Immunomodulation by treatment with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota

Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) has been shown to have potent anti-tumour and anti-metastatic effects on transplantable tumour cells and to suppress chemically-induced carcinogenesis in rodents. In particular, intrapleural (i.pl.) administration of LcS into tumour-bearing mice has been shown to effectively inhibit the growth of tumour cells in the thoracic cavity and to significantly prolong survival time. Also, i.pl. administration of LcS has been shown to induce the production of several cytokines, such as IFN-gamma, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, in the thoracic cavity of mice, resulting in the inhibition of tumour growth and increased survival. On the other hand, oral administration of LcS has been shown to inhibit the growth of implantable tumour cells in rodents, and to restore the decreased mitogenic response of tumour-bearing mice. Administration of LcS has also been shown to inhibit chemically-induced bladder cancer in rodents. These findings suggest that treatment with LcS has the potential to ameliorate or prevent a variety of diseases through modulation of the host's immune system, specifically cellular immune responses.

Clinical significance of HLA-DRB1*0410 in Japanese patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

We performed HLA-A, -B, and -C antigen and -DR DNA typing in 111 Japanese patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). DRB1*0410 was significantly increased in ITP patients compared with healthy controls (relative risk = 9.52, P < .05), but the other DRB1*04 alleles showed no significant differences. On HLA-DR serotyping, patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) had a high frequency of DR4, so we compared the frequencies of DRB1*04 suballeles between ITP and VKH. The high frequency of DRB1*04 was dependent on DRB1*0405 in VKH, but on DRB1*0410 in ITP. Plasma autoantibodies were studied in 111 patients using a microtiter well assay. Thirty-six patients had anti-GPIIb/IIIa autoantibodies, and antibody positivity was associated with HLA-DR4 (29 of 36, 80.6% v 28 of 75, 37.3%) but not with DRB1*0410. When HLA-DR4 and DRB1*0410 were compared between patients with a good or poor response to prednisolone, HLA-DR4 was decreased and DRB1*0410 was significantly decreased (chi2 = 11.455, P < .01) in patients with a good response. In conclusion, this study showed that genetically determined factors influence the course of ITP. However, our findings should be considered preliminary because of possible racial differences in HLA status between Japanese and other ITP patients.

Direct gene transfer into rat liver cells by in vivo electroporation

In vivo electro-transfection efficiency and manner of transferred gene expression were investigated by fluorescence microscopic image analysis. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was used as the genetic marker. Electroporation was carried out on the liver of live rats by use of disk electrodes mounted in the tips of tweezers, which were directly pressed onto the surface of a liver lobe in situ. Electroporation with eight electric pulses of 50 ms in duration at 50 V gave a good efficiency of transfection as judged by the induced GFP expression. Bright fluorescence of GFP appeared as dots, which were scattered around the area damaged by electroporation. The transfection efficiency increased as the amount of injected DNA was increased. The results indicate that the amount of induced gene expression can be controlled. Estimation of the efficiency of electro-gene transfer using the fluorescence of GFP and digital analysis of microscopic images was useful to determine the optimum conditions for local gene therapy in tissues and organs.

Anti-inflammatory effect of YPE-01, a novel diarylheptanoid derivative, on dermal inflammation in mice

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of YPE-01, a novel diarylheptanoid derivative in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIAL

In the in vitro study, rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells were used. For the in vivo study, ICR and ddY mice (male, 7 weeks old) were used.

TREATMENT

In the in vitro study, the supernatant of RBL-1 cells lysate was incubated with 50 microM arachidonic acid (AA) and 0.01-100 microM test drugs for 15 min. RBL-1 cells were preincubated with 0.01-100 microM test drugs for 10 min before incubation with 0.5 microM calcium ionophore A23187 for 10 min. In the in vivo study, YPE-01 (0.1-3 mg/ear) was applied to the ear of mice at the same time as a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) application or 1 h before an AA application.

METHODS

In the in vitro study, the amounts of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and leukotrienes were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and an enzyme immunoassay, respectively. In the in vivo study, a circular tissue sample from the ear of the mice was weighed. Statistical analysis was done using Dunnett's test.

RESULTS

YPE-01 inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase activity (IC50, 0.28 microM) and the leukotriene B4 (IC50, 0.035 microM) and C4 (IC50, 0.046 microM) production by RBL-1 cells without any inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity in vitro. The topical application of YPE-01 significantly suppressed both the AA- and TPA-induced ear edemas in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

YPE-01 is a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with a suppressive effect against dermal inflammation.

