Temporally distinct and ligand-specific recruitment of nuclear receptor-interacting peptides and cofactors to subnuclear domains containing the estrogen receptor

Ligand binding to estrogen receptor (ER) is presumed to regulate the type and timing of ER interactions with different cofactors. Using fluorescence microscopy in living cells, we characterized the recruitment of five different green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled ER-interacting peptides to the distinct subnuclear compartment occupied by blue fluorescent protein (BFP)-labeled ER alpha. Different ligands promoted the recruitment of different peptides. One peptide was recruited in response to estradiol (E2), tamoxifen, raloxifene, or ICI 182,780 incubation whereas other peptides were recruited specifically by E2 or tamoxifen. Peptides containing different sequences surrounding the ER-interacting motif LXXLL were recruited with different time courses after E2 addition. Complex temporal kinetics also were observed for recruitment of the full-length, ER cofactor glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 (GRIP1); rapid, E2-dependent recruitment of GRIP1 was blocked by mutation of the GRIP1 LXXLL motifs to LXXAA whereas slower E2 recruitment persisted for the GRIP1 LXXAA mutant. This suggested the presence of multiple, temporally distinct GRIP 1 recruitment mechanisms. E2 recruitment of GRIP1 and LXXLL peptides was blocked by coincubation with excess ICI 182,780. In contrast, preformed E2/ER/GRIP1 and E2/ER/LXXLL complexes were resistant to subsequent ICI 182,780 addition whereas ICI 182,780 dispersed preformed complexes containing the GRIP1 LXXAA mutant. This suggested that E2-induced LXXLL binding altered subsequent ligand/ER interactions. Thus, alternative, ligand-selective recruitment and dissociation mechanisms with distinct temporal sequences are available for ER alpha action in vivo.

UV-induced expression of GADD45 is mediated by an oxidant sensitive pathway in cultured human keratinocytes and in human skin in vivo

The expression of GADD45 was examined in cultured skin keratinocytes and in human skin in vivo following UV irradiation. Northern blot analysis revealed that UV-induced the expression of GADD45 (alpha, beta, gamma) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Messenger RNA of GADD45 (alpha, beta, gamma) increased within 30 min, peaked at 4 h and remained elevated for at least 8 h following UV irradiation in vitro and in vivo. Maximal induction of GADD45alpha was approximately 5-fold compared to the level in sham-irradiated controls. Similarly H2O2 and IL-1 also induced GADD45alpha expression in cultured human keratinocytes. The kinetics of induction of GADD45alpha by H2O2, IL-1beta and UV were very similar. Interestingly, UV-induced GADD45alpha expression was inhibited by diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, and antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), indicating the involvement of reactive oxygen species in UV signaling. Previously we have shown that EGF receptor activation by UV is prerequisite for subsequent activation of NADPH oxidase and generation of reactive oxygen species. We therefore examined the effect of EGF receptor inhibitor on UV-induced GADD45alpha expression. Our results showed that PD168393, a potent EGF receptor inhibitor, blocked UV-induced GADD45alpha expression. Collectively, our data suggest that UV-induced GADD45alpha expression occur via an EGF receptor-mediated oxidative pathway sensitive to antioxidant regulation.

[Lymph node metastasis and the extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer: report of 326 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pattern of lymph node metastasis and the extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.

METHODS

326 patients with gastric cancer admitted from 1990 to 1999 were analyzed retrospectively after D(2), D(3) or D(3) plus para-aortic lymphadenectomy (D(3) + PAL).

RESULTS

The total incidence of lymph node metastasis was 69.9%; node involvement was 15.4% and 77.4% respectively for early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer. Depth of invasion, tumor size and histology affected lymph node metastasis significantly (P < 0.05). For T(1) patients, node involvement was mainly confined to N(1) and one patient had N(2) metastasis; 8.1% of T(2) patients and 28.7% of T(3), T(4) patients had N(3), M(1) lymph node metastasis. Among 107 patients who received D(3) + PAL, 16a2b1 lymph node metastasis was found in 15.0%. The patients who had 16a2b1 node involvement were all suffered from advanced gastric cancer and N(1)-N(2) node metastasis. In the patients with serosal invasion-positive tumors or tumors size over 5 cm, the incidence of 16a2b1 metastasis was high, and that of entire stomach cancer was up to 38.5%. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates for D(3) + PAL group were 60.7% and 50.0% respectively. After D(3) + PAL, the 1-and 2-year survival rate, of patients with 16a2b1 metastasis were 60.0%, 50.0% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

D(2) lymphadenectomy should be taken for patients with early gastric cancer and D(3) lymphadenectomy for those with relatively early' advanced gastric cancer. For advanced gastric cancer with suspect or confirmed N(1)-N(2) node metastasis, tumor size over 5 cm and/or serosa invasion, D(3) plus para-aortic lymphadenectomy appears to be a necessary surgical procedure.

Contrasting effects of myeloid dendritic cells transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding interleukin-10 on organ allograft and tumour rejection

Mouse bone marrow-derived myeloid dendritic cells (DC) propagated in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) (so-called 'TGF-beta DC') are phenotypically immature, and prolong allograft survival. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been shown to inhibit the maturation of DC by down-regulating surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, co-stimulatory and adhesion molecule expression. Genetic engineering of TGF-beta DC to overexpress IL-10 might enhance their tolerogenic potential. In this study, adenoviral (Ad) vectors encoding the mouse IL-10 gene were transduced into B10 (H2b) TGF-beta DC. Transduction with Ad-IL-10 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 50-100 resulted in a modest reduction in the incidence of DC expressing surface MHC class II, CD40, CD80 and CD86. Paradoxically, Ad-IL-10 transduction enhanced the allostimulatory activity of DC in mixed leucocyte reactions and cytotoxic T lymphocyte assays, and increased their natural killer cell stimulatory activity. Systemic injection of normal C3H recipients with Ad-IL-10-transduced B10-DC 7 days before organ transplantation, exacerbated heart graft rejection and augmented circulating anti-donor alloantibody titres. Contrasting effects were observed in relation to tumour growth. All mice preimmunized with Ad-IL-10-transduced, tumour antigen (B16F10)-pulsed DC developed palpable tumours, associated with significant inhibition of splenic anti-tumour cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation. Animals pretreated with control Ad-LacZ-transduced, B16F10-pulsed DC however, remained tumour free. These findings are consistent with the multifunctional immunomodulatory properties of mammalian IL-10.

Lowering dietary saturated fat and total fat reduces the oxidative susceptibility of LDL in healthy men and women

The present study examined the effects of reducing dietary total fat and saturated fat (SFA) on LDL oxidative susceptibility in 27 healthy men and women (age 24-65 y). Each subject consumed each of three diets for 8 wk: an average American diet (AAD, 34% energy from fat, 15% from SFA), a Step-1 diet (29% fat, 9% SFA) and a very low SFA diet (Low-Sat, 25% fat, 6% SFA). In vitro LDL oxidation was assessed by copper-mediated oxidation, as measured by the kinetics of conjugated diene formation and lipid peroxide formation. Compared with the AAD, plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol levels were 8% lower (P: = 0.16 and P: = 0.11, respectively), in subjects when they consumed the Step-1 diet and 11% (P: < 0.03) and 14% (P: < 0.057) lower, respectively, when they consumed the Low-Sat diet. Conjugated diene production and oxidation rate were 7% (P: < 0. 05) and 9% (P: < 0.05) lower, respectively. The reduction of lipid peroxide formation was 9% (P: < 0.05) in subjects when they consumed the Low-Sat diet vs. the AAD. In addition, lipid peroxide and conjugated diene formation were positively correlated with plasma total and LDL-C and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels (r = 0.5-0.6, P: < 0.001), suggesting that quantity of LDL is an important determinant of oxidative modification. Furthermore, at the same level of apo B or LDL-C, LDL from subjects when they consumed either Step-1 or Low-Sat diets was less susceptible (P: < 0.05) to oxidation than those when they consumed the AAD, suggesting that qualitative changes also affect LDL oxidative susceptibility. Therefore, the benefits of lowering dietary SFA may extend beyond decreasing LDL-C levels and include favorable qualitative changes in LDL that further decrease risk of coronary heart disease.

