Low frequency of positive telomerase activity in a chromophobe subtype of renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

In malignant tumors, telomerase reactivation plays an important role in the acquisition of cellular immortality. We evaluated the telomerase activity in renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) with special reference to their clinicopathologic features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Telomerase activity was examined in 47 RCCs and 9 RCC cell lines by telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay (TRAP). The telomere lengths were assessed by Southern analysis of terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) generated by Hinfl-digested DNA.

RESULTS

Thirty-six (77%) of the 47 RCCs and all 9 RCC cell lines showed telomerase activity, whereas no activity was detected in any of 30 normal kidneys. When the tumors were histopathologically classified, only one (17%) of the 6 chromophobe cell carcinomas was telomerase-positive. This frequency was significantly low (p < 0.001) when compared with those in clear cell RCCs (93%; 26/28). In 40 of the 47 patients, DNA from the tumor tissues and the paired normal kidneys was available for analysis of the TRF lengths. No tumor showed elongated TRF length compared to its paired normal kidney. Regarding the relationship between telomere length and telomerase activity, 23 (74%) of the 31 telomerase-positive RCC and 6 (67%) of the 9 telomerase-negative RCC exhibited reduced TRF. There was no significant correlation between the telomere reduction and telomerase activity.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism for preventing telomere shortening may differ according to RCC subtype. Alternatively, telomerase-negative tumors may have yet to reach the immortal stage when they progress to clinical cancer. The telomerase activity status may contribute to the biological potential and the prognosis of RCCs.

Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate: preliminary clinical results with pressure-flow analysis

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) as a new alternative treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODS

A total of 22 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, including 4 with urinary retention, underwent TVP. If enough of a cavity was not created after 60 minutes of vaporization, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was performed successively. International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) with quality-of-life index, maximum flow rate, and postvoid residual volume were measured at baseline and at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months. A pressure-flow study was performed at baseline and at 3 or 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

TURP was required in 10 of 22 patients. At 6 months, mean I-PSS decreased from 20.0 to 5.2, quality-of-life index decreased from 4.6 to 1.1, mean maximum flow rate increased from 6.9 to 16.7 mL/s, and postvoid residual volume decreased from 152 to 32 mL. Detrusor pressure at maximum flow decreased from 108 to 39 cm H2O, with a significant relief of bladder outlet obstruction in 93% of the patients. Mean decrease in hematocrit was 4.4%, and in serum sodium, 4.8 mEq/L. None of the patients required transfusions or had TUR syndrome. A urethral stricture and a severe stress incontinence developed in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION

TVP seems to be a safe and effective alternative to a standard TURP associated with fewer intraoperative complications. Although preliminary clinical results have been promising, further study is necessary to establish long-term efficacy and safety of this procedure.

Virulence characteristics and DNA fingerprints of Escherichia coli isolated from women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis

PURPOSE

Previous studies indicated that acute pyelonephritis in infants is initiated by the dominance of uropathogenic strains in fecal flora. Such pathogenic evidence, however, is still lacking for adult women. In this study, the validity of a fecal-perineal-urethral hypothesis in acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis of adult women was assessed at a genetic level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1,200 Escherichia coli isolates from the urine and rectal swab of 12 adult women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis were examined. The clonality of the urinary and fecal isolates was evaluated by genotyping of 6 urovirulence determinants and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, urovirulence genotypes were examined in E. coli isolates from the rectal swab of 30 normal healthy women (mean 26.7 isolates per person).

RESULTS

The E. coli strains causing pyelonephritis were present in the rectal swab in 10 of 12 patients and were a predominant fecal clone in 9 cases. Also, P-fimbriated strains dominated in the fecal flora in 10 of 30 normal healthy women.

CONCLUSIONS

The clonal identity of the urinary and fecal strains in acute pyelonephritis clearly supports the fecal-perineal-urethral hypothesis.

