Serum-deprivation induces cell death of rat cultured microglia accompanied with expression of Bax protein

Expression of Bcl-2 related proteins in rat microglial primary culture was examined. At relative low cell densities, serum deprivation caused cell death and nuclei condensation of cultured microglia. Expression of a pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, but not Bcl-2, was increased by the serum deprivation. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38MAPK, prevented both the serum deprivation-induced Bax expression and microglial death. Immunochemical staining showed that microglia expressing a high level of Bax were subjected to apoptosis-like cell death. These observations suggest that Bax expression underlies the apoptosis of cultured microglia after serum deprivation.

Regulation of inwardly rectifying K(+) channel in cultured opossum proximal tubule cells by protein phosphatases 1 and 2A

The inwardly rectifying ATP-regulated K(+) channel with an inward conductance of about 90 pS in the surface membrane of cultured opossum kidney proximal tubule (OKP) cells is activated at least in part by protein kinase A (PKA). In this study, we examined the effects of protein serine/threonine phosphatase types 1 (PP-1) and 2A (PP-2A) on activity of the K(+) channel using the patch-clamp technique. In cell-attached patches, channel activity was enhanced by the application of okadaic acid (OA, 1 microM), a membrane-permeable inhibitor of PP-1 and PP-2A, to the bath solution. This enhancement was abolished by the pretreatment of cells with KT5720 (200 nM), a specific inhibitor of PKA. In inside-out patches, channel activity which could be maintained in the presence of ATP (3 mM) in the bath solution was also increased by the addition of OA (1 microM), and the OA-induced increase in channel activity was partially prevented in the presence of KT5720 (200 nM). Direct application of either PP-1 (1 U/ml) or PP-2A (1 U/ml) to the cytoplasmic surface of the patch membrane inhibited channel activity maintained by ATP (3 mM) in inside-out patches. Moreover, channel activity stimulated by PKA (20 nM) in the presence of ATP (3 mM) was also inhibited by the application of either PP-1 (1 U/ml) or PP-2A (1 U/ml). These results indicate that the OA-sensitive protein phosphatase is involved in the regulation of channel activity, and suggest that both PP-1 and PP-2A are candidates responsible for the inhibition of channel activity through dephosphorylation of the PKA-mediated protein phosphorylation.

Role of mitochondrial DNA in radiation exposure

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) following exposure to ionizing irradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined two human osteosarcoma cell lines either lacking mtDNA (143B.rho(0)206; rho0 cells) or having normal mtDNA (143B.TK-; rho+ cells). Cell survival curves were generated by using colony formation and micronucleus assay. The delay in population doubling time after irradiation was evaluated with dye exclusion tests.

RESULTS

No significant difference was seen between rho+ and rho0 cell lines in colony formation assay. In micronucleus assay, rho0 cells showed a significantly lower rate of micronucleus formation. The ratios of binucleated cells with micronuclei were 0.49 for rho+ cells and 0.25 for rho0 cells (p=0.005). In the dye exclusion test, rho0 cells revealed a delay of about 1.6 times in population doubling time compared with the control after 5 Gy of irradiation, similar to the 1.7 times of rho+ cells.

CONCLUSION

In the human osteosarcoma cell line 143B.TK-, mtDNA does not influence clonogenic survival and delay of population doubling time after irradiation. However, the difference in micronucleus formation shows that mtDNA influences DNA damage after radiation exposure.

[CD56-positive adult T-cell leukemia manifested by abnormal lung shadows]

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to Juntendo Izunagaoka Hospital on Aug. 29, 1998, after experiencing cough and fever for 19 days. Chest X-ray films disclosed infiltrates in the left lung field. The abnormal lung shadows progressed despite antibiotic therapy, and enlargement of superficial lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly developed. Peripheral blood examination disclosed cleaved lymphoid cells without granular cytoplasm. Anti-HTLV-I antibody titer was x320, and the monoclonal integration of HTLV-I provirus was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Surface marker analysis of lymph node cells was positive for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD56, and HLA-DR. The above results yielded a diagnosis of adult T-cell leukemia. LSG-4 therapy alleviated the lung infiltrations and dyspnea. This case was considered unusual because of the expression of the natural killer cell marker CD56 on leukemic cells and the presentation of abnormal lung shadows possibly due to leukemic cell infiltration.

