Moloney murine leukemia virus infection accelerates lymphomagenesis in E mu-bcl-2 transgenic mice

E mu-bcl-2 transgenic mice bearing the bcl-2 proto-oncogene linked to the immunoglobulin enhancer (E mu) sporadically develop B or T cell lymphomas after a long latent period. To identify genes that play important roles in development of lymphoid malignancies, proviral insertional mutagenesis with Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMuLV) was carried out in two lines of transgenic mice expressing the bcl-2 gene primarily in B or T cells. MMuLV infection of non-transgenic mice induced primarily mature T cell lymphomas. By contrast, infection of newborn E mu-blc-2 mice with the virus accelerated lymphomagenesis, and nearly all of the mice eventually succumbed to clonal pre-B, B, or mainly immature T cell lymphoma, indicating the active contribution of the bcl-2 gene in lymphomagenesis. Southern blot analysis of tumor DNA from MMuLV-infected transgenic mice revealed a proviral insertion at the c-myc gene in 26% (9/35) of tumors, at the pim-1 gene in 6% (2/35) and at the pim-2 (recently renamed tic-1) gene in 23% (8/35). Some tumors carried two activated oncogenes. No insertion was detected at the bmi-1 gene. These data suggest the usefulness of this transgenic system for analysis of lymphomagenesis involving the activated bcl-2 gene.

[Invention of a forced-air-ventilated micro-isolation cage and rack system--environment within cages: temperature and ammonia concentration]

There is little information about microenvironments within laboratory animal cages, although several guidelines on the macroenvironment in laboratory animal rooms have been reported. We have developed a forced-air ventilation system (FVMIS) to improve laboratory animal well-being. In this study, we tested the performance of the FVMIS in terms of temperature and ammonia concentration within cages. Continuous measurement of temperature and ammonia concentration was carried out in FVMIS cages housing 5 rats each. The average temperature within the cages was 22 degrees C to 24 degrees C, and the temperature difference among cages was 0.93 degrees C. The air exchange rate used was 65 changes per hour. FVMIS was capable of controlling the temperature within cages uniformly and accurately with a lower air exchange rate than with the conventional system. The ammonia concentration reached 20 ppm within 9 days in a filtercapped conventional cage, but took 13 to 16 days to reach 20 ppm with FVMIS. It appears that FVMIS is capable of suppressing the ammonia concentration increase in cages, thereby reducing the frequency of cage changes and the stress to laboratory animals when cages are changed. In the present study, it was confirmed that FVMIS contributes not only to microenvironmental control in terms of temperature and ammonia concentration with a lower air exchange rate, but also to animal well-being.

Synthesis of 19-hydroxylated bile acids and identification of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,19-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid in human neonatal urine

The synthesis of 19-hydroxylated bile acids (3 alpha,19-dihydroxy-, 3 alpha,7 alpha,19-trihydroxy-, 3 alpha,12 alpha,19-trihydroxy- and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,19-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acids) was described. These synthesized 19-hydroxylated bile acids were used as standard samples for the analysis of bile acids in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,19-Tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid was identified in neonatal urines (0.1-1.5 micrograms/ml and 1.5-7% of total bile acids).

New mutant rabbit strain with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions produced by serial inbreeding

We have investigated the characteristics of the Kurosawa and Kusanagi hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbit, a strain manifesting inherited and persistent hypercholesterolemia and produced by inbreeding from mutants discovered in 1985. These KHC rabbits had abnormally high serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid concentrations 8 to 10 times greater than the concentrations in clinically normal Japanese white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The KHC rabbits also had decreased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, about one-third the value in clinically normal rabbits. In addition, the serum lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns were characterized by a strong, broad beta-lipoprotein band and a diminished alpha-lipoprotein band. Fractionation of lipoprotein lipids revealed increased cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride in the low-density lipoprotein fraction; increased cholesterol and phospholipid in the very low-density lipoprotein fraction; and decreased cholesterol and triglyceride in the high-density lipoprotein fraction. On the basis of incidence of hypercholesterolemia in mating experiments, this abnormality is thought to have been inherited as a single autosomal recessive gene mutation, and analysis of the low-density lipoprotein receptor indicated that the KHC rabbit has a 12-base pair deletion in the low-density lipoprotein receptor mRNA. Macroscopic analysis of the aorta revealed the atheromatous lesions at 2 months of age, drastically increased lesional areas in the total aortic surface at 8 months of age, and a high incidence of coronary atheromas and xanthomas. Light microscopy revealed two typical lesions in the aorta fatty plaque and medical calcification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy- and 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acids by the use of beta-ketosulfoxide

