A high frequency of apolipoprotein E4 isoprotein in Japanese patients with late-onset nonfamilial Alzheimer's disease

Phenotypes of apolipoprotein E (apo E) were determined by the iso-electric focusing method in 42 Japanese patients with nonfamilial late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 96 age-matched controls without hyperlipidemia and/or diabetes. There was a striking difference in the distribution of apo E phenotypes between patients with AD and controls (P < 0.0001). Such a difference was mostly attributable to different frequencies of phenotypes E4/3 and E3/3. The apo E4/3 phenotype was detected in 24 (57.1%) of 42 patients with AD, more than six times oftener than in nine (9.4%) of 96 controls. In contrast, apo E3/3, which is the most common apo E phenotype in various ethnic groups, was detected in only 15 (35.7%) patients with AD. These results indicate a strong association between apo E4 isoprotein and Japanese late-onset nonfamilial AD, and that apo E4 is a possible risk factor for the development of this type of AD.

Tumor imaging with technetium-99m-DTPA encapsulated in RES-avoiding liposomes

For passive targeting of liposomes to tumor tissues, we earlier developed reticuloendothelial system (RES)-avoiding liposomes modified with a uronic acid derivative, palmityl-D-glucuronide (PGlcUA). In the present study, we encapsulated technetium-99m (99mTc)-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in PGlcUA-liposomes (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine:cholesterol:PGlcUA = 40:40:20 as a molar ratio) and studied the biodistribution of the liposomes in tumor-bearing mice. 99mTc-DTPA encapsulated in liposomes effectively accumulated in tumor tissues after intravenous administration. Corresponding to these results, tumor was strongly imaged by a gamma-camera when 99mTc-DTPA-encapsulated PGlcUA-liposomes were used.

Neurofibrillary tangles in the neurons of spinal dorsal root ganglia of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) occur in neurons of human central nervous system (CNS) both in aged subjects and patients with several degenerative diseases, with a certain topographical predilection. In surveying the NFT distribution in nervous tissue of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), we found silver-positive fibrillary tangles in the neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in two of five patients. By immunohistochemistry, these tangles were stained with antibodies to human tau protein, paired helical filaments (PHFs) and ubiquitin. Electron microscopy revealed that they were mainly composed of PHFs that were morphologically indistinguishable from PHFs in the NFTs of CNS typically seen in Alzheimer's disease brains. Our data demonstrate for the first time that the neurons of DRG produce NFTs in PSP and suggest that the pathological process(es) leading to tangle formation can occur in the neurons of the peripheral nervous system in this disease condition.

Antitumour activity of an immunoconjugate composed of anti-human astrocytoma monoclonal antibody and neocarzinostatin

Neocarzinostatin (NCS) linked to the thiol group on the hinge region of the Fab' fragment of GA-17, a murine monoclonal antibody reacting with tyrosine-specific phosphorylated antigens, which are exclusively expressed on the cell surface of human astrocytomas, was evaluated for in vivo activity. GA-17-NCS immunoconjugates significantly suppressed the growth of human malignant glioma cell line U87-MG subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice until day 50 when administered intravenously into the tail vein. Disulphide- and thioether-linked GA-17-NCS were nearly equipotent immunoconjugates, but thioether-linked GA-17-NCS was more effective than disulphide-linked conjugates with 250 U/kg NCS content on day 50 (P < 0.05). Thioether-linked GA-17-NCS was significantly more effective on day 50 than free NCS with 500 U/kg or 250 U/kg NCS content (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). These results suggest that GA-17-NCS may prove useful in the treatment of human malignant gliomas.

Human T cell L-plastin bundles actin filaments in a calcium-dependent manner

The amino acid sequences deduced from cDNA analyses revealed that human leucocyte L-plastin phosphorylated in response to interleukin 1, 2 closely resembles a chicken intestinal microvilli protein, fimbrin, that bundles actin filaments [de Arruda et al. (1990) J. Cell Biol. 111, 1069-1079]. In the present work, it was observed that unphosphorylated L-plastin isolated from human T cells bundled F-actin just as fimbrin does. L-Plastin acted on T cell beta-actin, but hardly acted on muscle alpha-actin or chicken gizzard gamma-actin, whereas fimbrin bundled muscle alpha-actin. Unlike fimbrin, L-plastin's actin-bundling action was strictly calcium-dependent: the bundles were formed at pCa 7, but not at pCa 6. Under suitable conditions, approximately one molecule of L-plastin bound to 8 molecules of actin monomer in the actin filament.

