T-cell-mediated regulation of osteoclastogenesis by signalling cross-talk between RANKL and IFN-gamma

Bone resorption is regulated by the immune system, where T-cell expression of RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand), a member of the tumour-necrosis factor family that is essential for osteoclastogenesis, may contribute to pathological conditions, such as autoimmune arthritis. However, whether activated T cells maintain bone homeostasis by counterbalancing the action of RANKL remains unknown. Here we show that T-cell production of interferon (IFN)-gamma strongly suppresses osteoclastogenesis by interfering with the RANKL-RANK signalling pathway. IFN-gamma induces rapid degradation of the RANK adapter protein, TRAF6 (tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6), which results in strong inhibition of the RANKL-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB and JNK. This inhibition of osteoclastogenesis is rescued by overexpressing TRAF6 in precursor cells, which indicates that TRAF6 is the target critical for the IFN-gamma action. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the accelerated degradation of TRAF6 requires both its ubiquitination, which is initiated by RANKL, and IFN-gamma-induced activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Our study shows that there is cross-talk between the tumour necrosis factor and IFN families of cytokines, through which IFN-gamma provides a negative link between T-cell activation and bone resorption. Our results may offer a therapeutic approach to treat the inflammation-induced tissue breakdown.

Malignant schwannoma with melanocytic differentiation arising in a patient with neurofibromatosis

A 50-year-old woman with von Recklinghausen's disease, but not Carney's complex, presented with a 1-year history of a hard subcutaneous mass on her right hip and right inguinal lymphadenopathy. Histological and immunohistochemical studies of the tumour revealed schwannian and melanocytic characteristics. Local recurrence without distant metastases was observed 5 years later. Although the diagnosis of malignant schwannoma with melanocytic differentiation, rather than neurotropic melanoma, was made for the primary tumour, based on the clinicohistopathological and ultrastructural findings, the overall clinical course in this case did not seem incompatible with malignant melanocytic schwannoma.

Bovine lactoperoxidase and its recombinant: comparison of structure and some biochemical properties

Biochemical properties of bovine lactoperoxidase isolated from milk and recombinant bovine lactoperoxidase expressed by Chinese hamster ovary cells were compared. The natural and recombinant lactoperoxidases showed the same conformational features as determined by circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The alpha-helix, beta-structure, and unordered structure contents were found to be 17. 8, 54.2, and 28.0% for the natural lactoperoxidase and 18.6, 50.1, and 31.3% for the recombinant lactoperoxidase, respectively. The microenvironments of aromatic amino acid residues in both lactoperoxidases seemed to be the same, although the CD spectral band due to the Soret band differed slightly. A difference in the pH-dependent spectral changes of absorbance at 413 nm was observed. From a pepsin hydrolysate of lactoperoxidase, a heme-binding peptide was isolated by reverse-phase HPLC and its amino acid sequence was examined.

Developmentally regulated, alternative splicing of the Rpn10 gene generates multiple forms of 26S proteasomes

The 26S proteasome is a multisubunit protein- destroying machinery that degrades ubiquitin-tagged proteins. To date only a single species of Rpn10, which possibly functions as a multiubiquitin chain-binding subunit, has been identified in various organisms. Here we report that mouse Rpn10 mRNAs occur in at least five distinct forms, named Rpn10a to Rpn10e, and that they are generated from a single gene by developmentally regulated, alternative splicing. Rpn10a is ubiquitously expressed, whereas Rpn10e is expressed only in embryos, with the highest levels of expression in the brain. Both forms of Rpn10 are components of the 26S proteasome, with an apparently similar affinity for multiubiquitylated [(125)I]lysozyme in vitro. However, they exert markedly divergent effects on the destruction of B-type cyclin in Xenopus egg extracts. Thus, the 26S proteasome occurs in at least two functionally distinct forms: one containing a ubiquitously expressed Rpn10a and the other a newly identified, embryo-specific Rpn10e. While the former is thought to perform proteolysis constitutively in a wide variety of cells, the latter may play a specialized role in early embryonic development.

Tissue selectivity of KMD-3213, an alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor antagonist, in human prostate and vasculature

PURPOSE

We evaluated the binding and functional affinity of KMD-3213 and other alpha 1-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists such as prazosin or tamsulosin, to compare the tissue selectivity of these antagonists between human prostate and vasculature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the binding experiments, saturation experiments using [3H]-KMD and [3H]-prazosin (PZ) were performed, and competition of [3H]-PZ binding by antagonists was also examined in human prostatic and aortic membranes. In the functional study, contractile responses to noradrenaline were evaluated in human prostate and mesenteric artery.

