[CD34-positive cell selection using an Isolex 300 system in patients with solid tumors and its application for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation]

Using an Isolex 300 immunomagnetic cell separator, we carried out CD34+ cell selection in samples from 4 patients with solid tumors: 2 patients with relapsed breast cancer, 1 post-operative patient with advanced breast cancer, and 1 post-operative patient with advanced ovarian cancer. Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized by G-CSF and high-dose chemotherapy (CAF or VIC-E regimen). The mean recovery rate for CD34+ cells was 62.0% and the mean purity was 89.5%. However, the mean recovery for colony-forming cells (CFC) was only 10.9%, suggesting that recovered CD34+ cells may be damaged during the separation of immunomagnetic beads by releasing peptide or by 4 cycles of cytocentrifugation (at 800 G for 10 min). Approximately 30% of the CFC, consisting largely of BFU-E, had been recovered in the CD34- cell fraction. Recently, it has been reported that primitive long-term hematopoietic repopulating cells may express weakly or not at all for CD34 antigen. This suggests that careful follow-up monitoring is necessary for long-term hematopoietic reconstitution after CD34+ cell transplantation.

Myopathy induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in rabbits: a pathological, electrophysiological, and biochemical study

A combination of electrophysiological, pathological, and biochemical studies were performed in myopathy induced by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. Simvastatin (a lipophilic inhibitor) or pravastatin (a hydrophilic inhibitor) were administered by gavage to rabbits. In Group I (simvastatin-treated group, 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), four rabbits showed muscle necrosis and high serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and all six rabbits showed electrical myotonia. In Group II (pravastatin-treated group, 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), no rabbit showed either condition. In Group III (pravastatin-treated group, 200 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks plus 300 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks), one rabbit showed muscle necrosis and high serum CK level and two rabbits showed electrical myotonia. The pathological findings were muscle fiber necrosis and degeneration with increased acid phosphatase activity by light microscopy, autophagic vacuoles and mitochondrial swelling, and disruption and hypercontraction of myofibrils by electron microscopy. Ubiquinone content decreased in skeletal muscle by 22 to 36% in Group I, by 18 to 52% in Group II, and by 49 to 72% in Group III. However, mitochondrial enzyme activities of respiratory chain were normal in all groups. These results indicate that myopathy was not induced by a secondary dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration due to low ubiquinone levels.

Two-staged resection of a left frontal astrocytoma involving the operculum and insula using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring--case report

A 29-year-old right-handed male with a 12-year education presented with a 2-month history of generalized epileptic activity. Neuroradiological imaging demonstrated a large lesion in the left frontal lobe involving the insulooperculum and in the temporal tip. Neurological and neuropsychological examination revealed no abnormality. Two-staged total resection of a left frontal large astrocytoma involving the insulooperculum was achieved, with preservation of the speech and motor functions. The prefrontal area was resected en bloc under general anesthesia. To avoid vascular damage including the lenticulostriate arteries, the sylvian and the interhemispheric fissures were thoroughly opened. The tumor was apparently located in the anatomical Broca's area. Eighteen days later, the residual tumor was totally resected with no language deficit after identifying the motor-speech cortex, which was displaced from the usual location, by direct cortical stimulation under local anesthesia. The medially extended insular tumor was then resected stepwise with frequent neurological monitoring with the patient awake. Surgery for intraaxial insuloopercular lesions in the dominant hemisphere carries a high risk of speech and motor deficit. This staged operation enables maximum tumor resection of dominant-side large frontal gliomas involving the insuloopercular region, with preservation of both motor and speech functions.

[Rapid growth of glioblastoma during therapy for multiple myeloma: case report]

Rapid growth of a glioblastoma during therapy for multiple myeloma is reported. A 53-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a right costal tumor, which was resected. The diagnosis was plasmocytoma. Urine protein electrophoresis showed a monoclonal peak in the region of gamma-globulin, and examination of the bone marrow revealed 17.8% of atypical plasma cells. Brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging detected two small lesions, but these could not be identified as brain tumor. He received chemotherapy (melphalan 10 mg/day and predonin 30 mg/day for 4 days) and was discharged. Two weeks after discharge, he was readmitted because of left hemiparesis. T1-weighted MR imaging showed two large hypointense lesions in the right frontal lobe, with ring-like enhancement following Gd-DTPA infusion. 1H-MR spectroscopy showed typical findings of tumor with increased choline and lactic acid peaks. 201Tl SPECT revealed high accumulation in both early and delayed images. Right carotid angiography showed a hypervascular tumor with venous filling and mass effect. The lesions were resected via right frontal craniotomy, followed by intraoperative radiation and placement of an Ommaya reservoir. Histological examination showed the tumors were glioblastoma. The brain between the tumors also showed the typical appearance of glioblastoma, suggesting that the lesions were continuous. Postoperatively, the patient's left hemiparesis disappeared. He received local irradiation and chemotherapy and was then discharged. Coexistence of glioblastoma and multiple myeloma is rare. The cause may be genetic abnormality, but immunodeficiency due to multiple myeloma, surgical damage, or chemotherapy may have contributed to the rapid growth of the glioblastoma.

Effects of colchicine on the enucleation of erythroid cells and macrophages in the liver of mouse embryos: ultrastructural and three-dimensional studies

Enucleation is the last event in the development of a definitive erythroid line, and extruded nuclei are phagocytosed by macrophages. Both colchicine and cytochalasin have been known to exert a great influence on the enucleation process, but the relationship between enucleation and these agents has not yet been clearly revealed in vivo. Our aim was to clarify the significance of the enucleation in liver erythropoiesis and macrophage phagocytosis by colchicine and cytochalasin administration to embryonic mice. Pregnant mice were intraperitoneally injected with colchicine or cytochalasin at 13 days of gestation. Embryonic livers were removed at intervals of 3, 6 and 12 h after injection for processing for light and electron microscopy, and, to obtain three-dimensional morphology of erythroids at enucleation, computer-aided reconstructions were performed by light microscopy. Colchicine injections had cytolytic effects on hepatocytes and macrophages, and numerous erythroblasts were observed in the process of enucleation after colchicine injection. However, the extruding nuclei were irregularly shaped, and some erythroblasts at mitosis showed extreme peripheralization of their chromosomal masses and cell membrane constriction. Enucleation behavior could also be observed in immature erythroblasts. Liver macrophages engulfed extruded nuclei and erythroblasts in mitosis. Cytochalasin injections, on the other hand, had no significant effect on embryonic livers. The progress of erythroblast mitosis was clearly stopped by colchicine injection, and numerous erythroblasts at mitosis were extruding their nuclear compartment. Following colchicine injection, erythroid enucleation also took place in immature erythroblasts, and mitotic erythroids were phagocytosed. In enucleation, more attention should be paid to hematopoietic environmental factors than to hemopoietic cell factors.

Physiologic regulation of postovulatory neutrophil migration into vagina in mice by a C-X-C chemokine(s)

Leukocytes, particularly neutrophils, infiltrate into female genital organs after ovulation in both humans and mice. In mice, a female sexual cycle consists of 5 phases: proestrus, estrus, metestrus-1, metestrus-2, and diestrus. Ovulation occurs at estrus; at metestrus-2, a large number of neutrophils infiltrate into the vaginal epithelium accompanied by an increased neutrophil number in vaginal lavage fluid. Concomitantly, concentrations of a functional IL-8 homologue, murine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, were increased significantly in vaginal lavage fluid at metestrus-2 as compared with other phases. On the contrary, MIP-2 was not detected in plasma during the whole course of a sexual cycle. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that MIP-2 protein expression was prominent at the upper layer of the vaginal epithelium at metestrus-2, in contrast to a marginal staining in the vaginal epithelium at proestrus and estrus. These results suggest that a C-X-C chemokine, MIP-2, was produced physiologically in the vaginal epithelium in a sexual cycle-dependent manner. Furthermore, the administration of neutralizing anti-IL-8R homologue Abs at proestrus abrogated leukocyte infiltration into the vagina at metestrus. However, anti-MIP-2 Abs reduced leukocyte influx at metestrus by approximately 50%. Thus, a murine IL-8 homologue, MIP-2, and its related molecules physiologically regulate neutrophil migration into the vagina in a sexual cycle-dependent manner.

