Modulation of interleukin-8 and nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels by interferon-gamma in macrophages stimulated with lignin derivatives and lipopolysaccharides

It has been shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a role in the regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8), nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion by macrophages stimulated with lignin derivatives, such as EP3, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) [Cytokine 11 (1999) 571]. To examine the mechanism by which IFN-gamma affects secretion of these factors, EP3- or LPS-stimulated macrophages were treated with different concentrations of IFN-gamma, and mRNA levels of IL-8, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and TNF-alpha were determined by Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As reported previously, stimulation of macrophages by EP3 or LPS dramatically induced the expression of IL-8, NOS, and TNF-alpha mRNAs. IFN-gamma clearly decreased the level of IL-8 mRNA in stimulated macrophages, although it did not affect the IL-8 mRNA level in unstimulated macrophages. In contrast, IFN-gamma appeared to increase the level of NOS mRNA both in unstimulated and stimulated macrophages. IFN-gamma, which increased the amount of TNF-alpha mRNA in unstimulated macrophages, showed no significant effect on the high level of TNF-alpha mRNA in stimulated macrophages. These results suggest that IFN-gamma causes changes in IL-8 and NO secretion by stimulated macrophages through its effects on the level of IL-8 and NO mRNA, respectively. Effects of IFN-gamma on TNF-alpha secretion by stimulated macrophages may be mediated by a different mechanism.

Evidence for the involvement of GABA(A) receptor blockade in convulsions induced by cephalosporins

There is accumulating evidence that most beta-lactam antibiotics (i.e., cephalosporins and penicillins) have some degree of convulsive activity, both in laboratory animals as well as in clinical settings. The proposed mechanism is suppression of inhibitory postsynaptic responses, mainly mediated by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)(A)-receptors (GABA(A)-R). However, comprehensive studies on the convulsive activities of various beta-lactam antibiotics in vivo and in vitro have not been performed. We have therefore examined the convulsive activities of seven different cephalosporins using both in vivo and in vitro models: intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration in mouse; [(3)H]muscimol binding assay (BA) in mouse brain synaptosome; and inhibition of recombinant mouse alpha1beta2gamma2s GABA(A)-Rs in Xenopus oocyte (GR). The rank orders of convulsive activities in mouse (cefazolin>cefoselis>cefotiam>cefpirome>cefepime>ceftazidime>cefozopran) correlated with those of inhibitory potencies on [(3)H]muscimol binding and GABA-induced currents of GABA(A)-R in vitro, with correlation coefficients of ICV:GR, ICV:BA and BA:GR of 0.882, 0.821 and 0.832, respectively. In contrast, none of the antibiotics had affinities for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors nor facilitatory actions on NMDA receptor-mediated current in oocytes. These results clearly demonstrate that the mechanism of cephalosporin-induced convulsions is mediated predominantly through the inhibition of GABA(A)-R function and not through NMDA receptor modulation.

[Esophageal perforation after an anterior cervical fixation; report of a case]

We report 1 case of esophageal complications after anterior plate fixation of the cervical spine. A 62-year-old man underwent anterior cervical fusion in August 1996, and he did well after the operation. In January 1998, he was hospitalized for cardiac failure and was incubated twice for 10 days to cure. In March 1998, he suffered from dysphagia and continuous fever. Gastric fiberscopy showed the internal defect of esophagus and the plate to fix the cervical spine. He underwent immediate neck exploration via the cervical fusion incision, however he died of sepsis and respiratory failure. An esophageal perforation after an anterior cervical operation is an uncommon but well-recognized complication of the approach.

The effects of cure of Helicobacter pylori infection on the signal transduction of gastric epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

The CagA protein of Helicobacter pylori is directly injected from the bacteria into cells via the bacterial type IV secretion system and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in the gastric epithelial cells. Translocated CagA forms a physical complex with the SRC homology 2 domain (SH2)-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, which plays an important role in mitogenic signal transduction in the host cells.