[Gene therapy by in vivo interferon-gamma gene transfer to murine bladder tumor]

For the clinical application of the cytokine gene therapy, the antitumor effects of systemic administration of Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and those of in vivo direct IFN-gamma gene transfer to the tumors of mouse bladder carcinoma (MBT2) were compared. After the subcutaneous inoculation of MBT2 cells into mice, 10(2), 10(3) or 10(4) units of IFN-gamma were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) or subcutaneously (s.c.). Neither i.p. nor s.c. injection of IFN-gamma resulted in tumor suppression or prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. The effect of in vivo direct IFN-gamma gene transfer by a retrovirus vector to MBT2 tumors was also evaluated. After the subcutaneous inoculation of MBT2 cells into mice, a virus culture supernatant containing IFN-gamma gene was injected into the same tumor site once a day for 3 days. In 50% of the mice in the treatment groups with IFN-gamma gene induction, no tumor formation was observed. Tumor-free survival and actuarial survival in the treatment groups were significantly longer than those in the control group. These results showed the possibility of in vivo direct IFN-gamma gene transfer into tumors and were encouraging for the execution of tumor cell-targeted IFN-gamma gene therapy against human bladder cancer.

[Molecular urology: the present situation and prospects of gene therapy]

We discuss the current status and views of human gene therapy for urological cancer. The genetic causes of many hereditary diseases have been identified as a result of the remarkable advancement of genetic engineering, and the molecular mechanisms of these diseases have also been clarified. The concept is that it is possible to treat diseases at the genetic level by replacing abnormal genes or restoring lost genes when the causative abnormal genes involved have been identified at the deoxyribonucleic acid level. In this Symposium "Current status and views of human gene therapy", we invited contributions clinical physicians and researchers in the first line of gene therapy in the United States. In addition, young Japanese urologists researching basic gene therapy were invited to participate. Japanese urologists who often treat malignant tumors should aggressively pursue a treatment method in the new field of gene therapy for cancer in Japan. We are expecting the Symposium to yield significant findings.

Correlation of nuclear morphometry and immunostaining for p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

BACKGROUND

In an attempt to determine the biological significance of nuclear morphometric findings, measurements of mean nuclear volume (MNV) and nuclear roundness factor (NRF) were compared to the immunoreactivity of p53 expression and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human bladder cancer.

METHODS

MNV and NRF were measured using stereological methods. Expression of p53 and PCNA were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Specimens from 111 patients with previously untreated bladder cancer were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean MNV was 235.8 +/- 133.6 microm3 for the 81 patients with p53-labeling index (LI) less than 10% and 337.2 +/- 141.0 microm3 for the 30 patients with p53 LI greater than 10% (P = 0.008). There was no significant correlation between NRF and expression of p53. The mean MNV was 220.1 +/- 120.5 microm3 for the 67 patients with PCNA LI less than 28% (the mean value of PCNA LI) and 328.9 +/- 149.2 microm3 in 44 patients with PCNA LI greater than 28% (P = 0.0001). The mean NRF was 80.7 +/- 4.2 for the 67 patients with PCNA LI less than 28%, and 82.3 +/- 3.4 for the 44 patients with PCNA LI more than 28% (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Nuclear morphometric findings may reflect the proliferative potential of cancer cells of the bladder, as indicated by findings of immunostaining for p53 and PCNA.

Multifactorial involvement of multidrug resistance-associated [correction of resistance] protein, DNA topoisomerase II and glutathione/glutathione-S-transferase in nonP-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in human bladder cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Multiple mechanisms are important in multidrug resistance in urothelial cancers. We investigated the acquisition of a multidrug resistance phenotype in human bladder cancer cells exposed to doxorubicin.

METHODS

Human bladder cancer cell line 5637 and 2 doxorubicin drug-resistant sublines (5637/DR5.5 and 5637/DR50) were used. Measurements were made of the steady state mRNA levels of the multidrug resistance gene (mdr1), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), glutathione-S-transferase-pi and DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) genes, P-glycoprotein (PgP) and MRP expression, glutathione (GSH) and GSH enzyme activity, and topo II catalytic activity. The pharmacokinetics were compared between the parent and the drug-resistant sublines.

RESULTS

5637/DR5.5 and 5637/DR50 cells were 7.6- and 16.2-fold more resistant to doxorubicin and 16.7- and 48.3-fold more resistant to etoposide, respectively, compared with 5637 cells. A dose escalation of doxorubicin increased the MRP expression, GSH levels and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, although no PgP expression was observed in any cell line. Resistance was brought about by decreased drug accumulation through drug efflux, although intracellular daunorubicin concentrations were similar between DR5.5 and DR50 cells. Topo II catalytic activity was undetectable in DR50 cells, but maintained in both the parent and DR5.5 cells.

