Acromegaly with hyperprolactinemia developed after bilateral adrenalectomy in a patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia

A 27-yr-old woman was referred for evaluation of acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia. She had undergone left adrenalectomy at 12 and right adrenalectomy at 17 for Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia. At this time a pituitary tumor was found by brain computerized tomography, but plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) were normal. When she was 23, symptoms and signs of acromegaly and subsequently galactorrhea-amenorrhea had developed. Plasma GH and PRL were increased and she was followed up by the administration of bromocriptine (2.5 mg-12.5 mg/day, p.o.). However the plasma GH level had been increasing gradually. On admission, plasma GH and PRL were high (19.5 micrograms/L, 61.0 micrograms/L, respectively) and increased in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, 500 micrograms i.v.). An intrasella mass, which had been detected when she was 17, had become enlarged and was removed by Hardy's operation. Microscopically, the resected tumor was an eosinophilic adenoma. Immunohistochemical studies showed GH, PRL and ACTH positive cells localized in the tumor. Immunoultrastructural analysis of the tumor confirmed that GH, PRL and ACTH were present in secretory granules and Golgi apparatus in the tumor cells. The patient was a rare case of acromegaly with hyperprolactinemia developed after bilateral adrenalectomy of Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia, all of which manifestations may be caused by a GH, PRL and ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma.

Hemodynamic changes during cardioversion in utero: a case report of supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter

Two cases of fetal tachyarrhythmias were treated in utero. One case showed supraventricular tachycardia which was successfully treated with procainamide. The other case was an atrial flutter with 2:1 atrioventricular conduction (AVC) which was treated with digoxin and verapamil. In both cases, the blood flow in the descending aorta was observed using pulsed Doppler ultrasound during therapy. In the first case, the interval of blood flow peaks was suddenly prolonged to normal heart rate, and in the second case, the blood flow peaks appeared irregularly which indicated that (AVC) was intermittently blocked. The blood flow pattern represented the mode of cardioversion. The blood flow velocity was also measured in both cases; it decreased transiently during therapy representing a depression in cardiac function. The cause of this was thought to be the negative inotropic effects of procainamide and verapamil. In spite of these negative inotropic effects, a greater R-R interval means a greater stroke volume. This relationship has a favorable effect on the fetal circulation as a result of therapy for fetal tachyarrhythmias.

Aneurysm in the skin: arterial fibromuscular dysplasia

We describe a pulsatile aneurysm in the skin of 16-year-old boy that was found to be a sign of a systemic vascular disease, that is, arterial fibromuscular dysplasia. The patient had aneurysms in the renal, cerebral, coronary, and other arteries; he developed renovascular hypertension and had a cerebrovascular accident and acute myocardial infarction at 17 years of age. This disease has not been previously reported in the dermatologic literature.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 secreted by a human glioblastoma cell line. Identification of small and different forms of large latent complexes

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been found to occur as latent high molecular weight complexes, with or without an associated component denoted latent TGF-beta 1-binding protein (LTBP). We show here that a human glioblastoma cell line (U-1240 MG) secretes all isoforms of TGF-beta s found in mammalian cells (TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3). Approximately 26% of the secreted TGF-beta is in an active form. Latent TGF-beta s were partially purified from medium conditioned by the U-1240 MG cell line using anion exchange chromatography. Analysis of the different fractions by immunoblotting using antisera against precursor parts of the different TGF-beta isoforms, and against LTBP, revealed that not only TGF-beta 1 but also other isoforms of TGF-beta may occur in high molecular weight forms containing LTBP. In addition, each one of the TGF-beta isoforms occurred in smaller forms not containing LTBP. Interestingly, each of the TGF-beta isoforms was also seen in complexes of about 210 kDa containing associated component(s) distinct from LTBP. These results indicate that each of the different isoforms of TGF-beta is synthesized and secreted by this glioblastoma cell line in several different high molecular weight latent forms; the biological importance of the various latent TGF-beta complexes is discussed.

Electron microscopic X-ray microanalysis of metals deposited in oral mucosa

A 35-year-old woman exhibited bluish-brown discoloration of her buccal mucosa suggesting malignant melanoma. Histopathological examination revealed that the pigment was not melanin but caused by metal deposits. Electron microscopically, metallic particles were located on the lamina densa of basal laminae at mucosal epithelium, nerve fibers, and blood vessels and on the microfilaments of elastic fibers as well as in macrophages and fibroblasts. Electron microscopic point X-ray microanalysis revealed that these metallic particles were composed of Ag, Se, Fe, Co, Cu, and S. Analysis suggests that these metals were derived from dental amalgam and that the discoloration was caused by amalgam tattoo.

