Identification of dopamine, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-I, and vasoactive intestinal peptide neurones activated by electrical stimulation to the medial preoptic area of the turkey hypothalamus: a potential reproductive neuroendocrine circuit

The neural and neurochemical substrates regulating reproduction in birds remain vaguely defined. The findings that electrical stimulation in the medial preoptic area (ES/MPOA) or intracerebroventricular infusion of dopamine (DA) stimulated luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) release in female turkeys, led to the suggestion that ES/MPOA might help to clarify the DA circuitry regulating LH and PRL. We used c-fos mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity as measured by double in situ hybridisation/immunocytochemistry (ISH/ICC) to determine which group/subgroup of DA neurones was activated following unilateral ES/MPOA. To establish that the reproductive neuroendocrine system was activated, double ISH/ICC was also conducted on c-fos/gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) and c-fos/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Changes in circulating LH and PRL were determined by radioimmunoassay. Unilateral ES/MPOA (100 microA, right side) of anaesthetised laying turkeys for 30 min increased circulating LH and PRL levels. It also induced c-fos mRNA expression on the ipsilateral side by all GnRH-I neurones within the septopreoptic region, implying that GnRH-I neurones in this region share similar circuitry. VIP neurones within the nucleus infundibularis were the only VIP group to show c-fos mRNA expression, suggesting their involvement in ES/MPOA induced PRL release. c-fos mRNA expression was also observed in a subgroup of DA neurones in the nucleus mamillaris lateralis (ML). To our knowledge, the present study is the first to show that activation of DAergic cells in the ML is associated with the activation of GnRH-I and VIP neurones and the release of LH and PRL. It is likely that ES/MPOA activated VIP/GnRH-I neurones via activation of DA neurones in the ML, as this was the only DA subgroup that showed c-fos mRNA expression.

Cellular components involved in the cell death induced by cisplatin in the absence of p53 activation

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a DNA damaging agent and is widely used for treating cancer. While the role of p53 in CDDP-induced cell death has been stressed, evidence exists that CDDP can also kill p53-mutated cells. To investigate the latter mechanism, we performed a comparative study using three different human cell types, SNU-16 (a stomach cancer cell-line), U937 (a leukemic cell-line) and 293T (a kidney fibroblast cell-line), which are defective in terms of p53 activation. A focus was placed on Bcl-2 family proteins, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Our results suggest that the ability of CDDP to kill these cells can be mediated by JNK, p38 MAPK and ROS, but not by ERK. It was also found that CDDP can increase the ratio of pro-apoptotic/pro-survival Bcl-2 members. While the importance of these components was found to depend on cell type, JNK was commonly involved in the deaths of all cell types examined. Therefore, the JNK pathway appears to be an ideal target for the modulation of the lethal action of CDDP in multiple types of p53-mutated cells.

Oxidative/nitrosative stress and peroxiredoxin 2 are associated with grade and prognosis of human renal carcinoma

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) 1-6 were assessed in 138 renal cell carcinomas (RCC) using immunohistochemistry and selected samples by Western blotting analysis. Oxidative/nitrosative damage was evaluated using nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. The expressions of Prxs were correlated with tumor grade and survival and nitrotyrosine reactivity. Non-malignant kidney tubular cells showed positivity with variable intensity for all six Prxs. In RCCs, most cases were positive for Prxs 1 and 2, while only 15-20% of tumors showed expression for Prxs 3 and 4. Prx 2 was associated with tumors of a lower grade (p=0.009) and with a lower frequency of distant metastases (p=0.046). Patients with tumors expressing Prx2 had better prognosis (p=0.027). Instead, nitrotyrosine was significantly associated with high grade tumors (p=0.001). Compared with the non-malignant kidney tubular cells, low Prx expression in the tumor cells can make them more susceptible to oxidative damage. Prx 2 was more abundantly expressed in low grade tumors, suggesting that this protein could play a role in preventing the development of oxidative damage, which in turn can lead to the activation of pathways leading to aggressive tumors.

