DNA-based control ONs and mismatched ribozyme ONs did not have any inhibitory effect on neointimal formation. Inhibition of neointimal formation was accompanied by (1) a reduction in collagen synthesis and mRNA expression of collagen I and III and (2) a significant decrease in DNA synthesis as assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Moreover, we modified ribozyme ONs containing phosphorothioate DNA and RNA targeted to the TGF-beta gene. Of importance, modified ribozyme ONs showed a further reduction in TGF-beta expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study provides the first evidence that selective blockade of TGF-beta resulted in inhibition of neointimal formation, accompanied by a reduction in collagen synthesis and DNA synthesis in a rat model. We anticipate that modification of ribozyme ON pharmacokinetics will facilitate the potential clinical utility of the ribozyme strategy.

The effects of DCG-IV and L-CCG-1 upon phencyclidine (PCP)-induced locomotion and behavioral changes in mice

The behavioral changes of mice induced by acute and repeated i.p. injection of phencyclidine (PCP) were observed by measuring locomotor activity and stereotyped behavior. Then, the effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists, DCG-IV and L-CCG-1, on the above behavioral changes induced by PCP were found. The effects of DCG-IV were very strong and completely depressed the PCP-induced hyperlocomotion. The effects of L-CCG-1 were not so strong. Repeated injection of PCP for 20 days into mice induced lower locomotor activity than that in acutely injected mice. These behavioral changes may be related with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In order to examine some molecular mechanisms of PCP-induced behavioral changes, Northern blot analysis of total RNA from prefrontal cortical tissues of mice treated with PCP, DCG-IV, and L-CCG-1 was carried out.

Human parvovirus B19 capsid antigen in granulocytes in parvovirus-B19-induced pancytopenia after bone marrow transplantation

A patient with refractory anemia with an excess of blasts in transformation developed pancytopenia and a concurrent interstitial pneumonia 110 days after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Bone marrow examination showed 0.4% giant proerythroblasts and 86.2% granulocytes, some of them large with a bizarre configuration and the others of normal size. Serum folate level was found low, 0.6 ng/ml. Immunocytochemistry with a B19-specific monoclonal antibody MAB8292 revealed B19 capsid antigen only in erythroblasts and large, bizarre granulocytes, but not in granulocytes of normal size. In situ hybridization of bone marrow cells using digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes detecting parvovirus B19 also demonstrated positive signals in 8.5% of marrow cells. Parvovirus B19 DNA was isolated from the serum and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of this patient by the polymerase chain reaction. These findings suggest that neutropenia may be caused by an involvement with parvovirus B19 though a deficiency of folic acid may have in part contributed to the genesis of neutropenia in the patient. The relevance of parvovirus B19 to the interstitial pneumonia remains unclear.

Transcription factor decoy for NFkappaB inhibits TNF-alpha-induced cytokine and adhesion molecule expression in vivo

The expression of several cytokines and adhesion molecules is regulated by the transcription factor NFkappaB, which is activated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). In this study, we employed a mouse model of nephritis induced by TNF-alpha to examine whether inhibition of NFkappaB activity using transcription factor decoy oligonucleotides (ODN) blocks cytokine and adhesion molecule expression and attenuates the renal inflammatory response. First, we developed a method for delivering FITC-ODN in vivo into mouse kidney glomeruli by employing HVJ-liposome. Then, in order to study the feasibility of decoy strategy in vivo, the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) driven by three tandemly repeated NFkappaB binding sequences was transfected into the kidney. Intrapenetorial injection of TNF-alpha stimulated CAT expression in vivo, and the increase in CAT expression was completely abolished by NFkappaB decoy ODN, but not scrambled ODN. Therefore, we examined the effect of NFkappaB decoy ODN transfection on TNF-alpha-induced endogenous interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 gene expression as assessed by RT-PCR and Northern blotting. Our present data showed that NFkappaB decoy, but not scrambled, ODN abolished TNF-alpha induced gene expression in vivo, as well as glomerular inflammation as assessed by CD45 staining. Taken together, our results suggest the potential utility of NFkappaB decoy strategy for molecular therapy to glomerular inflammatory diseases.

