Chromosomes and surface markers in lymph node cells from 2 patients with AILD and IBL-like T-cell lymphoma

Chromosomes and surface markers in lymph node cells from 2 patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy associated with dysproteinemia (AILD) or immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL) and with IBL-like T-cell lymphoma, respectively, were examined before treatment. In the patient with AILD, a small clone with chromosome abnormality was found in lymph node cells although a surface marker study failed to demonstrate monoclonality. In this patient, the clinical and cytogenetic findings suggested a subtype of lymphoma with a mild clinical course and a benign histological appearance. In the patient with IBL-like T-cell lymphoma, a high percentage of metaphases showed chromosome abnormalities such as ring chromosomes. The clinical, immunological and cytogenetic findings suggested an aggressive type of lymphoma, even though the histologic appearance was similar to that of IBL.

Studies on the nature of thiamine pyrophosphate binding and dependency on divalent cations of transketolase from human erythrocytes

1. The binding kinetics for [35S]thiamine pyrophosphate to transketolase and the dependency of transketolase on divalent cations for activity were investigated. 2. With Scatchard analysis, dissociation constant (Kd) and n value were calculated to be 0.2 x 10(-6) M and 0.66 respectively. 3. The activity of the reconstituted enzyme increased in the order of Co2+ less than Mn2+ less than Ca2+ less than Mg2+. The native transketolase contained Mg2+ in its molecular structure.

Immunohistochemical localization of a new thiamine diphosphate-binding protein in the rat nervous system

The neurophysiological roles of thiamine-binding proteins have lately attracted considerable attention. We purified a new thiamine diphosphate-binding protein (ThDP-BP) prepared from rat livers and produced an antiserum against it. We examined the immunohistochemical distribution of ThDP-BP in the rat nervous system by the avidin-biotin complex technique. Immunoreactivity for ThDP-BP was found in several groups of neurons, and other neuronal tissues including glial cells, ependymal cells and Schwann cells. In neurons, the cytoplasm and processes were stained, but the nucleus was scarcely stained. In glial cells, the nucleus was stained, but the cytoplasm was not stained.

Anti-TSH antibody with high specificity to human TSH in sera from a patient with Graves' disease: its isolation from, and interaction with, TSH receptor antibodies

A patient with thyrotoxic Graves' disease had an apparent measurable level of serum TSH (2.5 microU/ml) by double-antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA). The serum IgG bound with both [125I]human(h)TSH and [125I]bovine(b)TSH. The [125I]hTSH binding was more effectively displaced by human than bovine TSH, whereas [125I]bTSH binding was displaced exclusively by bTSH. Scatchard analyses revealed that [125I]hTSH binding showed two components, whereas [125I]bTSH binding had only one component. Serum TSH determined by RIA became undetectable 21 months after antithyroid drug treatment with a parallel decrease of [125I]hTSH binding IgG activity. Four thyrotrophin binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII) from other patients did not interfere with the binding of the patient's serum to [125I]h- or bTSH. Furthermore, the in-vitro thyroid stimulating activities of three thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb) were not affected by the addition of this patient's IgG. On the other hand, this patient's Ig (3 mg/ml) abolished the in-vitro thyroid stimulation by bTSH (100 microU/ml), but did not affect that by hTSH (100 microU/ml). The anti-hTSH antibody, TSH receptor antibody and anti-bTSH antibody in the serum, which contains TSAb as well as anti-TSH antibodies, could be partially purified by hTSH-agarose and subsequently by guinea pig fat cell membrane affinity absorptions. However, the anti-hTSH antibody fraction obtained had both hTSH binding activity and thyroid stimulating activity, and this fraction did not show any inhibitory effect on the in-vitro thyroid stimulation of autologous TSH receptor antibody or hTSH. The possible significance of anti-TSH antibodies is discussed.

Isochromosome 17q in a case of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia terminating in blastic transformation

A case of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia in a 61-year-old female patient is reported. Cytogenetic studies were performed using short-term culture without phytohemagglutinin. A chromosomal aberration of an isochromosome 17q, [i(17q)], was revealed in 88% of the metaphases of peripheral blood cells in the blastic phase. However, all metaphases of bone marrow cells in the chronic phase showed a normal karyotype. Furthermore, i(17q) was also observed in 10% of the metaphases of spleen cells examined 8 months before blastic transformation. In this case, therefore, the cells with i(17q) were associated with an abnormal clone of blastic transformation, with the abnormal clone originating in the spleen with myeloid metaplasia.