Regulation of prolactin gene expression by vasoactive intestinal peptide and dopamine in the turkey: role of Ca signalling

Our recent work has demonstrated that dopamine, acting through D2 dopamine receptors on pituitary cells, inhibits the stimulatory effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on prolactin release and prolactin gene transcription. It is hypothesised that the stimulatory and inhibitory roles of VIP and dopamine, respectively, on prolactin synthesis and release are mediated by their opposite effects on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in lactotrophs. The present study aimed: (i) to investigate the effect of VIP and dopamine on [Ca2+]i of cultured turkey anterior pituitary cells and (ii) to examine the role of Ca2+ signalling in mediating the regulatory effects of VIP and dopamine on prolactin mRNA levels and prolactin release. Changes in [Ca2+]i were measured spectrofluorometrically using Fura-2/AM as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and radioimmunoassay were used to determine prolactin mRNA levels and prolactin release, respectively. VIP or the L-type Ca2+ channel activator, Bay K8644 (Bay) increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion, an effect abolished by preincubating the cells with R(-)-propylnorapomorphine HCl, a D2 dopamine receptor agonist (D2AG) or Verapamil (VR), a specific L-type Ca2+ channel blocker. Similarly, either VR or D2Ag diminished the VIP/Bay stimulatory effect on prolactin expression and release. On the other hand, pretreatment of pituitary cells with thapsigargin (TG) or neomycin (NEO), to deplete the intracellular Ca2+ stores, showed no effect on basal or VIP-stimulated prolactin mRNA levels; although VIP-induced prolactin release was partially inhibited by NEO but not TG. These results suggest that intracellular Ca2+ represents a common signal transduction pathway through which VIP and dopamine can exert antagonistic control on prolactin synthesis and release in avian lactotrophs.

Relationship between inspiratory muscle strength and cough capacity in cervical spinal cord injured patients

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective single centre study.

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary rehabilitation focuses on improving the expiratory muscle function in order to increase the reduced cough capacity in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI). However, an improvement in the inspiratory function is also important for coughing effectively. Therefore, this study was to examine the significance of the inspiratory muscle strength on the cough capacity in the patients with a cervical SCI.

SETTING

SCI unit, Yonsei Rehabilitation Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

METHODS

The vital capacity (VC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured. Moreover, the unassisted peak cough flow (PCF) and assisted PCF under three conditions were evaluated.

RESULTS

All three assisted cough methods showed a significantly higher value than the unassisted method (P < 0.001). The VC correlated with the voluntary cough capacity and the MIP (R = 0.749) correlated more significantly with the VC than the MEP (R = 0.438) (P < 0.01). The MIP showed a higher correlation with both the unassisted PCF and all three assisted PCFs than the MEP (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The management of the inspiratory muscle strength should be considered in the pulmonary rehabilitation at cervical SCI patients.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma

The authors report a case of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) treated by stereotactic radiosurgery with gamma knife. A thirteen-year-old boy presented with a 4-year history of progressive visual loss in his right eye. Because of the large size and fluid collection under the macula, gamma knife radiosurgery was done. During 2 years of follow-up, there was resolution of retinal detachment, regression in tumor thickness, and no complications. Gamma knife radiosurgery may be a reasonable alternative treatment option for symptomatic CCHs which are difficult to manage using standard therapeutic options such as photocoagulation.

New antifungal activity of penicillic acid against Phytophthora species

Penicillic acid was isolated from a culture filtrate of Aspergillus sclerotiorum. It had a high in vitro antifungal activity against Phytophthora spp., which has not been previously reported. MICs of penicillic acid were from 1 to 25 microg ml(-1) against Phytophthora spp. Penicillic acid induced abnormal branch formation, apical branching, and swelling in P. capsici, in P. cactorum mycelia contained irregular branching and small spherical swelling at apices, in P. cambivora there was irregular branching and swelling, and in P. drechsleri there was irregular multiple spherical swelling at or near hyphal apices.