[Treatment outcome in elderly patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Seventy-one patients aged 61-84 years with previously untreated aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a doxorubicin-containing regimen and evaluated retrospectively. The patients comprised 49 men and 22 women with a median age of 68 years. The median observation period was 544 days. Histological examination revealed 17 cases of diffuse small cleaved, 11 cases of diffuse mixed, 40 cases of diffuse large, and 3 cases of immunoblastic lymphoma, classified according to the International Working Formulation. When the patients were divided according to the age-adjusted international index, group A (61-64 years; n = 21) comprised 5 low (L)-, 4 low-intermediate (LI)-, 7 high-intermediate (HI)-, and 5 high (H)-risk patients. The corresponding numbers in group B (> or = 65 years; n = 50) were 14, 12, 16, and 8, respectively. The overall three-year survival rate was 50%, being 78% in group A and 36% in group B (P = 0.02), and 77% for L + LI patients and 34% for HI + H patients (P = 0.003). The respective three-year survival rates for L + LI and HI + H patients were 100% and 67% in group A, and 68% and 16% in group B. HI + H patients in group B showed shorter survival than L + LI patients in group B (P = 0.002) and HI + H patients in group A (P = 0.03). The cause of death in most group B HI + H patients was lymphoma, although the dose intensity of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine did not differ significantly from that in the other groups. Thus, HI + H patients aged 65 and over had an essentially poor prognosis.

Transcription factor decoy for NFkappaB inhibits cytokine and adhesion molecule expressions in synovial cells derived from rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Numerous cytokines are expressed in lesions of synovial hyperplasia of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and their pathophysiological contributions have been the subject of speculation. These genes are regulated by the transcription factor NFkappaB which in turn is activated by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cytokines. In this study we examined the inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecule and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) from synovial tissue of patients with RA by the introduction of synthetic double-stranded DNA with high affinity for the NFkappaB binding site.

METHOD

NFkappaB decoy oligonucleotides (ODN) were introduced with the aid of the haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome method into synovial tissue or synovial cells derived from patients with RA. The levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, TNF-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and MMP-1 were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Northern blotting analysis. A cell counting kit was used to study the effect of NFkappaB decoy ODN on synovial cell proliferation.

RESULTS

The production of these mediators was significantly inhibited by the introduction of NFkappaB decoy ODN compared with the effect of scrambled decoy ODN. Transfection of NFkappaB decoy ODN resulted in a significant inhibition of synovial cell proliferation as compared with that of scrambled decoy ODN.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated in this study suggest the potential usefulness of NFkappaB decoy ODN for gene therapy of inflammatory synovitis of RA.

Predictive factors for central nervous system involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: significance of very high serum LDH concentrations

Factors predictive for central nervous system (CNS) involvement at presentation were investigated in 152 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) except for lymphoblastic cell lymphoma and small noncleaved cell lymphoma. Twelve patients developed CNS involvement during their disease course. The incidence was 7.9% of all the patients studied and 17.0% of the patients with serum LDH concentration > or = two times the upper limit of normal (2N). By univariate analysis, stage IV disease (P = .023), a serum LDH concentration > or = 2 N (P = .009), and bone marrow involvement (P = .016) were risk factors for CNS involvement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a serum LDH concentration > or = 2 N (P = .032) as an independent predictor for CNS involvement. All 12 patients who developed CNS involvement were among the 126 patients with diffuse lymphoma, whereas none of the 17 patients with follicular lymphoma developed CNS involvement, although the difference was not statistically significant. The median survival of the patients with CNS involvement was only 4.5 months. We conclude that a serum LDH concentration > or = 2N at presentation is a significant predictive factor for CNS involvement for NHL patients without lymphoblastic lymphoma and small noncleaved cell lymphoma. Therefore, we would suggest that CNS prophylaxis should be considered for patients with a serum LDH concentration > or = 2N at presentation and diffuse lymphoma once a complete remission is achieved.

Overexpression of CDC25B phosphatase as a novel marker of poor prognosis of human colorectal carcinoma