CONCLUSION

Reduced drug accumulation in doxorubicin-resistant cells was mediated by MRP instead of PgP indicating that MRP-mediated drug efflux functions in a limited manner for drug resistance. An increase in drug efflux via MRP, reduced topo II activity, and increased GSH levels/GSH-related enzyme activities may play major roles in nonPgP-mediated multidrug resistance in urothelial cancers treated with anthracyclines.

[Poxvirus vectors for gene transfer]

A promising approach to cancer immunotherapy is immunization with modified tumor cells carrying cytokine or immunomodulatory genes. Cytokine genes (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 2, interferon gamma) and costimulatory molecule, B7-1, were incorporated into canarypox virus, ALVAC, which does not replicate in infected mammalian cells, and highly attenuated vaccinia virus, NYVAC. We examined the effect of local cytokine production on the growth of the mouse prostate tumor, RM-1, and the mouse bladder tumor, MBT-2. The vectors expressed the high levels of cytokines and B7-1 and the tumor growth of infected cells was significantly inhibited. The mice immunized with irradiated MBT-2 cells infected with ALVAC-interleukin 2 were protected against the subsequent challenge of parental tumor cells. We conclude that poxvirus vectors are useful for gene delivery in immunotherapy studies because of their infection efficiency, their capability of high gene product expression, their safety, and their case of handling.

The role of cellular immunity both in the induction and effector phases of experimental allergic blepharoconjunctivitis (EAC) in rats

In allergic conjunctivitis, the early phase reaction has been studied extensively both in humans and animals. Although cellular infiltration is the main feature of the late phase reaction, the role of cellular immunity remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of cellular immunity both in the induction and effector phases of experimental allergic blepharoconjunctivitis (EAC). To analyse the involvement of cellular immunity in the induction phase, 6-8-week-old male Lewis rats were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), TiterMaxR (TM), aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3], or without any adjuvant. Three weeks after immunization, the rats were challenged with OVA by eye drops, and 24 hr later they were euthanized and their eyes, including the lids, blood, and lymph nodes were harvested for analysis of disease and immune responses. The results indicated that adjuvants were necessary to induce disease as well as both cellular and humoral immunity. Al(OH)3, CFA and TM induced stronger disease and cellular immunity than IFA. The intensity of disease correlated with that of cellular immunity. To further investigate the involvement of cellular immunity in EAC, lymph node cells collected from immunized rats were adoptively transferred into naive syngeneic recipients that were challenged 4 days later with OVA. EAC developed in the recipients of lymph node cells that were also stimulated in culture with OVA. These recipient rats developed cellular infiltration in the lid and conjunctiva, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that cellular immunity played a major role in the development of EAC, both in the induction and effector phases.

A high prevalence of functional inactivation by methylation modification of p16INK4A/CDKN2/MTS1 gene in primary urothelial cancers

We analyzed the genetic and epigenetic alterations of p16INK4A/CDKN2/MTS1 gene (MTS1 gene) in 38 primary urothelial cancers. Genetic alterations of the MTS1 gene consisted of one base substitution mutation in exon 2 (2.6%) and 6 homozygous deletions (16.2%). Hypermethylation of the 5' CpG island in exon 1 of the MTS1 gene was observed in 12 tumors (37.5%). Consequently, 19 of 38 tumors (50%) showed genetic alterations or epigenetic hypermethylation of the MTS1 gene. Retention of hypermethylated MTS1 gene(s) in 36% of the tumors showing loss of heterozygosity at the critical region indicates that the methylation modification could be an initial event followed by genomic rearrangements associated with total loss of MTS1 gene function. Immunohistochemical analysis of MTS1 expression revealed that all the tumors with genetic alterations of the MTS1 gene and 9 of 12 highly methylated tumors displayed an absence of MTS1 nuclear antigen. Genetic and epigenetic changes of the MTS1 gene were not correlated with the grade and stage of tumors, indicating that these alterations are early events in urothelial carcinogenesis, in which functional inactivation by hypermethylation is a predominant mechanism.