AIM

We examined the effect of eradication therapy on the signal transduction pathway of gastric epithelial cells induced by the CagA protein of H. pylori.

METHODS

Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from 20 H. pylori-positive atrophic gastritis patients before, and 3 months after, H. pylori infection eradication therapy, and subjected to immunoblot analysis to detect tyrosine phosphorylated CagA protein and CagA co-immunoprecipitated endogenous SHP-2.

RESULTS

Tyrosine phosphorylated CagA protein and CagA co-immunoprecipitated endogenous SHP-2 were detected in the gastric mucosa from H. pylori-positive atrophic gastritis patients. All H. pylori strains from these patients were cagA-positive type I strains. After curing H. pylori infection, the tyrosine phosphorylated CagA protein and CagA co-immunoprecipitated endogenous SHP-2 disappeared from the gastric mucosa.

CONCLUSION

The cure of infection reduces the stimulated signal transduction of gastric epithelial cells by the translocated CagA protein of H. pylori, and may confer a beneficial effect on the reduction of cancer risk.

Association of the HLA-DRB1 gene locus with gastric adenocarcinoma in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the odds ratio is relatively low. The aim of the present study was to investigate host genetic factors that increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma among H. pylori-infected individuals.

METHODS

A total of 70 patients with early gastric adenocarcinoma and 121 unrelated healthy controls were examined for H. pylori infection and HLA-DRB1 genotyping. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1 alleles were compared among groups.

RESULTS

The allele frequency of DRB1*04051 was significantly higher in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (17.9%) than in controls (7.9%) (P(correct) = 0.045). The odds ratio of gastric adenocarcinoma associated with the presence of the HLA-DRB1*04051 allele compared with its absence was 2.55 (95% confidence limits, 1.35-4.83). This genetic risk was not associated with H. pylori infection. There was no significant difference in the HLA-DRB1 allele frequency between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative controls. The frequency of genotypes that possessed the DRB1*04051 allele in gastric adenocarcinoma patients (34.3%) was significantly higher than that in H. pylori-negative controls (11.9%) (p = 0.0089) and H. pylori-positive controls (15.2%) (p = 0.0066).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that immunogenetic factors for susceptibility to gastric adenocarcinoma are present in the host, the HLA-DRB1*04051 allele is a host genetic risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma, and that this genetic risk is independent of H. pylori infection.

Is the food-entrainable circadian oscillator in the digestive system?

Food-anticipatory activity (FAA) is the increase in locomotion and core body temperature that precedes a daily scheduled meal. It is driven by a circadian oscillator but is independent of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Recent results that reveal meal-entrained clock gene expression in rat and mouse peripheral organs raise the intriguing possibility that the digestive system is the site of the feeding-entrained oscillator (FEO) that underlies FAA. We tested this possibility by comparing FAA and Per1 rhythmicity in the digestive system of the Per1-luciferase transgenic rat. First, rats were entrained to daytime restricted feeding (RF, 10 days), then fed ad libitum (AL, 10 days), then food deprived (FD, 2 days). As expected FAA was evident during RF and disappeared during subsequent AL feeding, but returned at the correct phase during deprivation. The phase of Per1 in liver, stomach and colon shifted from a nocturnal to a diurnal peak during RF, but shifted back to nocturnal phase during the subsequent AL and remained nocturnal during food deprivation periods. Second, rats were entrained to two daily meals at zeitgeber time (ZT) 0400 and ZT 1600. FAA to both meals emerged after about 10days of dual RF. However, all tissues studied (all five liver lobes, esophagus, antral stomach, body of stomach, colon) showed entrainment consistent with only the night-time meal. These two results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that FAA arises as an output of rhythms in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The results also highlight an interesting diversity among peripheral oscillators in their ability to entrain to meals and the direction of the phase shift after RF ends.