The biosynthetic intermediates of bile acid, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy- and 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acids, were synthesized by means of the thermal elimination of beta-ketosulfoxides. The alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones as key compounds of the synthesis, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy- and 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-25-en-24-ones, were effectively derived from the beta-ketosulfoxides prepared from methyl cholate or chenodeoxycholate by reaction with methylsulfinylcarbanion. These unsaturated ketones were converted into 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 26-tetrahydroxy- and 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 26-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanes by reductive deoxygenation and hydroboration, of which stereoisomers were chromatographically separated into 25S- and 25R- isomers. The oxidation of each of the above isomeric alcohols after the protection of the hydroxyl groups on the steroidal ring and the following hydrolysis gave the title 26-carboxylic acids.

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus associated with persistent bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus infection in young cattle

Histologic and immunohistochemical studies were carried out on four young cattle with diabetes mellitus associated with persistent bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus infection. Clinical findings included persistent hyperglycemia, decreased glucose tolerance, glycosuria, polydipsia, and severe emaciation. Macroscopically, multiple erosions and ulcers in the mucosa of upper and lower alimentary tracts and swollen lymph nodes were commonly observed. Erosions and ulcers in the mucosa of tongue, esophagus, and forestomach were represented histologically by necrosis of squamous epithelium with neutrophilic infiltration. In the small and large intestines, villous atrophy and suppurative cryptitis were often observed, along with diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages and fibroplasia in the lamina propria. In the pancreas of all cattle, there was a reduction in the number of islet cells, and most of the residual islet cells had hydropic degeneration and a decreased number of secretory granules. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed that these cells were severely degranulated beta-cells. In addition, many islets containing necrotic islet cells were observed. These islet cells had increased eosinophilia and shrinkage of cytoplasm, as well as pyknotic nuclei. Inflammation of the islets with mild infiltration of lymphocytes was observed in all pancreatic lobes. In addition, bovine IgG-immunoreactive cells were identified immunohistochemically in the affected pancreatic islets. The BVD virus antigen was not identified in the cytoplasm of the islet cells by immunohistochemical study, although it was identified in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. The histologic and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the pancreatic lesions in these animals were similar to those caused by acute insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in human beings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of the proteoglycan (PSK) on lymphocyte subsets in normal rats

The effect of the proteoglycan biologic response modifier, PSK, on lymphocyte subsets was investigated in normal rats. Six-week-old male SPF Wistar-Imamichi rats were fed a diet containing 2% PSK. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL), and those existing in the thymus, spleen and Peyer's patches were collected for analysis of subsets of T cells, helper/inducer T (Th) cells, suppressor/cytotoxic T (Ts) cells and B cells compared with those of the control group. In the PBL, differential and absolute counts of T and Th cells were lower in the group fed PSK (the PSK group) than the control group. There was no difference in Ts cells between the groups, and the PSK group showed a higher B-cell differential count. In the case of TDL, the PSK group showed greater absolute counts of T and Th cells than the control group. In tissue lymphocytes, differential T and Th cell counts were significantly greater in the PSK group than the control group, as observed first in Peyer's patches and later in the spleen. No differences between the groups were observed in these counts in the thymus. Changes in body distribution of T and Th cells induced by PSK treatment first appeared in lymphocytes in Peyer's patches, followed by PBL and TDL, and those in the spleen. No such changes were observed in the thymic lymphocytes.

Application of DNA fingerprinting with digoxigenated oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5 to analysis of the genetic variation within Taenia taeniaeformis

DNA from T. taeniaeformis digested with the restriction endonuclease was hybridized with digoxigenated oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5. Metacestode and adult showed same clear multibanding patterns, which were characteristic of multilocus DNA fingerprinting. The fingerprinting patterns were quite different from those of the rodent hosts. Genetic variations in 4 laboratory-reared isolates of T. taeniaeformis, including 3 isolates which have been reported to be indistinguishable by infectivity, morphology and protein composition of metacestode, were investigated using this technique. Each of the 4 isolates exhibited isolate-specific fingerprinting patterns and were easily distinguished from one another, thus it was considered that (CAC)5 was a highly resolvable and informative probe for cestodes. However, it was also indicated that (CAC)5 was so sensitive that applying fingerprinting with (CAC)5 to taxonomical or phylogenetic analysis was limited where habitat of the host was restricted to the small area. In comparison to fingerprinting with 32P-labeled (CAC)5, fingerprinting with digoxigenated (CAC)5 represented more and sharper bands. It was considered that a digoxigenated probe was more useful for genetic analysis of cestodes.