Mechanism of interferon gamma-induced protection of human gliosarcoma cells from lymphokine-activated killer lysis: division of lymphokine-activated killer cells into natural killer- and T-like cells

The mechanism by which interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) decreases the susceptibility of the established cultured gliosarcoma line Gl-1 to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) lysis was analyzed. The results of monolayer depletion and lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays by LAK cells revealed that the resistance to LAK lysis of IFN-gamma-treated Gl-1 cells is manifested at the stage of LAK cell target recognition alone. We have also divided LAK cells into populations of phenotypically natural killer (NK)- and T-like cells with monoclonal antibodies and complement, respectively. We have used these cells to examine the mechanism of IFN-gamma-induced protection of Gl-1 cells from LAK lysis in cold target inhibition, monolayer depletion, and direct binding assays. The results revealed that NK-like cells do not recognize IFN-gamma-treated Gl-1 cells as efficiently as they do untreated targets, whereas T-like cells show the opposite tendency. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the IFN-gamma induced protection of tumor cells from LAK lysis is predominantly regulated by the target recognition of NK-like cells. On the other hand, IFN-gamma-treated tumor cells may bind to T-like cells but fail to trigger them to initiate further stages for lysis as effectively as NK-like cells.

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies monospecific to MMTV LTR orf protein produced in E. coli

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to an open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat were generated using an open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein produced in E. coli. Both antibodies reacted with the open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein but not with beta-galactosidase alone using an immunoblotting technique. It is concluded that these antibodies were specific for the protein encoded by the open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat.

Glial fibrillary tangles with straight tubules in the brains of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy

A recent report has described the appearance of silver positive, tau-immunoreactive astrocytes in the brains of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) (Neurosci. Lett., 135 (1992) 99-102). In this study we confirmed this finding in two cases of PSP by using Bodian silver staining and immunohistochemistry with antibody to human tau protein. By electron microscopy we demonstrated that fibrillary masses present in these unique astrocytes were made up of straight tubules that were indistinguishable from those of neurofibrillary tangles of PSP. The term 'glial fibrillary tangle' was proposed for these structures.

A morphological and ultrastructural investigation of normal mouse brain tissue after intracerebral injection of tumor necrosis factor

Morphological and ultrastructural changes in normal mouse brain tissue were investigated after intracerebral stereotactic injections of tumor necrosis factor (specific activity: 2.0 x 10(6) U/mg protein) into the right frontal lobe. The mice received either a single infusion or multiple tumor necrosis factor infusions in three different dose groups (10, 100, or 500 U). Compared with sham-treated control mice that received adjusted intracerebral injections of purified albumin, the tumor necrosis factor-treated mice in all dose groups did not show any specific in vivo behavioral abnormalities during the 2 months of study following the infusions. Histological studies revealed hemorrhage attributable to the mechanics of the intracerebral infusions, a thickening of the arachnoid membranes, a reactive gliosis, and neutrophilic and/or mononuclear cell infiltration along the infusion pathway. A local neutrophilic response was prominent 1 day after tumor necrosis factor injection. An immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the mononuclear cell infiltration consisted of lymphocytes and macrophages. Except for the transient neutrophilic infiltration, these histological alterations did not differ from those seen in the sham-treated control groups, and most nonspecific reactive changes disappeared within 8 weeks after the injections. Furthermore, an ultrastructural study showed no apparent pathological changes in the cytoplasmic organelles of neuronal, glial, and endothelial cells in the tumor necrosis factor-injected mouse specimens. These results suggest that the tumor necrosis factor injections caused no specific toxicity and did not alter the parenchymal and stromal cells comprising normal mouse brain tissue.