Split chimerism after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS) is a hereditary multiorgan disease associated with a lymphoproliferative disorder termed 'accelerated phase' (AP). As AP is often life-threatening, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been proposed as the only curative treatment for CHS. Here, we report a 1-year-old Japanese boy with CHS who received an HLA-matched unrelated BMT at the AP stage, which resulted in split chimerism. We evaluated the chimerism status of isolated leukocytes and found that only a limited population of T and NK cells was of donor origin and the majority of these and other hematopoietic cells was of host origin. Clinical outcome was successful, and the patient is currently alive and well, free of AP and serious infections more than 18 months after BMT.

[Introduction of a community network system to visiting care]

A community-based electronic medical record sharing network system (EMI net) was developed in Matsudo City. This system facilitates communication between GPs and visiting nurses in charge of patients under homecare and it has proved useful from the view point of visiting nurses. For example nurses can read the information input by visiting GPs timely, share common view on the patients with GPs, and write a report illustrated with photographs at any time. Moreover, they can communicate with GPs through E-mail. On the other hand, EMI net remains to be improved in a few aspects, such as the need of a system to indicate a record has been read by GPs and to decrease the labor for entering data. We plan to increase the services provided by EMI net by enrolling other facilities.

[Home care for terminal patients and information technology]

An electronic medical record sharing system, which supports management of terminally ill patients at home, was developed in Matsudo City as a trial project. The system interconnects several facilities including four general practitioners (GPs), a visiting nurse center and a supporting municipal hospital. It provides the latest patients' information from GPs to the municipal hospital in case of the acute change of the patients' condition and their transfer. Using this system the discussion between GPs and visiting nurses became much more fruitful than we had expected, while some doctors did not use the system because of their computer literacy. Problems in the system security and privacy protection as well as clarification of users' responsibility remain to be solved. A more expanded system is now being developed as a new enterprise of Matsudo Medical Association following this system.

Intracerebroventricular injection of the antibiotic cefoselis produces convulsion in mice via inhibition of GABA receptors

A majority of beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., cephalosporins and penicillins) have convulsive activity to a greater or lesser extent. (6R,7R)-3-[[3-Amino-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2H-pyrazol-1-ium-1-yl]methyl]-7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetylamino]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate monosulfate (cefoselis), a newly developed injectable beta-lactam antibiotic with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), might induce convulsions if cerebral concentrations become highly elevated. In the present study, we examined whether or not cefoselis had convulsive activity after direct brain administration, and we attempted to clarify the pharmacological mechanism of action. When cefoselis was injected into the lateral ventricle of the mouse brain at doses higher than 20 microg/animal, it produced convulsions dose-dependently. Cefoselis (50 microg/animal)-induced convulsions were prevented by pretreatment with 5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801), diazepam and phenobarbital (ED(50) values (mg/kg) of 0.78, 1.59 and 33.0, respectively), but not by carbamazepine or phenytoin. When the effects of these anticonvulsants on the convulsions induced by intracerebral injection of bicuculline methiodide (BMI) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) were investigated, the inhibitory profile of anticonvulsants on cefoselis-induced convulsions was similar to those induced by BMI (125 ng/animal) but differed markedly in their inhibitory activity on NMDA (100 ng/animal)-induced convulsions, which were not inhibited by diazepam. These results suggest that cefoselis may be convulsive at higher concentrations through a mechanism involving inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptors.

Combination of a novel antidementia drug FK960 with donepezil synergistically improves memory deficits in rats