Association of in vitro growth potential of urinary exfoliated cells with tumor localization and intraluminal recurrence rates of urothelial cancers

PURPOSE

One problem in the treatment of urothelial cancers, in particular of upper urinary tract cancers, is multifocal synchronous and/or metachronous tumor development in the heterotopic urothelium. We investigated the abilities of exfoliated cells in the urine of patients with urothelial cancers to colonize and proliferate in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Short-term cultures of 129 urine samples obtained from patients with urothelial cancers and 53 samples from healthy volunteers were compared as to the growth potential of urinary-exfoliated cells and clinico-pathological features, in particular tumor localization and evidence of intraluminal tumor recurrence.

RESULTS

Primary cell outgrowth occurred in 112 (86.8%) of the 129 cell cultures from the patients and in 29 (54.7%) of the 53 from the healthy volunteers (p < 0.0001). "Sufficient cell growth" (more than 10(5) cells per flask) was obtained for 77 (59.7%) of the 129 cultures from patients and 7 (13.2%) of the 53 from the healthy volunteers (p < 0.0001). In terms of tumor localization, the rate of sufficient cell growth was significantly higher for patients with upper urinary tract tumor (21/25, 84.0%) than for those with bladder tumor (56/104, 53.8%) (p = 0.0062). Proportional hazard regression analysis showed that only the growth potential of the urinary-exfoliated cells was significantly predictive of intravesical tumor recurrence in patients with superficial bladder tumors (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

The potentials for the colonization and proliferation of urinary-exfoliated cells are associated with intraluminal multifocal tumor recurrence of urothelial cancers.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: experience in 100 patients

Between July 1992 and October 1996, 100 transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed on 99 patients at our hospital and affiliated hospitals. The clinical diagnoses were primary aldosteronism (41 patients), Cushing's syndrome (15), pre-Cushing's syndrome (6), pheochromocytoma (7; 8 adrenal glands), adrenal cancer (2), nonfunctioning adenoma (22), myelolipoma (3), and complicated adrenal cyst (3). Ninety-seven glands were removed laparoscopically. The mean operative time was 240 +/- 76 (SD) minutes and the mean blood loss 68 +/- 80 mL for the series. The mean blood was 77 +/- 113 mL when the three operations that were converted to open surgery are included. The mean times for the return to a normal diet and unassisted ambulation were 1.3 +/- 0.6 and 1.4 +/- 0.8 days, respectively. The mean duration of the use of analgesics was 1.5 +/- 1.3 days, including the day of surgery. In contrast, in the latest 10 open adrenalectomies done at Kyoto University Hospital, the mean operative time was 186 +/- 53 minutes and the mean blood loss 220 +/- 170 mL. The mean times for return to a normal diet and for unassisted ambulation and the mean duration of the use of analgesics were 1.9 +/- 0.3, 2.9 +/- 1.1, and 2.9 +/- 1.7 days, respectively. Thirty-six operations, excluding one converted to open surgery, performed at Kyoto University Hospital were selected to look at the learning curve for transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy and evaluated for operative time and blood loss. The mean operative time and mean blood loss in the first 10 procedures performed at Kyoto University Hospital were 256 +/- 63 minutes and 89 +/- 57 mL; however, these values were reduced to 177 +/- 39 minutes and 48 +/- 32 mL in the next 10 procedures at the same hospital. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy via the transperitoneal anterior approach can be equivalent to open adrenalectomy in efficiency with a shorter convalescence.

An HTLV-I carrier with Graves' disease followed by uveitis: isolation of HTLV-I from thyroid tissue

We report a long-term (14-year) follow-up of a human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-infected male who was successively afflicted with Graves' disease followed by uveitis. HTLV-I proviral DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the thyroid tissue and HTLV-I was isolated from thyroid tissue by coculture with peripheral blood lymphocytes from an HTLV-I-uninfected healthy female. This case study supports a close relationship between Graves' disease and uveitis in an HTLV-I carrier.