[Research on the regular pattern of Ag-NOR changes in patients with cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To correlate the relationship between rDNA transcriptional activity of CD4+ helper T cells and immunity in patients with cancer through silver stainability of nucleolus organizing regions (Ag-NORs).

METHODS

The Th(CD4+) rDNA transcriptional activity was compared among patients with cancer, infectious diseases, non-cancerous non-infectious diseases through image analysis.

RESULTS

Th(CD4+) rDNA transcriptional activity was decreased extremely in patients with cancer, but increased in patients with inflammation compared with normal controls.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of Th(CD4+) rDNA transcriptional activity may serve as a new tumor marker for tumor diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Therefore, it may provide an innovative and reliable method for clinical cancer diagnosis.

Cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorocytosine on melanoma cells transduced with cytosine deaminase gene

To investigate the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorocytosine on melanoma cells genetically modified with cytosine deaminase gene, the gene was transduced into the tumor cells with the retroviral method. The cytotoxicity effects of 5-fluorocytosine on the tumor cells were measured with the MTT assay and clonogenic assay. It was found that the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine had significant cytotoxic effects on melanoma cells transduced with cytosine deaminase in vitro. The IC50 value of 5-fluorocytosine on transgenic and nontransgenic melanoma cells was 572 microg/mL(-1) and 3870 microg/mL(-1), respectively. Our experiment demonstrated the potential value of the cytosine deaminase gene/5-fluorocytosine system in the treatment of melanoma.

Potentiation of BCNU anticancer activity by O6-benzylguanine: a study in vitro and in vivo

O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (O6-AGT), a constitutively expressed DNA repair protein, removes alkyl groups from the O6-position of guanine in DNA. Tumor cells with high O6-AGT activity are resistant to nitrosoureas and other agents that form toxic O6-alkyl adducts. We evaluated O6-benzylguanine (O6-BG) for its activity to inhibit O6-AGT and potentiate 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) in O6-AGT-positive human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, BGC-823 and its tumor xenograft. The sensitivity of BGC-823 cells to BCNU was increased by pretreatment for 2 hours with 1.5 to 6.0 microg/mL O6-benzylguanine. O6-benzylguanine (0.75-6.0 microg/mL) completely and rapidly suppressed the O6-AGT activity of cells for up to 12 hours. When given i.p. 2 hours before BCNU (25 mg/kg) to animals bearing s.c. tumors, O6-BG (90 mg/kg) produced a growth delay of 38.6 days in human gastric adenocarcinoma xenograft. Furthermore, O6-BG significantly inhibited the O6-AGT activity of tumor tissue and induced evident apoptosis. These results suggest that combination of O6-BG with BCNU may have a significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of mer + tumor.

[Mutation of human O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase confers resistance to O6-benzylguanine]

OBJECTIVE

O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (O6-AGT), capable of repairing DNA damage, is responsible for tumor cell resistance to nitrosourea. While O6-benzylguanine as a selective inhibitor of AGT helps reverse drug resistance, it would aggravate myelo-suppression. This investigation is to generate AGT mutant and see if it would confer resistance to O6-benzylguanine-induced inhibition but leave its alkyltransferase activity intact.

METHODS

Human O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) cDNA was mutated by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant cDNA was transferred into E. coli and the protein expressed was purified. The activity of the mutant MGMT was determined in vitro with O6-(3H)-methylguanine-DNA as substrate.

RESULTS

Two mutant MGMT proteins were obtained: G156A and P140A, with glycine-to-alanine mutation at position 156 and proline-to-alanine mutation at position 140, respectively. The AGT activity of both mutants was similar to that of the wild type MGMT. However, their resistance to O6-benzylguanine was significantly increased up to 105.8 and 13.5 fold, respectively as compared to that of the wild type MGMT.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that transduction of the mutant MGMT herein reported into hematopoietic progenitor cells may lead to their selective resistance to the combined use of O6-benzylguanine and alkylating agents designed to overcome tumor resistance to nitrosourea treatment.

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in colorectal neoplasm]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the relationship of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) to the oncogenesis and development of colorectal neoplasm.

METHODS

RT-PCR was used to assay the level of MMP-2, MT1-MMP, MMP-7, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 mRNA in 28 cases of colorectal cancer, including tumor tissue and surrounding normal tissue.

RESULTS

MMP-2, MT1-MMP, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 were over-expressed in tumor and normal tissues, and MMP-7 was strong-expressed in tumor tissue but was weak-expressed only in one case of normal tissue. The expression of MMP-7 in tumor tissue was correlated to Dukes stage (P < 0.01). The expression of TIMP-2 in tumor tissue with positive-node was much higher than that with negative-node (P < 0.01). The expression of TIMP-3 was decreased with the Dukes stage and the depth of invasion (P < 0.01). There were no correlations between MMPs and TIMPs (P > 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of MMP-7 mRNA has a high specificity in colorectal cancer. MMP-7 may become a sensitive tumor marker. Inducing TIMP-2, TIMP-3 or suppressing MMP-2, MT1-MMP, MMP-7 mRNA's expressions may inhibit the invasion and metastasis of cancer.

Linked markers and age at diagnosis

This paper examines the relationship between age at diagnosis and markers linked to a disease trait using 100 replicates from Problem 2A in Genetic Analysis Workshop 10. After establishing the relationship between age and the quantitative trait used to define affection status, Q1, we evaluated the relationship between age at diagnosis and a marker which was linked with Q1. We found that the presence of an F allele at marker 15 on chromosome 5 was significantly associated with delayed age of diagnosis. When we evaluated 100 replicates, we found that the regression coefficients in the survival analyses were separated into two approximately normal distributions. The location of these distributions was solely reflective of the presence of affected individuals with the F allele in a particular replicate. In the replicates in one of the distributions, we found tremendous changes in the variance after employing survival models for dependent data. While we suggest that survival analysis of dependent data may be an important tool in investigating genotype specific alterations in age at event, the findings of this study indicate that the method used may be very sensitive to certain types of missing data.

Genetically modified dendritic cells prime autoreactive T cells through a pathway independent of CD40L and interleukin 12: implications for cancer vaccines

Genetic immunization through ex vivo transduction of dendritic cells has been suggested as an effective approach to enhance antitumor immunity by activating both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Immunizing mice with dendritic cells transduced with an adenovirus expressing the human melanoma antigen glycoprotein 100 (DCAdhgp100) as a cancer vaccine, we demonstrated complete protective immunity and a potent CTL response against melanomas expressing murine glycoprotein 100 in a CD4+ cell-dependent manner. Surprisingly, however, effective tumor rejection was not the result of cooperation between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Protective immunity was completely lost when CD4+ cells were depleted immediately before tumor challenge, whereas it was unaffected by removal of CD8+ cells, establishing a principal role for CD4+ cells in the effector phase of tumor rejection. Neither protective immunity nor CTL generation in this model required interleukin 12, in spite of high levels of IFN-gamma secretion by tumor-reactive T cells. Most notably, the DCAdhgp100 vaccine could elicit protective antitumor CD4+ cells in the absence of CD40 ligand, although it does not bypass the need for CD40-mediated signals to generate melanoma-reactive CTLs. Thus, in contrast to the current thinking that the optimal cancer vaccine should include determinants for both CD4+ and CD8+ cells, the potency of the DCAdhgp100 vaccine appears to be a result of its ability to directly prime autoreactive CD4+ cells through a process that does not require interleukin 12 and CD40 signals.