RESULTS

[3H]-PZ bound to human prostatic and aortic membranes with subnanomolar affinity. [3H]-KMD also bound to human prostate, with higher affinity than [3H]-PZ; whereas it did not bind sufficiently to human aorta. Competition of [3H]-PZ binding revealed that KMD-3213 had more than 200-fold higher affinity for human prostate than for aorta. Binding profiles of antagonists revealed that human prostate predominantly expressed alpha 1A-AR, whereas human aorta expressed alpha 1B-AR mainly. In functional experiments, KMD-3213 potently inhibited the noradrenaline-induced contraction in human prostate as potently as tamsulosin, although prazosin showed relatively low affinity. Comparing these functional affinities with those in the mesenteric artery, only KMD-3213 exhibited substantial tissue selectivity, showing more than 100-fold higher affinity for human prostate than for mesenteric artery. Functional affinity of each antagonist suggested that noradrenaline-induced contractions were mainly mediated by alpha 1L-AR in the human prostate and by alpha 1B-AR in the mesenteric artery.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that KMD-3213 is a substantially prostate-selective alpha 1-AR antagonist in human tissues compared with other alpha 1-AR antagonists.

Efficiency enhancement of long-range energy transfer by sequential multistep FRET using fluorescence labeled DNA

The efficiency of long-range (ca. 80 A) fluorescence energy transfer was enhanced about 1.5 times by a third chromophore located midway between two chromophores. A third chromophore should act like a relay station in sequential multistep energy transfer.

[Results of valve surgery combined with CABG]

During recent 8 years, combined procedures of valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were performed in fifty-five patients at Omiya Medical Center. AVR (31 cases), MVR (12 cases), MVP (8 cases), DVR (1 case), TVR (1 case), TAP (2 cases) were performed with the average of 2.0 bypass graftings in this series. Five patients died due to organ ischemia (3 cases), cerebral embolism and heart failure. Organ ischemia occurred in dialysis patients and the results of combined surgery in dialysis patients were unsatisfactory (3/5 cases, mortality rate is 60%). On the other hand, the results of combined surgery in non-dialysis patient is reasonable (2/50 cases, mortality rate is 4%). Before the combined surgery in dialysis patient, careful analysis of surgical risk including organ ischemia is needed and avoiding the prolonged perfusion time is important to achieve a successful surgical result.

Synthesis and bioactivities of novel piperidylpyrimidine derivatives: inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production

New piperidylpyrimidine derivatives, including quinazolines, were prepared, and their abilities to inhibit TNF-alpha production evaluated. Some compounds showed potent inhibitory activity in mouse macrophages stimulated with LPS. The synthesis and structure activity relationships of these compounds are described.

Resuscitation and circulatory support using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for fulminant pulmonary embolism

Fulminant pulmonary embolism (PE) with circulatory collapse is associated with a high mortality rate due to acute right ventricular failure and hypoxia. Immediate and appropriate resuscitation and circulatory support in the perioperative period is mandatory to prevent sudden death. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was recently introduced for extracorporeal life support in patients with circulatory collapse and has provided an excellent outcome. We report on the effectiveness of ECMO support for fulminant PE. Seven patients were placed on veno-arterial ECMO for circulatory collapse caused by fulminant PE refractory to conventional treatment. After resuscitation, all patients underwent pulmonary angiography, and thrombolytic therapy was administered in all 7 patients under ECMO support. Three patients who did not improve by thrombolysis underwent embolectomy with standard cardiopulmonary bypass. Two thrombolysis and 2 surgery patients were weaned from bypass and survived. The duration of support ranged from 18-168 h (mean = 67.8 +/- 67.1 h), with maximum bypass flow rates of 2.0-4.5 (mean = 3.5 +/- 0.9). There were no device-related complications during support. In total, 4 patients (57%) were successfully weaned from support and discharged from the hospital in good condition. All patients who survived required prolonged support (27, 82, 151, and 168 h). We conclude that resuscitation and circulatory support using ECMO can be effective, life-saving measures in cases of circulatory collapse caused by fulminant PE.