Quantitative trait loci associated with promoting effects of sodium L-ascorbate on two-stage bladder carcinogenesis in rats

In the two-stage rat bladder carcinogenesis model using N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) as an initiator and sodium L-ascorbate (SA) as a promoter, we found a notable strain difference between F344/DuCrj (F344) and WS/Shi (WS) rats in susceptibility to the promoting effect of SA. Twenty each of F344, WS and reciprocal F1 hybrid rats were given 0.05% BBN in their drinking water for 4 weeks and then a basal diet with (BBN-SA group) or without (BBN group) a 5% SA supplement for 32 weeks. In F344 and also in reciprocal F1 hybrids, the number of tumors per rat was significantly higher in the BBN-SA group than in the BBN group (P < 0.0001). In contrast, WS rats were not significantly affected by either treatment (P = 0.8). These findings indicate that F344 rats are highly susceptible to the promoter effect of SA, but WS rats are not. Linkage analysis of 108 WSx (WS x F344) F1 backcrosses revealed that this difference was related to a quantitative trait locus mapped on rat Chr. 17 (maximum LOD score, 3.86) named Bladder Tumor Susceptible-1 and possibly another locus on Chr. 5 (maximum LOD score, 2.39). This study has provided the first evidence that host genes influence the risk of bladder cancer development.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer

Intravesical therapy is currently being used in the management of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Its main objectives constitute treatment of existing or residual tumor, prevention of recurrence of tumor, prevention of disease progression, and prolongation of survival. The initial clinical stage and grade of bladder cancer remains the main determinant factors in survival, irrespective of the treatment. Intravesical chemotherapy has shown a decrease in short-term tumor recurrence rates, but has had no positive impact on disease progression or prolongation of survival. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy remains the most effective treatment and prophylaxis modality for superficial bladder cancer and results in a positive outcome on tumor recurrence, disease progression, and prolongation of survival. Although therapy by intravesical BCG instillation is widely accepted as the therapy of choice, the development of BCG-resistant bladder cancer remains a major setback. Thus, there is an urgent need for a major effective therapy for bladder cancer patients who are unresponsive to BCG therapy. This review summarizes briefly the recent highlights and advances in the therapy of superficial bladder cancer. This review also describes our preliminary findings achieved in in vitro model systems and our proposed new approaches to overcome the resistance of bladder cancer cells and render bladder cancer cells responsive to these new therapies.

Strong correlation of basement membrane degradation with p53 inactivation and/or MDM2 overexpression in superficial urothelial carcinomas

PURPOSES

We investigated the relationships between the degradation of basement membrane underlying superficial urothelial carcinomas, including carcinoma in situ and the functional p53 loss caused by inactivation of p53 and the overexpression of mdm2 oncoprotein.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nuclear accumulations of p53 and mdm2 were examined immunohistochemically for 60 transitional cell carcinomas (primary lesions) and 13 accompanying (concomitant) carcinoma in situ lesions. Degradation of the basement membrane was defined as the reduction or total loss of type IV collagen expression. Whether there was up-regulation of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was analyzed immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

The frequency of the degradation of basement membrane underlying grade 1 pTa tumors was 0%, grade 2-3 pTa tumors 57.1%, and primary CIS lesions 83.3%. Nuclear over-accumulation of p53 was found in 48.3% and of mdm2 in 23.3% of the primary tumors. In pTa-pT1 carcinomas, nuclear staining of p53, mdm2, or both was highly correlated with degradation of the basement membrane underlying carcinomas (p = 0.00002). In the CIS lesions, the association of p53 nuclear staining with the destruction of type IV collagen expression was of borderline significance (p = 0.03). When mdm2 overexpression was considered as a molecular abnormality together with p53 inactivation, the correlation with the degradation of the basement membrane was highly significant (p = 0.00006). Moreover, the functional p53 loss was strongly associated with the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (p = 0.0005). This finding was well correlated with the strong association of basement membrane degradation with up-regulation of MMPs (p = 0.000004).

CONCLUSIONS

Degradation of basement membranes underlying superficial carcinomas or CIS of the urothelium was significantly related to p53 inactivation, mdm2 overexpression, or both. The expression status of mdm2 should provide better information about the progression of superficial urothelial carcinomas than the status of p53 alone.

Preoperative imaging for parathyroid localization in primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

We retrospectively studied the results of diagnostic imaging using 3 different modalities to determine their usefulness for preoperative localization of the parathyroid, and whether accurate preoperative localization information could be used to modify the surgical approach for parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS

Images of 37 parathyroid adenomas or hyperplasias in 35 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were obtained using ultrasonography, computed tomography, and subtraction scintigraphy (using thallium 201 [thallous chloride] and either iodine 123 or technetium 99m pertechnetate [99mTcO4-]).