Conidia production by Beauveria bassiana (for the biocontrol of a diamondback moth) during solid-state fermentation in a packed-bed bioreactor

Conidia of Beauveria bassiana CS-1, which have the potential for the control of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), were produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using a packed-bed bioreactor with rice straw and wheat bran. As the packing density and the bed height were increased, the production of conidia decreased. In a packed-bed bioreactor under no aeration and no addition of polypropylene (PP) foam (control), the total average of conidia was 4.9 x 10(8) g-1. The production of conidia was affected more by the addition of PP foam as an inert support than forced aeration and was approx. 23 times higher than that of the control. The total average of conidia produced by B. bassiana was 1.1-1.2 x 10(10) g-1 .

Association of the oestrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms with disease onset in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the genetic influence of PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of oestrogen receptor alpha (ORalpha) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Korea.

METHODS

Genomic DNA from 268 female controls and 137 female SLE patients (41 childhood onset and 96 adult onset) were analysed using PvuII and XbaI restriction fragment length polymorphism. Comparison of the frequencies of alleles and genotypes was made in control and patient groups and in childhood onset and adult onset SLE subgroups.

RESULTS

Although the Pp genotype occurred more often in SLE patients than in controls (p(c) = 0.017), ORalpha genotype distributions of adult onset SLE did not differ significantly from controls. The PP, Pp, and xx genotypes occurred less often in childhood onset SLE (p(c) = 0.0045, 0.0498, and 0.0255, respectively) than in controls. Additionally, the PP genotype was less common in childhood onset than in adult onset SLE (p(c) = 0.016). SLE patients with the PP genotypes were older at disease onset than those with the other genotypes (p = 0.001). Patients with the Xx genotype had an earlier onset of SLE than those with the xx genotype (p = 0.025). The frequency of the combined ppXx genotype was greater in childhood onset SLE than in controls (p(c) = 0.0009) or adult onset SLE (p(c) = 0.027). The same trend was supported by subgroup analyses according to age at menarche and logistic multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

ORalpha polymorphisms are significantly associated with the age at disease onset in Koreans with SLE.

Osteopenia in men with mild and severe ankylosing spondylitis

We investigated the frequency and distribution of osteopenia according to the clinical severity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Bone mass was measured in men with mild (n = 45) and severe AS (n = 31) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Definition of clinical severity was based on the Schober's test. Osteopenia was commonly detected (48% in mild AS and 39% severe AS) and, in mild disease, more frequently observed at the lumbar spine than any of the proximal femur sites. In severe AS, however, the frequency of osteopenia at the femoral neck and Ward's triangle was as high as at the lumbar spine. Both bone mineral density and T-scores in severe disease were lower than in mild disease at the femur neck, Ward's triangle, and total proximal femur, but not in the lumbar spine. The progression of osteopenia may be reflected more reliably at proximal femur sites than at the lumbar spine.

The Role of Prolactin in Reproductive Failure Associated with Heat Stress in the Domestic Turkey1

Reproductive failure associated with heat stress is a well-known phenomenon in avian species. Increased prolactin (PRL) levels in response to heat stress have been suggested as a mechanism involved in this reproductive malfunction. To test this hypothesis, laying female turkeys were subjected to 40 degrees C for 12 h during the photo-phase daily or maintained at 24-26 degrees C. Birds in each group received oral treatment with parachlorophenyalanine (PCPA; 50 mg/kg BW/day for 3 days), an inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) biosynthesis, or immunized against vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Both treatments are known to reduce circulating PRL levels. Nontreated birds were included as controls. In the control group, high ambient temperature terminated egg laying, induced ovarian regression, reduced plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and ovarian steroids (progesterone, testosterone, estradiol) levels, and increased plasma PRL levels and the incidence of incubation behavior. Pretreatment with PCPA reduced (P < 0.05) heat stress-induced decline in egg production, increase in PRL levels, and expression of incubation behavior. Plasma LH and ovarian steroid levels of heat stressed birds were restored to that of controls by PCPA treatment. As in PCPA-treated birds, VIP immunoneutralization of heat-stressed turkeys reduced (P < 0.05) circulating PRL levels and prevented the expression of incubation behavior. But it did not restore the decline in LH, ovarian steroids, and egg production (P > 0.05). The present findings indicate that the detrimental effect of high temperature on reproductive performance may not be related to the elevated PRL levels in heat-stressed birds but to mechanism(s) that involve 5-HT neurotransmission and the induction of hyperthermia.