Erythropoietin and Friend virus gp55 activate different JAK/STAT pathways through the erythropoietin receptor in erythroid cells

Abnormal erythropoietin (EPO)-independent cell growth is induced after infection of erythroid progenitor cells with a polycythemic strain of Friend virus (FVp). Binding of its Env-related glycoprotein (gp55) to the EPO receptor (EPOR) mimics the activation of the EPOR with EPO. We investigated the gp55-EPOR signaling in erythroblastoid cells from mice infected with FVp and in cells of FVp-induced or gp55-transgenic-mouse-derived erythroleukemia cell lines, comparing it with the EPO-EPOR signaling in EPO-responsive erythroblastoid cells. While the Janus protein tyrosine kinase JAK2 and the transcription factor STAT5 became tyrosine phosphorylated with the EPO stimulation in EPO-responsive erythroblastoid cells from anemic mice, JAK1 and STAT5 were constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in all of these FVp gp55-induced erythroblastoid or erythroleukemic cells. Moreover, this constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT5 was unable to bind to its specific DNA sequences and did not translocate to the nucleus. Nuclear translocation and DNA binding of this STAT5 species required EPO stimulation. These findings clearly indicate that the FVp gp55-EPOR signaling is distinct from the EPO-EPOR signaling and suggest that STAT5 may not play an essential role in the transmission of the cell growth signals in FVp gp55-induced erythroleukemia cells.

Brother/sister siblings affected with Hunter disease: evidence for skewed X chromosome inactivation

Hunter disease is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase activity. We describe a pair of brother/sister siblings with a typical feature of Hunter disease (mucopolysaccharidosis type II). They had normal karyotypes but a marked deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase activity in both lymphocytes and fibroblasts. The molecular analysis of the iduronate-2-sulfatase gene revealed the R468L(G1403-->T) substitution in their genes. Although the sister's genomic DNA was heterozygous for the mutant allele, the sister's cDNA was found to be homogeneous for this mutation. The mother was found to be a heterozygote. The analysis of X chromosome inactivation by comparison of the methylation patterns of the androgen-receptor (AR) gene which was isolated from the sister's fibroblasts and leucocytes revealed a skewed X chromosome inactivation of the paternal allele. These findings indicate that a skewed X chromosome inactivation of the paternal gene and a point mutation in the maternal gene were responsible for the lack of iduronate-2-sulfatase activity in the sister.

Comparison of the effects of NS-21 and terodiline on the QTc interval in dogs

1. NS-21 [(+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate], its active metabolite, RCC-36, and terodiline, are mixed anticholinergic-Ca2+ antagonistic drugs. Among them, terodiline has been shown to cause torsade de pointes, a serious polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. It remains unknown, however, whether NS-21 or its active metabolite, RCC-36, produces torsade de pointes. 2. In anesthetized dogs, terodiline (10 mg/kg i.v.) significantly prolonged the QTc interval by 6-8%, an effect thought to be associated with torsade de pointes. In contrast, neither NS-21 nor RCC-36 (10 mg/kg i.v.) prolonged the QTc interval; therefore NS-21 is unlikely to cause ventricular tachyarrhythmias, such as those associated with terodiline. 3. The effects of NS-21, RCC-36 and terodiline on the action potential were investigated in guinea pig papillary muscle. However, none of these drugs prolonged the duration of the action potential, although only terodiline caused the muscle preparation to lose its excitability.

The effect of oral feeding of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on immunoglobulin E production in mice

We investigated the effect of oral feeding of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on immunoglobulin E (IgE) production in mice. The strain was orally administered to BALB/c mice that had been preinjected intraperitoneally with ovalbumin, and the level of IgE in serum was determined. Results indicated that the oral feeding of L. casei strain Shirota was effective in inhibiting IgE production in serum, and the IgE production in response to ovalbumin was significantly inhibited in the mice. The in vitro production of IgE by the spleen cells from mice fed L. casei strain Shirota in response to restimulation with ovalbumin was inhibited in contrast to that of spleen cells from the control group. We also examined the pattern of cytokine production by spleen cells from mice fed L. casei strain Shirota followed by restimulation with ovalbumin in vitro. In the mice fed L. casei strain Shirota, the production by the spleen cells of Th1 cell-associated cytokines, such as interferon-gamma and interleukin-2, was higher than that by the spleen cells from the control group. In contrast, the production of Th2 cell-associated cytokines, such as interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, by spleen cells in the group fed L. casei strain Shirota was lower than that by the cells from the control group. Furthermore, the interleukin-12 production of the spleen cells from mice fed L. casei strain Shirota was also higher than that of the control group.