Occurrence of a transcription factor, signal transducer and activators of transcription 3 (Stat3), in the postsynaptic density of the rat brain

Distribution of a signal transducer and activators of transcription 3 (Stat3) was examined in the rat brain. Immunoreactivity was distributed in the neurons, as well as glia cells, throughout the rat brain. Western blotting of subcellular fractions showed distribution in the synaptic fractions (synaptosome, synaptic plasma membrane, and postsynaptic density, PSD). The occurrence of Stat3 in the synaptic site, especially in the PSD, was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopic examination. The PSD fraction had an activity that phosphorylated Stat3 at the tyrosine-705 site, which was confirmed by both Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. The PSD fraction also had a janus kinase 2 (Jak2)-like molecule, Jak2, believed to phosphorylate Stat3. These results indicate that the Jak2/Stat3 signaling system, a major pathway of cytokine signaling in the immune response system, may also play a role at the postsynaptic sites.

Altered distribution and density of myocardial beta-adrenoceptors during acute rejection in rats

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of altered expression of myocardial beta-adrenoceptors can facilitate the diagnosis of early and late acute rejection of heart transplants.

METHODS

We submitted rats to heterotopic heart transplantation (iso- and allografts) of which one of each were treated with or without cyclosporin A for 4, 7, and 14 days (n=5, respectively). The cardiac sections were incubated in vitro with [3H]CGP 12177, or the hearts were labeled in vivo by intravenous injection of [3H]CGP 12177. Autoradiographic images of both were analyzed digitally and compared with histologic findings.

RESULTS

Beta-adrenoceptor distribution in native hearts and isografts was homogeneous, but highly differential distribution and density in allografts were observed in the left and right ventricular walls and in the interventricular septum despite treatment with cyclosporin A. High-density areas in the progressive course of acute rejection are commonly associated with up-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors in apparently viable myocytes, although histologic findings confirmed many infiltrating mononuclear cells. Low-density areas, which were identified in the right and left ventricular walls as early as 4 days after transplantation, correlated with derangement of myocytes, which was suggestive of early acute rejection. The images obtained by in vivo technique were comparable to in vitro images.

CONCLUSIONS

The alteration of beta-adrenoceptor expression in allografts showed a close relationship with the severity of acute rejection, and the techniques employed in this model were useful in our study of the rejection process and in detecting early and late acute rejection in the rat.

Distribution of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtype mRNA and identification of subtype responsible for renovascular contraction in human renal artery

This study was intended to quantify the amounts of the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs in human renal artery and to demonstrate the distribution of receptor subtypes responsible for the contraction of the renal artery. RNase protection assay showed that the mean amount of alpha1a mRNA was much greater than that of alpha1b or alpha1d mRNAs in both the main and branch renal arteries. However, the abundance of alpha1a mRNA in human renal artery was much less than in our previous data in the prostate. In situ hybridization showed that all alpha1 subtype mRNAs were localized in the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media of the artery, and the distribution pattern of these three mRNAs in the main artery was the same as in the branch artery. However, the intensity of signals for alpha1d and alpha1b antisense RNAs probes was lower than that for the alpha1a antisense RNA probe. In the functional study, concentration-response curves to noradrenaline pretreated with KMD-3213, an alpha1A/L-adrenoceptor selective antagonist, seemed to be biphasic in nature. Chloroethyclonidine (CEC) failed to inactivate the noradrenaline-induced contraction, and prazosin showed relatively low affinity with a pA2 value of 8.8. These data suggest that the alpha1A/L-adrenoceptor mediates primarily those responses to noradrenaline in this artery. The other alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes could also mediate the secondary contractile response to noradrenaline in this artery.

Electrophysiological effect of l-cis-diltiazem, the stereoisomer of d-cis-diltiazem, on isolated guinea-pig left ventricular myocytes

l-cis-Diltiazem, the stereoisomer of the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker d-cis-diltiazem, protects cardiac myocytes from ischemia and reperfusion injury in the perfused heart and from veratridine-induced Ca(2+) overload. We determined the effect of l-cis-diltiazem on the voltage-dependent Na(+) current (I(Na)) and lysophosphatidylcholine-induced currents in isolated guinea-pig left ventricular myocytes by a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. l-cis-Diltiazem inhibited I(Na) in a dose-dependent manner without altering the current-voltage relationship for I(Na) (K(d) values : 729 and 9 microM at holding potentials of -140 and -80 mV, respectively). A use-dependent block of I(Na), the leftward shift of the steady-state inactivation curve and the delay of recovery from inactivation suggest that l-cis-diltiazem has a higher affinity for the inactivated state of Na(+) channels. In addition to I(Na), the lysophosphatidylcholine-induced currents were inhibited by l-cis-diltiazem in a similar concentration range. It is suggested that inhibition of both Na(+) channels and lysophosphatidylcholine-activated non-selective cation channels contributes to the cardioprotective effect of l-cis-diltiazem.