Synergy in induction of increased renal allograft survival after portal vein infusion of dendritic cells transduced to express TGFbeta and IL-10, along with administration of CHO cells expressing the regulatory molecule OX-2

Dendritic cells (DC), generated from C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow cells cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 for 9 days, were engineered to express constitutively the cytokines TGFbeta, IL-10, and IL-12, using adenovirus vectors constructed using an E1-deleted replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus carrying the appropriate cDNA for the relevant cytokines (Ad-TGFbeta, Ad-IL-12, or Ad-IL-10). C3H mice receiving nontransduced DC or pretransplant infusion of DC-Ad-LacZ showed increased survival of C57BL/6 renal grafts relative to that of control nonimmunized mice. Transfusion of Ad-IL-12-transduced DC abolished this increased survival, leading to a graft survival equivalent to that of controls with no DC. Optimal graft survival was seen in the group receiving a mixture of DC transduced with constructs for both IL-10 and TGFbeta. There was a correlation between increased graft survival and both inhibition of the induction of CTL and enhancement of a polarization to produce type-2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and TGFbeta) on antigen-specific restimulation in vitro. These effects were more pronounced following concomitant infusion of CHO cells transfected with a full-length cDNA for murine OX-2.

Receptor reserve analysis of the human CCR3 receptor in eosinophils and CCR3-transfected cells

A novel pharmacological study of CCR3 receptor reserve in a CCR3-transfected cell (CREM3) and human eosinophils was done; functional responses measured were increases in intracellular calcium and chemotaxis. Eotaxin, eotaxin-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 (MCP-4), RANTES, and MCP-3 induced similar maximal eosinophil chemotaxis, whereas MCP-3 and RANTES induced submaximal calcium responses in eosinophils compared to eotaxin, MCP-4, and eotaxin-2. This suggested a receptor reserve in the chemotaxis response. Receptor reserve was quantitated for eotaxin. Occupancy of all CCR3 receptors was required for a maximal calcium response in both CREM3 and eosinophils (reserve = 1.0 or 0.17, respectively); the stimulus-calcium response relationship was linear, indicating no receptor reserve. In contrast, in eosinophils a large receptor reserve (6.5) was found for chemotaxis, where occupancy of 15% receptors drove half-maximal responses. These studies indicate that CCR3 interacts with G-proteins that are poorly coupled to the calcium response, whereas coupling efficiency and/or amplification to the chemotaxis apparatus in human eosinophils is significantly greater.

FISH mapping of the sex-reversal region on human chromosome 9p in two XY females and in primates

Accumulating evidence suggests that haploinsufficiency of a dosage-sensitive gene(s) in human chromosome 9p24.3 is responsible for the failure of testicular development and feminisation in XY patients with monosomy for 9p. We have used molecular cytogenetic methods to characterise the sex-reversing 9p deletions in two XY females. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with YACs from the critical 9p region containing an evolutionarily conserved sex-determining gene, DMRT1, is a very fast and reliable assay for patient screening. Comparative YAC mapping on great ape and Old and New World monkey chromosomes demonstrated that the critical region was moved from an interstitial position on the ancestral primate chromosome to a very subtelomeric position in chimpanzee and humans by a pericentric inversion(s). Pathological 9p rearrangements may be the consequence of an evolutionary chromosome breakpoint in close proximity to the sex-reversal region.

[mRNA expression of hyaluronan synthase in the endolymphatic sac cells of guinea pigs]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the mRNA expression of hyaluronan synthase in the endolymphatic sac cells of guinea pigs.

METHODS

After consulting gene bank, we analyzed conservative sequence of hyaluronan synthases in different species, detected the mRNA expression of hyaluronan synthase in the endolymphatic sac cells of guinea pigs with oligonucleotide probe by hybridization in situ.

RESULTS

mRNA of hyaluronan synthase was strongly expressed in some epithelial cells of endolymphatic sac, coupled with negative expression in negative control groups.

CONCLUSION

It confirms that endolymphatic sac cells can synthesize hyaluronan.

Characterization and modulation of [125I]iberiotoxin-D19Y/Y36F binding in the guinea-pig urinary bladder

The radioligand binding characteristics of the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel ligand [125I]iberiotoxin-D19Y/Y36F were examined in guinea-pig urinary bladder membranes. Saturation analysis revealed a single class of high affinity binding sites in the bladder with a K(D) value of 45.6 pM and a B(max) value of 112 fmol/mg protein. Specific binding was displaced by unlabeled iberiotoxin and penitrem A, but not by blockers of other classes of K(+) channels including alpha-dendrotoxin, margatoxin and apamin. The indole alkaloids, paxilline and verruculogen, significantly increased binding by 4.5- and 4.3-fold, respectively. Tetraacetic acid derivatives such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid enhanced specific [125I]iberiotoxin-D19Y/Y36F binding about 2.5-fold, which was not attributable to calcium chelation. This increase was due to a significant change in ligand binding affinity (K(D)=6.3 pM), but not due to a change in the B(max), indicating that these compounds may enhance toxin binding via allosteric interactions. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the binding sites for [125I]iberiotoxin-D19Y/Y36F present in the urinary bladder shows a pharmacological profile typical of maxi-K(+) channels and can be modulated, not only by previously known indole alkaloids, but also by tetraacetic acid analogs.

Prostatic levels of tocopherols, carotenoids, and retinol in relation to plasma levels and self-reported usual dietary intake

This study evaluated how prostatic levels of antioxidants relate to plasma levels and self-reported usual dietary intake. Definition of these relations may aid in interpreting studies of antioxidant exposure and prostate cancer risk. Between July 1996 and April 1997, plasma and prostatic tissue levels of tocopherols, carotenoids, and retinol were measured in 47 men undergoing radical prostatectomy or transurethral prostatectomy at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, and an affiliate hospital. Dietary intake was measured by using a 122-item version of the Block Health Habits and History Questionnaire, and correlations were assessed with Pearson's coefficients. Prostatic levels of tocopherols and carotenoids (but not retinol) were significantly correlated with plasma levels (r= 0.31-0.56, p < 0.05-0.0001); the strongest correlations were associated with lycopene, beta-carotene, and gamma-tocopherol (0.56, 0.54, and 0.52, respectively; p < 0.0001). Relative concentrations of tocopherols and carotenoids in prostate tissue were proportionate to those in plasma. No correlation between prostatic levels and reported dietary intake was observed (r = -0.09 to 0.16, p < not significant). Adjustment for energy intake, body mass index, and serum lipids did not impact these relations. These results suggest that plasma levels of tocopherols and carotenoids better reflect prostatic exposure than self-reported usual dietary intake.