Morphological studies on the kidney of the spontaneous nephrotic (ICGN) mice in the late stage

Spontaneous nephrotic (ICGN) mice develop proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hypercholesterolemia. These symptoms steadily progress to chronic renal failure. Details of the changes of the kidney, in the late stage (more than 5 months old) were investigated by both light and electron microscopy. The kidney exhibited a slightly whitish, granular surface and the cortex became thinner and contained fibrous lesions, in which clusters of unaffected and occluded renal tubules were randomly scattered. In the juxtamedullary and outer medullary zone, there were highly dilated renal tubules, which sometimes contained urinary casts. The glomerulus exhibited basement membrane thickening in the capillary loops and the capillary lumen was narrowed in size and sometimes occluded. No detachment of the podocyte from the basement membrane was observed and the podocyte foot-processes were extensively fused, causing their characteristic slits to be lost. The thickened basement membranes were found both in the glomerulus and around the occluded renal tubules, while the basement membrane in the dilated renal tubule appeared normal. Therefore, the basement membranes of the glomerulus and renal tubules appear to react differently in the pathogenesis of the condition. In conclusion, ICGN mice are a good model for not only the nephrotic syndrome but also for chronic renal failure.

Intraspecific variation of isoenzymes in Taenia taeniaeformis

The technique of isoenzyme electrophoresis was applied to Japanese wild populations of Taenia taeniaeformis (isolated from Norway rats) and three laboratory reared isolates (KRN isolated from a Malaysian Norway rat, BMM from a Belgian house mouse and ACR from a Japanese gray red-backed vole). The average heterozygosities of Japanese wild populations were fairly small and total genetic variability was 0.0499. The genetic make-up of T. taeniaeformis in Norway rats was rather uniform in the whole of Japan. In KRN isolate, each of all 10 loci examined possessed the allele which was predominant in Japanese wild populations. Similarly, each of 9 loci in BMM isolate possessed the same alleles, but one of 2 alleles at HK locus was different from that in the others. T. taeniaeformis parasitizing house mice and rats were considered to be genetically closely related to each other. In ACR isolate, 7 out of 10 loci possessed different alleles from those in the other populations. It was considered that ACR isolate was genetically distant and its phylogenetic origin in Japan should be different from worms parasitizing Norway rats.

Serum from Theileria sergenti-infected cattle accelerates the clearance of bovine erythrocytes in SCID mice

Anemia is a major clinical sign of Japanese bovine theileriosis caused by Theileria sergenti. To investigate the possible factors causing anemia in cattle, we developed a clearance test for bovine erythrocytes (Bo-RBC) in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Clearance of Bo-RBC in the SCID mice was significantly accelerated when the mice were inoculated with a serum sample obtained from an infected calf during a highly parasitized phase but not when they were injected with a serum sample obtained during the convalescence phase. Acceleration of the clearance of Bo-RBC was also observed in mice treated with merozoite extract. Furthermore, the clearance of Bo-RBC that had been treated with merozoite extract was accelerated. A significant hemolytic activity in infected serum (highly parasitized phase) was observed. Activities sufficient to accelerate the clearance of Bo-RBC in SCID mice and to induce in vitro hemolysis of Bo-RBC were also observed with a merozoite extract from T. sergenti. The results suggest a possible linkage between the in vitro hemolysis of Bo-RBC and the acceleration of Bo-RBC clearance in SCID mice.

Phylogenetic relationships within Taenia taeniaeformis variants and other taeniid cestodes inferred from the nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene

Nucleotide sequence variations in a region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (391 bp) were examined within seven species of the genus Taenia and two species of the genus Echinococcus, including ten isolates of T. taeniaeformis and six isolates of E. multilocularis. More than a 12% rate of nucleotide differences between taeniid species was found, allowing the species to be distinguished. In E. multilocularis, no sequence variation was observed among isolates, regardless of the host (gray red-backed vole, tundra vole, pig, Norway rat) or area (Japan, Alaska) from which each metacestode had been isolated. In contrast, six distinct sequences were detected among the ten T. taeniaeformis isolates examined. The level of nucleotide variation in the COI gene within T. taeniaeformis isolates except for one isolate from the gray red-backed vole (TtACR), which has been proposed as a distinct strain or a different species, was about 0.3%-4.1%, whereas the COI gene sequence for TtACR differed from those of the other isolates, with levels being 9.0%-9.5%. Phylogenetic trees were then inferred from these sequence data using two different algorithms.