Kinetics of cytokine gene expression during the in vitro CTL induction against a murine nonimmunogenic tumor

BACKGROUND

The study of the local environment around tumors, including cellular and endogenous cytokine kinetics may improve our understanding of the biological process occurring during the CTL induction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression kinetics of ten cytokine genes and immune cell subsets were examined by a RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry using a nonimmunogenic murine tumor and its immunogenic variant (A7).

RESULTS

In a mixed lymphocyte-parent tumor cell culture (MLTC) using in vivo A7-immunized spleen cells, where CTL induction was confirmed on day 5 of cultivation, IL-6 gene expression was promptly activated at 12 h, IL-2 and IL-4 gene expression was prominently up-regulated on days 1 and 2, and then IL-10 and TGF-beta gene expression was down-regulated from day 2 onward. In contrast, in a MLTC using non-immunized spleen cells (a CTL non-induction model), no prominent upregulation of the IL-6, IL-2 or IL-4 gene was detected, and expression of the IL-10 and TGF-beta genes increased steadily. Although numerous dendritic cells were observed in the A7 immunized spleen tissue, lower numbers of dendritic cells were evident in the non-immunized spleen tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

A cellular environment that includes the presence of dendritic cells and a cytokine environment that involves the timely production of IL-6, IL-2, and IL-4, and subsequent inhibition of the immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta, appear to play an important role in induction of CTL in this model.

Purification and some characteristics of enterocin ON-157, a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium NIAI 157

Bacteriocin-like activity (BLA) was screened in 690 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from plant materials such as silages and fermented vegetables. Among them, a strain identified as Enterococcus faecium NIAI 157 showed a clear BLA against the indicator strain, Ent. faecium IFO 13712. The proteinaceous nature and antimicrobial activity against closely related species strongly indicated that this BLA was a bacteriocin and was designated enterocin ON-157. The bacteriocin activity of this strain was extracellularly produced in the logarithmic growth phase in MRS broth and purified by ultrafiltration, ammonium sulphate precipitation and cation-exchange chromatography. Purified enterocin ON-157 had a molecular weight of approximately 2500 Da in SDS-PAGE analysis and was easily inhibited by treatment with alpha-amylase and proteolytic enzymes. Enterocin ON-157 had a bactericidal mode of action and inhibited the growth of the enterococci, Lactobacillus sake and Listeria monocytogenes. Enterococcus faecium NIAI 157 harboured two plasmids, 49.0 kb and 43.7 kb, and a variant missing a larger plasmid by curing with novobiocin lost the bactriocin activity.

Growth retardation in mice lacking the proteasome activator PA28gamma

The proteasome activator PA28 binds to both ends of the central catalytic machine, known as the 20 S proteasome, in opposite orientations to form the enzymatically active proteasome. The PA28 family is composed of three members designated alpha, beta, and gamma; PA28alpha and PA28beta form the heteropolymer mainly located in the cytoplasm, whereas PA28gamma forms a homopolymer that predominantly occurs in the nucleus. Available evidence indicates that the heteropolymer of PA28alpha and PA28beta is involved in the processing of intracellular antigens, but the function of PA28gamma remains elusive. To investigate the role of PA28gamma in vivo, we generated mice deficient in the PA28gamma gene. The PA28gamma-deficient mice were born without appreciable abnormalities in all tissues examined, but their growth after birth was retarded compared with that of PA28gamma(+/-) or PA28gamma(+/+) mice. We also investigated the effects of the PA28gamma deficiency using cultured embryonic fibroblasts; cells lacking PA28gamma were larger and displayed a lower saturation density than their wild-type counterparts. Neither the expression of PA28alpha/beta nor the subcellular localization of PA28alpha was affected in PA28gamma(-/-) cells. These results indicate that PA28gamma functions as a regulator of cell proliferation and body growth in mice and suggest that neither PA28alpha nor PA28beta compensates for the PA28gamma deficiency.