Macrophage cell-conditioned medium promotes cholinergic differentiation of undifferentiated progenitors and synergizes with nerve growth factor action in the developing basal forebrain

Conditioned medium from stimulated microglia and from the monocyte/macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7; MC-CM) promotes the differentiation of cholinergic neurons from undifferentiated progenitors in the septal nuclei and adjacent basal forebrain (BF). We have studied the regulation of this process by measuring the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in cultured BF taken from embryonic day 16 rat brain. Inhibition of either xanthine oxidase with allopurinol or nitric oxide synthase with N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine produces a small but significant improvement in the efficacy of MC-CM while inclusion of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a hydroxyl radical scavenger widely used as an antioxidant, lowers MC-CM-induced ChAT activity. Addition of nerve growth factor (NGF) but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor or glial-derived neurotrophic factor together with MC-CM has a synergistic effect on both ChAT activity and ChAT mRNA, raising ChAT activity as much as 29-fold and ChAT mRNA almost 15-fold. While MC-CM raised mRNA for trkA, the effect was not synergistic with NGF. mRNA for the common neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) showed a modest synergistic increase. Blockade of the Ras/Raf/ERK [extracellular signal-regulated kinase, also known as mitogen-activated protein [(MAP) kinase] signal transduction pathway with either PD28059 (an inhibitor of MAP kinase/ERK kinase kinase or MEK) or N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-l-cysteine (an inhibitor of Ras farnesylation and, hence, activation) inhibited the action of MC-CM. Moreover, a subpopulation of cells responded rapidly to MC-CM with an increased appearance of phosphorylated ERK. Because NGF also utilizes this pathway, synergy may occur along this signal transduction pathway.

Enhanced immune response to the melanoma antigen gp100 using recombinant adenovirus-transduced dendritic cells

Glycoprotein 100 (gp100) is one of a series of well-characterized human melanoma-associated antigens expressed by most melanoma cells. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with an adenovirus (Ad) vector encoding human gp100 (Adhgp100) has been shown to induce limited protective immunity against challenge with murine melanoma B16 cells. In the current study we determined whether gp100-specific immunity can be enhanced using bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with Adhgp100 ex vivo. Subcutaneous injection of Adhgp100-infected DCs resulted in potent T-cell-mediated protective immunity and a greater than 80% reduction of established tumors when administered to B16 tumor-bearing hosts. Compared to direct injection of Adhgp100 vector alone, immunization with Adhgp100-infected DCs induced markedly greater antitumor activity. In vitro CTL analysis demonstrated that DC-Adhgp100 immunization activated both CD4(+) and CD8(+) CTLs, while no lytic activity was generated by vaccination with Adhgp100 alone. In vivo depletion of CD4(+) T cells, but not CD8(+) T cells, completely abrogated CTL activity, suggesting that Adhgp100-transduced DCs result in activation of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) CTLs via a CD4(+)-dependent mechanism. We speculate that this improved efficacy of Adhgp100-transduced DCs compared to direct immunization with Adhgp100 may be the result of direct DC-mediated CD4(+) T cell activation. These results emphasize the importance of CD4(+) T cells in the development of therapeutic antigen-specific cancer vaccines.

High-monounsaturated fatty acid diets lower both plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations

BACKGROUND

Low-fat diets increase plasma triacylglycerol and decrease HDL-cholesterol concentrations, thereby potentially adversely affecting cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. High-monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), cholesterol-lowering diets do not raise triacylglycerol or lower HDL cholesterol, but little is known about how peanut products, a rich source of MUFAs, affect CVD risk.

OBJECTIVE

The present study compared the CVD risk profile of an Average American diet (AAD) with those of 4 cholesterol-lowering diets: an American Heart Association/National Cholesterol Education Program Step II diet and 3 high-MUFA diets [olive oil (OO), peanut oil (PO), and peanuts and peanut butter (PPB)].

DESIGN

A randomized, double-blind, 5-period crossover study design (n = 22) was used to examine the effects of the diets on serum lipids and lipoproteins: AAD [34% fat; 16% saturated fatty acids (SFAs), 11% MUFAs], Step II (25% fat; 7% SFAs, 12% MUFAs), OO (34% fat; 7% SFAs, 21% MUFAs), PO (34% fat; 7% SFAs, 17% MUFAs), and PPB (36% fat; 8% SFAs, 18% MUFAs).

RESULTS

The high-MUFA diets lowered total cholesterol by 10% and LDL cholesterol by 14%. This response was comparable with that observed for the Step II diet. Triacylglycerol concentrations were 13% lower in subjects consuming the high-MUFA diets and were 11% higher with the Step II diet than with the AAD. The high-MUFA diets did not lower HDL cholesterol whereas the Step II diet lowered it by 4% compared with the AAD. The OO, PO, and PPB diets decreased CVD risk by an estimated 25%, 16%, and 21%, respectively, whereas the Step II diet lowered CVD risk by 12%.

CONCLUSION

A high-MUFA, cholesterol-lowering diet may be preferable to a low-fat diet because of more favorable effects on the CVD risk profile.

[The testing methods of the medical ultrasonic linear array transducer]

This paper explores the testing methods of the linear array transducer in regard to its integrality, Uniformity and independence.

Endomorphin-1 mediates 2 Hz but not 100 Hz electroacupuncture analgesia in the rat

This work was designed to elucidate the possible involvement of endogenous endomorphin-I (EM1) in analgesia induced by electroacupuncture of low or high frequencies. Taking radiant heat tail flick latency (TFL) as an indication of nociception, rats were subjected to intrathecal (i.t.) injection of 10 microl antiserum against EM1 (EM1-AS) or normal rabbit serum (NRS, as control) and then followed by 2 or 100 Hz electroacupuncture stimulation for 30 min. The analgesia induced by 2 Hz electroacupuncture was attenuated by i.t. injection of EM1-AS at 1:10 and 1:100 but not at 1:1000 dilution. No such suppressive effect was observed for 100 Hz EA analgesia when EM1-AS was injected i.t. at any dilutions. These results indicate that EM1 is involved in 2 Hz but not 100 Hz electroacupuncture analgesia at spinal level.

Effects of stuffer DNA on transgene expression from helper-dependent adenovirus vectors

We have analyzed transgene (lacZ) expression from a first-generation adenovirus (Ad) vector in comparison to helper-dependent (hd) Ads deleted for various portions of the viral coding sequences and generated by using the Cre/loxP helper-dependent system (R. J. Parks et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:13565-13570, 1996). An hd vector deleted for approximately 70% of the Ad genome (AdRP1001) provided levels and durations of transgene expression similar to those of a control first generation Ad vector containing an identical expression cassette. Deletion of all Ad sequences from the hdAd and replacement with a approximately 22-kb fragment of lambda DNA resulted in a decrease in the level and duration of lacZ expression which could not be reversed by the inclusion of a matrix attachment region. However, substitution of the lambda stuffer in the fully deleted hdAd with sequences from the human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase gene resulted in significantly improved transgene expression. In vitro assays for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed against putative peptides encoded by the vector backbone showed that, although CTL were generated against the vector containing the lambda DNA, no such CTL were generated against the vector containing the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) sequences. Surprisingly, the rate of loss of the HPRT- and lambda-containing vectors from mouse liver was similar, despite the differences in expression kinetics, indicating that the lambda stuffer-directed CTL were inefficient at eliminating the transduced cells. Thus, the nature of the DNA backbone of hdAds can have important effects on the functioning of the vector. Since most fully deleted vectors require "stuffer" DNA as part of the vector backbone to maintain optimum vector size, these observations must be taken into account in the design of hdAd vectors.