Clinical usefulness of 11C-MET PET and 201T1 SPECT for differentiation of recurrent glioma from radiation necrosis

The clinical usefulness of L-methyl-11C-methionine positron emission tomography (11C-MET PET) and thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (201T1 SPECT) for distinguishing glioma recurrence from radiation-induced changes was evaluated. Ten patients with lesions highly suggestive of recurrent glioma on magnetic resonance imaging underwent 11C-MET PET and 201T1 SPECT studies. Two patients were examined twice, so a total of 12 studies were performed. The clinical diagnoses were five recurrent gliomas and seven radiation necrosis. The five recurrent gliomas appeared as increased uptakes on both 11C-MET PET and 201T1 SPECT scans. Four of the seven radiation necrosis lesions also appeared as increased uptakes on the 201T1 SPECT scans. In contrast, only one radiation necrosis appeared as increased uptake on the 11C-MET PET scans. There was no significant difference in 201T1 SPECT indices between radiation necrosis and tumor recurrence, but the ratio of the differential absorption ratio of tumor tissue to that of the homologous contralateral gray matter in PET of recurrent glioma was significantly higher than that of radiation necrosis. 11C-MET PET is superior to 201T1 SPECT for the differentiation of tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis and delineation of the extent of the tumor.

[Successful double peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patient with malignant lymphoma of primary induction failure]

Three patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of intermediate-grade histologies, who had failed to achieve a complete remission (CR) after more than several courses of conventional chemotherapy were treated with two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (double PBSCT). All patients received regimen A with carboplatin 1g/m2, etoposide 1.2g/m2 and cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg prior to 1st PBSCT and obtained a partial remission. One patients received regimen A and two patients received regimen B with MCNU 500mg/m2, etoposide 750mg/m2 and L-PAM 140mg/m2 prior to 2nd PBSCT and all patients obtained CR. Second PBSCT was performed 3 to 5 months after the 1st PBSCT. At a median follow-up of 36 (range; 29 to 54) months, all patients remained in continuous CR. The period after reinfusion of PBSCT to achieve a neutrophil count more than 500/microliters ranged between 7 and 9 days and to achieve a platelet count more than 5 x 10(4)/microliters ranged 12 and 22 days. Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity (mucositis) was seen in one patient after 2nd PBSCT. Double PBSCT could be well tolerated with a high response rate in patients with malignant lymphoma of primary induction failure.

Human cord blood-derived primitive progenitors are enriched in CD34+c-kit- cells: correlation between long-term culture-initiating cells and telomerase expression

We studied the functional characteristics of subpopulations of cord blood-derived CD34+ cells expressing different levels of CD38 and c-kit antigens, using clonal cell culture and long-term culture with allogeneic bone marrow stromal cells or the MS-5 murine stromal cell line to assay long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) in each subpopulation. To investigate the capacity for replication, proliferation, and differentiation of each subpopulation of CD34+ cells, we also studied the correlation between LTC-IC and telomerase activity. After 5 weeks of coculture, LTC-IC accounted for one out of 32 CD34+CD38- cells and one out of 33 CD34+c-kit- cells. In contrast, the frequency of LTC-IC was low in their antigen-positive counterparts (one per 84 CD34+CD38+ cells, one per 90 CD34+c-kit(low) cells, and very low among CD34+c-kit(high) cells). It was noteworthy that some LTC-IC derived from CD34+CD38- as well as CD34+c-kit- cells generated colony-forming cells (CFCs) after up to 9 weeks of coculture. Telomerase activity was consistently low in CD34+CD38- and CD34+c-kit- cells compared to CD38+ or c-kit(high or low) cells, suggesting that CD34+CD38- or c-kit- cells are likely to be more quiescent. These results suggest that the CD34+CD38- and CD34+c-kit- cell populations are primitive stem/progenitor cells, and that the telomerase activity of these cells correlates with their proliferative capacity as well as their stage of differentiation.

Haematopoietic action of flt3 ligand on cord blood-derived CD34-positive cells expressing different levels of flt3 or c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor: comparison with stem cell factor

We compared the effect of human flt3 ligand (FL) and stem cell factor (SCF) on cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+ cells expressing different levels of flt3 or c-kit tyrosine kinase (TK) receptor in clonal cell culture. The c-kit receptor was expressed by 58.5+/-16.7% of CB CD34+ cells (n=19), in which c-kit(high), c-kit(low) and c-kit cell populations could be identified. In contrast, the flt3 receptor (FR) was weakly expressed on 58.6+/-8.3% (n=9) of CB CD34+ cells. FL+erythropoietin (Epo) failed to support erythroid burst (BFU-E) formation by any subpopulation of CD34+ cells. However, SCF + Epo supported BFU-E and erythrocyte-containing mixed (CFU-mix) colony formation from all subpopulations. Interestingly, FL markedly augmented CFU-mix colony formation supported by interleukin (IL)-3 + Epo when CD34+c-kit(low) or CD34+FR+ cells were used as the target. On the other hand, SCF significantly enhanced CFU-mix colony formation supported by IL-3 + Epo when CD34+c-kit(high) or low and CD34+FR+ cells were used. The replating potential of CFU-mix supported by IL-3 + Epo+ FL was greater when CD34+c-kit(low) or CD34+FR+ cells were used. When the CD34+c-kit(low) cells were used, the number of lineages expressed in secondary cultures of CFU-mix colonies derived from primary cultures containing IL-3 + Epo + FL or SCF was significantly larger than when the primary cultures contained IL-3 + Epo. Furthermore, the number of long-term culture-initiating cells found in CD34+FR+ cells was larger than that in FR cells. CB-derived CD34+c-kit(low) cells represent a less mature population than c-kit(high) cells, as reported previously. Therefore, these results indicate that both FL and SCF can act on primitive multipotential progenitors. However, it is still uncertain whether CB-derived CD34+FR+ cells are less mature than CD34+FR- cells.

Structural and functional evidence for the presence of tumor suppressor genes on the short arm of chromosome 10 in human gliomas

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) observed at polymorphic loci on both arms of chromosome 10 in many human gliomas suggests the presence of multiple tumor suppressor genes on this chromosome. Recently, the PTEN/MMAC1 gene on 10q23 was isolated as one of these putative glioma suppressors. To determine the subchromosomal localization of others, we analysed 79 gliomas for LOH using 30 polymorphic microsatellite markers on the short arm and 10 markers on the long arm of chromosome 10. Twenty tumors showed LOH at all the loci examined, while 17 others showed LOH at loci on a portion of chromosome 10. Deletion mapping of the latters demonstrated that two distinct regions, encompassing genetic distances of 5.6 cM on 10p15 and 5.5 cM on 10p14, were lost frequently. Introduction of chromosomal fragments 10p14-p15, which included the entire region on 10p15 and a portion of that on 10p14 assigned by deletion mapping, into the human glioblastoma cell line T98G through microcell-mediated chromosome transfer markedly suppressed colony forming ability in soft agar compared with parental T98G cells. The combined results of structural and functional analyses strongly suggest that aberrations of the tumor suppressor gene(s) within chromosomal region 10p14-p15 are involved in development of human gliomas.