Clinical features of adult-onset ankylosing spondylitis in Korean patients: patients with peripheral joint disease (PJD) have less severe spinal disease course than those without PJD

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the clinical features of Korean patients with adult-onset ankylosing spondylitis (AAS) and examined the differences between AAS patients with and without peripheral joint disease (PJD).

METHODS

We studied 67 consecutive patients with primary AAS who visited the rheumatology clinic of a tertiary referral hospital. All patients experienced joint symptoms after the age of 15 and fulfilled the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis. Hips and shoulders were not considered as peripheral joints.

RESULTS

The male-to-female ratio was 8.6:1.0. Mean age at disease onset was 22.3 +/- 5.5 (mean +/- s.d.) yr and disease duration was 10.8 +/- 8.0 yr. Spinal symptoms were the first manifestations in 80.6% of patients. During the disease course, hip, shoulder and peripheral joint involvement were found in about 60% of patients. In patients with PJD, the most commonly affected joints were the knees and ankles. The pattern of PJD, in most cases, was asymmetrical and mono/oligoarticular. AAS patients with PJD had fewer spinal symptoms than those without PJD as a presenting feature (71.8 vs 92.9%, P = 0.035). The modified Schober test showed greater increments in patients with PJD (4.9 +/- 2.4 vs 3.0 +/- 2.4 cm, P = 0.002). Forced vital capacity was better in patients with PJD (79.0 +/- 11.4 vs 70.8 +/- 15.5% of predicted value, P = 0.016). Totally ankylosed sacroiliitis, spinal squaring and syndesmophytes on radiographs were less common in the patients with PJD than in those without PJD (33.3 vs 64.2%, P = 0.012; 20.5 vs 67.9%, P = 0.000; and 38.5 vs 71.4%, P = 0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Peripheral joints as well as shoulder and hip joints were more frequently involved during the disease course in Korean AAS patients compared with earlier reports in Caucasians. The general joint involvement pattern of PJD was similar to patterns reported previously. Our data suggest that, clinically and radiographically, AAS patients with PJD have a less severe spinal disease course than those without PJD.

Production of cellulases and hemicellulases by Aspergillus niger KK2 from lignocellulosic biomass

To investigate the production of cellulases and hemicellulases from Aspergillus niger KK2, solid state fermentation (SSF) was performed by using different ratios of rice straw and wheat bran. When A. niger KK2 was grown on rice straw alone as a solid support in SSF, the maximum FPase activity was 19.5 IU g(-1) in 4 days. Also, CMCase (129 IU g(-1)), beta-glucosidase (100 IU g(-1)), xylanase (5070 IU g(-1)) and beta-xylosidase (193 IU g(-1)) activities were concurrently obtained after 5-6 days of fermentation. The higher enzyme activities produced by A. niger KK2 is a significant advantage from the viewpoint of practical saccharification reaction. Cellulases and hemicellulases produced by A. niger KK2 might be applied to pulp and paper industry, feed industry and chemical industry.

Types of macular hole closure and their clinical implications

AIMS

To evaluate the clinical significance of macular hole closure types assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

This study involved 34 eyes of 32 patients who had undergone anatomically successful idiopathic macular hole surgery. The closed macular holes were categorised into two patterns based on OCT; type 1 closure (closed without foveal neurosensory retinal defect) and type 2 closure (closed with foveal neurosensory retinal defect). Association between visual prognosis, type of hole closure, and possible prognostic factors were analysed.