A rare case of nasal schwannoma with intracranial extension

A rare case--only the fourth as known--of a nasal schwannoma with intracranial extension is presented. A 28-year-old Japanese man complained of right nasal obstruction and bleeding for one year. A biopsy indicated the presence of a nasal schwannoma. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated intracranial extension of the tumour. The patient underwent surgery with a combined intra- and extracranial approach. Reconstruction was performed using pericranial flaps. Surgical management of this tumour is also described.

[Neurogenous tumors in head and neck region]

We treated 26 patients with neurogenous tumors in the head and neck region in our hospital during the past 17 years. Their pathologic diagnoses were neurilenoma in 25 cases and paraganglioma in 1 case. The origin of the tumor was vagus in 4 cases, hypoglossal nerve in 3 cases, and sympathetic nerve in 3 cases. Neurological defect symptoms were observed in 12 cases after the surgery. The most common symptom was recurrent nerve palsy. The characteristic finding in the imaging study and the frequency of postoperative neurological disturbance were discussed.

[Physiology and action of prolactin]

Prolactin (PRL) is a peptide hormone secreted by the lactotroph of the anterior pituitary. Secretion of PRL is regulated negatively by hypothalamic hormone. Dopamine is the major physiologic prolactin inhibiting factor (PIF). PRFs as TRH, VIP and oxytosin have prolactin releasing activity. Prolactin secretion is induced by sleep, stress, sexual intercourse and suckling stimulus. Serum level of PRL is increased by estrogen. Therefore, PRL level is higher in women, especially in the late follicular phase and during pregnancy. Lactation is the major biologic function of PRL in humans and essential to reproduction. Other function of PRL, such as regulation of ovarian function, osmoregulation and immunoregulation is not fully established. Many action of PRL remained to be clarified.

Skeletal muscle fiber degeneration in mdx mice induced by electrical stimulation

We present an in vitro model in which mouse skeletal muscle fibers undergo degeneration by increasing the current strength of tetanic stimulation. To understand the mechanisms of muscle fiber necrosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, the process of fiber degeneration was compared between mdx and control mice. The process consisted of four steps, beginning with muscle fiber contraction and extending to onset of myofibril disruption. The four processes were not observed in fibers in Krebs-HEPES (-Ca2+) buffer, nor in the presence of L-type Ca2+ channel blockers. These results suggest that this degenerative phenomenon is regulated by intracellular Ca2+, which moved into fibers mainly through voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels. With the exception of myofibril disruption, mdx mice also exhibited the three other steps, but at a significantly lower current strength than in the fibers in the control mice. We postulate that excess Ca2+ flux occurs in fibers, mainly through abnormal L-type Ca2+ channels, and that the excessively accumulated calcium results in premature degeneration of the fibers by tetanic contraction. This study would provide a clue to investigate and prevent the degeneration processes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Effect of oral administration of Lactobacillus casei on alloxan-induced diabetes in mice

The effect of Lactobacillus casei (LC) on the onset of alloxan (AXN)-induced diabetes in 7-week-old BALB/c mice were examined. It was observed that the mice given a diet containing 0.1% or 0.05% LC or orally administered LC showed significantly decreased incidence of diabetes induced by intravenous injection of AXN and that the plasma glucose level was slightly lower than that in the control group. The body weight in the LC-treated groups was higher than that in the control group, although the food intake weights were almost the same. Pathological analysis revealed that the AXN-induced disappearance of insulin-secreting beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans was strongly inhibited in the LC-treated groups. It was also shown that the serum nitric oxide level was maintained at a normal level in LC-treated mice, whereas the level in the control group was increased by AXN administration. Taken together, these findings suggest that oral administration of LC to AXN-treated BALB/c mice contributed to the reduction of diabetes and the increase in plasma glucose level.

The period of ovulation and presence of the first polar body of ova ovulated in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus)