Stimulation of interleukin-8 production by acidic polysaccharides from the root of Panax ginseng

The root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, is a well-known important Chinese traditional medicine used as a stomachic, tonic, sedative and as an elixir called Ginseng in China and Japan. The precise mechanism of the biological actions of this plant is not fully understood. In order to elucidate the immunomodulating activities of this plant, we examined the direct effects of four of its components, acidic polysaccharides isolated in previous studies, on cytokine (interleukin-8; IL-8) production by a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, and human blood monocytes in vitro, as IL-8 is a potent inflammatory cytokine involved in neutrophil chemotaxis and activation. We found that one component, ginsenan S-IIA, is a potent inducer of IL-8 production by human monocytes and THP-1 cells, and this induction is accompanied by increased IL-8 mRNA expression.

A suppressive role of p125FAK protein tyrosine kinase in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of T98G cells

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation was examined on a human glioblastoma cell line, T98G, after exposure to oxidative stress in vitro. Hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) markedly induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 125 kDa protein at 30 min after stimulation. The 125-kDa molecule phosphorylated was revealed to be a focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK continued at least up to 5 h, and decreased after 8 h concomitant with apoptosis. Tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK was blocked by herbimycin A, a potent inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, while apoptosis was accelerated. When T98G cells were incubated with FAK antisense oligonucleotide, apoptosis was also accelerated. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK plays a suppressive role in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis.

Simultaneous activation of signals through gp130, c-kit, and interleukin-3 receptor promotes a trilineage blood cell production in the absence of terminally acting lineage-specific factors

We assessed the biologic role of signaling through gp130, a signal-transducing receptor (R) component, in human hematopoiesis in vitro. Although peripheral blood-derived CD34(+) cells ubiquitously expressed gp130 and interleukin-3 receptor alpha (IL-3Ralpha), IL-6Ralpha was only detected on 80% of these CD34(+) cells. We sorted CD34(+)IL-6R+ or CD34(+)IL-6R- cells and studied the effect on hematopoietic colony formation of signaling through gp130 activated by IL-6 or a combination of IL-6 and recombinant soluble human IL-6R (sIL-6R) in the presence or absence of stem cell factor (SCF ) and/or IL-3. Signals activated by SCF, IL-6, or IL-6/sIL-6R complex alone did not induce significant colony formation. However, a combination of IL-3, SCF, and IL-6/sIL-6R complex dramatically induced many neutrophil (colony-forming unit-granulocyte [CFU-G]), erythroid burst (burst-forming unit-erythrocyte [BFU-E]), erythrocyte-containing mixed (CFU-Mix), and megakaryocyte (CFU-Meg) colony formations when CD34(+)IL-6R- cells were used as the target. CFU-G colony formation induced by the three signals was more evident when CD34(+)IL-6R+ cells were used as the target. This distinct synergistic effect of the three different signals was confirmed by single-cell clone-sorting experiments. Moreover, colony formation (including CFU-G, BFU-E, CFU-Mix, and CFU-Meg) was observed even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin (c-Mpl), whereas neutralizing antibodies for gp130, IL-6R, IL-3, and SCF partially or completely blocked the synergistic effect. The maturation of neutrophilic, erythroid, and megakaryocytic cells supported by the three signals in serum-free cultures was confirmed by immunostaining using anti-CD66b, antiglycophorin A, antihemoglobin alpha, and anti-CD41 monoclonal antibodies, respectively. In contrast, any two of the three signals were insufficient for effective blood cell production in the absence of maturation factors. These results suggest that simultaneous activation of the three signals through gp130, c-kit, and IL-3R can induce in vitro proliferation and differentiation of trilineage hematopoietic progenitors in the absence of terminally acting lineage-specific factors.

Molecular cloning, characterization and cellular distribution of rat steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the ovary

Rat ovarian genes induced by the treatment of immature rats with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were isolated by a subtraction cloning method. Amongst them was obtained a probable rat homologue of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), which has been recently identified as a protein that is an acute regulator of the rate limiting transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Structure of rat StAR was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. Northern blot analysis revealed that StAR mRNA levels were rapidly and strongly increased by PMSG/hCG but not by FSH. In situ hybridization revealed that the expression of StAR mRNA was strongly induced by PMSG in theca interna cells as well as in corpora lutea. These findings indicate that expression of StAR mRNA is restricted to and induced in the ovarian steroidogenic cell types where cholesterol is used as a substrate for synthesis of steroid hormones.

Internal tandem duplication of the FLT3 gene is preferentially seen in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome among various hematological malignancies. A study on a large series of patients and cell lines

In this study, we examined a large number of patients to clarify the distribution and frequency of a recently described FLT3 tandem duplication among hematopoietic malignancies, including 112 acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), 55 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 37 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 20 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 30 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 14 adult T cell leukemia, 15 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 38 multiple myeloma (MM). We also evaluated 71 cell lines derived from 11 AML, 31 ALL, two hairy cell leukemia, three acute unclassified leukemia, 10 CML, 12 NHL including six Burkitt's lymphoma, and two MM. Using genomic PCR of exon 11 coding for the juxtamembrane (JM) domain and first amino acids of the 5'-tyrosine kinase (TK) domain, this length mutation was found only in AML (22/112, 20%) and MDS (1/37). According to the FAB subclassification, they were 5/18 (28%) of M1, 4/29 (14%) of M2, 3/17 (18%) of M3, 6/24 (25%) of M4, 4/20 (20%) of M5 and 1/9 of refractory anemia with excess of blast in transformation. In the various cell lines examined, this abnormality was determined in only one derived from AML and never found in other hematological malignancies. The sequence analysis of the abnormal PCR products revealed that 23 of 24 showed internal tandem duplication with or without insertion of nucleotides. In one AML, insertion and deletion without duplication was determined. All 24 lengthened sequences were in-frame. Duplication takes place in the sequence coding for the JM domain and leaves the TK domain intact. In conclusion, we emphasize that the length mutation of FLT3 at JM/TK-I domains were restricted to AML and MDS. Since all these mutations resulted in in-frame, this abnormality might function for the proliferation of leukemic cells.

Recombinant human c-Mpl ligand (thrombopoietin) not only acts on megakaryocyte progenitors, but also on erythroid and multipotential progenitors in vitro

To determine the hematopoietic actions of recombinant human c-Mpl ligand (thrombopoietin [TPO]), we studied its effects on the proliferation and differentiation of highly purified CD34+ blood progenitors in plasma-containing and serum-free culture. TPO alone promoted the growth of small megakaryocyte colonies (CFU-Meg) in numbers two to three times greater than those produced by interleukin (IL)-3. The combination of TPO and stem cell factor (SCF) exerted a significant synergistic effect on CFU-Meg formation. In the presence of TPO and IL-3 or granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a significant number of mixed colonies (CFU-Mix) were observed. The combination of TPO and Epo did not increase the number of CFU-Meg, but did support erythroid-burst (BFU-E) and CFU-Mix colony formation. Interestingly, the combination of TPO with cytokines known to have burst-promoting activity (BPA), including IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-9, and SCF, increased the number of BFU-E and CFU-Mix in the presence of Epo. The BPA of TPO was further investigated by delayed addition of Epo on day 6 after incubation with TPO from day 0. None of the BFU-E or CFU-Mix survived, indicating that TPO acted as a costimulant exclusively for Epo. Moreover, a neutralizing anti-human Mpl receptor polyclonal antibody completely abrogated the BPA of TPO, demonstrating that this effect was mediated through the Mpl receptor. Finally, experiments in single-cell clone sorting and serum-free culture clearly demonstrated that a combination of TPO and Epo directly supported BFU-E and CFU-Mix. These results suggest that TPO acts not only in megakaryocytopoiesis but also in the early stage of hematopoiesis.