Tumor accumulation of novel RES-avoiding liposomes

For passive targeting of liposomes to tumor tissues, we earlier developed reticuloendothelial system (RES)-avoiding liposomes modified with a uronic acid derivative, palmityl-D-glucuronide (PGlcUA) (Namba, Y., Sakakibara, T., Masada, M., Ito, F. and Oku, N. (1990) Chem. Pharm. Bull. 38, 1663-1666). In this present study, we examined the blood clearance and biodistribution of PGlcUA-liposomes (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/PGlcUA = 40:40:20 as a molar ratio) in normal and tumor-bearing mice. Liposomes containing dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) instead of PGlcUA was also examined as a control. When [3H]inulin-encapsulated PGlcUA-liposomes and DPPG-liposomes were intravenously injected into normal mice, approx. 50% of the 3H radioactivity was recovered from the liver, the bulk of RES, at 12 h after administration of DPPG-liposomes, while only approx. 20% of it was found there when PGlcUA-liposomes were administered. Radioactivity remaining in the plasma at 12 h after injection was 5-fold higher when PGlcUA-liposomes were injected than when DPPG-liposomes were used. Biodistribution of liposomes in tumor-bearing mice was also examined. Mice were inoculated with 10(7) S180 cells into the hind leg. After 1 week, liposomes were injected. Radioactivity of [3H]inulin originally encapsulated in the PGlcUA-liposomes accumulated in the tumor to an extent 3-4-fold higher than that of the marker in DPPG-liposomes. Liver/tumor ratio of the radioactivity was 12 for DPPG-liposomes and only 2 for PGlcUA-liposomes. This latter value is the lowest of various liposome formulations ever reported.

Human glioma-specific antigens detected by monoclonal antibodies

Three murine monoclonal antibodies, designated GA-17, GB-4, and GC-3, were prepared by the hybridization of murine myeloma cells (NS-1) and spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with the crude membrane fraction of cultured human gliosarcoma cells (GI-1). Two of them (GA-17 and GB-4) reacted exclusively with the membrane of glioma cells, and the other (GC-3) reacted with the membrane of glioma cells and a T cell line (MOLT-4). Although these antibodies reacted with almost all of the gliomas, the reactions differed. GA-17 reacted equally well with all glioblastoma (17 cases) and low-grade astrocytoma (10 cases), whereas GB-4 reacted poorly with 7 cases of glioblastoma and GC-3 did not react with 7 cases of low-grade astrocytoma. The antigens, exclusively expressed on the cell surface, were analyzed by surface labeling with 125I followed by a cell lysis and immunoprecipitation with these antibodies. The findings obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that GA-17, GB-4, and GC-3 reacted with Mr 140,000-145,000, Mr 160,000, and Mr 145,000-150,000 proteins, respectively. Some evidence has been obtained indicating that these antigens are composed of the same polypeptide chain (Mr 120,000) with the carbohydrate chains being different.

Apolipoprotein B immunoreactivity in senile plaque and vascular amyloids and neurofibrillary tangles in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease

Based upon our previous finding of the association of apolipoprotein E (apoE) immunoreactivity with cerebral amyloids and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), we examined immunohistochemically whether this is also the case for apolipoprotein B (apoB). Polyclonal antibody to apoB immunosustained senile plaque amyloid, vascular amyloid, subpial amyloid deposits and intracellular NFTs in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain sections from patients with Alzheimer disease. Hydrated autoclave pretreatment of the sections enhanced the staining of plaque amyloid. The results may suggest a role of apoB in amyloid and NFT formation.

Alzheimer's disease beta-amyloid precursor protein in rat neural cells in culture

Immunochemical studies were performed on Alzheimer's beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) in rat brain and cultured rat neural cells. Multiple APP subtypes were detected on immunoblots of brain homogenate with several antisera specific for subsequences of APP. In rat neural cell cultures, it was demonstrated that the composition of APP subtypes differed among cell types and subcellular fractions, and that APP subtypes in PC12h cells varied in their heparin binding affinity, suggesting distinct functional roles for different APP subtypes. Compatible with the possible role of APP in cell-matrix interaction, an increase in oligodendroglial APP was observed following their attachment onto poly-L-lysine substratum.

Analysis of the close relationship between human astrocytoma-specific antigens detected by murine monoclonal antibodies and c-kit proto-oncogene product

Tyrosine-specific phosphorylated proteins found exclusively on the cell surface of human astrocytomas were previously identified with murine monoclonal antibodies, designated as GA-17, GB-4 and GC-3. The purpose of this study was to further characterize the antigens and investigate the relationship between them and c-kit protooncogene product. We demonstrated that the antigens had protein kinase activity. Moreover, GA-17 reacted with c-kit protein expressed on the membrane of A172 human glioblastoma cells.