[A case of primary anterior mediastinal embryonal carcinoma: report of a case]

A 15-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chest pain. The chest x-ray film and CT scan revealed a large anterior superior mediastinal mass. The serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) value was raised. Percutaneous biopsy of the tumor suggested embryonal carcinoma. The tumor was totally removed. Postoperatively combination chemotherapy including CDDP was performed. However the patient died of tumor recurrence 8 months after operation. AFP is very useful for its diagnosis and the follow-up of the clinical course.

[A case of recurrent liver tumor from gastric cancer responding remarkably to hepatic arterial infusion of large doses of mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil]

A 69-year-old man underwent subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in 1989. He was diagnosed with recurrent liver tumors at 9 months after the operation. Mitomycin C and 5-Fluorouracil were infused repeatedly into hepatic artery, at total doses of 170 mg and 15 g, respectively. Metastatic tumors disappeared in liver by this therapy. There were no side effects such as liver dysfunction, bone marrow suppression and anorexia in spite of the large amount of anti-cancerous agents. This case suggested that hepatic arterial infusion of a large amount of anti-cancerous agents is a good method for liver metastasis from gastric cancer.

Eruptive lichen planus

We herein report a case of a rare variety of the acute eruptive form of lichen planus. The patient was a 51-year-old male who developed an intensely pruritic eruption on the lower legs which spread rapidly to all four extremities and trunk within a few months. The papulosquamous lesions were more than ten thousand in number. Topical steroid, cyclosporine, and systemic griseofulvin treatments were ineffective. However, there was a dramatic response to oral etretinate.

Establishment of a new Hodgkin's cell line (HD-70) of B-cell origin

A new Hodgkin's cell line, designated HD-70, was established from the peripheral blood of a 69-year-old man with Hodgkin's disease of nodular sclerosing type. The cell line grows in a single cell suspension and has a doubling time of 28 hours. The cells have a round or irregular nucleus or multiple nuclei in relatively abundant cytoplasm that is positive for acid phosphatase, alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase, and periodic acid-Schiff stains. HD-70 cells are positive for CD30 (Ki-1/Ber-H2), CD15 (Leu-M1), and CD71 (OKT9) antigens and contain cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (Ig) (A, kappa). Southern blot analysis showed that the cells have Ig heavy and kappa light chain gene rearrangement and lack T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. Chromosome analysis disclosed that the cells have a human karyotype with complicated abnormalities, including a 14q+. Heterotransplantation of the HD-70 cell line into newborn hamsters treated with antilymphocyte serum produced massive tumors with remarkable fibrosis and collagen band formation. These tumors displayed histologic features similar to those of the nodular sclerosing type tumor of the patient. Such fibrosis production and collagen band formation in heterotransplanted tumors suggest that a certain cytokine that induces fibrosis might be produced by HD-70 cells. This cell line may be useful for understanding the biology and pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease.

Eruptive pruritic papular porokeratosis

Three cases of an unusual variant of porokeratosis (Mibelli) were described. Patients with disseminated superficial porokeratosis for some years suddenly developed intensively pruritic erythematous papules. Skin biopsies revealed that these papules contained cornoid lamellae on their tops. Pruritic papules subsided in several months, leaving slightly hyperkeratotic brown annular lesions which were shown to contain typical cornoid lamellae histopathologically. This type of porokeratosis has not been reported in the literature.

Muir-Torre syndrome

Muir-Torre syndrome is characterized by multiple sebaceous tumors, various internal malignancies and an autosomal dominant inheritance. We herein report a typical case. The patient was a 69-year-old man with sebaceous adenomas, a keratoacanthoma, and actinic keratosis in addition to carcinomas of the prostate, colon, duodenum, and larynx. His family members also suffered from multiple cancers.

The Koebner phenomenon in eruptive xanthoma

A 49-year-old woman with Type V hyperlipidemia had yellow papules smaller than 3 mm in diameter with red haloes on her elbows, shoulder, buttocks, and hands. Two linear lesions composed of papules arising at the sites of skin previously injured by a cat scratch were observed. Histopathological examination of these papules revealed the presence of many foam cells in the dermis which stained positively with oil red O stain. A survey of the literature found only 5 cases of the Koebner phenomenon in xanthoma.