Leukemic blast cell colony formation in semisolid culture with erythropoietin: a case report of acute poorly differentiated erythroid leukemia

The bone marrow of a patient with acute undifferentiated leukemia developed unique colonies after a 14-day culture in erythropoietin (EPO)-containing methylcellulose. The colonies consisted of 20 to 200 nonhemoglobinized large blast cells. Cytogenetic analysis of single colonies revealed hypotetraploid karyotypes with several marker chromosomes that were identical to those found in directly sampled bone marrow. The concurrently formed erythroid bursts showed only normal karyotypes. No leukemic colony formation was observed in other culture systems with either colony-stimulating activity (CSA) or phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte-conditioned medium (PHA-LCM). The leukemic colonies exhibited a complete EPO-dose dependency similar to that of the patient's normal BFU-E. Although cytochemical and immunologic marker studies of the bone marrow cells failed to clarify the cell lineage of the leukemic cells with extraordinarily large cell size, ultrastructural study revealed erythroid differentiation such as siderosome formation in the cytoplasm and ferritin particles in the rhophecytosis invaginations. These findings indicate that the patient had poorly differentiated erythroid leukemia and that some of the clonogenic cells might respond to EPO in vitro. Corresponding to this biological feature, the leukemic cells were markedly decreased in number in response to repeated RBC transfusions, and partial remission was obtained. These observations suggest that erythroid leukemia distinct from erythroleukemia (M6) with a myeloblastic component, can develop as a minor entity of human acute leukemia.

Ph1-positive CML-derived myeloid-monocytoid precursor cell line producing substance(s) that stimulates normal CFU-C

A new Ph1-chromosome positive cell line, KOPM-28. was established from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blast crisis. KOPM-28 cells were phenotypically immature: without azurophilic granules; negative for myeloperoxidase and positive for specific and nonspecific esterases. The nonspecific esterase reaction was intensified by TPA, and retinoic acid reinforced the specific esterase reaction without inducing morphological changes. KOPM-28 cells were not phagocytic. The cells expressed complement receptors, myeloid-monocytoid antigens, an Ia-like antigen and T4 antigen. CALLA, T-lymphocyte specific antigens, B-lymphocyte related antigen and platelet-megakaryocyte-megakaryoblast specific antigen were not detected. KOPM-28 cells formed colonies in semi-solid medium; this ability was augmented by GM-CSA. The addition of culture medium conditioned by KOPM-28 cells to normal bone marrow cells resulted in the increase of the CFU-C colonies. These findings indicate that KOPM-28 cells have features of myeloid and monocytoid precursor cells and that they are producing substance(s) which stimulates normal CFU-C.

Antagonistic effect of KC-404, a new anti-asthmatic agent, on leukotriene D4-induced contractile responses in isolated guinea pig smooth muscles

The inhibitory effects of KC-404, a novel clinically available anti-asthmatic drug, on leukotriene(LT) D4-, LTC4-, histamine- and acetylcholine(ACh)-induced contractile responses in isolated guinea pig lung parenchymal, tracheal and ileal longitudinal strips were compared using an organ bath system. In lung parenchyma, KC-404 antagonized LTD4 in a competitive fashion, whereas it antagonized histamine noncompetitively. The pA2 value against LTD4 was 7.39. KC-404 hardly antagonized LTC4 and ACh. A ranked order of potency estimated from its minimum effective concentrations (MEC) was LTD4 greater than histamine greater than LTC4 greater than ACh. In trachea, KC-404 antagonized LTC4 and LTD4 in a competitive fashion, while it antagonized histamine noncompetitively. The pA2 values against LTC4 and LTD4 were 5.99 and 6.51, respectively. KC-404 hardly antagonized ACh. A ranked order of the potency estimated from MEC was LTD4 greater than LTC4 greater than histamine greater than ACh. The pA2 values of KC-404 against LTD4 in lung parenchyma and trachea were little or not altered, while its inhibitory effect on histamine-induced contraction in trachea was markedly diminished by the pretreatment of tissues with indomethacin. In ileum, KC-404 noncompetitively antagonized all of the agonists used. A ranked order of the potency estimated from pD2 values was LTD4 divided by LTC4 greater than histamine greater than ACh. These results suggest that KC-404 is a selective antagonist of LTD4 and that it might interact with LTD4 receptor in airway smooth muscles but not in ileum. Another possibility that the drug might interact with LTD4 specific excitation-contraction coupling mechanism was also discussed.

Significance of chromosome 14 anomaly at band 14q11 in Japanese patients with adult T-cell leukemia

The chromosomes of leukemic blood cells in eight Japanese patients with acute adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) were examined by a direct method or short-term culture method without any mitogens. Six patients showed a chromosome 14 anomaly with a break at band q11-13: inv(14)(q11q32) in two patients, t(11;14)(p13;q13) in one patient, t(14;14)(q11;q32) in addition to del(14)(q11q13) in another, and only del(14)(q11q13) in two patients. Thus, a proximal 14q rearrangement exists in ATL as in other types of T-cell malignancies. Based on these facts, the pathogenesis of ATL is discussed in reference to the literature.