Liposomal modification with uronate, which endows liposomes with long circulation in vivo, reduces the uptake of liposomes by J774 cells in vitro

For overcoming rapid removal of liposomes from the bloodstream, we developed reticuloendothelial system (RES)-avoiding liposomes modified with a uronic acid derivative, palmityl-D-glucuronide (PGlcUA). In this current study, we examined the in vitro interaction of PGlcUA-liposomes with J774 cells derived from mouse macrophages. Liposomal association with J774 cells at 37 degrees C did not increase compared with the binding at 4 degrees C when liposomes were modified with PGlcUA. RES-avoiding ability was not specifically endowed by glucuronate but by uronates in general, since palmityl-D-galacturonide showed a similar effect on liposomal clearance in vivo and liposomal uptake in vitro. These facts indicate that modification of the liposomal surface with uronic acid derivatives endows liposomes with a long circulation time in the bloodstream by reducing their uptake by macrophages.

Post-mortem diagnosis of human T lymphotrophic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy by detection of HTLV-1 DNA in the spinal cord of a patient with post-transfusional myelopathy

Human T lymphotrophic virus type-1(HTLV-1) is thought to be an etiological agent of HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM). Therefore, a definitive diagnosis of HAM can not be made if information on the presence of antibody against HTLV-1 is not available, even though clinical and histopathological features strongly indicate the disease. In this study, HTLV-1 DNA was detected in the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded spinal cord of an autopsy case with post-transfusional myelopathy using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ante-mortem HAM was not suspected of and the antibody has not been examined. Neuropathological examination of the sequential sections revealed a loss of axons and myelin sheaths in the white matter, resembling the histopathology of HAM. The post-mortem detection of HTLV-1 DNA by PCR may be useful for the confirmation of HAM in cases which were not provided with appropriate clinical data.

[Apolipoprotein B immunoreactivity in cerebral amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles in senile dementia of Alzheimer type]

Since apolipoprotein E immunoreactivity has been shown in senile plaque and neurofibrillary tangle in Alzheimer's disease brains, we performed immunohistochemistry to examine whether or not apolipoprotein B (apoB) was associated with these abnormal structures. Sections of hippocampus from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were immunostained with a standard ABC method. We found that apoB immunoreactivity was associated with amyloid both in senile plaques and cerebral vessels and with neurofibrillary tangles. Positive staining was abolished with pretreatment of the antibody with the human apoB. It is suggested that the potential blood-brain barrier impairment may allow an increasing amount of serum proteins, such as apoB, to penetrate the brain and bind to these AD-associated abnormal structures.

Presenile appearance of abundant Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles without senile plaques in the brain in myotonic dystrophy

In 7 myotonic dystrophy (MyD) cases of 35- to 56-year old and 18 non-neurological age-matched controls paraffin-embedded temporal lobe sections were stained by the modified Bielschowsky method to count neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and senile plaques (SPs). In the parahippocampal gyrus, NFTs were observed in all the MyD cases; a few in the youngest, with an increase in number with age to the abundant appearance in the 4 cases in their 50s. The eldest also had many NFTs in the hippocampus. By contrast, the control subjects had, if any, only a few NFTs in the hippocampus and the parahippocampal gyrus. No SPs were observed in any MyD or control case. Thus, it was found that in MyD NFTs appear, unaccompanied by SPs, at an abnormally early age in the parahippocampal gyrus, with a rapid age-related increase in their number. This neuronal change may belong to the progeric features observed in this condition.

[Marchiafava-Bignami disease with symptoms of the motor impersistence and unilateral hemispatial neglect]

Machiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) occurs in the alcoholic patients. It is characterized clinically by interhemispheric disconnection syndrome, resulting from demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum. We performed a neuropsychological study of an alcoholic patient, diagnosed as MBD by X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 123I IMP-SPECT of the patient revealed the reduction of the blood flow in both cerebral hemispheres without laterality though both the X-ray CT and MRI showed no abnormality in the cerebral hemispheres. In neuropsychological studies, we observed not only interhemispheric disconnection syndrome such as an unilateral left agraphia and left apraxia but also left hemispatial neglect demonstrated in right-hand performance and motor impersistence. Because there were no abnormal lesions in the right hemisphere, these symptoms might be attributable to the lesions of corpus callosum.