RESULTS

Approximately three fourths of the adenomas or hyperplasias were successfully identified by ultrasound (76.7%) and computed tomography (76.4%), even when the weight of the tumor was less than 500 mg. However, subtraction scintigraphy was of limited use (61.3% successfully identified). A combination of these modalities gave excellent results for detecting adenomas and hyperplasias, leading to an accurate prediction rate of 96.0%.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that using the combination of these 3 imaging modalities is very useful for the detection of parathyroid adenomas and hyperplasias, and that with such accurate localization information, the unilateral approach alone, or even simple excision of the parathyroid tumors might be feasible, enabling less invasive surgical treatment.

Involvement of NK1+ CD4- CD8- alphabeta T cells and endogenous IL-4 in non-MHC-restricted rejection of embryonal carcinoma in genetically resistant mice

Non-MHC-restricted rejection mechanisms against the murine MHC-negative F9 embryonal carcinoma cells were analyzed. Strains of C57BL/6 (B6) background were resistant to the tumors irrespective of H-2 haplotypes, while others, including BALB/c background, were susceptible. This resistance was suggested to be mediated primarily by the host thymus-dependent alphabeta T cells, since both athymic B6 nude and normal B6 mice depleted with alphabeta T cells showed susceptible phenotype. The difference of the nature of alphabeta T cells infiltrating in H-2-identical B6- and BALB.B-derived tumors was then comparatively analyzed. It was revealed that unique T cells with NK1+ CD4- CD8- (double negative (DN)) alphabeta TCR+ phenotype were accumulated significantly in B6, but few in BALB.B mice. The population freshly isolated from the F9 tumor tissues preferentially expressed potent IL-4 mRNA, and was suggested to be mostly responsible for the endogenous IL-4 production. Indeed, the injection of either anti-NK1.1 or anti-IL-4-neutralizing Ab into the normal B6 rendered them significantly susceptible to the tumor cells. These results strongly suggested that NK1+ DN alphabeta T cells were responsible primarily for the rejection mechanisms against F9 tumors. Histologically, F9 tumors in B6 mice were characterized by abundant macrophage infiltration and massive tumor necrosis, neither of which was observed in those in BALB.B nor B6 mice preinjected with anti-IL-4 Ab, indicating that both histologic features in the resistant strain were dependent on the endogenous IL-4. Present results provide one of the first instances in which a recently emerging minor T cell subpopulation, thymus-dependent NK1+ DN alphabeta T cells, plays an essential role in anti-tumor responses in vivo.

Involvement of NK1+ CD4- CD8- alphabeta T cells and endogenous IL-4 in non-MHC-restricted rejection of embryonal carcinoma in genetically resistant mice

Non-MHC-restricted rejection mechanisms against the murine MHC-negative F9 embryonal carcinoma cells were analyzed. Strains of C57BL/6 (B6) background were resistant to the tumors irrespective of H-2 haplotypes, while others, including BALB/c background, were susceptible. This resistance was suggested to be mediated primarily by the host thymus-dependent alphabeta T cells, since both athymic B6 nude and normal B6 mice depleted with alphabeta T cells showed susceptible phenotype. The difference of the nature of alphabeta T cells infiltrating in H-2-identical B6- and BALB.B-derived tumors was then comparatively analyzed. It was revealed that unique T cells with NK1+ CD4- CD8- (double negative (DN)) alphabeta TCR+ phenotype were accumulated significantly in B6, but few in BALB.B mice. The population freshly isolated from the F9 tumor tissues preferentially expressed potent IL-4 mRNA, and was suggested to be mostly responsible for the endogenous IL-4 production. Indeed, the injection of either anti-NK1.1 or anti-IL-4-neutralizing Ab into the normal B6 rendered them significantly susceptible to the tumor cells. These results strongly suggested that NK1+ DN alphabeta T cells were responsible primarily for the rejection mechanisms against F9 tumors. Histologically, F9 tumors in B6 mice were characterized by abundant macrophage infiltration and massive tumor necrosis, neither of which was observed in those in BALB.B nor B6 mice preinjected with anti-IL-4 Ab, indicating that both histologic features in the resistant strain were dependent on the endogenous IL-4. Present results provide one of the first instances in which a recently emerging minor T cell subpopulation, thymus-dependent NK1+ DN alphabeta T cells, plays an essential role in anti-tumor responses in vivo.