Testing for linkage under robust genetic models

Robust genetic models are used to assess linkage between a quantitative trait and genetic variation at a specific locus using allele-sharing data. Little is known about the relative performance of different possible significance tests under these models. Under the robust variance components model approach there are several alternatives: standard Wald and likelihood ratio tests, a quasilikelihood Wald test, and a Monte Carlo test. This paper reports on the relative performance (significance level and power) of the robust sibling pair test and the different alternatives under the robust variance components model. Simulations show that (1) for a fixed sample size of nuclear families, the variance components model approach is more powerful than the robust sibling pair approach; (2) when the number of nuclear families is at least approximately 100 and heritability at the trait locus is moderate to high (>0.20) all tests based on the variance components model are equally effective; (3) when the number of nuclear families is less than approximately 100 or heritability at the trait locus is low (<0. 20), on balance, the Monte Carlo test provides the best power and is the most valid. The different testing procedures are applied to determine which are able to detect the known association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the common genotypes at the locus encoding apolipoprotein E. Results from this application show that the robust sibling pair method may be more effective in practice than that indicated by simulations.

Germline mutations in the extracellular domains of the 55 kDa TNF receptor, TNFR1, define a family of dominantly inherited autoinflammatory syndromes

Autosomal dominant periodic fever syndromes are characterized by unexplained episodes of fever and severe localized inflammation. In seven affected families, we found six different missense mutations of the 55 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR1), five of which disrupt conserved extracellular disulfide bonds. Soluble plasma TNFR1 levels in patients were approximately half normal. Leukocytes bearing a C52F mutation showed increased membrane TNFR1 and reduced receptor cleavage following stimulation. We propose that the autoinflammatory phenotype results from impaired downregulation of membrane TNFR1 and diminished shedding of potentially antagonistic soluble receptor. TNFR1-associated periodic syndromes (TRAPS) establish an important class of mutations in TNF receptors. Detailed analysis of one such mutation suggests impaired cytokine receptor clearance as a novel mechanism of disease.

Murine dendritic cells transduced with an adenoviral vector expressing a defined tumor antigen can overcome anti-adenovirus neutralizing immunity and induce effective tumor regression

In this study transduced dendritic cells (DCs) were used to enhance immunogenecity of a specific tumor antigen. Using a polyoma middle T (PyMT) transgenic mammary carcinoma model we found that injections of DCs transduced with an adenoviral (Ad) vector expressing PyMT (DCAd-PymT) led to potent specific anti-tumor immunity. Efficacy was not affected by neutralizing Abs (high or low titers) and naive animals did not produce detectable anti-Ad Abs following two injections of transduced DCs. Repeated injections of transduced DCs significantly improved therapeutic efficacy in mice with established lung metastases. These data emphasize the ability of Ad-infected DCs to: i) minimize anti-Ad Ab production, ii) overcome pre-existing anti-Ad humoral immunity, and iii) improve vaccination efficacy when injected more than once.

Adenoviral vectors expressing lymphotactin and interleukin 2 or lymphotactin and interleukin 12 synergize to facilitate tumor regression in murine breast cancer models

We have previously demonstrated that intratumoral injection with Ad vectors expressing IL-2 or IL-12 can induce regression in a murine breast cancer model. These IL-2- or IL-12-induced antitumor responses were mainly mediated by Ag-specific T cells. Lymphotactin is a novel lymphocyte chemokine that can cause local accumulation of CD4+, CD8+, and NK cells. We hypothesized that addition of lymphotactin may enhance the antitumor immune responses induced by locally produced IL-2 and IL-12 as we have previously shown. To this end we constructed two double-recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing lymphotactin along with either IL-2 (Ad5 Lym/IL-2) or IL-12 (Ad5 Lym/IL-12). Subcutaneous injection of polyoma middle T (PyMT) or Neu (8142) transgenically derived breast adenocarcinoma cells, in the hind flank of FVB/n mice, results in the formation of tumor nodules in 14-21 days. We show that these constructs elicit potent antitumor responses when administered intratumorally. The antitumor responses are long lasting as determined by rechallenge experiments and hence demonstrate a protective immunity. These observations indicate that by augmenting the antitumor response with adenoviral vectors expressing lymphotactin in combination with IL-2 or IL-12 is a novel way to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches.

Adenovector-mediated gene delivery of interleukin-2 in metastatic breast cancer and melanoma: results of a phase 1 clinical trial

We conducted a phase 1 trial of direct injection of an E1, E3-deleted adenovirus encoding interleukin-2 (AdCAIL-2) into subcutaneous deposits of melanoma or breast cancer. Twenty-three patients were injected at seven dose levels (10(7)-10(10) p.f.u). Local inflammation was observed at the site of injection in 60% of patients, but side-effects were otherwise minor. Incomplete local tumor regression occurred at the site of injection in 24% of patients, but no conventional clinical responses were seen. Circulating CD4 and CD8 counts fell significantly 24 h after injection. Post-injection biopsies demonstrated tumor necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration with the predominant tumor-infiltrating cells both CD3- and CD8-positive. Vector-derived sequences were detected in 14 of 18 biopsies examined 7 days after injection and vector-derived hIL-2 mRNA was detected in 80% of 7-day biopsies processed after injection of 10(8) p.f.u. of AdCAIL-2 or higher. While IL-2 was detectable by ELISA in tumor biopsies at 48 h, no protein was detectable in injected tumors after 7 days and no circulating IL-2 was detectable at any time-point. No Ad5E1 sequences were detected either before or after injection indicating absence of replication-competent virus or endogenous E1-like sequence; furthermore, only rare vector shedding was detected. Anti-adenovirus and neutralizing antibody titers were elevated 1 month after injection in all patients. This trial therefore confirms the safety of use of adenoviral vectors for gene delivery in humans and demonstrates successful transgene expression even in the face of pre-existing immunity to adenovirus.

Phenotype, function, and in vivo migration and survival of allogeneic dendritic cell progenitors genetically engineered to express TGF-beta

BACKGROUND

Administration of donor bone marrow (BM)-derived dendritic cell (DC) progenitors (DCp) that are major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ but costimulatory molecule (CD40, CD80, CD86)-deficient can prolong mouse heart allograft survival This is associated with microchimerism and inhibition of antidonor cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Genetic modification of these donor antigen-presenting cells to express an immunosuppressive molecule(s) may enhance their in vivo survival and potential tolerogenicity.

METHODS

The surface phenotype of B10(H-2b) DCp before and after gene transfer using replication-deficient adenoviral (Ad) vectors was determined by monoclonal antibody (mAb) staining and flow cytometry. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) production was quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Allostimulatory activity of the gene-transduced DCp was ascertained by mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) and CTL induction. To assess their in vivo migratory activity and survival, the transduced cells were injected subcutaneously into one hind footpad of C3H (H-2k) mice. Tissues (draining popliteal lymph nodes [LN], spleens, and thymi) were removed 1, 2, 7, and 14 days later and stained for donor MHC class II using anti-LA(b) mAb in an immunohistochemical procedure. The mean number of IAb+ cells per unit area was determined.

RESULTS

Transduction with a control Ad vector (Ad-LacZ) at 50 multiplicity of infection slightly increased CD40 and CD86 expression and up-regulated the poor allostimulatory activity of the DCp assessed by MLR and CTL responses. These effects on function were negated in Ad-TGF-beta1-transduced cells. After their injection into mouse footpads, the gene-transduced IAb+ cells were observed in maximal numbers in the popliteal LN at day 1 and in marginal zones and T-dependent areas of spleens (peak at day 7) but were rare in thymi. Transduction with Ad-LacZ reduced the numbers of IAb+ cells identified in both LN and spleens at all time points postinjection, suggesting that the vector alone affected DC life span in allogeneic recipients. TGF-beta1 transgene expression not only fully prevented the reduction in DC induced by Ad transduction alone, but also increased numbers and prolonged the survival of donor cells in the spleen, as shown by a two-to fivefold increase in IAb+ cells at days 2-14 compared with control (Ad-LacZ-transduced) DC.