RESULTS

19 eyes (61.3%) were classified into the type 1 closure and 12 eyes (38.7%) into the type 2 closure. The extent of postoperative visual improvement of type 1 closure group was larger than that of type 2 closure group (p=0.002). The preoperative macular hole size of type 2 closure group was significantly larger than that of type 1 closure group (p=0.006). The duration of symptoms was positively correlated with the preoperative macular hole size (p=0.01). Recurrence of macular hole occurred only in the type 2 closure group.

CONCLUSION

The type of macular hole closure, which was influenced by the preoperative hole diameter, was associated with postoperative visual prognosis. Early detection and intervention in macular hole should be emphasised.

Wax moth, Galleria mellonella, high density lipophorin receptor: alternative splicing, tissue-specific expression, and developmental regulation

A lipophorin (Lp) receptor cDNA from the fat body of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) was cloned and sequenced. This is the first result in this order, Lepidoptera. It showed the pattern of the VLDL receptor belonging to the LDL receptor family. Sequence homology with other Lp receptors in insects, Locusta migratoria and Aedes aegypti, was 70 and 61%, respectively and each domain was highly conserved. Polyclonal anti-Lp receptor antibody prepared against expressed Lp receptor fragment between ligand binding domain and EGF-precursor homology domain (R305-D549 of amino acid residues) specifically detected the Lp receptor. Through immuno-blotting, the Lp receptor of larval fat body has an approximate molecular mass of about 97 and 110 kDa under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively. This result was in agreement with that of the ligand-blotting. The variant Lp receptors were expressed in the fat body of G. mellonella; one is an Lp receptor which lacks 84 bp of O-linked sugar domain and the other is a full length form of the Lp receptor. Both forms were detected by the polyclonal anti-Lp receptor antibody. The Lp receptor from the fat body of G. mellonella was differently expressed depending on the tissue and the developmental stage with specific abundance in prepupal stage. A steroid hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) plays a crucial role in insect development. With regards to this conception, day 1-2 last instar larvae were treated with 20-HE and drastic induction of the Lp receptor was observed 48 h after treatment. It was also observed that cholesterol caused an induction of the Lp receptor.

Clinical outcome in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients is not influenced by high peritoneal transport status

OBJECTIVES

We undertook this study to examine the influence of demographics, peritoneal membrane transport characteristics, nutrition indices, dialysis adequacy, and comorbid diseases on patient survival on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and to identify whether high peritoneal membrane transport is an independent risk factor for mortality on CAPD.

DESIGN

Our retrospective study was carried out in CAPD patients in a large tertiary care teaching hospital.

METHODS

Until December 2000, we followed 212 patients who started CAPD between 1994 and 1997 and who underwent a peritoneal equilibration test (PET) within 3 months of CAPD initiation.

RESULTS

By univariate analysis, comorbid diseases, old age, high peritoneal transport, and serum albumin predicted patient mortality. Independent predictors of mortality as determined by the Cox proportional hazard model included diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, serum albumin, and old age. High peritoneal transport failed to independently influence mortality in our CAPD patients.

Nontraumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm associated with acute leukemia: a possible complication of pyogenic liver abscess

Most hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms result from trauma, blunt or penetrating, such as that caused by percutaneous transhepatic procedures. We present a case of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm resulting from a pyogenic liver abscess, which has not been described previously, in a patient with acute leukemia receiving chemotherapy.

Xylanase production in solid state fermentation by Aspergillus niger mutant using statistical experimental designs

The initial moisture content, cultivation time, inoculum size and concentration of basal medium were optimized in solid state fermentation (SSF) for the production of xylanase by an Aspergillus niger mutant using statistical experimental designs. The cultivation time and concentration of basal medium were the most important factors affecting xylanase activity. An inoculum size of 5 x 10(5) spores/g, initial moisture content of 65%, cultivation time of 5 days and 10 times concentration of basal medium containing 50 times concentration of corn steep liquor were optimum for xylanase production in SSF. Under the optimized conditions, the activity and productivity of xylanase obtained after 5 days of fermentation were 5,071 IU/g of rice straw and 14,790 IU l(-1) h(-1), respectively. The xylanase activity predicted by a polynomial model was 5,484 IU/g of rice straw.