A novel candidate tumour suppressor locus at 9q32-33 in bladder cancer: localization of the candidate region within a single 840 kb YAC

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 9q is the most frequent genetic alteration in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, implicating the presence of a tumour suppressor gene or genes on 9q. To define the location of a tumour suppressor locus on 9q in TCC, we screened 156 TCCs of the bladder and upper urinary tract by detailed deletion mapping using 31 microsatellite markers on 9q. Partial deletions of 9q were found in 10 TCCs (6%), and LOH at all informative loci on 9q was found in 77 TCCs (49%). In five low grade superficial bladder tumours, the partial deletion was localized to D9S195 located at 9q32-33, with retention of heterozygosity at all other informative loci including D9S103, D9S258, D9S275 and GSN. We constructed a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig covering the deleted region in these five tumours and placed another four unmapped microsatellite markers on this contig map. Using these markers, we further defined the common deleted region to the interval between D9S1848 and AFMA239XA9. The region is covered by a single YAC (852e11), whose size is estimated to be 840 kb. Our data should expedite further fine mapping and identification of the candidate tumour suppressor gene at 9q32-33.

Detection of telomerase activity in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Telomeres are specific structures located at the ends of chromosomes that help maintain chromosome stability. In most tissues, telomeres become shorter as cells divide, a phenomenon thought to be associated with limitations on normal cell proliferation. Almost all types of cancer cells, including bladder cancer cells, express the enzyme telomerase, which can maintain or extend telomere length.

PURPOSE

We examined telomerase activity in tumor specimens from a cohort of patients with bladder cancer and determined whether telomerase could be detected in exfoliated cancer cells present in urine from these patients.

METHODS

Spontaneously voided urine specimens and bladder-washing fluids (obtained by propelling normal saline into the bladder through a catheter and then withdrawing the liquid contents) were taken from 45 patients before they underwent surgery. Telomerase activity was examined by means of the TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol) assay on extracts of tumor samples from 42 patients and extracts of exfoliated cells in urine and bladder-washing fluid from 42 and 43 patients, respectively. Standard cytologic examination (Pap staining) of urine specimens was also used to detect exfoliated cancer cells.

RESULTS

Telomerase activity was found in 41 (98%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 87%-100%) of the 42 tumor samples examined. In contrast, it was not detected in normal bladder tissue from two autopsied individuals who were free of bladder cancer and five of six individuals who had bladder cancer. Telomerase was detected in exfoliated cells in 23 (55%; 95% CI = 39%-70%) of the 42 spontaneously voided urine specimens and in 36 (84%; 95% CI = 69%-93%) of the 43 bladder-washing fluids examined. Considering voided urine specimens and bladder-washing fluids together, telomerase was detected in exfoliated cells from 40 (89%; 95% CI = 76%-96%) of the 45 patients. Telomerase activity was not detected in bladder-washing fluids from 12 cancer-free individuals. Cancer cells were detected by means of standard cytologic examination in the urine of 19 (42%; 95% CI = 28%-58%) of the 45 patients. Urine cytologic examination detected cancer cells in one (8%; 95% CI = 0%-38%) of 12 patients with grade 1 tumors and in 13 (46%; 95% CI = 28%-66%) of 28 patients with grade 2 tumors. In contrast, telomerase activity was detected in exfoliated cells (in voided urine or bladder-washing fluids) from nine (75%; 95% CI = 43%-95%) of 12 patients with grade 1 tumors and from 27 (96%; 95% CI = 82%-100%) of 28 patients with grade 2 tumors.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION

Telomerase activity can be detected in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with bladder cancer, and measurement of this activity appears to be more sensitive in detecting the presence of cancer than standard urine cytologic examination. These findings suggest that measuring telomerase activity in exfoliated cells would be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer, a possibility that warrants further study.