FK960 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate] is a novel antidementia drug which has been demonstrated to have potential cognitive-improving actions through enhancement of somatostatin release. Since the mechanism of action is different from cholinesterase inhibitors (CEIs), FK960 might be more efficacious at alleviating cognitive deficiencies than CEIs alone, particularly when used in combination therapies with CEIs. We examined the ability of FK960 and donepezil, a CEI, to improve memory deficits in three rat models of dementia: scopolamine-treated rats, rats received with bilateral nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) lesions, and aged rats using the passive avoidance task. FK960 (0.1-10 mg/kg ip) significantly ameliorated the memory deficits in all three models. Donepezil (0.032-3.2 mg/kg ip) significantly improved the deficits induced by both scopolamine or by NBM lesion, but no significant effect was observed in the aged rat model. To determine whether concomitant treatment would be more effective, we coadministered FK960 and donepezil in NBM-lesioned rats using the same task. Concurrent administration of FK960 and donepezil at dosages that were suboptimal when the compounds were administered alone (FK960, 0.1 mg/kg; donepezil, 0.1 mg/kg) significantly improved memory impairment in the animals. Furthermore, coadministration of FK960 and donepezil at optimal dosages for both (FK960, 1 mg/kg; donepezil, 0.32 mg/kg) produced marked amelioration of memory deficits that was more efficacious than when either compound was administered individually. These results demonstrate that FK960 is more efficacious than CEIs in improving memory deficits, and that FK960 has synergistic efficacy when combined with CEIs.

Pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics, distribution, metabolism and excretion of linezolid in mouse, rat and dog

1. Linezolid (ZYVOX), the first of a new class of antibiotics, the oxazolidinones, is approved for treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections. 2. The aim was to determine the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of linezolid in mouse, rat and dog in support of preclinical safety studies and clinical development. 3. Conventional replicate study designs were employed in animal experiments, and biofluids were assayed by HPLC or HPLC-MS. 4. Linezolid was rapidly absorbed after p.o. dosing with an p.o. bioavailability of > 95% in rat and dog, and > 70% in mouse. Twenty-eight-day i.v./p.o. toxicokinetic studies in rat (20-200mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and dog (10-80 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) revealed neither a meaningful increase in clearance nor accumulation upon multiple dosing. 5. Linezolid had limited protein binding (<35%) and was very well distributed to most extravascular sites, with a volume of distribution at steady-state (V(ss)) approximately equal to total body water. 6. Linezolid circulated mainly as parent drug and was excreted mainly as parent drug and two inactive carboxylic acids, PNU-142586 and PNU-142300. Minor secondary metabolites were also characterized. In all species, the clearance rate was determined by metabolism. 7. Radioactivity recovery was essentially complete within 24-48 h. Renal excretion of parent drug and metabolites was a major elimination route. Parent drug underwent renal tubular reabsorption, significantly slowing parent drug excretion and allowing a slow metabolic process to become rate-limiting in overall clearance. 8. It is concluded that ADME data were relatively consistent across species and supported the rat and dog as the principal non-clinical safety species.

The polymorphism of transforming growth factor-beta1 gene in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has been shown to be a potent stimulator of collagen production by fibroblasts, and could play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc).

OBJECTIVE

To study the possible involvement of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism in Japanese patients with SSc.

METHODS

Fifty-nine patients with SSc and 110 normal subjects were studied. Genomic DNA was extracted from skin tissues, and was amplified in a thermal cycler, generating a TGF-beta1 gene fragment with a size of 294 bp. The T to C transition at T869C (Leu10Pro) and the G to C transition at G915C (Arg25Pro) were identified by digestion with MspA1I and BglI, respectively.

RESULTS

At T869C (Leu10Pro), the frequency of the C allele in SSc (65.3%) was significantly higher than in normal controls (50.5%) (P < 0.01). SSc showed C/C allele 42.4%, C/T 45.8% and T/T 11.2%. Normal controls showed C/C allele 26.4%, C/T 48.2% and T/T 25.5%. The frequency of the C/C allele in SSc was significantly higher than in normal controls, in comparison with the T/T allele (P < 0.02), but no significant difference was found between the frequency of the C/C allele vs. the C/T allele. The frequency of the C/C allele showed no significant difference between diffuse and limited SSc. At G915C (Arg25Pro), all the normal controls and SSc patients showed only the G/G allele. These results are different from a previous study in which the frequency of the T/T allele was high in SSc at T869C (Leu10Pro).