There is evidence to suggest that CDC25B phosphatase is an oncogenic protein. To elucidate the role of CDC25B in colorectal carcinoma, we examined the expression of CDC25B at the mRNA and protein levels. Reverse transcription-PCR assay indicated that CDC25B was overexpressed in tumor tissues relative to normal mucosa in 6 of 10 cases. Using immunohistochemistry, we identified high expression of CDC25B in 77 of 181 colorectal cases (43%). Univariate analysis showed that high expression was a significant predictor for poor prognosis compared with low expression (5-year survival rate; 59% versus 82%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis indicated that CDC25B was an independent prognostic marker (risk ratio for death, 3.7; P < 0.0001) even after controlling for various factors such as lymph node metastasis, tumor size, degree of differentiation, and depth of invasion. Furthermore, the level of CDC25B expression clearly predicted the outcome of patients with Dukes' B and Dukes' C tumors. On the other hand, CDC25A mRNA was overexpressed in 9 of 10 colorectal cancer cases, and immunohistochemistry for CDC25A showed high expression in 52 of 111 cases (47%), but no significant correlation with prognosis. Our findings suggest that CDC25B is a novel independent prognostic marker of colorectal carcinoma and that it may be clinically useful for selecting patients who could benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Gene therapy as a potential treatment for restenosis and myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Most conventional therapy is inefficient and tends to treat the symptoms rather than the underlying causes of the disorder. Gene therapy offers a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Gene transfer into somatic cells to interfere with the pathogenetic processes contributing to cardiovascular disease may provide such a novel approach for better prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The major development of gene transfer has importantly contributed to intense investigation of the potential of gene therapy in cardiovascular medicine. The amazing advances in molecular biology have provided a dramatic improvement in the technology that is necessary to transfer target genes into somatic cells. Recently, transfection of cis element double-stranded oligonucleotides (ODN), referred to as decoy ODN, has been reported to be a powerful tool in a new class of antigene strategies for gene therapy. In this article, we review the successful treatment of restenosis and myocardial infarction using the decoy strategy combined with an efficient gene transfer method.

Distinct transcriptional regulation and phylogenetic divergence of human LEFTY genes

BACKGROUND

Mouse lefty1 and lefty2 genes are expressed on the left side of developing embryos and are required for left-right determination. Here we have studied expression and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of human LEFTY genes.

RESULTS

The human LEFTY locus comprises two functional genes (LEFTY1 and LEFTY2) and a putative pseudogene. LEFTY1 is expressed in colon crypts. However, whereas LEFTY1 mRNA is present in basal cells of the crypts, LEFTY1 protein is localized in the apical region, suggesting that this secreted protein undergoes long-range transport. Human LEFTY2 possesses a left side-specific enhancer (ASE) like mouse lefty2; however, the LEFTY2 ASE shows markedly higher activity in the floor plate than does the lefty2 ASE. In contrast to mouse lefty1, which is expressed predominantly in the floor plate under the control of a right side-specific silencer, human LEFTY1 is expressed mainly in left lateral plate mesoderm under the control of an ASE-like left side-specific enhancer. The presence of FAST-binding sites in the LEFTY1 enhancer (and their absence in lefty1) contributes to the difference.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggest that humans and mice have acquired distinct strategies during evolution for determining the asymmetric expression of LEFTY and lefty genes.

Identification of a 7-cM region of frequent allelic loss on chromosome band 16p13.3 that is specifically associated with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

A total of 17 primary thyroid cancer specimens including seven anaplastic cancers, two papillary cancers adjacent to the anaplastic cancers, and eight papillary cancers were analyzed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome arm 16p. All tumors of anaplastic cancer showed LOHs at one or more loci, and a 7-cM region of the smallest deleted region was found on 16p13.3 between D16S423 and D16S406. This LOH was specifically found in the anaplastic cancer and not in the papillary thyroid cancer. Our present results suggest localization of the putative tumor suppressor gene on 16p13.3, which is likely to play an important role in the anaplastic transformation of thyroid cancer.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibition of vascular angiotensin-converting enzyme expression attenuates neointimal formation: evidence for tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme function

It has been proposed that vascular angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in regulating vascular growth. Indeed, ACE inhibitors have been reported to prevent neointimal formation after vascular injury in a rat carotid artery model. However, classic pharmacological experiments cannot exclude the potential contributions of hemodynamics and the circulating renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In this study, we used antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to obtain local blockade of vascular ACE expression without effects on systemic hemodynamics and circulating RAS. To increase the effectiveness of antisense action, we modified the hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome ODN delivery method by cotransfection with nuclear protein (high mobility group 1 [HMG-1]) and RNase H. In vitro experiments showed the enhanced efficacy of antisense ODN by cotransfection of HMG-1 and RNase H compared with ODN alone. In vivo transfection of antisense ACE ODNs into intact uninjured rat carotid artery resulted in a significant reduction of vascular ACE activity, and cotransfection of HMG-1 and RNase H showed further reduction. We examined the effects of local blockade of vascular ACE expression on neointimal formation after vascular injury. Transfection of antisense ACE ODNs resulted in the attenuation of neointimal formation, whereas sense and scrambled ODNs did not. Blood pressure, heart rate, and serum ACE activity were not affected by antisense treatment. The magnitude of vascular ACE inhibition correlated with the suppression of the neointimal size. Overall, this study demonstrates that local antisense ODN inhibition of vascular ACE expression attenuates neointimal formation independent of hemodynamics and circulating RAS. The results support the existence of a functional tissue angiotensin system in the rat vessel wall.