Long-term intermittent administration of interferon-alpha in patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis

IFN-alpha was administered intermittently over a 6 month period in 39 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis confirmed by peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy. Three million units of IFN-alpha were administered 3 times a week for the first 6 months then twice, then once a week. In 26 patients (67%), GPT decreased and remained within the normal range during the course of administration, and in 9 patients (23%) GPT remained normal for over 6 months after the discontinuation of IFN-alpha. There was no significant difference of efficacy among 3 groups liver histology groups (CPH, CAH-2A, and CAH-2B), but GPT decreased significantly in patients with sporadic hepatitis compared to patients with a history of blood transfusion. Furthermore, GPT decreased significantly in patients with a history of a blood transfusion within the preceding 2 years compared to patients with a history of a blood transfusion over 7 years ago. GPT increased markedly after an early tapering to 2 doses weekly, but it did not increase after a 6 month administration. In conclusion, the long-term administration of 300 million unit IFN-alpha, 3 times weekly for 6 months, about 2.5 hundred million units in total, is thought to be an effective way to control chronic NANB hepatitis.

Apolipoprotein E immunoreactivity in cerebral amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease and kuru plaque amyloid in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

During the course of our immunohistochemical studies on the change of lipids in Alzheimer's disease brains by using antibody to apolipoprotein E, a protein having a special relevance to nervous tissue, we unexpectedly found that apo E immunoreactivity was associated with amyloid in both senile plaques and cerebral vessels and neurofibrillary tangles. The immunoreactivity was also found in amyloid of kuru plaques in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Pretreatment of the sections with formic acid greatly enhanced immunoreactivity of senile and kuru plaques to antibody to apo E.

The transforming potential of the c-erbB-2 protein is regulated by its autophosphorylation at the carboxyl-terminal domain

The mutant c-erbB-2 protein with Glu instead of Val-659 exhibited transforming activity in NIH 3T3 cells. This protein showed enhanced tyrosine kinase activity in vitro and enhanced autophosphorylation at Tyr-1248 located proximal to the carboxyl terminus. Enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins was detected in cells expressing the Glu-659 c-erbB-2 protein. Introduction of an additional mutation at the ATP-binding site (Lys-753 to Met) of this protein resulted in abolition of its transforming ability. These data indicate that the transforming potential of c-erbB-2 is closely correlated with elevated tyrosine kinase activity of the gene product. To investigate the role of autophosphorylation in cell transformation, we introduced an additional mutation at the autophosphorylation site of the Glu-659 c-erbB-2 protein (Tyr-1248 to Phe). This mutant protein exhibited lower tyrosine kinase activity and lower transforming activity. On the other hand, when the carboxyl-terminal 230 amino acid residues were deleted from the c-erbB-2 protein, the tyrosine kinase activity and cell-transforming activity of the protein were enhanced. Thus, the carboxyl-terminal domain, which contains the major autophosphorylation site, Tyr-1248, may regulate cellular transformation negatively and autophosphorylation may eliminate this negative regulation.

[HSP 70 is associated with abnormal cytoplasmic inclusions characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases]

Several degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are characterized by the presence of neuronal inclusions. One of these inclusions, neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease, has been shown to contain ubiquitin that belongs to a group of proteins known as heat shock proteins. Subsequent studies revealed that ubiquitin is also associated with various neuronal inclusions including Lewy bodies, Pick bodies and hyaline inclusions. Very recently, ubiquitin has been found also to be associated with glial inclusions that are unique to multiple system atrophy. The close association of ubiquitin with varying cellular inclusions, together with its function in the proteolytic process, raised the hypothesis that ubiquitin may be involved in the degradation of abnormal proteins appearing in the damaged neurons and glial cells. In central nervous system, a group of heat shock proteins collectively known as HSP 70 is also present which is constitutive and/or inducible. Since HSP 70 has been suspected to play a crucial role degradation and repair of abnormal intracellular proteins, we hypothesized that HSP 70 may be associated with those inclusions, as the case with ubiquitin. To test this we performed immunohistochemical studies on brain tissues from patients with various neurodegenerative conditions by using specific polyclonal antibody to HSP 70. Brain tissues were obtained at autopsy from each three patients with Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy. Tissues were fixed in buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Immunostaining was performed by the standard ABC method using diaminobenzidine as a chromogen. Sections were lightly stained with hematoxylin. Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits against mouse HSP 70.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)