Effect of tecogalan sodium on angiogenesis in vitro by choroidal endothelial cells

PURPOSE

To examine the possible inhibitory effect of tecogalan sodium, derived from bacteria, on three important components of in vitro angiogenesis (endothelial proliferation, migration, and tube formation in a collagen gel) using bovine choroidal endothelial cells (CECs).

METHODS

The effects of tecogalan sodium (1, 5, 25, 125, and 250 micrograms/ml) on cultured CECs were examined when basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, 10 ng/ml), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, 50 ng/ml), a combination of bFGF (10 ng/ml) and VEGF (50 ng/ml) (bFGF/VEGF) and 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) were used as angiogenic stimulants. For the proliferation assay, CECs were cultured and the cell numbers counted on days 1, 3, and 5. For migration assay, CECs were seeded in the upper half of a Boyden chamber while an angiogenic growth factor was loaded in the lower half. After 6 hours of incubation, cell migration was evaluated by counting the numbers of migrated cells per microscopic field on the lower side of the filter. For the tube-forming assay, CECs were seeded in a type I collagen gel, and the length of the tube-like structures (an indicator of angiogenesis) formed by CECs per microscopic field was quantified by image analysis. The effect of neutralizing antibody for bFGF also was tested in these three assays.

RESULTS

All tested angiogenic stimulants induced CEC proliferation. The stimulatory effect of bFGF and bFGF/VEGF was reduced by tecogalan sodium (IC50 for bFGF effect, 26.1 micrograms/ml). However, the effect of VEGF and of 10% FCS was not altered by low doses of tecogalan sodium (< 25 micrograms/ml). Chemotaxis of CECs was stimulated by bFGF alone and by bFGF/VEGF, and this effect was inhibited by tecogalan sodium (IC50 for bFGF, 3.2 micrograms/ml). Stimulation of chemotaxis by VEGF alone and by 10% FCS was not affected by tecogalan sodium in low doses but was inhibited by high doses. Tube formation was stimulated by administration of each of the factors. Stimulation of tube formation by bFGF and by bFGF/VEGF was inhibited by tecogalan sodium (IC50 for bFGF, 18.2 micrograms/ml). High doses of tecogalan sodium (125 and 250 micrograms/ml) also inhibited 10% FCS-induced proliferation, migration, and tube formation.

CONCLUSION

bFGF, VEGF, and a combination of bFGF and VEGF stimulated proliferation, migration, and tube formation by CECs in vitro. These stimulatory effects, but especially those of bFGF, were inhibited by tecogalan sodium. If tecogalan sodium can be shown to have a similar effect in vivo, it might have the potential for pharmacologic control of subretinal neovascularization.

[A case of idiopathic pulmonary arteritis with positive anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies]

A 38-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary arterial pressure 63/36 mmHg). Digital subtraction angiography showed complete obstruction of the right main pulmonary artery and severe stenosis of the left main pulmonary artery. Although there were no symptoms or signs of systemic arterial lesions, the initial diagnosis was aortitis syndrome with pulmonary arterial involvement, and prednisolone therapy was started (60 mg/day). Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased to 53/12 mmHg. At a dosage of 20 mg/day, however, multiple nodular shadows were present on the X-ray film of the chest, but they disappeared after the dosage was increased. The level of anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies in her serum changed at almost the same time as multiple nodular shadows appeared on the chest X-ray film. Because anti-MPO antibodies have been never detected in patients with aortitis syndrome, polyangitis overlap syndrome was suspected. However, we found no evidence of systemic vasculitis; that is, vasculitis in other organs, including the kidney and the skin. Therefore, we made a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary arteritis with positive anti-MPO antibodies.

Efficient inspired concentration of sevoflurane for vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) technique

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficient inspired concentration of sevoflurane for a vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) technique with respect to induction time, characteristics, and acceptability.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Medical college hospital.

PATIENTS

68 unpremedicated healthy adult volunteers were assigned to one of four groups in order of sequential entry of informed consent.