[Neurophysiological monitoring during surgery for astrocytoma at the motor strip with awake craniotomy]

We present a case of a 26-year-old male with fibrillary astrocytoma at the right face motor cortex. Surgery was performed with the patient under propofol anesthesia. Stimulation mapping techniques for localization of the motor and sensory cortex were applied. The entire right face motor cortex was resected up to the hand region, resulting in a gross total removal of the tumor. Postoperatively, the patient only had transient weakness of the left lower face. For improving the prognosis of gliomas around the motor strip, it is necessary to resect the tumor as much as possible while preserving motor function. Preoperative understanding of the anatomical relationship between the tumor and the motor strip, and intraoprative neurophysiological monitoring may be necessary. In order to simulate the operative fieled preoperatively, we superimposed the superficial venous image obtained by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) upon the surface anatomy scan (SAS). Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provided precise localization of the central sulcus, preoperatively. The methods of direct cortical stimulation to localize sensorimotor pathways with awake craniotomy enabled us to resect the tumor maximally and to minimize morbidity.

Stimulation of interleukin-8 production by okadaic acid and vanadate in a human promyelocyte cell line, an HL-60 subline. Possible role of mitogen-activated protein kinase on the okadaic acid-induced NF-kappaB activation

Most types of cells can produce interleukin (IL)-8 in response to various inflammatory stimuli. To study the role of protein phosphatases in the signal transduction leading to IL-8 production, a subline of HL-60 (C-15) was treated with okadaic acid (OA) and sodium orthovanadate (VA), inhibitors of phosphoserine/phosphothreonine phosphatase and phosphotyrosine phosphatase, respectively. Both OA and VA dramatically increased IL-8 secretion up to 200-fold in the HL-60 cells. OA and VA stimulation was accompanied by a marked increase in IL-8 mRNA expression and also by activation of a transcription factor, NF-kappaB. In addition, an essential role of the NF-kappaB site in the IL-8 gene activation was confirmed by the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. IL-8 production by OA or VA was inhibited by protein kinase inhibitors, including staurosporine, H-7, K252a, herbimycin A, and genistein. Both OA and VA induced significant tyrosine phosphorylation of p44, which was presumed to be Erk1, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, with concomitant activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. In parallel, rapid degradation of IkappaB-alpha, an inhibitory component of NF-kappaB, was observed. Since OA-activated Erk1 phosphorylated recombinant IkappaB-alpha in vitro, we assumed that Erk1 is involved in the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IkappaB-alpha, thus leading to the activation of IL-8 gene transcription.

Cloning, characterization, and cellular distribution of rat scavenger receptor class B type I (SRBI) in the ovary

An immediately inducible gene by gonadotropin was isolated from rat ovaries primed with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) by using a subtraction cloning procedure. Homology analysis revealed that the gene is a rat homologue of scavenger receptor class B-I, which was recently identified as a specific receptor for high density lipoprotein (HDL). The structure of rat SRBI was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis of full-length cDNAs for SRBI. Northern blot analysis revealed that rat SRBI mRNA levels were rapidly and strongly increased within 3 h by the injection of PMSG. In situ hybridization study revealed that SRBI mRNA was strongly induced in theca interna cells of immature rat ovary stimulated with 30 IU of PMSG for 6 h. SRBI mRNA expression was also observed in corpora lutea of the adult rat ovary. These findings indicate that expression of SRBI mRNA is restricted to and induced in the ovarian steroidogenic cell types where cholesterol is used as a substrate for synthesis of steroid hormones. Our data strongly suggest that SRBI may play a significant role in the ovarian steroidogenesis by mediating selective uptake of cholesterol from HDL to ovarian theca interna cells or to corpus luteum.

Death process of primitive erythrocytes and phagocytosis by liver macrophages of the mouse embryo

Primitive erythrocytes from the yolk sac are nucleated cells which have a short life span of several days in the embryonic circulation of the mouse. The death process of primitive erythrocytes was ultrastructurally investigated in embryonic mice. At 12 days of gestation, primitive erythrocytes accounted for 96.1% of the circulating erythrocytes. The percentages in 13-, 14-, 15- and 18-day-embryos were 43.8%, 15.4%, 7.7% and 0.0%, respectively. Between 13 and 15 days, anucleate primitive erythrocytes made up from 1.5% to 5.9% of circulating erythrocytes. During the gestational period, the nuclei of primitive erythrocytes markedly decreased in volume, and the chromatin underwent condensation and marginated to crescents along the nuclear envelope. Following nuclear fragmentation and dissolution of condensed chromatin, nuclear residues were finally formed in aging primitive erythrocytes. Formation of annulate lamellae was also observed, associated with the nuclear shrinkage. The nuclei had an apoptotic-like appearance, but TUNEL-positive reactions could not be identified in any nuclei of the primitive erythrocytes. Dying erythrocytes with nuclear residues were phagocytosed in toto by hepatic macrophages and disposed of from embryonic circulation without enucleation.

Thrombopoietin augments ex vivo expansion of human cord blood-derived hematopoietic progenitors in combination with stem cell factor and flt3 ligand

We studied the effects of stem cell factor (SCF) and flt3 ligand (FL) on the ex vivo expansion of human umbilical cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+ cells in combination with various cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, IL-11, and c-Mpl ligand (thrombopoietin, TPO), in a short-term serum-free liquid suspension culture system. Among the two-factor combinations tested, SCF plus IL-3 most effectively expanded committed progenitor cells, including mixed colony-forming units (CFU-Mix). The expansion efficiency (EE) of FL for each progenitor was inferior to that of SCF in the presence of various cytokines, except TPO. IL-6 significantly increased the EE for granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) obtained with SCF + IL-3 or FL + IL-3. Interestingly, TPO markedly augmented the EE for committed progenitors, including CFU-GM, erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E), and CFU-Mix, in the presence of SCF + IL-3 or FL + IL-3. The combinations of SCF + IL-3 + TPO + IL-6 or IL-11 maximally stimulated the expansion of committed progenitors. The maximum EE for CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-Mix was respectively 197-fold (day 14), 60-fold (day 7) and 51-fold (day 14). Other combinations of cytokines without IL-3 failed to expand effectively these committed progenitors. Our data demonstrate that it is possible to expand human CB-derived committed progenitors in vitro using SCF or FL with several other cytokines including TPO, and that IL-3 is the key cytokine promoting the expansion of human hematopoietic progenitors in the presence of SCF or FL.

Human FLT3 ligand acts on myeloid as well as multipotential progenitors derived from purified CD34+ blood progenitors expressing different levels of c-kit protein

We studied the effect of human flt3/flk2 ligand (FL) on the proliferation and differentiation of purified CD34+ blood progenitors which express different levels of c-kit protein in clonal cell culture in comparison with that of stem cell factor (SCF). FL alone did not support significant colony formation. However, FL significantly enhanced neutrophil colony (CFU-G) formation in the presence of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) by peripheral blood (PB)-derived CD34+c-kit- cells which contained a large number of CFU-G. In addition, FL could synergistically increase the number of CFU-G supported by a combination of interleukin (IL)-3 and G-CSF, as did SCF. As we reported previously, SCF showed a significant burst-promoting activity (BPA). In contrast, FL did not exhibit any BPA on PB-derived CD34+c-kithigh cells in which erythroid-burst (BFU-E) was highly enriched. However, FL could synergize with IL-3 or GM-CSF in support of erythrocyte-containing mixed (E-Mix) colony by PB-derived CD34+c-kithigh or low cells in the presence of Epo. Replating of E-Mix colonies derived from CD34+c-kithigh cells supported by IL-3+Epo+SCF yielded more secondary colonies than those supported by IL-3+Epo or IL-3+Epo+FL. When PB-derived CD34+c-kitlow cells which represent a more immature population than CD34+c-kithigh cells were used as the target, number of secondary colonies supported by IL-3+Epo, IL-3+Epo+SCF or IL-3+Epo+FL was comparable. However, the number of lineages expressed in the secondary culture was significantly larger in the primary culture containing IL-3+Epo+FL than in that containing IL-3+Epo. These results suggest that FL not only acts on neutrophilic progenitors, but also on more immature multipotential progenitors.