The period of ovulation in mature house musk shrews was examined in a natural mating group and a superovulation group treated with gonadotropin. In the natural mating group, ovulation started 14 hr after mating in 3 of the 7 house musk shrews (42.8%), and occurred in all 5 house musk shrews by 15 hr after mating. In the superovulation group, ovulation started 13 hr after the administration of hCG in 3 of the 5 house musk shrews, and was observed in all 5 shrews by 16 hr after the administration. In the natural mating group, ovulated ova were collected from the ovarian bursa of 14 house musk shrews 14-20 hr after mating (mean, 2.2 +/- 1.0 ova) and from the oviduct of 42 animals 14-24 hr after mating (mean, 3.6 +/- 1.8 ova). Among the ova ovulated 14-16 hr after mating, both mature ova with the first polar body and immature ova without the first polar body were observed. In the superovulation group, ovulated ova were collected from the ovarian bursa of 31 house musk shrews 13-22 hr after the administration of hCG (mean, 9.7 +/- 6.8 ova), and from the oviduct of 28 animals 13-24 hr after the administration of hCG (mean, 20.0 +/- 11.7 ova). There were also mature and immature ova in the ova ovulated 13-16 hr after the administration of hCG. The time when ova ceased to be recovered from the ovarian bursa roughly coincided with the time when new corpora lutea ceased to be found in the ovaries. These findings suggested that the period of ovulation of house musk shrews was 14-20 hr after mating in the natural mating group and 13-22 hr after the administration of hCG in the superovulation group. Both the natural mating group and superovulation group ovulated both mature ova with the first polar body and immature ova without the first polar body.

Prevention of onset in an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus model, NOD mice, by oral feeding of Lactobacillus casei

The effect of Lactobacillus casei (LC) on the onset of diabetes in an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus model, nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, were examined. From the age of 4 weeks, female NOD mice were fed a diet of either standard laboratory chow (n = 12) or the same chow containing 0.05% weight heat-killed cells of LC (n = 12), and the onset of diabetes was thereafter recorded. The incidence of diabetes in the control group (10/12) was significantly higher than that in the LC-treated group (3/12) (p < 0.01). Pathological analysis in the LC-treated group revealed strong inhibition of the disappearance of insulin-secreting beta cells in Langerhans islets caused by autoimmune disease. The proportion of CD45R+ B-cells in the spleen was increased and that of CD8+ T-cells in spleen cells was decreased in the LC-treated group. Analysis of cytokine production revealed lower interferon-gamma production in the LC-treated group compared to the control group, while the interleukin (IL)-2 production was higher. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 in the LC-treated group were somewhat higher than in the control group. Taken together, these findings clearly demonstrated that oral feeding of LC to NOD mice effectively inhibited the occurrence of diabetes and regulated the host immune response.

Superovulation induction in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus)

The number of ovulated oocytes in the adult house musk shrews was examined by natural mating. The positive rate of ovulation was 83.3%, and the mean number of ovulated oocytes was 4.4 +/- 1.9 (Mean +/- SD). The induction of superovulation was examined by administering either pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), exogenous gonadotropin, to house musk shrews. As a result, the number of ovulated oocytes were within the number of oocytes ovulated spontaneously. The method of superovulation induction by administering both PMSG and hCG to house musk shrews was investigated. In the group intraperitoneally with 7.5 i.u. of PMSG followed by 7.5 i.u. of hCG 48 hr later, the positive rate of ovulation was as high as 94.6% and the mean number of ovulated oocytes was 11.7 +/- 13.4. Moreover, in 15 out of these 35 animals positive for ovulation, 10 oocytes or more were observed and the mean number of ovulated oocytes was 21.0 +/- 16.5, showing the superovulatory response. In the group of 5.0 i.u. PMSG and 5.0 i.u. hCG injected at an interval of 72 hr, every animal was induced to ovulate and the mean number of ovulated oocytes was 41.3 +/- 19.9. Thus, the injection of PMSG and hCG at a longer interval increased the number of superovulated oocytes. Furthermore, 97.5% of eggs recovered from superovulating animals contained cumulus cells.

Aceclofenac blocks prostaglandin E2 production following its intracellular conversion into cyclooxygenase inhibitors

Aceclofenac, 2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino] phenylacetoxyacetic acid, is a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. We investigated the effects of aceclofenac on prostaglandin E2 production by several kinds of human cells. Aceclofenac inhibited interleukin-1beta-induced prostaglandin E2 production by human rheumatoid synovial cells, but had no inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-1 or cyclooxygenase-2 activities by itself. We also observed that part of the aceclofenac was converted into diclofenac, the cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, when aceclofenac was incubated with human rheumatoid synovial cells. Aceclofenac was also converted into diclofenac and 4'-hydroxy diclofenac by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes. 4'-Hydroxy diclofenac suppressed prostaglandin E2 production specifically by blocking cyclooxygenase-2 activity. These findings suggested that aceclofenac can be metabolized to cyclooxygenase inhibitors (diclofenac and/or 4'-hydroxy diclofenac) by these inflammatory cells. Although detailed examinations in non-inflammatory cells remain to be studied, we concluded that aceclofenac is shown to be a new type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is intracellulary converted into active metabolites that inhibit the prostaglandin E2 production.