INTERVENTIONS

3%, 4.5%, 6%, or 7.5% concentrations of sevoflurane were administered for 5 minutes (3% and 4.5%) or 3 minutes (6% and 7.5%) using a single breath technique.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The mean induction time required with 3%, 4.5%, 6%, or 7.5% sevoflurane was 120 +/- 26 sec, 79 +/- 18 sec, 52 +/- 15 sec, or 47 +/- 17 seconds, respectively. Each induction time was significantly different from the others (p < 0.05) except for that between 6% and 7.5%. There appeared to be a direct inverse relationship between the mean induction time and the logarithm of inspired concentration of sevoflurane, but this relationship did not extend beyond concentrations above 6%. Blood pressure decreased by approximately 18% from baseline at the end of inhalation of the drug, and heart rate remained constant in all groups. Except of one subject in the 7.5% group, no coughing was observed and laryngospasm, breath-holding, and secretions were not seen in any subjects. Slight limb movement was observed in a few subjects in each group. All subjects except one in the 3% group would accept undergoing a similar procedure again.

CONCLUSION

Sevoflurane 6% can be recommended for VCRII, but increasing the concentration higher than this does not markedly shorten the induction time and thus seems to add little benefit.

Variation in appearance of glioma on serial thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography--case report

A 63-year-old female presented with recurrent glioblastoma at the site of a right parietal glioblastoma which was diagnosed 1 year before. She was treated at that time by total removal of the tumor, irradiation, and chemotherapy. Four months after the initial treatment, serial thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (201Tl SPECT) showed increased uptake at the edge of the original tumor site. The index, the ratio of 201Tl uptake in the lesion to the normal brain, was 2.9 which suggested a recurrent tumor. Magnetic resonance images with gadolinium over the next 7 months demonstrated an enhanced mass lesion at the site of primary tumor resection and a new enhanced mass in the right temporal lobe. The lesion in the right parietal lobe had a 201Tl uptake index of 2.5, while the lesion in the right temporal lobe had an index of 1.5. Re-craniotomy and total resection of the tumors in the right parietal and temporal lobes were performed. The histological diagnosis of both tumors was glioblastoma. The proposed use of 201Tl SPECT for the differential diagnosis of recurrent glioma and radiation necrosis should be carefully considered because the 201Tl uptake index can vary in tumor with the same malignancy grade.

Biodegradable polymer microspheres for targeted drug delivery to the retinal pigment epithelium

The authors evaluated the feasibility of biodegradable polymer microspheres of poly (L-lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid) to deliver a substance directly to the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The microspheres encapsulated a fluorescent dye (rhodamine 6GX) that was used as a drug marker. The dye released from the microspheres was analyzed by spectrofluorophotometry in vitro. Microspheres were administered to cultured bovine RPE cells. Phagocytosis of the microspheres by RPE cells was studied by fluorescent microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Intracellular release of the fluorescent dye was also evaluated after phagocytosis of the microspheres. A suspension of the microspheres was administered into the subretinal space via transvitreal approach with a glass micropipette in the rabbits in vivo. The release rate of the fluorescent dye was controllable by changing the molecular weight and the monomer composition of the copolymers in vitro. Microspheres were phagocytosed by RPE cells and the dye was released intracellularly during incubation. After subretinal delivery, the microspheres were degraded in the cytoplasm of the RPE, but the fragments were observed up to four weeks. The retinal architecture overlying the delivery site was well preserved. These results suggest that it is feasible to deliver substances directly to the RPE cells with the use of polymer microspheres without damaging the neural retinal structure. This drug delivery system may enable the functions of RPE cells to be modified pharmacologically.