Plasma progesterone concentrations during pregnancy and lactation in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations during pregnancy and lactation in Mongolian gerbils were measured by enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). The P4 concentration was found to increase rapidly after mating and reach a peak on day 6 of pregnancy. The maximum level (166.0 to 184.8 ng/ml) was maintained to day 12 and then decreased to a plateau at a moderate level until day 21. The P4 concentration declined to its lowest level on day 24 of pregnancy, one day before parturition. The P4 concentration on the first day of lactation was similar to that on the last day of pregnancy. The concentration then increased to a significantly higher level on day 4 of lactation, remained relatively stable until day 19, and then significantly dropped on day 22. The present study in gerbils showed that the plasma P4 concentration during pregnancy was higher in the first half than in the second half of gestation and that the P4 level during lactation was fairly constant. The pattern of changes in the P4 level during pregnancy and lactation is therefore quite different from that of other rodent species, such as rats, mice and hamsters.

Antibodies to potassium channels of PC12 in serum of Isaacs' syndrome: Western blot and immunohistochemical studies

We investigated the pathophysiology of nerve hyperexcitability in a patient with Isaacs' syndrome, who had typical clinical and electromyographic features and responded to plasma exchange. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry studies showed that antibodies from this patient reacted with the lysate of a neuronal cell line (PC12). In Western blots, constituents of the patient's serum, particularly immunoglobulin M, reacted with proteins of approximately 50 and 18 kDa, whereas the control serum did not. A cross-linking study with alpha-dendrotoxin (7 kDa) showed a 57 kDa protein-peptide complex. Immunohistochemistry showed that the patient's serum reacted with PC12 cells and human intramuscular nerve axons. Our findings indicate that in Isaac's syndrome nerve hyperexcitability is the result of the immunological involvement of the voltage-dependent potassium channels located along the distal motor nerve or at the nerve terminal.

Action of human interleukin-4 and stem cell factor on erythroid and mixed colony formation by peripheral blood-derived CD34+ c-kit(high) or CD34+ c-kit(low) cells

We studied the interaction of interleukin (IL)-4 and other burst-promoting activity (BPA) factors, such as IL-3, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-9 and stem cell factor (SCF), on erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E) and erythrocyte-containing mixed (CFU-Mix) colony formation in serum-free culture. IL-4 alone did not support mixed colony formation in the presence of erythropoietin (Epo). However, IL-4 showed weak but significant BPA when peripheral blood (PB)-derived CD34+c-kit(low) cells were used as the target population. The BPA of IL-4 was much weaker than that of IL-3, which exerted the most potent activity, as previously reported. When CD34+c-kit(high) cells were used as the target, four factors known to have BPA, IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-9 and SCF, could express BPA. In contrast, IL-4, alone failed to support erythroid burst formation. Interestingly, IL-4 showed a remarkable enhancing effect with SCF in promoting the development of erythroid burst and erythrocyte-containing mixed colonies from CD34+c-kit(low) and CD34+c-kit(high) cells. Delayed addition of SCF+Epo or IL-4+Epo to the cultures initiated with either IL-4 or SCF alone clearly demonstrated that SCF was a survival factor for both BFU-E and CFU-Mix progenitors. In contrast, the survival effect of IL-4 was much weaker than that of SCF, and appeared to be more important for progenitors derived from CD34+c-kit(low) cells than for those derived from CD34+c-kit(high) cells. It was recently reported that CD34+c-kit(low) cells represent a more primitive population than CD34+c-kit(high) cells. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-4 helps to recruit primitive progenitor cells in the presence of SCF.

Aberrant overexpression of the Wilms tumor gene (WT1) in human leukemia

To clarify whether the expression of the WT1 gene in leukemic cells is aberrant or merely reflects that in normal counterparts, the expression levels of the WT1 gene were quantitated for normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. Bone marrow (BM) and umbilical cord blood (CB) cells were fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-sorted into CD34+ and CD34- cell populations, and the CD34+ cells into nine subsets (CD34+ CD33-, CD34+ CD33+, CD34+ CD38-, CD34+ CD38+, CD34+ HLA-DR-, CD34+ HLA-DR+, CD34+ c-kit(high), CD34+ c-kit(low), and CD34+ c-kit-) according to the expression levels of CD34, CD33, CD38, HLA-DR, and c-kit. Moreover, acute myeloid leukemic cells were also FACS-sorted into four populations (CD34+ CD33-, CD34+ CD33+, CD34- CD33+, and CD34- CD33-). FACS-sorted normal hematopoietic progenitor and leukemic cells and FACS-unsorted leukemic cells were examined for the WT1 expression by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The WT1 expression in the CD34+ and CD34- cell populations and in the nine CD34+ subsets of BM and CB was at either very low (1.0 to 2.4 x 10(-2)) or undetectable (< 10(-2)) levels (the WT1 expression level of K562 cells was defined as 1.0), whereas the average levels of WT1 expression in FACS-sorted and -unsorted leukemic cells were 2.4 to 9.3 x 10(-1). Thus, the WT1 expression levels in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells were at least 10 times less than those in leukemic cells. Therefore, we could not find any normal counterparts of BM or CB that expressed the WT1 at levels comparable with those in leukemic cells. These results indicate an aberrant overexpression of the WT1 gene in leukemic cells and imply the involvement of this gene in human leukemogenesis.

Functional differences between subpopulations of mobilized peripheral blood-derived CD34+ cells expressing different levels of HLA-DR, CD33, CD38 and c-kit antigens

We have investigated the functional characteristics of peripheral blood-derived CD34+ cells mobilized by a combination of chemotherapy and G-CSF (mobilized peripheral blood-derived [MPB] CD34+ cells). In this study, subpopulations of MPB CD34+ cells have been directly compared in clonal cultures, long-term cultures with bone marrow (BM) stromal cells, and single-cell cultures. MPB CD34+ cells could be subdivided by expression levels of HLA-DR (DR), CD38, CD33 and c-kit antigens. The majority of MPB CD34+ cells expressed DR and CD38 antigens. In contrast, approximately 60% and 20% of the MPB CD34+ cells expressed CD33 and c-kit antigens, respectively. Interestingly, MPB CD34+ cells can be subdivided into three fractions which express high, low or negative levels of c-kit receptor. All types of committed progenitors were observed in populations of CD34+DR+, CD34+DR-, CD34+CD33-, CD34+CD38+ and CD34+ c-kit(low) cells. Colony forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage was highly enriched in the population of CD34+CD33+ cells, whereas BFU-E was highly enriched in the population of CD34+ c-kit(high) cells. In the population of CD34+CD38- cells, however, a few myeloid progenitors were detected. In addition, limiting dilution analyses clearly showed that the long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) is enriched in the populations of CD34+DR-, CD34+CD33- and CD34+c-kit-(or low) cells, but very few in CD34+ c-kit(high) cells, and that CD38 antigen is not a useful marker for the enrichment of LTC-IC derived from MPB CD34+ cells. Moreover, single cell clone sorting experiments clearly demonstrated the functional differences between CD34+CD38+ and CD34+CD38- cells as well as CD34+ cells expressing different levels of c-kit receptor. Our results suggest that an immunophenotype of LTC-IC is different between BM-, cord blood- and MPB-derived CD34+ cells and that primitive and committed progenitors existing in these sources may be functionally different.

Antenatal detection of Meckel-Grüber syndrome in only one dizygotic twin following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

The first case of Meckel-Grüber syndrome in a dizygotic twin pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is reported. An ultrasound examination at 26 weeks of gestation revealed multiple malformations of the presenting twin: the combination of an occipital encephalomeningocele, bilateral polycystic kidneys and postaxial polydactyly was suggestive of Meckel-Grüber syndrome. Diagnosis was confirmed after birth. The importance of this case is stressed since particular care must be taken to avoid multiple pregnancies in couples at risk undergoing assisted reproduction.