Detection and subtyping of swine influenza H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 viruses in clinical samples using two multiplex RT-PCR assays

A total of 360 type A swine influenza virus-positive samples including cell culture isolates, nasal swabs or lung tissues along with 30 virus-negative samples were tested for the detection and subtyping of H1N1, H1N2 or H3N2 by two multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assays. The positive samples had been collected between 1999 and 2001 from pigs with respiratory diseases, and type A influenza virus was isolated and subtyped by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test at the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL). Two multiplex RT-PCR assays specific for H1 and H3, and N1 and N2 were developed. RT-PCR products with unique sizes characteristic of each subtype of influenza A virus were sequenced, and the sequences were demonstrated to be specific for H1N1, H1N2 or H3N2. Genomic RNAs or DNAs from 12 common swine pathogens other than type A influenza viruses were not amplified when the PCR assays were performed with these primer sets. Positive amplification reaction could be visualized with RNA extracted from up to 10(-5) dilution of each reference virus with original infectivity titer of 10(5) TCID(50)/ml. Of the 360 samples tested, swine influenza virus H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 were identified in 200, 13 and 139 samples, respectively. The remaining eight samples were positive for both H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. The results of multiplex RT-PCR were 100% in agreement with those of virus isolation. These results demonstrate the usefulness of multiplex RT-PCR for detection and identification of influenza A virus subtypes. The results also indicate an increased occurrence of H1N2 in US swine population.

Overexpression of peroxiredoxins I, II, III, V, and VI in malignant mesothelioma

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a recently characterized group of thiol-containing proteins with efficient antioxidant capacity, capable of consuming hydrogen peroxide in living cells. Altogether six distinct Prxs have been characterized in mammalian tissues. Their expression was investigated in histological samples of mesothelioma and in cell lines established from the tumours of mesothelioma patients. Four cases with histopathologically healthy pleura from non-smokers were used as controls. Healthy pleural mesothelium was negative or very weakly positive for all Prxs. In mesothelioma, the most prominent reactivity was observed with Prxs I, II, V, and VI. Prx I was highly or moderately expressed in 25/36 cases, the corresponding figures for Prxs II-VI being 27/36 (Prx II), 13/36 (Prx III), 2/36 (Prx IV), 24/36 (Prx V), and 30/36 (Prx VI). Positive staining was observed both in the cytosolic and the nuclear compartment, with the exception of Prx III, which showed no nuclear reactivity. The staining pattern of Prxs III and V was granular. Immunoelectron microscopic localization of Prxs was in accordance with the immunohistochemical findings, showing diffuse cytoplasmic localization for Prxs I, II, IV, and VI and distinct mitochondrial labelling for Prxs III and V. There was no significant association between the extent of staining and different Prxs. It appeared that Prxs may not have prognostic significance, but being prominently expressed in most mesotheliomas these proteins, at least in theory, may play a role in the primary drug resistance of this disease.

Cell specific expression of peroxiredoxins in human lung and pulmonary sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Six proteins of the peroxiredoxin (Prx) family have recently been characterised which have the capacity to decompose hydrogen peroxide in vivo and in vitro. These proteins may have an important role in the protection of human lung against endogenous and exogenous oxidant stress. However, the expression and distribution of these proteins in healthy human lung and diseased lung tissue is unknown.

METHODS

The cell specific expression of Prxs in healthy lung tissue from four non-smokers and in parenchymal tissue from 10 subjects with pulmonary sarcoidosis was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and expression of these proteins in various cultured lung cells and cells of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of controls and patients with sarcoidosis was assessed by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

All six Prxs could be synthesised in cultured human lung cells. The bronchial epithelium showed moderate to high expression of Prxs I, III, V and VI, the alveolar epithelium expressed mainly Prxs V and VI, and alveolar macrophages expressed mainly Prxs I and III. Granulomas of subjects with sarcoidosis expressed mainly Prxs I and III. Samples of BAL fluid from controls and from subjects with sarcoidosis had very similar findings, except that Prxs II and III had a tendency for increased immunoreactivity in sarcoidosis tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Prxs I, III, V, and VI, in particular, have prominent and cell specific expression in human lung tissue. High expression of Prxs I and III in granulomas and alveolar macrophages of sarcoidosis parenchyma may have a significant effect on the oxidant burden and the progression of lung injury in this disease.