Milialike idiopathic calcinosis cutis and syringoma in Down's syndrome

A 6-year-old girl with Down's syndrome presented milialike whitish small papules on her hands and feet and periorbital syringoma. Histopathological examination of the hand lesion revealed small localized calcium deposits and syringoma in the adjacent upper dermis. This is a very rare but typical case of calcinosis cutis with syringoma in a patient with Down's syndrome.

Late phase allergic reaction to a CT contrast medium (iotrolan)

A 46-year-old male developed wide-spread erythema and edema after intravenous injection of a CT contrast medium (iotrolan). The skin eruption appeared at 6 h, reached a maximum at 9 to 12 h, and faded within 36 h after injection. A challenge with an intradermal injection of the agent provoked the same reaction where the eruption had originally appeared, but had no effect on previously unaffected regions. Histopathologic examination revealed a perivascular infiltration of small round cells, and a few neutrophils, and eosinophils in the dermis and focal spongiosis in the epidermis. This is the first report of a late phase allergic skin reaction induced by iotrolan.

Acneiform eruption induced by lithium carbonate

A 26-year-old female developed a severe acneiform eruption on her face, chest and back soon after she started taking lithium carbonate for psychosis. Histopathological examination revealed it to be folliculitis, rather than true acne. The eruption continued for six months but was resolved three months after discontinuing the drug. It has not reappeared in the following 3 years.

Lysosomal alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency, the enzymatic defect in angiokeratoma corporis diffusum with glycopeptiduria

Recently a novel case of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum with glycoaminoaciduria was described in a 46-yr-old Japanese woman. Known causes of the cutaneous manifestation were eliminated by enzyme analyses, and further characterization of the accumulated urinary O-linked sialopeptides revealed identity to those excreted by patients with an infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy due to lysosomal alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency. Investigation of the alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity and protein in the proband revealed less than 2% of normal activity and the absence of detectable immunoreactive enzyme protein, findings comparable to those in the patients with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency. In addition, the proband's unaffected offspring had half-normal levels of alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity, consistent with this enzymatic deficiency being the primary metabolic defect in this autosomal recessive trait. Ultrastructural examination of skin and blood cells from the adult proband revealed the presence of prominent lysosomal inclusions containing diffuse amorphous and filamentous material. In contrast, these morphologic findings were not observed in the nonneural tissues from patients with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency. These studies document the occurrence of two forms of alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency and sialopeptiduria, a severe infantile-onset form of neuroaxonal dystrophy without angiokeratoma or visceral lysosomal inclusions and an adult-onset form characterized by angiokeratoma, extensive lysosomal accumulation of sialoglycopeptides and the absence of detectable neurologic involvement.

Prenatal diagnosis of harlequin ichthyosis by fetal skin biopsy; report of two cases

Two cases of harlequin ichthyosis were successfully diagnosed prenatally by fetal skin biopsy. The aborted fetuses were later confirmed to be afflicted with this very unusual skin disease. Both families had a previous history of harlequin ichthyosis. In performing the biopsy, it was found that amniotic fluid cytology can also be very helpful in the diagnosis of this kind of severe ichthyosis. With regard to these families, the disease may have been transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion, and not in a recessive manner as is commonly believed.

Biological behavior of cloned cells of human malignant fibrous histiocytoma in vivo and in vitro

A human malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line was established in vitro. Cells showed a wide variety of morphologies, although the karyotype study showed that the tumor was monoclonal in origin because of the presence of unique marker chromosomes in 100% of the cells examined (50 of 50). Cells were cloned according to their characteristic morphologies and biological behavior in culture. The cloned cells were sparse spindle, packed spindle, epithelioid, and lymphoid. In colonies, sparse spindle cells grew separately from each other without cell to cell contact but produced a cartwheel pattern at confluency. Packed spindle cells grew in a tightly packed fashion and produced a storiform pattern at confluency. Epithelioid cells were spindle shaped as individuals but became epithelioid when in contact with each other and produced many multinucleated giant cells at confluency. Lymphoid cells were spindle shaped as individuals but became spherical at confluency. When tumors were grown in nude mice after transplantation of these cloned cells, the histology was shown to be unrelated to morphology in culture and was epithelioid (histiocytic), as was the original tumor. These results show that (a) a single cell derived from malignant fibrous histiocytoma cells exhibits a wide range of phenotypical expression in vitro, (b) cells have their own morphological and biological characteristics in vitro, which (c) however, are easily influenced by environmental factors and (d) which are unstable and even interchangeable. These characteristics may contribute to the endless variety of cellular forms and growth patterns of malignant fibrous histiocytomas in humans.