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of UVB assessed using cultured rat fibroblast

A retroviral vector carrying both positive (neo) and negative (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase or HSV-tk) selection markers was constructed as a substrate for mutational assay in mammalian cells. Using a population of rat fibroblast cells carrying a single copy per cell of retroviral DNA randomly integrated in their chromosomes, we examined the cytotoxic and mutagenic activities of ultraviolet light (UV) at four wavelengths (254, 290, 300, and 320 nm). The action spectra for these activities are similar to some of the previously reported spectra for photochemical DNA modifications, erythema, cell killing, and mouse skin carcinogenesis, except at 290 and 320 nm. At 290 nm, no significant mutagenicity was observed. At 320 nm, both cytotoxic and mutagenic activities were 10 times higher than the values expected from the absorption spectrum for DNA and the action spectrum for bacterial inactivation and mutagenesis. Structural comparison of some of the HSV-tk mutants obtained after irradiation with 300 and 320 nm UV revealed partially different patterns of mutation specificity, suggesting the involvement of multiple molecular mechanisms in the genotoxicity associated with this range of UV.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex associated with muscular dystrophy: phenotype-genotype correlations and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex associated with muscular dystrophy (EBS-MD; OMIM# 226670) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by genetic defects in the plectin gene. Because EBS-MD is relatively rare, and gene defects have been elucidated only in a limited number of patients, the precise phenotype-genotype correlations have not yet been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to define clinical features of EBS-MD and to clarify its phenotype-genotype correlations.

METHODS

Clinical, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 4 unrelated Japanese patients with EBS-MD were recorded. In addition, 6 cases with defined plectin gene mutations reported in the literature were reviewed.

RESULTS

In skin of the EBS-MD patients, the blister formation always occurs just above the hemidesmosomes, and expression of plectin is absent or markedly reduced in all cases examined. All 10 patients, including 6 cases in the literature, showed generalized blistering at birth or soon thereafter, and experienced nail deformities. In addition, decayed teeth (5 cases), urethral strictures (3), mild palmoplantar hyperkeratosis (2), infantile respiratory complications (2), alopecia (1), and laryngeal webs (1) were present. All 8 patients who were older than 9 years demonstrated considerable muscle weakness, and the majority of them ended up being wheelchair bound. Among the 10 patients, 7 were products of consanguineous marriage, 9 have premature termination codon (PTC) mutations in both alleles of the plectin gene, and 7 cases were homozygous for the mutation. One patient who is homozygous for a 2719del9 in-frame deletion mutation that resulted in elimination of 3 amino acids, QEA, could still walk at the age of 46 and showed milder clinical severity.

CONCLUSION

EBS-MD reveals clinical features not only characteristic of EBS and MD, but also other manifestations including urethral, dental, and respiratory complications. The majority of patients are products of consanguineous marriage and have homozygous plectin gene mutations. Whereas patients with PTC mutations in both alleles typically showed severe clinical features of EBS-MD and ended up being wheelchair bound, a homozygous patient for an in-frame deletion mutation showed positive, yet attenuated, plectin expression and milder clinical phenotype. Thus plectin immunofluorescence, combined with identification of the underlying plectin mutations, is of value in predicting the severity of the muscle involvement that occurs later in life of patients with EBS-MD.

Prevention of cerebral vasospasm by a novel endothelin receptor antagonist, TA-0201

This study was designed to examine the preventive effect of a novel endothelin (ET)-receptor antagonist TA-0201 on the cerebral vasospasm in a canine double-hemorrhage model. TA-0201 (10(-9)-10(-7) M) inhibited ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in the isolated canine basilar artery without endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. Its pA2 value was 9.2 (ET(A) antagonism). In a canine double-hemorrhage model, intravenous treatment with TA-0201 (3 mg/kg, twice a day for 7 days) ameliorated the basilar artery narrowing significantly on day 7 compared with that in nontreated dogs. The reductions of the basilar artery diameter were 26.1+/-3.9% and 40.5+/-4.1% with and without TA-0201 treatment, respectively (p<0.05). Histologic study on day 7 indicated that treatment with TA-0201 inhibited vessel-wall damage such as disintegration of endothelium architecture and degeneration of medial smooth-muscle cells. We conclude that intravenous treatment with TA-0201 prevents the development of cerebral vasospasm and accompanying pathologic changes of the vessel wall, probably through blockade of ET(A) receptors.