[Pathogenesis of spontaneous nephrosis in mice--urinary protein in nephrotic mice]

There is a paucity of model animals for naturally occurring nephrosis. The nephrotic mouse strain (ICGN) found from ICR mouse colony at National Institute of Health could be one of the most suitable model for nephrosis. We maintained the strain of mice which was originated from the hybrid between the nephrotic ICGN mice and ICR mice. Nephrosis is diagnosed with the presence of albumin band on SDS-PAGE of the urine. The detection of urinary albumin using SDS-PAGE could be valuable for early diagnosis of nephrosis in the mice. The total urinary protein concentration was determined on the course of nephrosis. The nephrotic mice showed slightly higher protein concentration between 2 and 6 days old as compared to control mice. Until 16 day old, it was maintained relatively low level. Thereafter, the total urinary protein increased gradually. However the diagnosis of nephrosis with total urinary protein alone may be limited due to the major urinary protein which can be detected even in normal rodents.

Fetal bile acid metabolism during infancy: analysis of 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids in urine, meconium and feces

Fetal bile acids (1 beta-hydroxylated, 6 alpha-hydroxylated and unsaturated bile acids), especially 1 beta, 3 alpha,7 alpha, 12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (CA-1 beta-ol), have been detected in urine and feces early in life. To investigate whether a fetal pathway of bile acid synthesis exists in infancy, we measured the concentrations of bile acids in the urine, meconium and feces from normal newborns and infants by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean ratio of total bile acids to creatinine in urine increased between birth and 7 days and then gradually decreased; however, the concentration of total bile acids in urine remained significantly higher than that in adult urine until 3 mo of age. The main urinary bile acid was CA-1 beta-ol, and substantial amounts of fetal bile acids were detected in urine until 3 mo of age. The ratio of cholic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid was abnormally low in meconium (mean, 0.44; range, 0.19 to 0.74), and hyocholic acid constituted 19.3% of total bile acids. The mean total bile acid content of feces decreased between birth and 7 days of age and thereafter increased. The mean percentage of fetal bile acids in feces decreased after birth, but substantial amounts were present in feces until 1 mo of age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibitory effect of simultaneous intraportal administration of 5-fluorouracil, uracil and degradable starch microspheres on experimental hepatic micrometastasis, is of colon cancer

This study was designed to examine the optimal regimen of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), uracil and degradable starch microspheres (DSM) to prevent the hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer. BALB/C mice were used as a model of hepatic micrometastasis of mouse transplantable colorectal cancer, Colon 26. We intraportally administered to the mice 5-FU at a dose of 34.8 mg/kg body weight; uracil at the dose equal to, or 8 times higher than that of 5-FU in molar weight and DMS at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. We investigated the hepatic and serum concentrations of 5-FU and uracil and the inhibitory effect of various combinations of the three substances on hepatic metastasis. The study showed that concurrent use of 5-FU with uracil at a dose 8 times higher than that of 5-Fu could keep 5-FU concentration high in hepatic tissue and relatively low in serum. This tendency became more marked with the presence of DSM. These findings support the previous study results that uracil antagonizes breakdown of 5-FU in the liver and with the aid of DSM, retards excretion of 5-FU from the liver. Further investigations for clinical application of this method will lower the incidence of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for 18-hydroxycortisol and their use in an enzyme immunoassay for human urinary 18-hydroxycortisol for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism

We report the development of a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay (EIA) specific for human urinary 18-hydroxycortisol, a biological marker of primary aldosteronism. Hybrid cell lines (hybridomas) were isolated after fusion between myeloma cells and spleen cells prepared from mice immunized with 18-hydroxycortisol conjugate. A competitive EIA suitable for the measurement of urinary 18-hydroxycortisol was developed using the mouse monoclonal antibody, KTM-41, which showed no practical cross-reaction with related endogenous steroids and synthetic steroids. This EIA meets all the requirements of routine clinical assay in terms of sensitivity (detection limit: 20 nmol/L), reproducibility (total CV: 8-15%), accuracy (recovery: 88-115%), simplicity and rapidity (< 3 h). Urinary 18-hydroxycortisol measured by the present assay was 153 +/- 119 nmol/L (mean +/- SD, range, 28-485) and 1787 +/- 1180 (range, 810-4264) in normal subjects (n = 20) and in patients with primary aldosteronism (n = 7), respectively. Clinical validation of the assay was confirmed by an appropriate decrease in urinary 18-hydroxycortisol level in patients with primary aldosteronism subsequent to adrenalectomy: 171 +/- 141 nmol/L (range, 41-466).