CONCLUSION

BM-derived DCp can be transduced efficiently to express TGF-beta1 using an Ad vector. They exhibit very poor allostimulatory activity and similar migration characteristics in vivo to unmodified DCp. Survival of TGF-beta gene-transduced DC, however, is enhanced significantly compared with unmodified and (especially) control Ad-LacZ gene-transduced DC. Genetic engineering of donor DC to express the immunosuppressive molecule TGF-beta promotes their survival in allogeneic hosts and may potentiate their previously reported tolerogenicity.

[Clinical application of TMS-MEP in spinal cord injury]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate transcranial magnetic stimulation motor evoked potential (TMS-MEP) in the diagnosis of spinal cord injury.

METHOD

56 patients with injury of the spinal cord and cauda equina were examined using TMS-MEP and followed up.

RESULT

In 21 patients with complete paralysis, TMS-MEP of bilateral tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius disappeared and paralysis did not recover. Abnormal was noted TMS-MEP and paralysis not recovered in 2 patients with injury of conus medullaris and cauda equina. Incomplete paralysis occurred in 35 patients. TMS-MEPs of more than one muscle in every patient were recorded. Paralysis and TMS-MEPs recovered in different degree in the 33 patients, in which the strength was 0 class and TMS-MEPs were abnormal in 25 target muscles before operation whereas their strength obviously recovered or even normalized after operation except two muscles.

CONCLUSION

TMS-MEP is an effective method for diagnosis and prognosis of spinal cord injury.

Enhanced interleukin-2 gene transfer immunotherapy of breast cancer by coexpression of B7-1 and B7-2

The capability of B7-1 to augment the antitumor activity of some cytokines has been shown primarily for such cytokines as interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-7, and to a lesser extent IL-2. In this study, we investigate the ability of B7-1 and B7-2 to augment the antitumor activity of IL-2. Considering the affinity of both molecules for CD28 (T cell receptor for B7-1 and B7-2), we postulated that their potential to augment IL-2 antitumor activity would be similar. Two murine transgenic adenocarcinoma models were chosen to investigate the activity of adenoviral vectors constructed to express either B7-1 and IL-2 or B7-2 and IL-2. Before administering the vector intratumorally to tumor-bearing mice, we determined the expression of B7-1, B7-2, MHC I, and MHC II on these tumor cells and demonstrated positive expression of only MHC I. Intratumoral injection of the vector expressing B7-1 and IL-2 resulted in complete regression of all tumors treated. In contrast, the vector expressing B7-2 and IL-2 was significantly less effective at regressing PyMT tumors, whereas both double recombinant vectors demonstrated similar levels of complete regression in the Neu (NDL 8142) model. Regressed mice were all protected for rechallenge in both models and demonstrated antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the PyMT model. These findings indicate that the combination of IL-2 with B7-1 or B7-2 significantly enhances the antitumor activity of IL-2.

Genetic linkage analysis using lognormal variance components

Typically genetic studies of continuous traits such as cholesterol levels or blood pressure assume that interindividual variability follows a normal distribution. Here we develop methods to analyze positively skewed data by assuming a lognormal distribution. We develop a variance components approach for identifying such effects from a major gene, residual polygenic factors and nongenetic factors. We compare by a simulation study results from fitting this lognormal model with either applying the log transformation or not transforming the data. We found that the lognormal model provided more precise estimates and more powerful tests than a simple log transformation when analyzing lognormally distributed data. Power varied with sibship size. For the same total number of nonindependent sibpairs, larger sibships were less powerful. However, larger sibships are more economical because they require a smaller sample size to obtain a specified power. To illustrate the application of this lognormal model to real data, we studied evidence for linkage between triglycerides and the lipoprotein lipase gene.

The G protein G alpha12 stimulates Bruton's tyrosine kinase and a rasGAP through a conserved PH/BM domain

Heterotrimeric guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) are signal transducers that relay messages from many receptors on the cell surface to modulate various cellular processes. The direct downstream effectors of G proteins consist of the signalling molecules that are activated by their physical interactions with a G alpha or Gbetagamma subunit. Effectors that interact directly with G alpha12 G proteins have yet to be identified. Here we show that G alpha12 binds directly to, and stimulates the activity of, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and a Ras GTPase-activating protein, Gap1m, in vitro and in vivo. G alpha12 interacts with a conserved domain, composed of the pleckstrin-homology domain and the adjacent Btk motif, that is present in both Btk and Gap1m. Our results are, to our knowledge, the first to identify direct effectors for G alpha12 and to show that there is a direct link between heterotrimeric and monomeric G proteins.

Effect of estrogen on vascular smooth muscle cells is dependent upon cellular phenotype

To investigate the growth-regulating action of estrogen on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), effects of beta-17-estradiol (beta-E2) on phenotypic modulation and proliferation of rabbit aortic SMC were observed in vitro. At 10(-8)M, beta-E2 significantly slowed the decrease in volume fraction of myofilaments (Vv myo) of freshly dispersed SMCs in primary culture, indicating an inhibitory effect of beta-E2 on spontaneous phenotypic modulation of SMC from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. Freshly dispersed SMCs treated with beta-E2 also had a relatively longer quiescent phase than control cells before intense proliferation occurred. This was in contrast to SMCs in passage 2 3 (synthetic state), where beta-E2-treated cells replicated significantly faster than untreated cells. beta-E2 also markedly enhanced the serum-induced DNA synthesis of synthetic SMCs in a concentration-dependent manner within physiological range (10(-10)to 10(-8)M). These findings indicate that the growth-regulating effect of estrogen on vascular SMC is dependent on the cell's phenotypic state. It delays the cell cycle re-entry of the contractile SMCs by retarding their phenotypic modulation: however, once cells have modulated to the synthetic phenotype, it promotes their replication.

Identification of a novel point mutation (Leu72Pro) in the NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase gene of a patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia type I

Utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) related technology, we investigated the b5R gene of a Chinese patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia type I and found a novel missense mutation (CTC-CCC) at codon 72 in exon 3 of the gene. As the mutation generates an Apa I recognition site, homozygosity for the mutation was confirmed by restriction analysis of PCR-amplified fragments from the patient's genomic DNA. We predicted that the residue replacement of Leu with Pro of the mutant enzyme would account for the b5R deficiency in the patient. The results further confirm the genetic polymorphism of b5R gene mutations found in the RCM type I.

OFQ reverses the kappa-opioid receptor-mediated depression of calcium current in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Since the characterization of orphanin FQ (OFQ), the endogenous ligand of ORL1 receptor, much work has focused on its physiological functions. OFQ was reported to antagonize the effect of opioid-induced antinociception, although its mechanism remains obscure. In the present study, whole-cell patch clamp recording technique was used to observe if OFQ can reverse the inhibition of calcium current produced by the kappa-opioid agonist U50,488H (U50) in acutely dissociated rat DRG neurons. The concentrations of OFQ and U50 were 50 nM and 10 microM, respectively. Among 49 cells recorded, the calcium channel currents of 37 (75.5%) cells were inhibited by U50, of which 30 (81.1%) cells could be reversed by OFQ. It was interesting to note the similarity between OFQ and the well characterized anti-opioid peptide CCK-8 in that it reversed kappa-opioid receptor agonist induced suppression on calcium channel current, while by itself showed a calcium channel suppressive effect. Thus OFQ may be regarded as another anti-opioid peptide.