CONCLUSIONS

This discrepancy may indicate that Japanese patients with SSc show a different genetic predisposition to TGF-beta1.

The polymorphism of telomerase RNA component gene in patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

The molecular basis of senescence and immortalization is not still understood, but one hypothesis for which there has recently been much evidence involves the shortening of telomeres. It can be hypothesized that abnormalities of telomerase contribute to the emergence of abnormal fibroblast clones in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

OBJECTIVES

To study possible telomere abnormalities with respect to polymorphism of the telomerase RNA component gene.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with SSc and 98 normal controls were studied. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify 598 bp of the telomerase RNA component gene. Amplified fragments were digested with restriction enzyme BsrDI.

RESULTS

The frequency of the A allele in SSc (41.5%) showed no significant difference from that in the normal controls (32.1%). The frequency of the A/A alleles in SSc (18.9%) was significantly higher than in normal controls (5.1%), compared with G/G (35.8% and 40.8%, respectively; P < 0.02), G/A (45.3% and 54.1%, respectively; P < 0.01) and G/G plus G/A (81.1% and 94.9%, respectively; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed the possible involvement of a telomerase abnormality in the emergence of abnormal fibroblast clones in SSc skin-derived fibroblasts.

Simulated annealing structure solution of a new phase of dicalcium silicate Ca(2)SiO(4) and the mechanism of structural changes from alpha-dicalcium silicate hydrate to alpha(L)'-dicalcium silicate via the new phase

A new phase of dicalcium silicate (Ca(2)SiO(4)) was formed by heating alpha-dicalcium silicate hydrate [alpha-Ca(2)(SiO(4)H)OH = alpha-C(2)SH] at temperatures of approximately 663-763 K, and it was transformed into alpha(L)'-Ca(2)SiO(4) (= alpha(L)'-C(2)S) above approximately 1193 K. The crystal structure of the new phase (hereafter called x-C(2)S) has been determined by simulated annealing and refined by the Rietveld method using synchrotron radiation powder diffraction data. The structure consists of isolated SiO(4) tetrahedra and a three-dimensional CaO(n) polyhedral network, forming a new structural type of dicalcium silicate. A structural change from alpha-C(2)SH to x-C(2)S is compelled by large displacements of SiO(4) tetrahedra, accompanied by dehydration, in the direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional Ca(O,OH)(n) polyhedral network in alpha-C(2)SH. With increasing temperature, sizes of CaO(n) polyhedra in x-C(2)S become too large to confine Ca atoms at the sixfold to eightfold coordination sites. Then the structure of x-C(2)S is transformed into alpha(L)'-C(2)S, having eightfold to tenfold coordination sites for the Ca atoms.

2-Amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone affects the end-product profile of bifidobacteria through the mediated oxidation of NAD(P)H

Glucose metabolism of bifidobacteria in the presence of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (ACNQ), a specific growth stimulator for bifidobacteria, and ferricyanide (Fe(CN)(6)(3-)) as an extracellular electron acceptor was examined using resting cells of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve. NAD(P)H in the cells is oxidized by ACNQ with the aid of diaphorase activity, and reduced ACNQ donates the electron to Fe(CN)(6)(3-). Exogenous oxidation of NADH by the ACNQ/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system suppresses the endogenous lactate dehydrogenase reaction competitively, which results in the remarkable generation of pyruvate and a decrease in lactate production. In addition, a decrease in acetate generation is also observed in the presence of ACNQ and Fe(CN)(6)(3-). This phenomenon could not be explained in terms of the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase pathway, but suggests rather that glucose is partially metabolized via the hexose monophosphate pathway. This was verified by NADP(+)-induced reduction of Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in cell-free extracts in the presence of ACNQ. Effects of the ACNQ/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system on anaerobically harvested cells were also examined. Stoichiometric analysis of the metabolites from the pyruvate-formate lyase pathway suggests that exogenous oxidation of NADH is an efficient method to produce ATP in this pathway.