Cultured cells from a severe combined immunodeficient mouse have a slower than normal rate of repair of potentially lethal damage sensitive to hypertonic treatment

The effects of hypertonic 0.5 M NaCl treatment after irradiation on the repair of DNA damage were examined in fibroblasts of the severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mouse. These cells are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation because of a deficiency in the repair of double-strand breaks. Hypertonic treatment caused radiosensitization due to a fixation of potentially lethal damage (PLD) in scid cells, demonstrating that scid cells normally repair PLD. To assess the kinetics of the repair of PLD, hypertonic treatment was delayed for various times after irradiation. Potentially lethal damage was repaired during these times in isotonic medium at 37 degrees C. It was found that the rate of repair of PLD was much slower in scid cells than in BALB/c 3T3 cells, which have a "wild-type" level of radiosensitivity. This fact indicates that the scid mutation affects the type of repair of PLD that is sensitive to 0.5 M NaCl treatment. In scid hybrid cells containing fragments of human chromosome 8, which complements the radiosensitivity of the scid cells, the rate of repair was restored to a normal level. An enzyme encoded by a gene on chromosome 8 may also be connected with PLD which is sensitive to hypertonic treatment.

[Simple determination methods for blood grouping from biological stains. 1. Immunologic gold colloid aspiration test and dot ELISA test by membrane aspiration method for determining ABO blood groups from saliva specimens]

Two immunologic tests using nitrocellulose membrane and an aspiration device were applied to determine the ABO blood groups and secretor status from saliva specimens. First, immunologic gold colloid membrane aspiration test (IMAT) was performed with orange-red colloidal gold particles (GP) sensitized with anti-A or anti-B antibody or anti-H lectin (A chicken antiserum to O secretor saliva was also used as an anti-H reagent in some experiments). The boiled saliva specimens were serially diluted and dotted to the nitrocellulose membrane, which was equipped to a disposable aspiration kit, and the antibody- or lectin-coated GP was aspirated through the membrane. The stained saliva changed red by the immunologic binding of the GP. Test results could be obtained within some minutes. Detection limits of IMAT shown by saliva dilution were 1:100 to 1:10,000 for secretor salivas, whereas those for non-secretor salivas were 1:10 or lower. Second, a revised dot ELISA was performed by using the membrane aspiration device. The requisite time for this test (Dot ELISA-A) was 40 to 45 minutes, whereas that for conventional dot ELISA was 3 to 4 hours. The detection limits of the dot ELISA-A shown by the saliva dilutions were 1:1,000 to 1:100,000 for secretor salivas, whereas those for non-secretor salivas were 1:1,000 or below.

Comparison of induction time and characteristics between sevoflurane and sevoflurane/nitrous oxide

A previous investigation using nitrous oxide with 5% enflurane (3.8 MAC) for single breath induction produced a stage of excitement which may be related to the difference in blood/gas coefficient solubility of these agents. The closer blood/gas solubility coefficient of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide may eliminate this phenomenon. We therefore evaluated 40 volunteers in a randomized study using 7.5% sevoflurane (3.7 MAC) in oxygen (n = 21) or sevoflurane with nitrous oxide (n = 19) using a single breath induction technique. Sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen reduced induction time by 15% compared to sevoflurane in oxygen alone (41 +/- 16 and 48 +/- 16 sec (s.d.), respectively). This was, however, not statistically significant. There were scarcely induction-related complications, such as coughing, laryngospasm, breath-holding, movements of a limb and excessive salivation, in either group. Thus, the addition of nitrous oxide neither increased the number of complications, nor the speed of induction.

Opsonic activity in cord blood: comparison between normal and elevated immunoglobulin M infants

In order to clarify the relation between opsonic activity (OA) in newborn infants and their gestational age, we determined OA by Cypiridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence (MCLA-CL). In addition, complement C3 which plays the major role in OA, was determined by the two-dimensional immunodiffusion method. Although OA and C3 in newborn infants increased in proportion to their gestational age, the levels were significantly lower in full-term infants than in adults. In neonates with IgM levels of more than 30 mg/dL at birth, both OA and C3 levels were significantly higher than in normal neonates, yet these levels were significantly lower than in adults. These findings suggest that low opsonin activity is an important factor in neonatal susceptibility to infection. When OA is measured by chemiluminescence, MCLA-CL is the preferred technique to luminol-dependent chemiluminescence.