Analysis of the Gs/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in mutant S49 cells

Heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors can activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Recent studies using pharmacological inhibitors or dominant-negative mutants of signaling molecules have advanced our understanding of the pathways from G protein-coupled receptors to MAPK. However, molecular genetic analysis of these pathways is inadequate in mammalian cells. Here, using the well characterized Gsalpha- and protein kinase A-deficient S49 mouse lymphoma cells, we provide the molecular genetic evidence that Gsalpha is responsible for transducing the beta-adrenergic receptor signal to MAPK in a protein kinase A-dependent pathway involving Rap1 and Raf (but not Ras) molecules.

[Anti-tumor effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by soluble antigen of ovarian carcinoma and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody on ovarian carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of the new method--adoptive cell immunotherapy on ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Tumor soluble antigen (TSA) was extracted from cells of ovarian carcinoma (COC1 and COC2n). To generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected from healthy persons were induced by TSA and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (CD3-McAb). The antitumor effect of CTL on COC1 cells in vitro was compared with LAK and CD3-AK, whereas the growth inhibitory effect of CTL on COC2n transplantation tumors in nude mice was compared with CD3-AK.

RESULTS

The cytotoxicity of CTL, CD3-AK and LAK was 79.4%, 52.1% and 51.7% respectively (P < 0.01). Mean volume of tumor in nude mice on the 9th day after ovarian carcinoma cells transplanted was 44.4 +/- 24.2 mm3 in CTL group, 118.8 +/- 40.0 mm3 in CD3-AK group and 443.0 +/- 158.7 mm3 in control (no treatment) (P < 0.01), whereas mean duration of survival was 28.5 days, 25.5 days and 17 days respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that CTL exhibited higher cytotoxic effect in vitro and greater inhibitory effect on tumor growth resulting in longer survival in vivo. It suggested that the adoptive cell immunotherapy might provide a new idea for treatment of ovarian carcinoma.

Linkage of familial Hibernian fever to chromosome 12p13

Autosomal dominant periodic fevers are characterized by intermittent febrile attacks of unknown etiology and by recurrent abdominal pains. The biochemical and molecular bases of all autosomal dominant periodic fevers are unknown, and only familial Hibernian fever (FHF) has been described as a distinct clinical entity. FHF has been reported in three families-the original Irish-Scottish family and two Irish families with similar clinical features. We have undertaken a genomewide search in these families and report significant multipoint LOD scores between the disease and markers on chromosome 12p13. Cumulative multipoint linkage analyses indicate that an FHF gene is likely to be located in an 8-cM interval between D12S77 and D12S356, with a maximum LOD score (Z max) of 3.79. The two-point Z max was 3.11, for D12S77. There was no evidence of genetic heterogeneity in these three families; it is proposed that these markers should be tested in other families, of different background, that have autosomal dominant periodic fever, as a prelude to identification of the FHF-susceptibility gene.

Retinoic acid inhibits induction of c-Jun protein by ultraviolet radiation that occurs subsequent to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in human skin in vivo

Human skin is exposed daily to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV induces the matrix metalloproteinases collagenase, 92-kD gelatinase, and stromelysin, which degrade skin connective tissue and may contribute to premature skin aging (photoaging). Pretreatment of skin with all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) inhibits UV induction of matrix metalloproteinases. We investigated upstream signal transduction pathways and the mechanism of tRA inhibition of UV induction of matrix metalloproteinases in human skin in vivo. Exposure of human skin in vivo to low doses of UV activated EGF receptors, the GTP-binding regulatory protein p21Ras, and stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Both JNK and p38 phosphorylated, and thereby activated transcription factors c-Jun and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2), which bound to the c-Jun promoter and upregulated c-Jun gene expression. Elevated c-Jun, in association with constitutively expressed c-Fos, formed increased levels of transcription factor activator protein (AP) 1, which is required for transcription of matrix metalloproteinases. Pretreatment of human skin with tRA inhibited UV induction of c-Jun protein and, consequently, AP-1. c-Jun protein inhibition occurred via a posttranscriptional mechanism, since tRA did not inhibit UV induction of c-Jun mRNA. These data demonstrate, for the first time, activation of MAP kinase pathways in humans in vivo, and reveal a novel posttranscriptional mechanism by which tRA antagonizes UV activation of AP-1 by inhibiting c-Jun protein induction. Inhibition of c-Jun induction likely contributes to the previously reported prevention by tRA of UV induction of AP-1-regulated matrix-degrading metalloproteinases in human skin.

Case-control study of the D2 dopamine receptor gene and smoking status in lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Interindividual differences in the structure and expression of the dopamine receptor genes affect dopamine availability and may be the genetic basis for variation in vulnerability to tobacco smoking. In this study, prevalences of polymorphisms in the TaqIA allele (A1 and A2) and the TaqIB allele (B1 and B2) of the D2 dopamine receptor gene in 157 lung cancer case patients and 126 control subjects were determined to assess whether individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the less common A1 and B1 alleles are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction.

METHODS

Case and control subjects were accrued from an ongoing epidemiologic study. Blood samples were collected from them and subjected to molecular genetic analyses. Subjects were interviewed to obtain relevant information. Current and former smokers were administered a questionnaire to quantify their addiction to nicotine.

RESULTS

The combined B1B2 genotypes appeared to be more prevalent in ever smokers than in never smokers among case patients (30.3% versus 13.3%; two-sided P = .233) and among control subjects (30.9% and 0%; two-sided P = .02); statistically significant differences were not observed among those with A1 genotypes. Statistically significant correlations between the presence of the A1 and B1 alleles were observed (r = .73 for case subjects and r = .76 for control subjects; two-sided P<.001). Individuals with rarer genotypes reported having been substantially younger at the time of smoking initiation (statistically significant for both A1 and B1) and having attempted to quit smoking fewer times (statistically significant for only A1).

CONCLUSION

Variant alleles of the D2 dopamine receptor gene may play a role in determining nicotine addiction, although the associations between the at-risk genotypes and measures of nicotine addiction were not entirely consistent.

A double recombinant adenovirus expressing the costimulatory molecule B7-1 (murine) and human IL-2 induces complete tumor regression in a murine breast adenocarcinoma model

Tumors that express tumor-specific antigens can maintain growth in an immunocompetent organism. Current hypotheses tend toward T cell anergy as a key component for the inhibition of immunoreactivity against such tumors. Anergy is thought to occur from hyperactive stimulation of the TCR in the absence of costimulation (costimulation leads to proliferation via IL-2 production). Subcutaneous injection of transgenic polyoma middle T transformed breast adenocarcinoma tumor cells (PyMT) in the hind flank of FVB/n mice results in the formation of tumor nodules at this site. We determined the MHC class I and class II, B7-1, and B7-2 expression in the tumor cells by flow cytometry and showed positive staining for only MHC class I. We show that a single E1-deleted adenovirus constructed to express both the costimulatory molecule B7-1 (murine) and human IL-2 genes (Ad5E1 mB7-1/human IL-2) elicits a very potent antitumor response when administered intratumorally. Ad5E1 mB7-1/human IL-2 induced rapid and complete regression (100%) of all tumors compared with Ad5 E1 mB7-1 (38%), Ad CAIL-2 (42%), and Ad5E1 dl70-3 (control vector) (0%). All mice that exhibited complete tumor regression were fully protected in tumor cell challenge experiments. The systemic immunity generated by intratumoral administration of the Ad vectors was associated with a strong anti-PyMT CTL response. These observations indicate that augmenting the immunogenicity of the tumor with coincident expression of B7-1 in combination with IL-2 may prove beneficial in direct tumor immunotherapy.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 DraI polymorphisms in lung cancer in minority populations

Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) is involved in the metabolic activation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. This study was performed to examine whether CYP2E1 DraI polymorphisms in intron 6 are related to susceptibility to lung cancer and are associated with carcinogenetic exposure. We therefore genotyped CYP2E1 by PCR amplification of peripheral WBC DNA from 126 patients with previously untreated lung cancer (85 African Americans and 41 Mexican Americans) and 193 controls (104 African Americans and 89 Mexican Americans). Mutagen sensitivity was measured with an in vitro assay quantitating bleomycin-induced chromatid breaks in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. The CYP2E1 DraI DD genotype was found in 86.5% of all cases and in 74.6% of all controls (P = 0.03), in 78.1% of 41 Mexican-American cases and in 69.6% of their controls (P = 0.70), and in 90.6% of African American cases and in 78.8% of their controls (P = 0.05). The DD genotype was found to be associated with a significantly higher risk of lung cancer overall with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.4 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-5.3]. This risk was significantly elevated for men and for those who had ever smoked [ORs of 3.4 (95% CI, 1.3-8.7) and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.1-6.0), respectively], but not for women and nonsmokers [ORs of 0.7 (95% CI, 0.1-3.8) and 0.9 (95% CI, 0.1-10.6), respectively]. Stratified analysis showed an interaction that seemed greater than multiplicative between cigarette smoking and the CYP2E1 DraI DD genotype. The ORs for the CYP2E1 DraI DD genotype, cigarette smoking, and both risk factors combined were 1.5, 8.5, and 22.7, respectively. The CYP2E1 DraI polymorphism and the CYP2E1 PstI polymorphism in the upstream flanking regions were significantly associated in Mexican Americans but not in African Americans. We therefore conclude that the CYP2E1 DraI polymorphism seems to be associated with lung carcinogenesis. However, a larger study is warranted to evaluate the interactions among CYP2E1 DraI DD genotype, mutagen sensitivity, and cigarette smoking.

Optimal seat suspension design based on minimum "simulated subjective response"

This work addresses a method for improving vertical whole body vibration isolation through optimal seat suspension design. The primary thrusts of this investigation are: (1) the development of a simple model that captures the essential dynamics of a seated human exposed to vertical vibration, (2) the selection and evaluation of several standards for assessing human sensitivity to vertical vibration, and (3) the determination of the seat suspension parameters that minimize these standards to yield optimal vibration isolation. Results show that the optimal seat and cushion damping coefficients depend very much on the selection of the vibration sensitivity standard and on the lower bound of the stiffnesses used in the constrained optimization procedure. In all cases, however, the optimal seat damping obtained here is significantly larger (by than a factor of 10) than that obtained using existing seat suspension design methods or from previous optimal suspension studies. This research also indicates that the existing means of assessing vibration in suspension design (ISO 7096) requires modification.

Genetic Transformation of Wheat Mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

A rapid Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system for wheat was developed using freshly isolated immature embryos, precultured immature embryos, and embryogenic calli as explants. The explants were inoculated with a disarmed A. tumefaciens strain C58 (ABI) harboring the binary vector pMON18365 containing the [beta]-glucuronidase gene with an intron, and a selectable marker, the neomycin phosphotransferase II gene. Various factors were found to influence the transfer-DNA delivery efficiency, such as explant tissue and surfactants present in the inoculation medium. The inoculated immature embryos or embryogenic calli were selected on G418-containing media. Transgenic plants were regenerated from all three types of explants. The total time required from inoculation to the establishment of plants in soil was 2.5 to 3 months. So far, more than 100 transgenic events have been produced. Almost all transformants were morphologically normal. Stable integration, expression, and inheritance of the transgenes were confirmed by molecular and genetic analysis. One to five copies of the transgene were integrated into the wheat genome without rearrangement. Approximately 35% of the transgenic plants received a single copy of the transgenes based on Southern analysis of 26 events. Transgenes in T1 progeny segregated in a Mendelian fashion in most of the transgenic plants.

Estimating the strength of genetic effects: a comparison of maximum likelihood and transmission disequilibrium methods in the study of ankylosing spondylitis

Here we compare several methods for evaluating associations in the analysis of family data. We applied the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), and logistic regression, familial aggregation, and segregation analyses for the study of Ankylosing Spondylitis. All methods detected effects from B27 upon susceptibility for Ankylosing Spondylitis. However, the TDT was unable to detect effects from B40 and also could not include sex as a covariate during the analysis. Conditioning or not conditioning the data for the ascertainment event led to little difference in the estimated covariate effects, although the genetic model for residual effects not due to the covariates did change. Results from these studies provide further characterization of the relationship between HLA B27, B40, and sex upon risk for developing Ankylosing Spondylitis. We also identified potential effects from further genetic susceptibility.

[Studies on programmed cell death induced by amsacrine and expression of bcl-2 in leukemia cell lines]

OBJECTIVE

To study programmed cell death (PCD) in two human acute myelocytic leukemia cell lines in different differentiated phases, NB4(AML3) and HL-60(AML2).

METHODS

PCD cells were detected microscopically, DNA electrophoretically and flow cytometrically. Expression of bcl-2 gene was examined by immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTS

Exposed to 1-20 micrograms/ml m-AMSA for 6-12 h, morphological changes in NB4 cells were more evident than in HL-60 cells. Internucleosomal fragmentation(DNA ladders) was more marked in NB4 than in HL-60 cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that the number of PCD cells in NB4 cells was more than that in HL-60 cells. HL-60 cells had significantly higher mean bcl-2 level than NB4 cells.

CONCLUSION

The high bcl-2 level in HL-60 cells may be related to their comparatively low sensitivity to m-AMSA-induced PCD.

Dendritic cells transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding a model tumor-associated antigen for tumor vaccination

Evaluation of the potential role of dendritic cells (DCs) as adjuvants for tumor vaccination has focused primarily on techniques that load DCs with peptide tumor antigens. Our aim has been to optimize the induction of antitumor immunity by enhancing the ability of DCs to present tumor-associated antigens endogenously to the afferent lymphatic system in the appropriate major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted context. We have used replication-defective adenovirus vectors (Ads) to transduce DCs with various genes, including tumor antigen genes. We found that 90% of murine bone marrow derived-DCs could be infected with an Ad vector expressing the beta-galactosidase gene and still retain their physiologic and phenotypic characteristics. Furthermore, we demonstrated that transgene expression was detectable in the spleen for at least 3 days following intravenous injection of Ad-transduced DCs. Using a polyoma middle T (PymT) transgenic murine mammary carcinoma model, we have shown that a single injection of 10(5)-4 x 10(6) DCs transduced with an Ad vector expressing PymT provided complete and specific protection against tumor cell challenge in 100% of vaccinated animals. Immunization against the PymT tumor by injection with the PymT expressing Ad vector alone resulted in varying degrees of effectiveness, was highly dependent upon the route of administration, and led to significant hepatic toxicity that was not seen in mice immunized with DC transduced with the Ad vector. Our results suggest that: (i) DCs can be very efficiently modified by ex vivo Ad transduction to express tumor-specific antigens, (ii) such modified DCs appear nontoxic and stimulate a potent antitumor response.