Autolysis of the proteinase from Pseudomonas fluorescens

The gene encoding the proteinase from Pseudomonas fluorescens was cloned and sequenced in an effort to identify the cleavage sites involved in its autolysis at 50 degrees C. A single open reading frame consisting of 1449 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 482 amino acids, was found. Analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified proteinase indicated the presence of a prosequence consisting of 13 amino acid residues. The molecular weight of the mature protein was calculated as 48,900 based on the deduced amino acid sequence, which was consistent with that of the purified proteinase as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate-PAGE. Greater than 90% loss of proteolytic activity was observed upon heating at 50 degrees C for 2 min compared with the unheated enzyme. Incubation of the proteinase at 50 degrees C led to disappearance of the intact enzyme, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE, whereas it was stable in the presence of the protease inhibitor o-phenanthroline. Autolytic fragments were fractionated by reverse-phase HPLC and subjected to N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis in an effort to determine the cleavage sites. The cleavage profile was not definitive; however, amino acid residues with small side chain groups, such as glycine or alanine, were frequently found adjacent to the cleavage sites.

Presence of up-stream and downstream components of a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in the PSD of the rat forebrain

We previously reported the presence of Erk2 type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and enrichment of its substrates in the post-synaptic density (PSD) fraction, and suggested a role for MAPK in the synaptic transmission and its modulation [Suzuki, T., Okumura-Noji, K., Nishida, E., ERK2-type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its substrates in post-synaptic density fractions from the rat brain, Neurosci. Res., 22 (1995) 277-285.]. In this paper, synaptic localization of the upstream and downstream components of a MAPK cascade was examined. We found that RSK1, Sos1, N-Shc 66 kDa, N-Shc 52 kDa, and Grb2 were present in the PSD fraction, and cPLA(2) was present in the synaptic plasma membrane fraction. RSK2, Sos2, and N-Shc 46 kDa were not present in the PSD fraction. Post-synaptic localization of RSK1 and Sos1 was confirmed by immunohistochemical examination at the electron microscopic level: the two immunoreactivities were localized in the PSDs, both in the spines and dendrites. These results suggest that all the MAPK cascade components examined were associated with PSD or the synaptic plasma membrane, suggesting the role(s) of the MAPK cascade for synaptic transmission and its regulation at post-synaptic sites.

Characteristics of heterogeneity in the expression of vasoconstriction in response to N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine in isolated canine arteries

We characterized the contractile effect of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), in isolated canine arteries. L-NMMA induced a heterogenous response: potent vasoconstriction in the cerebral arteries, and weak or no vasoconstrictor responses in different peripheral arteries. The vasoconstriction of the cerebral artery was inhibited by L-arginine but not D-arginine. L-NMMA (1(-4) M) caused a 53% decrease in guanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the cerebral artery, but it was not significant compared with that in peripheral arteries. The L-NMMA-induced vasoconstriction was inhibited by diltiazem and nicardipine, and the heterogeneity was mimicked by treatment with charybdotoxin, a Ca2+-activated K+ (BK(Ca)) channel blocker, channels which are regulated by NO/cGMP. Both L-NMMA and charybdotoxin caused a potent vasoconstriction in the mesenteric artery precontracted with 20 mM KCl. 1 H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-alpha] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10(-5) M), a selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor, caused vasoconstriction in the presence of nitroprusside in the endothelium-denuded basilar artery, but not in the endothelium-denuded mesenteric artery. In conclusion, LNMMA-induced heterogenous vasoconstriction was due to the different sensitivities of vascular smooth muscles to NO/cGMP. The heterogeneity may result from a difference in the basal state of ion channels such as the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel and the BK(Ca) channel in vascular smooth muscles.

Displacement and stress distribution in the temporomandibular joint during clenching

The aim of this study was to analyze biomechanical reactions in the mandible and TMJ during clenching under various restraint conditions. A three-dimensional finite element model of the mandible, including the TMJ, was created for test purposes. The results were as follows: (1) Under any restraint conditions, displacement was greatest on the surface of the condyle and less on the articular disc and the surface of the glenoid fossa, in that order. Resultant stresses followed the same trend. (2) Displacement and stress were greatest when the lower central incisor was restrained and attenuated as the posterior teeth were restrained. Because the biomechanical reaction of the TMJ during clenching was greatest when the lower central incisor was restrained, premature contact of these teeth may be one of the factors involved in the initiation of temporomandibular arthrosis.