Internal tandem duplication of the flt3 gene found in acute myeloid leukemia

We analyzed mRNA expression of the flt3 gene in 30 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 50 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), expression of flt3 was observed in 61 patients; 22 (73%) with AML and 39 (78%) with ALL. Among these, five patients with AML (one M2, two M4, and two M5) showed unexpected longer transcripts with a primer combination which could amplify the transmembrane (TM) domain through the juxtamembrane (JM) domain. For those patients who expressed flt3 mRNA, the extracellular domain of the flt3 gene was also examined by RT-PCR, but no length abnormality was seen in this region. We further analyzed the TM domain through the second tyrosine kinase domain by genomic amplifications. The five patients who showed aberrant flt3 transcripts exhibited abnormal longer PCR products in addition to the germline products at a region corresponding to the JM through the first TK (TK1) domains. Sequence analyses of the abnormal RT-PCR products demonstrated that partial sequences were tandemly duplicated. Because all these altered transcripts were in-frame, deduced protein products could be expected. Sequence analyses of the genomic DNA revealed that three of the five patients showed a simple internal duplication within exon 11; one had an internal duplication (26 bp) with a 4-bp insertion; and in the fifth patient, a 136-bp sequence from the 3' part of exon 11 to intron 11 and the first 16-bp sequence of exon 12 were each duplicated with 1-bp insertion. In order to confirm the tumor specificity of these alterations, DNA samples obtained at complete remission were also analyzed in the three patients harboring an flt3 duplication, but no abnormal PCR product other than germline was detected in any of the samples. Our results suggest that an internal tandem duplication at the JM/TK1 domains of the flt3 gene is a somatic change detected preferentially in AML, possibly containing a monocytic component.

Serum of Isaacs' syndrome suppresses potassium channels in PC-12 cell lines

Blockage of K+ channels in nerve terminals by immunoglobulin is the speculated pathomechanism of Isaacs' syndrome. Using patch-clamp technique (whole-cell clamp), we investigated the effects on K+ current of serum taken from 2 patients with Isaacs' syndrome employing the clonal cell line PC-12. The addition of a patient's serum to the perfusion solution had little effect on the K+ current of P-12 cells. In contrast, K+ current was reduced by 25-80% when cells were cultured for 3-6 days with 2% serum as compared to control serum values. Suppression of the K+ current appears to develop gradually over the period of culture. Our results suggest that the pathomechanism of Isaacs' syndrome is caused by K+ channel suppression via a humoral factor(s) in the serum, which subsequently induces nerve hyperexcitability.

Detection and quantification of TEL/AML1 fusion transcripts by polymerase chain reaction in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We investigated TEL/AML1 fusion mRNA in 108 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (86 B-lineage ALL, 15 T-ALL, two mixed lineage ALL, and five other phenotypes) using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TEL/AML1 transcripts were found in 14 patients (13%) including three relapsed patients, and were unexceptionally limited to B-lineage ALL patients. The incidence of TEL/AML1 transcripts among B-lineage ALL was 16% (14/86). The reciprocal AML1/TEL transcripts were detected in 12 (86%) of the 14 cases expressing a TEL/AML1 transcript. In three cases, the TEL gene was fused to exon 3 of the AML1 gene, and to exon 2 in the remaining cases. To evaluate the amount of TEL/AML1 molecules for the quantification of a minimal residual disease (MRD), a plasmid vector which contained either a long TEL/AML1 PCR product (464 bp) or a short one (425 bp) was used as a competitor. We amplified RNAs obtained from bone marrow (BM) at complete remission or from peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvests in two representative cases. For one PBSC harvest showing a positive result, a competitive PCR was carried out to quantify the amount of MRD. A 1:4 dilution series of competitor vectors was constructed, and each vector was added to a PCR reaction which contain a constant amount of cDNA obtained from the PBSC harvest. An equivalent point was compared to that of corresponding samples at diagnosis. Using this method, MRD in the PBSC harvest was 3.9:10(3). Our results elucidated the incidence, lineage-specificity, and variant forms of TEL/AML1 fusion transcripts in childhood ALL. Since the percentage of other chromosomal translocations in childhood ALL is not more than 5%, TEL/AML1 transcript would be the most feasible clone-specific marker for these patients. In addition, our method could be a powerful tool for quantification of the TEL/AML1 transcript and for the detection of MRD.

Deletion mapping of chromosome 10 in human glioma

We analyzed DNAs from 35 gliomas (27 malignant, grades III and IV; 8 less malignant, grades I and II) for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using microsatellite sequences on chromosome 10 as polymorphic markers. An LOH was found in 8 of 11 (73%) glioblastomas (grade IV) and 4 of 16 (25%) grade III gliomas, but not in the less malignant types. We detected three commonly deleted regions. One was located in a telomeric region of 10p and the others were relatively large regions of 10q. Our results suggested that three putative tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 10 are involved in the malignant progression of gliomas.

[Scanning and transmission microscopic observations on circulating primitive erythroblasts of yolk sac origin in the mouse embryo]

The earliest hemopoietic tissues which appear during the ontogeny of mammals are the blood islands of the yolk sac, and the blood cells produced therein begin to circulate between the embryo and visceral yolk sac at the establishment of the circulatory system. Primitive erythroblasts derived from the yolk sac have a short life span of only several days, and they form a majority of the embryonic blood cells prior to the start of liver hemopoiesis. To clarify cell fragmentation of primitive erythroblasts at the ultrastructural level, using 18 embryos of ICR-mice at 10 and 11 days of gestation, we observed circulating erythroblasts by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The circulating erythroblasts generally had an irregularly ovoid contour, and they showed a great deal of micropinocytosis on their cell surface. The nuclei of the erythroblasts were round and possessed one or two nucleoli which were in contact with the nuclear membrane. Their nuclear chromatin was dispersed, and the cytoplasm was rich in polyribosomes and mitochondria. The majority of circulating erythroblasts were at the stage of either basophilic or polychromatophilic erythroblasts. Cytoplasmic projections could occasionally be seen extending from the erythroblast surface, and some of the projections appeared to be liberated into the vascular lumen as cell fragments. On the basis of their size and shape, the cytoplasmic projections could be classified into three types; finger-like projections, vesicular projections and microvesicular projections. The finger-like projections were approximately 1 micron in diameter and 3 microns in length. The vesicular projections, connected with the cell by a narrow stalk, were teardrop in shape, and approximately 0.8 microns in diameter and 1.5 microns in length. The microvesicular projections were approximately 0.2 microns in diameter and 0.2-0.5 microns in length. The finger-like projections had micropinocytotic invaginations on their surface, but no invaginations could be seen on the vesicular and microvesicular projections. Not only the finger-like but also the vesicular projections contained cytoplasmic matrix with a few polyribosomes. The microvesicular projections, on the other hand, occasionally contained myelinic-like figures. These projections were seen on the surface of erythroblasts at various maturation stages. The cytoplasmic fragments released from the erythroblasts were engulfed and eliminated from the embryonic peripheral blood by intravascular macrophages. The fragmentation of cytoplasmic projections was considered to be related to the development of microfilaments involved in the cytoskeleton of the erythroid elements.

Immunosuppressive properties of tissues obtained from eyes with experimentally manipulated corneas

PURPOSE

To use explants of cornea and iris and ciliary body (I/CB) of experimentally manipulated eyes to determine whether loss of the capacity to suppress T-cell activation in vitro correlates with other consequences of manipulation, i.e., the migration of Langerhans cells into the central corneal epithelium, the leakiness of stromal neovessels, and the presence of axons in the cornea.

METHODS

Mouse eyes were subjected to cautery of central corneal surface, suture-induced neovascularization, circumferential or criss-crossed corneal surface wounds, and orthotopic corneal grafting. Corneas and I/CB were excised, explanted in vitro, and assayed for capacity to suppress mixed lymphocyte reaction. Integrity of suture-induced corneal neovessels was assessed with high molecular weight dextran, Langerhans cells were enumerated in corneal epithelium, nerve axons were evaluated in corneal stroma, and capacity of manipulated eyes to support anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) induction after anterior chamber injection of bovine serum albumin were assessed.