[Establishment and characterization of a human malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line (K-MFH-1)]

We established and characterized a cell line (K-MFH-1) of human malignant fibrous histiocytoma in vitro and in nude mice. The cells have been kept in culture for nearly 4 years in 121 subcultures in vitro and transferred serially in nude mice in 10 generations. The original tumor histology was epithelioid, angiomatoid variant of MFH, but cells in culture showed a variety of morphology. Chromosomal study disclosed that this tumor was monoclonal in origin. Electron microscopic study revealed that cells had some epithelial characteristics as well as histiofibroblastic features. Tumor cell morphology gradually shifted from epithelioid to myxomatous fibroblastic forms after serial transplantations in nude mice. Some tumors showed an extensive vascular proliferation like angioma suggesting that tumor cells have released angiogenic factors.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the lip

A case of pleomorphic adenoma in the upper lip is reported. A 61-year-old male had a tumor at the left side of the upper lip for 8 years. The tumor was surgically excised without recurrence. Histopathologically, the tumor was a typical pleomorphic adenoma with keratinization and glandular differentiation of tumor cells and fibroblastic, mucinous, hyalinized, and cartilagenous stroma.

A method for the rapid detection of urinary glycopeptides in alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency and other lysosomal storage diseases

A new method is described for the detection of abnormal urinary oligosaccharide and glycopeptide excretion by thin layer chromatography and differential visualization of oligosaccharides and glycopeptides. This method permits rapid screening and identification of disorders characterized by oligosacchariduria and glycopeptiduria including alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency, angiokeratoma corporis diffusum with glycopeptiduria, aspartylglucosaminuria, galactosialidosis, fucosidosis, GM1 gangliosidosis and sialidoses 1 and 2. Of note, the characterization of the glycopeptide excretion profiles in patients with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency and angiokeratoma corporis diffusum with glycopeptiduria revealed essentially identical patterns, indicating the metabolic relatedness of these two phenotypically distinct conditions. Use of this improved thin layer chromatographic method should enhance routine screening of patients for lysosomal storage diseases as well as permit the identification of new disorders resulting from defective oligosaccharide and/or glycoprotein metabolism.

TGF-beta 1 binding protein: a component of the large latent complex of TGF-beta 1 with multiple repeat sequences

TGF-beta occurs in a latent complex of high Mr. We report the cDNA cloning and an initial structural and functional characterization of a component of the large latent TGF-beta 1 complex, denoted TGF-beta 1 binding protein (TGF-beta 1-BP). Most of the sequence of fibroblast TGF-beta 1-BP is made up of cysteine-rich repeats of two different kinds; there are 16 EGF-like repeats and three repeats with a distant resemblance to EGF, but of a distinct type hitherto not found in any other protein. beta-hydroxylated asparagine residues were identified in two of the EGF-like repeats. TGF-beta 1-BP purified from human platelets is considerably smaller than the fibroblast form (125-160 kd vs. 170-190 kd), suggesting that there is alternative splicing of the TGF-beta 1-BP gene or that TGF-beta 1-BP undergoes cell-specific proteolysis. TGF-beta 1-BP was found not to bind and inactive TGF-beta 1; its role in the latent complex is discussed.

Effects of pindolol on serum lipoproteins and postheparin lipolytic activities in hypertensive patients

Thirty-four hyperlipoproteinemic, hypertensive patients received 5 mg of pindolol twice daily for 12 weeks. During pindolol administration, there were significant decreases in serum triglyceride levels and increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, while total cholesterol levels did not change. Serum levels of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol decreased over time as HDL-C increased. There was a significant increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at week 12. Apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, A-II, and B levels did not change during pindolol administration, but apo C-II, C-III, and E levels decreased significantly. Lipoprotein lipase activity in heparin-treated plasma was significantly higher after pindolol administration. The results suggest that the reduction in triglyceride levels and increase in HDL-C after pindolol are partly a response to an increase in the hydrolysis of VLDL resulting from an increase in lipoprotein lipase activity.