A new vasodilator 3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine (KC-404) has a dual mechanism of action on platelet aggregation

3-Isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo [1,5-a]pyridine (KC-404) at a concentration of greater than or equal to 4.34 X 10(-5) M inhibited adenosine diphosphate-, arachidonic acid- and collagen-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets. In rabbit, KC-404 (0.5 and 2 mg/kg, i.v.) caused a decrease in weight of collagen strip extracorporeally superfused with arterial blood, because of a disaggregation of deposited platelet aggregates. This disaggregatory effect of KC-404 was markedly diminished by the pretreatment of animals with aspirin. KC-404 (greater than or equal to 4.34 X 10(-6) M) and its major metabolite diOH-KD-404 (greater than or equal to 3.78 X 10(-7) M) significantly potentiated the anti-aggregatory action of prostacyclin on rabbit platelets. KC-404 (greater than or equal to (4.34 X 10(-8) M) exerted a similar effect in rat platelets. KC-404 had no significant effect on 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane A2 formation by rat aortic segment and rabbit platelets, respectively. KC-404 inhibited cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (Ki = 91 microM). The present results indicate that KC-404 exhibits its anti-platelet effect via the inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in platelets and via the potentiation of anti-aggregatory activity of prostacyclin on platelets.

Purification and characterization of, and preparation of an antibody to, transketolase from human red blood cells

Transketolase (sedoheptulose-7-phosphate: D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate glycolaldehydetransferase, EC 2.2.1.1) was purified 16 000-fold from human red blood cells, using DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-150, FPLC on Mono P, and Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme migrated as a single protein band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The FPLC step resolved transketolase into three peaks, designated I, II and III. From results of re-FPLC on Mono P, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, catalytic studies, amino acid analysis and immunological studies, it was concluded that I, II and III were originally the same protein, modified during storage and purification. Transketolase had a subunit (Mr 70 000) and appeared to be composed of two identical subunits. 1 mol of subunit contained 0.9 mol of thiamine pyrophosphate. The pH optimum of the reaction lay within the range 7.6-8.0, and the Km values were determined to be 1.5 X 10(-4) M for xylulose 5-phosphate and 4.0 X 10(-4) M for ribose 5-phosphate. Hg2+ and p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibited the enzyme reaction, and the inhibition of the latter disappeared upon the addition of cysteine. Thiamine and its phosphate esters did not, but cysteine (1 X 10(-2) M) and ethanol (10% and 1% v/v) did activate the enzyme reaction. Antibody prepared to II bound all forms of transketolase in the hemolysate, but inhibited the reaction only about 20%.

Mode of cerebral vasodilating action of KC-404 in isolated canine basilar artery

3-Isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine (KC-404) caused a potent and concentration-dependent relaxation in isolated canine basilar artery precontracted with prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha attended by EC50 of 7.6 X 10(-8) g/ml. The relaxing action of KC-404 was little affected by the removal of vascular endothelium, whereas it was significantly diminished by pretreatment with indomethacin (10(-5) M) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (10(-3) M). In PGF2 alpha-contracted canine basilar artery, KC-404-induced relaxation was markedly reversed to contraction by the subsequent addition of indomethacin (10(-5) M), ASA (10(-3) M) and phenidone (10(-4) M) by about 80%, 75% and 111%, respectively, whereas it was little affected by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (10(-5) M). Similar results were obtained when dipyridamole was used as a relaxant but, in contrast, papaverine-induced relaxation was little affected by indomethacin. KC-404 as well as PGI2 showed less potent or no relaxation in both PGF2 alpha-contracted rabbit aorta and KCl-contracted canine basilar artery as compared with PGF2 alpha-contracted canine basilar artery. In PGF2 alpha-contracted canine basilar artery, PGI2-induced relaxation was significantly augmented by pretreatment with KC-404 (10(-8) and 10(-7) g/ml). These results suggest that KC-404 might elicit cerebral vasorelaxation not dependent on vascular endothelium but remarkably dependent on a vasodilating cyclooxygenase metabolite, possibly PGI2.

Influence of indomethacin on an increase in cerebral blood flow induced by KC-404, a novel cerebral vasodilator, in an anesthetized dog

The effect of KC-404 on vertebral blood flow in the absence and presence of indomethacin was investigated in an anesthetized dog. KC-404 (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) showed a significant and long lasting increase in vertebral blood flow. This was markedly diminished by pretreatment of the animal with indomethacin. The increase in heart rate due to KC-404 administration was also diminished, though moderately, by pretreatment with indomethacin. From these results, the possible mechanism of action of KC-404 was discussed, particularly in reference to cerebral vasodilating prostaglandins.