Sensitivity of CD95-induced apoptosis in different proliferative status of human retinal pigment epithelial cells

It is known that CD95 (APO-1/Fas) is expressed on the cell surface, and apoptotic cell death can be induced by the CD95 ligation in the cultured, proliferating human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. However, little is known about CD95 on the non-proliferating RPE cells. In this study, human RPE cells were cultured up to 4 weeks after they reached the confluence, to simulate the non-proliferating RPE cells in situ. There was no significant difference in CD95 expression on the cell surface between the predominantly proliferating, preconfluent cells and predominantly non-proliferating, postconfluent cells in flow cytometric assays. However, unlike proliferating cells, no cellular death occurred in the predominantly non-proliferating cells after the treatment of agonistic anti-CD95 antibody with cycloheximide, pretreated with interferon-gamma. Our results suggest that the CD95/CD95L system probably plays a physiologic role in vivo to remove the abnormal, proliferating RPE cells, and factors other than the surface expression of CD95 may determine the sensitivity to the CD95 signals.

Glomerular mRNAs in human type 1 diabetes: biochemical evidence for microalbuminuria as a manifestation of diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

In patients with type 1 diabetes, some consider microalbuminuria to be a predictor of diabetic nephropathy while others believe it is an early feature of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODS

Levels of mRNAs that are of pathogenetic relevance in diabetic nephropathy were compared in glomeruli isolated from microalbuminuric and overtly proteinuric subjects and in control normoalbuminuric diabetic subjects and living renal transplant donors.

RESULTS

In subjects with microalbuminuria and overt proteinuria, glomerular mRNAs were virtually identical and approximately twofold higher for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; P < 0.01) and collagen alpha2(IV) (P < 0.03) compared to living renal donors and normoalbuminuric patients. Glomerular glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) levels were not significantly different among the groups (P = 0.4). Weak but statistically significant correlations were noted between CTGF mRNA and albuminuria (assessed by rank), fractional mesangial surface area, and a composite renal biopsy index. Glomerular CTGF mRNA correlated inversely with creatinine clearance. Glomerular collagen alpha2(IV) mRNA levels correlated with albuminuria (by rank) and less strongly with fractional mesangial area.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, these data provide the first biochemical evidence demonstrating that the glomeruli of microalbuminuric patients and those with overt proteinuria do not differ significantly. The data support the concept that microalbuminuria is not "predictive" of diabetic nephropathy, but rather is an earlier point in the spectrum of diabetic nephropathy.

Murine keratocytes function as antigen-presenting cells

Keratocytes express MHC class I molecules constitutively, and keratocytes stimulated with IFN-gamma express MHC class II molecules. Unstimulated keratocytes constitutively express B7-1 and ICAM-1, as well as low levels of CD40 and 4-1BBL. These findings indicate that keratocytes may deliver both antigen-specific and costimulatory signals to CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. To demonstrate that keratocytes expressing B7-1 provide a costimulatory signal to T cells, CD4(+) or CD8(+) mouse T cells were incubated with anti-CD3 mAb and irradiated keratocytes. Enhanced proliferation of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells occurred, and could be inhibited by anti-B7-1 mAb, indicating T cell costimulatory activity by B7-1 on the keratocytes. To demonstrate that keratocytes can deliver an antigen-specific signal, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from herpes-infected mice were incubated with HSV-1-infected, irradiated keratocytes. The resulting T cell proliferation and production of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma) indicated T cell activation by antigens presented by the infected keratocytes. These results show that keratocytes in the corneal stroma of the mouse can function as antigen-presenting cells and, thus, may play a role in immune-mediated stromal inflammation such as herpetic stromal keratitis.