Isolation and characterization of major urinary amino acid O-glycosides and a dipeptide O-glycoside from a new lysosomal storage disorder (Kanzaki disease). Excessive excretion of serine- and threonine-linked glycan in the patient urine

Four major sialo compounds, termed GP-M1, GP-D1, GP-D2, and GP-D3 have been isolated from the urine of a novel glycoprotein storage disorder patient with angiokeratoma corporis diffusum which was discovered by Kanzaki et al. (Kanzaki, T., Yokota, M., Mizuno, N., Matsumoto, Y., and Hirabayashi, Y. (1989) Lancet April 22, 875-877). Based on the results of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, methylation analysis, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, their chemical structures were concluded to be: (formula; see text) The yields of GP-M1, GP-D1, GP-D2, and GP-D3 were approximately 15, 6, 50, and 5 mg/liter of urine, respectively. The most major compound GP-D2, was further purified into single molecular species, threonine and serine type, by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. NMR analysis of the two purified compounds with single molecular species showed that the chemical shifts of anomeric protons of GalNAc were significantly different between threonine- and serine-linked GalNAc. Neither mannose-containing glycopeptides nor glycosphingolipids were excreted in the patient urine. From these results, this disease is thought to be caused by the deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme(s) acting on O-linked glycan chains.

Polyprenoic acid, E-5166, is effective in inhibiting the proliferation of keratinocytes in vitro

E-5166 is a newly synthesized polyprenoic acid that has been reported to control epithelial differentiation and to have antiproliferative effects on various tumor cells in vitro. This study examined the effects of E-5166 on the proliferation of keratinocytes. Three kinds of keratinocytes were used: normal human keratinocytes, a human trichilemmoma-derived K-TL-1 cell line, and a Pam 212 cell line. Cell proliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation and also by determining cell numbers. E-5166 was found to have significant antiproliferative effects on each of the cell lines studied. When Pam 212 cells were cultured in the presence of E-5166, cell proliferation was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibitory effect appeared to be reversible, since removal of E-5166 from the culture medium resulted in a subsequent return of cell proliferation. For normal human keratinocytes and K-TL-1 cells, E-5166 inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, E-5166 showed significantly stronger antiproliferative capacity than Ro 10-9359, one of the aromatic retinoids, on Pam 212 cells and normal human keratinocytes.

Evaluation of the preload condition of the fetus by inferior vena caval blood flow pattern

Using pulsed Doppler ultrasound, blood flow in the inferior vena cava (IVC) was studied in 47 normal fetuses from 24 to 40 weeks of gestation and 35 abnormal fetuses, with the exception of those with arrhythmias. The abnormal fetuses were divided into 4 groups according to diagnosis, i.e., 6 cases of heart disease with hydrops (group 1), 9 cases of heart disease without hydrops (group 2), 11 cases of hydrops without heart disease (group 3), and 9 cases of other fetal diseases (group 4). By measuring the velocity of IVC blood flow, we defined a new index, the change in parallel with reverse flow velocity, and called it the preload index (PLI). In normal fetuses, PLI values ranged from 0 to 0.37 and had no relation with gestational age. The PLI was significantly higher in groups 1-3 than in normal fetuses. In group 1, the PLI was also higher than in group 2. In group 3, the PLI values in 4 cases of chylothorax, 1 of chyloascites and 1 of cytomegalovirus infection were significantly lower than in the remaining 5 cases where the cause of hydrops was undetermined. The PLI was normal in 9 fetuses with other diseases and no hydrops. The PLI was increased in conditions in which excessive preload, tricuspid regurgitation, or some kind of structural heart disease were present.

Quantitative analysis of cardiac function in non-immunological hydrops fetalis

The present study was designed to quantitatively evaluate fetal cardiac dysfunction in fetal congestive heart failure associated with cardiogenic hydrops fetalis. Thirty-seven cases of non-immunological hydrops fetalis and/or fetal heart disease were assigned to four groups: (1) hydrops fetalis with structural heart disease; (2) hydrops fetalis without heart disease; (3) structural heart diseases without hydrops, and (4) complete A-V block without hydrops. One hundred and ten control fetuses were also studied. The ejection fraction in the first and third groups was significantly lower than that in the control. In the first group, systolic flow velocity in the descending aorta normalized but gestational age was significantly lower than that in the controls. Compensation of fetal cardiac function in the fourth group (complete A-V block) was noted on the basis of higher flow velocity and higher contractility. The cardiothoracic area ratios of the pathological and control groups were also evaluated.