Identification of (24E)-3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-24-enoic acid and (24R,25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha,24-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid as intermediates in the conversion of 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid in rat liver homogenates

Studies of chemical structure of the intermediates in the biosynthetic sequence between 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid (DHCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid have been undertaken. Radiolabeled DHCA was incubated with a rat liver preparation. The reaction products were converted to the p-bromophenacyl esters, and analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Under the conditions used, the radioactivity was found in (24E)-3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-24-enoic acid (31%) and (24R,25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha,24-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid (7%) along with the starting material (62%). Neither the 24Z isomer of the alpha,beta-unsaturated bile acid nor the other three isomers of the beta-hydroxy bile acid were detected. The findings support the proposed pathway for the side chain cleavage in chenodeoxycholic acid biosynthesis, which is thought to be identical to that of cholic acid biosynthesis.

[Invention of an air forced ventilated micro-isolation cage and rack system--environment within the cages: ventilation, air flow]

A forced air ventilation system for small laboratory animals was developed. The system consists of an air handling unit with air supply and exhaust fans, a rack, hard cage covers with a large diameter air inlet and an outlet, and shoe box cages. Air flow from the supply duct, to the exhaust duct and within the cage were observed. Variations in air flow among cages was minimal. The optimal air exchange rate of the cages in this system was determined to be 60 times per hour based on the results obtained in the present study. At this air exchange rate, air flow at the base of the cages had a velocity of less than 0.09m/sec, which was within the range of recommended values for humans. The observed results show that the system developed is capable of sustaining a laboratory animal microenvironment well in terms of air flow, without too much energy cost.

Light and electron-microscopical observations of the early developmental stages of Theileria sergenti in the gut of Haemaphysalis longicornis

Morphological characteristics of the early developmental stages of Theileria sergenti in the vector tick were observed by light and electron-microscopies and compared with those of other Theileria species. Just before the repletion of nymphs, various stages of the parasite were observed in gut contents of tick by light microscopy: the spherical intra-erythrocytic stage, the ring-form stage, the spindle-shaped stage and the round-form stage. Electron microscopy revealed that the spherical intra-erythrocytic stages were 1-2 microns in diameter and were marginally located in host erythrocytes. The organisms liberated from host erythrocytes into the tick gut lumen had a large nucleus, an endoplasmic reticulum, electron dense-organelles and a double-walled, mitochondrion-like organelle. In addition ticks had ray-bodies in the gut lumen. These bodies had short protrusions containing 1-3 microtubules and a labyrinthine structure containing highly electron-dense organelles, so they were considered as the developing microgamont of T. sergenti.

A direct enzyme immunoassay for 18-hydroxycortisol in urine: a new tool for screening primary aldosteronism

A microplate enzyme immunoassay has been developed for the measurement of 18-hydroxycortisol in urine. An antiserum was produced by immunization of rabbits with a 3-O-(carboxymethyl)oximino-18-hydroxycortisol-bovine serum albumin conjugate. IgG was isolated from the antiserum and was biotinylated. Newly synthesized p-nitrophenyl ester of the oxime was used for the preparation of steroid-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. After an incubation of diluted urine samples (or standards) and the steroid-enzyme conjugate with the biotinylated antibody, the resulting antigen-antibody complex was separated by adding a portion of the reaction mixture into the avidin-coated microtiter plate. Peroxidase bound to solid phase was measured colorimetrically. The standard curve was linear from 0.25 to 10 ng/well. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 5.5-8.8 and 7.8-8.2%, respectively. The assay was specific except for 18-hydroxycortisone with minor cross reaction. Urinary 18-hydroxycortisol excretion ranged 836-7460 and 26-696 nmol/24 h, respectively, in patients with primary aldosteronism (n = 8) and in control subjects (n = 40). This simple and rapid (< 4 h) assay is suitable for screening patients with primary aldosteronism.