A glycine-rich RNA-binding protein mediating cold-inducible suppression of mammalian cell growth

In response to low ambient temperature, mammalian cells as well as microorganisms change various physiological functions, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations are just beginning to be understood. We report here the isolation of a mouse cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (cirp) cDNA and investigation of its role in cold-stress response of mammalian cells. The cirp cDNA encoded an 18-kD protein consisting of an amino-terminal RNAbinding domain and a carboxyl-terminal glycine-rich domain and exhibited structural similarity to a class of stress-induced RNA-binding proteins found in plants. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that CIRP was localized in the nucleoplasm of BALB/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. When the culture temperature was lowered from 37 to 32 degrees C, expression of CIRP was induced and growth of BALB/3T3 cells was impaired as compared with that at 37 degrees C. By suppressing the induction of CIRP with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, this impairment was alleviated, while overexpression of CIRP resulted in impaired growth at 37 degrees C with prolongation of G1 phase of the cell cycle. These results indicate that CIRP plays an essential role in cold-induced growth suppression of mouse fibroblasts. Identification of CIRP may provide a clue to the regulatory mechanisms of cold responses in mammalian cells.

Escherichia coli virulence factors and serotypes in acute bacterial prostatitis

BACKGROUND

Escherichia coli is the most frequent pathogen in both acute bacterial prostatitis and acute uncomplicated urinary infections. To assess the virulence profiles of E. coli in acute prostatitis, the serotypes and virulence factor (VF) genotypes were determined.

METHODS

We studied 107 E. coli isolates from cases of acute bacterial prostatitis, 76 isolates from acute pyelonephritis, 194 isolates from acute Cystitis and 80 fecal isolates from healthy people. All pyelonephritis and cystitis isolates were from women. Seven urovirulence determinants were analyzed by DNA colony hybridization, including the genes for type 1 fimbria (pil), P fimbria (pap), S fimbria (sfa), afimbrial adhesin AFA-I (afaI), alpha-hemolysin (hly), cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (cnf1) and aerobactin (aer). O:H:K serotypes were also determined.

RESULTS

With the exception of pil and afaI, all VFs were significantly more often associated with prostatitis, pyelonephritis and cystitis isolates than with the fecal isolates. The prevalence of sfa, hly and cnf1 was higher in prostatitis isolates than in pyelonephritis and cystitis isolates, and the pap+sfa+hly+cnf1+ genotype was dominant among prostatitis isolates (48.8%). Nine O serotype (O1, O2, O4, O6, O16, O18, O22, O25 and O75) accounted for 79.4%, 73.7% and 78.4% of the prostatitis, pyelonephritis and cystitis strains, respectively. There was an apparent correlation between serotype and genotype in uropathogenic E. coli.

CONCLUSION

The predominance of O serotypes in female urinary tract infections and a high percentage of multiple VFs among the prostatitis isolates suggested that VFs play important roles in the pathogenesis of acute bacterial prostatitis.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for bilateral pheochromocytoma: a case report

We report a case of bilateral (2.4-cm left and 6.5-cm right) adrenal pheochromocytoma in a 27-year-old man that was treated by laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The patient had no evidence of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type II. The left adrenalectomy was performed first, with the patient in a semilateral position, and then the patient was turned before the procedure was begun on the right side. His postoperative convalescence was uneventful, and he continues corticosteroid replacement therapy. Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be a safe procedure for bilateral pheochromocytoma, if the patients are carefully selected and the procedures are performed by experienced laparoscopists.

Intratumoral heterogeneity in prostate cancer demonstrated by volume-weighted mean nuclear volume

This study was conducted to investigate the degree of heterogeneity of the volume-weighted mean nuclear volume (MNV) calculated from radical prostatectomy specimens, and to evaluate how closely the MNV calculated from transrectal biopsy specimens reflected the overall malignancy. MNV was evaluated using 77 sections of histological specimens from 9 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at Shizuoka City Hospital between January 1990 and December 1995. The MNV values calculated from radical prostatectomy specimens were compared with those calculated from preoperative transrectal biopsy specimens. MNV was judged to be homogeneous in six cases and heterogeneous in three cases. Of the heterogeneous cases, MNV calculated from the transrectal biopsy specimens was judged to be underestimated in 2 of 3 cases. This study shows that intratumoral heterogeneity of prostate cancer may affect clinical estimates of the grade of malignancy based on the MNV, and indicates the need for a sufficient number of specimens in order to evaluate the MNV by transrectal biopsy.