Phorbol myristate enhanced specific incorporation of arachidonic acid into phospholipids through lysophospholipid acyltransferase in cultured smooth muscle cells

The effect of stimulation of phospholipase with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and lipopolysaccharide on 1-acyl-glycerophospholipid acyltransferase was studied in cultured rabbit aorta smooth muscle cells. The acyltransferase in smooth muscle cells without stimulation was active on a wide range of unsaturated fatty acids and was not arachidonic acid specific. Upon increase in phospholipase activity, acyltransferase activity only with arachidonic acid as substrate increased in a time-dependent fashion. Apparent acyltransferase activity was increased most upon increase in phospholipase activity when lysophosphatidylcholine was used as acceptor. These results suggest that arachidonic acid specific acyltransferase was induced in smooth muscle cells by increase in phospholipase activity. The role of this acyltransferase is postulated to be the specific incorporation of endogenously released arachidonic acid.

Transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn: two additional cases

Two cases of transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn are reported. The first patient, a white boy, had normal skin at birth, but multiple blisters soon developed. The oral mucous membranes were not affected. All lesions healed within 4 months without scars but with many milia. At the age of 17 months the boy was reexamined and was found to have no blisters or milia. The second patient, a Japanese baby girl, had extensive denudation of her hands at birth. Generalized blisters and involvement of the oral mucous membrane developed. Blistering stopped within 1 1/4 months, and all lesions healed without scars. Histologically the blisters were subepidermal in both cases. Some lesional basal cells contained periodic acid-Schiff-positive inclusions. Electron microscopy revealed collagenolysis, diminution or loss of anchoring fibrils, and stellate inclusions in dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum in the keratinocytes of the lower epidermis. These stellate inclusions consisted of filamentous bundles with 25 to 33 nm cross-striations.

Effects of smooth muscle cell derived growth factor (SDGF) in combination with other growth factors on smooth muscle cells

Recently intimal thickening was shown to be due to stimulation of proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) by autocrine secretion of growth factor(s). We have reported that cultured rabbit aortic SMC secrete a growth factor (SDGF) distinct from other known growth factors. This paper reports on studies on the biological characteristics of SDGF. Putative "competence" and "progression" growth factors synergistically stimulated DNA synthesis of cultured rabbit aortic SMC. Conditioned medium (CM) from SMC containing SDGF stimulated DNA synthesis in SMC synergistically with either the competence factors or the progression factors. This synergistic effect was also observed in the presence of optimal concentrations of both competence and progression factors. The continuous presence of CM was essential for its stimulation of DNA synthesis whereas the presence of PDGF for only the first 4 h of culture was sufficient to induce maximum stimulation of DNA synthesis. These results suggest that SDGF is a new growth factor distinct from either competence or progression factors and that it stimulates a different pathway in SMC from those stimulated by other known growth factors.

Novel lysosomal glycoaminoacid storage disease with angiokeratoma corporis diffusum

A 46-year-old Japanese woman had disseminated angiokeratoma, confirmed by electron microscopy which showed numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles in cells of the kidney and skin. Enzyme activities against synthetic and natural substrates in leucocytes and fibroblasts were normal. Her urine contained a large amount of sialylglycoaminoacids, with predominant excretion of an O-glycoside-linked glycoaminoacid.

A monoclonal antibody, SKH1, reacts with 40 Kd sweat gland-associated antigen

Several monoclonal antibodies (MAB) have been produced using an eccrine carcinoma cell line as an immunogen. One such MAB, SKH1, reacted with both the secretory portion and coiled duct of the eccrine and with the secretory portion of apocrine gland. SKH1, however, did not react with myoepithelial cells, intradermal ducts of both types of sweat gland, or with other components of normal axillary skin including the epidermis and follicular apparatus. The reaction was strongest if the specimen was fixed with 80% methanol, and moderate on non-fixed or acid-alcohol-fixed specimens. Only weak reaction was obtained on cold acetone-fixed specimens, and reaction was negative with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. SKH1 reacted positively with the cytoskeleton of the eccrine carcinoma cell line, Colo-16 and MCF-7. Applied to pathological skin specimens, SKH1 reacted with the tumor cells of clear cell hidradenoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, and extramammary Paget's disease. SKH1 also reacted with the tumor cells of metastatic adenocarcinomas arising from lung, breast and ovary. SKH1 did not react with the majority of tumor cells of eccrine poroma, but reacted with single-layered cells lining narrow ductal lumina. SKH1 did not react with epithelial cells lining cystic or ductal lumina of syringoma, but reacted moderately with the amorphous keratin-like substance filling the lumina. Immunoblot analysis revealed that SKH1 recognizes a 40 Kd sweat gland-associated antigen, and can be an aid to identifying tumors arising from sweat gland structures.