A quantitative analysis of cerebrospinal fluid flow in post-traumatic syringomyelia

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow within the syrinx in post-traumatic syringomyelia was studied by cardiac-triggered phase images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the relationship between CSF flow in the syrinx and patients' symptoms.

[Production of a monoclonal antibody against Cry j 2]

The peptide possessing N-terminal 10 amino acid sequence of Cry j 2 was chemically synthesized and conjugated to KLH-carrier protein. Rabbits were immunized with this haptenized protein and the antibody (N-10 antibody) was obtained. Cross-blot analysis revealed that N-10 antibody recognized the hapten moiety. Purification of Cry j 2 was carried out with monitoring its reactivity with N-10 antibody. The substance reactive to N-10 antibody existed in the DEAE-Sephadex unadsorbed fraction. The substance reactive to N-10 antibody was subjected to CM-Sephadex equilibrated with 10 mM acetate buffer (pH 5.0). In contrast to the previous report on Cry j 2, the substance reactive to N-10 antibody existed in the CM-Sephadex unadsorbed fraction. The CM-Sephadex unadsorbed fraction was concentrated with 80% saturated ammonium sulfate, and applied to a Superdex pg 200 column. The major peak of protein was regarded as the final preparation and was subjected to SDS-PAGE. The substance reactive to N-10 antibody had a MW of 40 kDa under reducing and 37 kDa under non-reducing conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the substance reactive to N-10 antibody showed potent allergenic activity. These data completely agreed with the previous data on Cry j 2 and strongly suggested that the final preparation contained a large amount of Cry j 2. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with the final preparation to produce a monoclonal antibody against Cry j 2. Eleven clones reacting to the final preparation were obtained, and the antibodies produced from these clones did not react with purified Cry j 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparison of vital capacity breath and tidal breathing techniques for induction of anaesthesia with high sevoflurane concentrations in nitrous oxide and oxygen

Vital capacity breath and tidal breathing techniques were compared for induction of anaesthesia with 7.5% sevoflurane in nitrous oxide, and oxygen. Thirty five subjects were randomly assigned to a vital capacity breath group (19) or to a tidal breathing group (16). The mean time for induction was faster with vital capacity breath (41 s) than with tidal breathing (52 s, p < 0.05). Some involuntary movements were seen in the tidal breathing group but none in the vital capacity breath group. Coughing was seen in a quarter of the subjects in the tidal breathing group and in one subject of the vital capacity breath group. The vital capacity group showed excellent characteristics: rapid, and pleasant induction without premedication. We conclude that the vital capacity breath technique is necessary for the inhalation induction of anaesthesia; it provides enough overpressure to allow the subject to pass reliably and rapidly through the initial stages of excitement.

Thyrotropin binding specificity for the thyrotropin receptor

Recently, highly purified bovine thyrotropin (bTSH) of pituitary origin, as well as recombinant human (h) TSH free of lutropin (LH) contamination, has been reported to activate the LH/choriogonadotropin receptor (LH/CGR). These data challenge the concept of TSH specificity for its own receptor. We, therefore, re-evaluated these data using, as targets, the recombinant hTSH and rat LH/CGRs stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Partially purified bTSH (2 IU/mg protein) and, to a lesser degree, highly purified bTSH (30 IU/mg protein) increased intracellular cAMP levels in CHO-LH/CGR cells (an EC50 of 0.2 and > 20 mIU/ml, respectively). In contrast, recombinant hTSH (up to 1 IU/ml) did not. All three TSH preparations increased cAMP levels to the same extent in CHO-TSHR cells (an EC50 of 0.3 mIU/ml). Furthermore, we observed only nonspecific, low affinity TSH binding for CHO-LH/CGR cells and also for CHO cells transfected with the expression vector alone (a Kd of 100 nM), although both high and low affinity TSH binding was demonstrated in CHOT-SHR cells (a Kd of 0.3 and 100 nM, respectively). These data indicate that even highly purified bTSH of pituitary origin contains significant amounts of LH, and that TSH itself does not appear to activate the LH/CGR.