[Delayed hydrothorax induced by a pericutaneous central venous catheter; report of a case]

We report herein a case of 53-year-old woman who suffered a hydrothorax induced by a central venous catheter which had been placed to facilitate total parenteral nutrition. The central venous catheter was inserted into the superior vena cava through the right subclavian vein. Chest X-ray film after insertion revealed proper position of the tip. She suddenly developed dyspnea and tachycardia due to right-sided hydrothorax 21 days after the insertion of the catheter. Chest X-ray showed massive pleural effusion in the right thorax, and the catheter tip inadvertently turned upward. The continuous mechanical force of the catheter tip against the SVC wall was considered to be the cause of this life-threatening delayed hydrothorax.

Immunologic tolerance maintained by CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells: their common role in controlling autoimmunity, tumor immunity, and transplantation tolerance

There is accumulating evidence that T-cell-mediated dominant control of self-reactive T-cells contributes to the maintenance of immunologic self-tolerance and its alteration can cause autoimmune disease. Efforts to delineate such a regulatory T-cell population have revealed that CD25+ cells in the CD4+ population in normal naive animals bear the ability to prevent autoimmune disease in vivo and, upon antigenic stimulation, suppress the activation/proliferation of other T cells in vitro. The CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells, which are naturally anergic and suppressive, appear to be produced by the normal thymus as a functionally distinct subpopulation of T cells. They play critical roles not only in preventing autoimmunity but also in controlling tumor immunity and transplantation tolerance.

The beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillin-G and cefoselis have different mechanisms and sites of action at GABA(A) receptors

The action of the beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillin-G (PCG) and cefoselis (CFSL) on GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-R) was investigated using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique and Xenopus oocyte expressed murine GABA(A)-R. Murine GABA(A)-Rs were expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injecting cRNA that encoded for each subunit (alpha1, beta2, and gamma2) and the effects of PCG and CFSL on the alpha1beta2gamma2s subunit receptors were examined using two-electrode voltage clamp. Using the alpha1beta2gamma2s GABA(A)-R, PCG and CFSL inhibited GABA-induced currents in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC(50)s of 557.1+/-125.4 and 185.0+/-26.6 microM, respectively. The inhibitory action of PCG on GABA-induced currents was non-competitive whereas that of CFSL was competitive. Mutation of tyrosine to phenylalanine at position 256 in the beta2 subunit (beta2(Y256F)), which is reported to abolish the inhibitory effect of picrotoxin, drastically reduced the potency of PCG (IC(50)=28.4+/-1.42 mM) for the alpha1beta2(Y256F)gamma2s receptor without changing the IC(50) of CFSL (189+/-26.6 microM). These electrophysiological data indicate that PCG and CFSL inhibit GABA(A)-R in a different manner, with PCG acting non-competitively and CFSL competitively. The mutational study indicates that PCG might act on an identical or nearby site to that of picrotoxin in the channel pore of the GABA(A)-R.

Cross-clade neutralizing antibody production against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 clade E and B' strains by recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG-based candidate vaccine

The recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rBCG) vector-based vaccine secreting the V3 principal neutralizing epitope of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Japanese strain was reported to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses effectively [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 92 (1995) 10693]. The antigen-secreting rBCG system was applied to the V3 epitope of clade E HIV-1 in this study. The V3 sequence of 19 amino acids (aa) and 15aa fused with mycobacterial alpha-antigen was not secreted while 12aa and 11aa sequences were successfully secreted from BCG cells. Serum IgG from guinea pig which was immunized with 12aa epitope-secreting recombinant BCG neutralized the WHO reference strain as well as primary field isolates of clade E virus. The serum IgG could also neutralize Thai B (clade B') strains which possessed a conserved GPGQ motif in their V3 sequences. These data suggest that the rBCG construct secreting the 12aa epitope is implicated in the development of a prophylactic vaccine in Thailand in which both clade E and B' viruses are prevalent.