RESULTS

Experimental manipulations that abolished ACAID included cautery, neovascularization, and keratoplasty, whereas criss-crossed corneal excision wounds did not. Loss of ACAID correlated variably with loss of ability of corneal explants to secrete immunosuppressive factors in vitro, presence of Langerhans cells within the central corneal epithelium, leakiness of corneal neovessels, loss of axons in corneal stroma, and loss of ability of I/CB after keratoplasty to secrete immunosuppressive factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The cornea plays an active role in ocular immune privilege and ACAID by creating a local immunosuppressive microenvironment, providing neural afferent stimuli that affect immunosuppressive properties of I/CB, and preventing neovascularization and infiltration with Langerhans cells.

Effects of 19-oxygenated lanosterol derivatives on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase activity and lanosterol demethylase activity

The effects of 19-oxygenated lanosterol derivatives on lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase (P-450(14DM)) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity were studied. 3 beta-Hydroxylanost-9(11)-en-19-oic acid (6) was found to be an effective inhibitor (IC50:0.5 microM) of P-450(14DM) in the reconstituted system using purified pig liver P-450(14DM) and was most active in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity (IC50:1.0 microM) in mouse L cells. In [2-14C]acetate incorporation studies using mouse L cells, 6 was found to reduce the incorporation of acetate into C27-sterol (desmosterol) with a concomitant increase in radiolabeled C30-sterols. These results demonstrate that 6 is a dual-action inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis.

Purification and characterization of a cytochrome P450 isozyme catalyzing lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylation (P45014DM) in hamster liver

To characterize cholesterol synthesis in Syrian golden hamster, an isozyme of cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase (P45014DM), which catalyzes the initial step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol from lanosterol, was purified and its mode of induction by microsomal enzyme inducers was characterized. P450450DM was purified from hamster livers by chromatography using aminooctyl-Sepharose CL-6B columns, to a specific content of 12.8 nmol/mg-protein. The purified protein displayed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular weight of 52,000. The absorption spectra of the oxidized form of the purified protein showed a Soret peak at 417 nm in a low-spin state and a Soret peak of reduced CO-binding complex at 448 nm. In a reconstituted system, the purified protein catalyzed 14 alpha-demethylation of 24,25-dihydrolanosterol (1.58 nmol/min/nmol-P450), although it did not show any activities toward testosterone and 7-ethoxyresorufin, marker substrates of other P450 families. Immunoblot analysis using an antibody against porcine P45014DM, which inhibited the activity of lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylation in the hamster liver microsomes, demonstrated that the level of this isozyme protein was markedly decreased in dexamethasone-treated hamster livers. This was accompanied by a decrease in the enzyme activity. In contrast, the levels and the activity in the phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated hamsters were almost equal to that in the untreated animals.

Homozygous deletion of the MTS1/p16 and MTS2/p15 genes and amplification of the CDK4 gene in glioma

Loci on chromosome 9p are frequently deleted in several malignant tumors, suggesting the presence of putative tumor suppressor genes. The MTS1/p16 and MTS2/p15 genes on 9p are considered to be candidates. Binding of p15 and p16 cell cycle-regulatory proteins to the cyclin dependent protein kinase CDK4 inhibits CDK4/cyclin D dependent phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein. We analysed the DNAs from 37 gliomas of several grades of malignancy for allelic loss of chromosome 9p and aberrations of the MTS1/p16 and MTS2/p15 genes. We detected losses of one allele and homozygous deletions at loci, including those of the MTS1/p16 and MTS2/p15 genes, in 10 and 3 tumors, respectively. However, we did not detect any tumor-specific mutation in the two genes. The CDK4 gene was amplified in two malignant gliomas without homozygous deletion of the MTS1/p16 and MTS2/p15 genes and one malignant glioma with an allelic loss of the genes. These data suggest that aberrations of the genes coding for components of the cell cycle-regulatory system occurred in at least 15 of 37 gliomas.

Effects of age at first-pairing on the reproductive performance of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Effects of age at first-pairing on the reproductive performance of the gerbil were studied throughout the reproductive life. Six groups of 7-30 female gerbils were paired monogamously with males at different ages. Out of 101 pairs in 6 groups, 79 (78.2%) produced 1 or more litters. The mean litter size at birth and mean weaning rate of 846 litters were 4.4 (totally 3,733 pups) and 67.4% (2,517 pups), respectively. Reproduction was compared in the 6 age groups. The littering rate (No. of females with litters/No. of female paired) was significantly lower in two groups in which mature females were paired with age-matched males (Group 4) or the oldest females with younger, sexually mature males (Group 6). The interval from pairing to the first litter was shortest in two groups in which mature females were paired with one month older, sexually mature males (Groups 3 and 5). Although the oldest pairs (Group 6) produced about 7 litters, the pairs from the other 5 groups produced about 10 or more litters throughout their reproductive life. The weaning rate was significantly higher in Group 6 (the oldest pairs) than in the younger groups. The effects of parity on reproduction were estimated from the data for the 61 pairs which produced more than 8 litters in the 6 groups. The number of pups at birth and the weaning rate were decreased in last 20-30% of the total parity in all 6 groups, although the age at the last litter in all groups was significantly different. The data suggest that any decline in reproduction may be due to not age but parity in the Mongolian gerbil.

Anaplastic ependymomas: clinical features and tumour suppressor gene p53 analysis

We analyzed seven cases of anaplastic ependymoma, focusing on neuro-imaging, histopathology, and mutations of the tumour suppressor gene p53. Five of the seven tumours were supratentorial. All had both cystic and solid components, with fragment calcifications detectable on CT scan. The solid parts of the tumours were imaged as heterogenous hypo- or iso-intense areas with moderate enhancement on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. Vascularity was not prominent on angiograms except for one case. Histologically, in addition to the WHO criteria, loss of typical cellular architecture, endothelial proliferation, and necrosis were commonly found. A mutation in Exon 5 of the tumour suppressor gene p53 was detected in one anaplastic ependymoma out of five tumours (two benign and three anaplastic ependymomas) examined by PCR-SSPC analysis of genomic DNA followed by direct sequencing. Anaplastic ependymoma typically presents as a calcified cystic tumour in the supratentorial parenchyma or transependyma. Mutations of p53 deserve further investigation to examine their possible role in the oncogenesis and malignant transformation of ependymoma.

Primary structure of N-acyl-D-glutamate amidohydrolase from Alcaligenes xylosoxydans subsp. xylosoxydans A-6

The gene coding the N-acyl-D-glutamate amidohydrolase of Alcaligenes xylosoxydans subsp. xylosoxydans A-6 (Alcaligenes A-6) was cloned and its complete DNA sequence was determined. The N-acyl-D-glutamate amidohydrolase structural gene consists of 1,464 nucleotides and encodes 488 amino acid residues. The molecular weight of the enzyme was calculated to be 51,490. This value is close to the apparent molecular weight of 59,000 determined for the purified enzyme from Alcaligenes A-6 by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the recombinant protein exactly matches the amino acid sequence derived from the DNA sequence and that determined from the Alcaligenes A-6 enzyme (NH2-MQEKLDLVIEGGWVIDGLGG). The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned N-acyl-D-glutamate amidohydrolase showed high sequence homology with those of N-acyl-D-aspartate amidohydrolase (46%) and D-aminoacylase (47%) from Alcaligenes A-6. This fact strongly suggests that these three enzymes have evolved from a common ancestral gene.

Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase (cytochrome P-45014DM): modulation of its enzyme activity by cholesterol feeding

Regulation of the activity of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase (cytochrome P-45014DM) by dietary cholesterol was studied in rats. In male rats fed a 3% cholesterol diet for 1 and 4 weeks, the activity of 24,25-dihydrolanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase was decreased in the liver. The cytochrome P-45014DM protein content detected by immunoblotting was also decreased by cholesterol feeding. These results demonstrate that dietary cholesterol acts as a repressive factor for lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase. Further, the activity was enhanced by preincubation with phosphatase of the enzyme solution from both the control and cholesterol fed rats at the same rate. This result suggests that regulation of the activity involves phosphorylation of this enzyme.

Synergistic effects of stem cell factor and interleukin 6 or interleukin 11 on the expansion of murine hematopoietic progenitors in liquid suspension culture

The synergistic effects of stem cell factor (SCF) in combination with other growth factors including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, IL-3, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-1 alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the expansion of murine hematopoietic progenitors were studied in a short-term liquid suspension culture system. Bone marrow (BM) cells obtained 2 days after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injection were cultured for up to 18 days in serum-containing and serum-free cultures in the presence of combinations of various cytokines. The numbers of nucleated cells, total colony-forming cells (CFC), mixed-colony forming units (CFU-Mix) and high-proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFC) before and after liquid suspension cultures were measured in the presence of different combinations of cytokines. Combinations of SCF with IL-11, IL-6 or IL-1 alpha markedly increased the numbers of total CFC, CFU-Mix and HPP-CFC. A combination of SCF and IL-3 also expanded the number of total CFC; however, the fold increase was smaller than those of SCF plus IL-11, IL-6 or IL-1 alpha. Three or four factor combinations including SCF with IL-3, IL-6 and IL-11 did not yield increased numbers of total CFC over that supported by SCF plus either IL-6 or IL-11. The addition of IFN-gamma to the culture containing SCF plus IL-11 resulted in a decrease of the expansion efficiency. However, this difference is not statistically significant. In contrast, the addition of IFN-gamma to the cultures containing SCF plus IL-6 did not affect the expansion efficiency. Interestingly, the addition of IL-1 alpha in the culture containing SCF plus IL-3 significantly increased the number of HPP-CFC over that supported by SCF plus IL-3 (p < 0.01). In contrast, IL-1 alpha did not significantly affect the expansion efficiency in the presence of SCF plus IL-6 or IL-11. These results suggest that combinations of SCF plus either IL-6 or IL-11 or a combination of SCF, IL-3 and IL-1 alpha can most effectively expand murine hematopoietic progenitors derived from day-2 post-5-FU BM cells in vitro.

Loss of heterozygosity at 11p15 in malignant glioma

Deletions of loci on chromosome 11p have been found frequently in several malignant tumors including gliomas, suggesting the presence of tumor suppressor genes. We analyzed 38 gliomas [26 malignant gliomas (grades III and IV) and 12 less malignant gliomas (grade I and II)] for loss of heterozygosity using microsatellite sequences on 11p as polymorphic markers. Loss of heterozygosity was found in 8 of 26 malignant gliomas (31%) but not in the less malignant gliomas. In the region with loss of heterozygosity, loci on 11p15.5-pter were commonly deleted. Our results suggest that a putative tumor suppressor gene involved in malignant progression of gliomas is located in an approximately 21-cM region on 11p15.5-pter.

[Peripheral blood stem cell collection with high dose etoposide]

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were collected from 24 patients who were treated with high dose etoposide. Studied patients included one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 4 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 1 with myelodysplastic syndrome, 13 with lymphoma, 1 with malignant histiocytosis, 2 with myeloma, and 4 with testicular tumor. Etoposide was infused at a dose of 500 mg/m2 for 4 days, followed by subcutaneous injection of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor from the nadir of leukocyte. PBSC were collected by processing 15-20 liters of blood apheresis in the recovery phase of chemotherapy. In all patients, the number of CFU-GM collected per aphereresis ranged from 0.01 to 59.4 x 10(5)/kg, and more than 5 x 10(5)/kg CFU-GM were collected in 19 of the patients (73%). All leukemia patients treated along with our protocols have remained in complete remission, but one patient with AML relapsed within 1 month after the treatment. Ten lymphoma patients were assessable for antitumor effect, and complete response (CR) was observed in 2, partial response (PR) was 7, and no change (NC) in one patient. Two patients with myeloma were classified to be NC. Three of the 4 patients with testicular tumor were PR, and the other one was NC. Eleven patients subsequently underwent PBSCT. The number of days required to achieve an absolute granulocyte count of 0.5 x 10(9)/l was 7 to 11 days, with a mean of 8.6.

[Treatment of spastic paraparesis with botulinum toxin with reference to beneficial effects, disease severity and long-term treatment]

We administered local botulinum toxin injections on the leg adductors of 12 patients with spastic paraparesis (9 patients with HAM, 2 patients with spinal spastic paraparesis, 1 patient with an identified degenerative disease). Two of them were wheelchair-bound and the other patients could walk with or without help. The patients were assessed by the time to walk 10 m and the spasticity score which was derived from the degree of muscle tone and spasm frequency of leg adductors. After the initial injection, 7 of the 12 patients improved spasticity scores and 8 of the 10 patients could walk 10 m within a shorter time. The time to walk 10 m was markedly shortened in moderate cases. However, one patient complained of leg weakness and the time to walk 10 m was prolonged. Five of the 12 patients received injections 3 to 7 times, and were followed up for a mean of 16.2 months. In 4 of the 5 patients, repeated injections could maintain the improvement of spasticity score and time to walk 10 m. However, injection was discontinued in one patient because of leg weakness. The other side effects were pain and swelling at the injected site and dysarthria. However, these side effects were slight and transient and did not require treatment. No other systemic side effects were observed. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of botulinum injections to spastic paraparesis were (1) improvement of objective symptoms in mild cases, (2) improvement of ADL in moderate cases, and (3) improvement of objective symptoms and ease of nursing care in severe cases. Furthermore, we confirmed the long-term efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin.

Characterization of cell-mediated immune responses elicited by orthotopic corneal allografts in mice

PURPOSE

Corneal allografts placed orthotopically induce a unique and unusual response in recipient mice. More orthotopic corneal allografts are accepted indefinitely than similar skin allografts. Of the rejected corneal grafts, class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-incompatible grafts are rejected less frequently than grafts that express only minor histocompatibility complex (minor H) or MHC plus minor H alloantigens. To describe the spectrum of T cells activated (or not) by orthotpic corneal grafts, the authors examined the development of delayed hypersensitivity (DH) to donor-specific alloantigens.

METHODS

Recipient BALB/c mice received orthotopic corneal allografts from donor mice that were MHC incompatible at MHC loci only, multiple minor H loci only, or MHC plus multiple minor H loci. These groups of mice were examined to determine when alloantigen-specific DH developed.

RESULTS

The authors report that all mice, whether they accept or reject grafts, acquire donor-specific DH within 4 weeks of engraftment. This reactivity is primarily directed at minor H, rather than MHC-encoded, alloantigens. Through time, spontaneous DH reactivity disappears in all mice, and thereafter, donor-specific DH can be induced by cognate immunization only in mice that have rejected their cornea grafts.

CONCLUSIONS

These results can be explained in the context of "direct" and "indirect" pathways of allorecognition. Because normal corneas lack passenger leukocytes, the potential for direct recognition of alloantigens on orthotopic corneal grafts is small. Therefore, T cells activated by orthotopic corneal allografts must recognize donor-derived antigens primarily on recipient antigen presenting cells, that is, through the indirect pathway of allorecognition. Because minor H antigens are the dominant cellular proteins in grafts, it is proposed that minor H determinants are the most immunogenic alloantigens in orthotopic corneal grafts because they are the major source of peptides that will be loaded onto recipient class II molecules for T-cell recognition. We further predict that long-term acceptance of corneal allografts is promoted when recipient mice acquire anterior chamber associated immune deviation (impaired and suppressed DH) directed at minor H alloantigens of the grafts.