Localization of manganese superoxide dismutase in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Alzheimer-type senile dementia

Manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was localized in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer-type senile dementia (ATD) by immunocytochemistry and the relationship of Mn-SOD with two major pathological features of ATD, i.e., senile plaques and neurofibrillar tangles (NFTs), was examined. Many astrocytes in senile plaques exhibited strong immunoreactivity for both Mn-SOD and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) on serial section analysis. This suggests that Mn-SOD scavenger system is associated with the formation of senile plaques. On the other hand, Mn-SOD immunoreactivity was not significant in NFT-loaded neurons.

A new type of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy linked to chromosome 3

We report the clinical, pathological, and genetic findings of 23 patients in 8 families with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (proximal dominant form) (HMSN-P) in Okinawa, Japan. The clinical features were unique with respect to autosomal dominant inheritance, Kennedy-Alter-Sung syndrome-like proximal dominant neurogenic atrophy, obvious sensory involvement, painful muscle cramp, fasciculations, areflexia, and high incidences of elevated creatine kinase levels, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. Electrophysiological and pathological studies revealed typical motor and sensory axonal neuropathy, and decreased numbers of anterior born and dorsal ganglion cells, which suggested the presence of neuronopathy in HMSN-P. Genetic linkage studies showed a lod score of 4.04 (two-point analysis) in DNA marker D3S1284. Haplotype analysis showed that the gene locus of the disease was mapped to 3p14.1-q13 bracketed by D3S1285 and D3S1281. In this region, the patients' chromosomes showed an obvious increase in the allele frequency of five markers. One allele in D3S1591 was identical in all patients but had a low frequency in the control population. This finding suggested the presence of linkage disequilibrium and a common origin of this allele in all patients with HMSN-P. The HMSN-P described here is a new clinical entity characterized by unique clinical manifestations and a new gene locus.

Antidiabetic effects of an oral administration of Lactobacillus casei in a non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) model using KK-Ay mice

The antidiabetic effects of Lactobacillus casei (LC) on a non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) model, KK-Ay mice, were investigated. The oral administration of LC to male 4-week-old KK-Ay mice, or raising the mice on a 0.05% LC-containing diet significantly decreased the plasma glucose at 8 to 10 weeks of age compared with the control group. The body weights of the LC-treated groups were lower than those of the control group, although the food intake was nearly the same in all groups. Phenotypic analysis of spleen cell surface markers revealed that the increase in CD4+ T cells at 12 weeks was significantly inhibited by the oral treatment with LC. Cytokine production, especially that of interferon-gamma and interleukin 2, was also inhibited in the oral LC-treated group. The plasma insulin levels of the LC-treated groups were also lower than those of the control group, and the insulin binding potential of red blood cells in the LC-treated mice was augmented more than that in the control group. Taken together, these findings led us to conclude that the oral administration of LC in the NIDDM model mice, KK-Ay, was involved in the decrease in the plasma glucose level and modified the host immune responses.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: clinical diversity and genetic abnormalities in Japanese patients

We studied 71 Japanese individuals, 42 patients (30 familial and 12 sporadic) suspected to have facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and 29 family members, clinically and genetically using the chromosome 4qter DNA marker p13E-11. Early onset FSHD was detected in 7 patients, tortuosity of retinal arterioles and hearing impairment in 3 patients, progressive respiratory failure in 3 patients and limb-girdle type muscular weakness in 6 patients. Thirty-six (85.7%) FSHD patients, 3 asymptomatic family members and 1 of 35 healthy volunteers showed EcoRI digestion fragments shorter than 28kb. New mutations were detected in 25% of the patients with shorter EcoRI fragment. The age of disease onset appeared younger with successive generations in 6 parent-child pairs in FSHD families. We confirmed the existence of phenotypic and genetic diversities in Japanese patients with FSHD. It is still difficult to explain the phenotypic diversity merely by the size of the abnormal EcoRI fragment detected with the p13E-11 probe.

The translin ring specifically recognizes DNA ends at recombination hot spots in the human genome

We previously showed that consensus sequences exist at the chromosomal breakpoints in lymphoid malignancies and that these sequences are specifically recognized by a novel DNA binding protein, Translin. In the present study, the native form of Translin was established to be a ring-shaped structure by electron microscopy and crystallographic studies. It was also determined that this multimeric Translin formed by the subunits is responsible for its binding to target sequences situated only at single-stranded DNA ends. Furthermore, DNA-damaging reagents were found to initiate a signaling pathway for the active nuclear transport of Translin. The results support the hypothesis that staggered breaks occur at recombination hot spots and Translin has a pivotal function in recognition of the generated single-stranded DNA ends.