Cancer gene therapy using a pro-apoptotic gene, caspase-3

Caspase-3 is a member of the cysteine protease family, which plays a crucial role in apoptosis. We applied the human caspase-3 gene as a novel form of anticancer gene therapy. Overexpression of human caspase-3 alone could not induce apoptosis of tumor cell lines, but apoptosis was markedly enhanced by the addition of etoposide. In an AH130 liver tumor model, transduction of human caspase- 3, but not the empty vector, induced extensive apoptosis and reduced tumor volume when combined with etoposide administration. However, this effect was not observed with a Bcl-2 overexpressing tumor. In conclusion, caspase-3 gene transduction accompanied by an additional death stimulus may be a useful method of anticancer gene therapy, except for Bcl-2 overexpressing tumors.

Occurrence of lysophosphatidic acid and its alkyl ether-linked analog in rat brain and comparison of their biological activities toward cultured neural cells

Rat brain was found to contain substantial amounts of potent bioactive lipids lysophosphatidic acid (acyl LPA) (3.73 nmol/g tissue) and lysoplasmanic acid (alkyl LPA) (0.44 nmol/g tissue). The presence of alkyl LPA was confirmed by mild alkaline hydrolysis analysis and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the trimethylsilyl derivative. This is the first clear evidence of the occurrence of an alkyl LPA in nature. The predominant molecular species of acyl LPA are 18:1-, 18:0- and 16:0-containing species (46. 9, 22.5 and 18.8%, respectively). A significant amount of a 20:4-containing species (7.2%) was also detected in the acyl LPA fraction. We also confirmed that rat brain alkyl LPA consists of 16:0-, 18:0- and 18:1-containing species. Noticeably, either acyl or alkyl LPA is capable of stimulating neuroblastomaxglioma hybrid NG108-15 cells to elicit a Ca(2+) transient, the potencies being almost the same. Both acyl and alkyl LPAs also induce cell rounding upon addition to the cells. These results suggest that acyl and alkyl LPAs play important physiological roles as intercellular signaling molecules as well as the roles as metabolic intermediates in the nervous system.

Radiotherapy of early tongue cancer in patients less than 40 years old

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of treatment for early mobile tongue cancer in patients less than 40 years.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 1967 and September 1992, 70 patients less than 40 years old (young age group) with early tongue cancer (T1-2N0M0) were treated with low-dose-rate (LDR) interstitial radiotherapy at the Osaka University Hospital (OUH). All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up (median: 13 years). External radiotherapy (median: 30 Gy) was combined in 25 cases. The treatment results were compared with those for two older age groups (middle age: 40-64 years old; old age: 65 years old or more).

RESULTS

The 5-year probability of cause-specific survival (CSS) rate for the young age group was 80%, which was not significantly different from the two older groups: 81% for middle age and 71% for old age. However, male patients of young age showed significantly worse rates than those of middle and old age (p = 0.02). The 5-year local control rate for the young age group was 78%. It was not significantly different from the two older groups: 81% for middle age and 70% for old age. The incidence of regional lymph node metastasis was 32% for T1, 48% for T2, 56% for males, and 24% for females. The regional failure rate of young males was significantly higher than those of the two older groups: 32% for middle and 22% for old age (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The overall treatment results for patients with early tongue cancer less than 40 years old were not worse than those of older age groups. However, male gender was a risk factor for lymph node metastasis and CSS.

Ultrasonographic monitoring of high dose rate interstitial implant using template technique for oral tongue cancer

192Ir high dose rate (HDR) fractionated interstitial brachytherapy was performed on two patients with tongue cancer with the aid of real-time intraoral ultrasonographic (US) guidance and the template technique. Blind-ended catheters with metallic rods (Obturator, Nucletron, the Netherlands) were inserted into the tongue from the submandibular region. This US monitoring allows for detection of the accurate location of both tumor and catheters in real-time motion. After implantation, we reconfirmed the position of the catheters by CT examination. Intraoral US monitoring was thus found to be a useful procedure for accurate implantation of brachytherapy for tongue cancer.

[Primary splenic lymphoma with hypoplastic bone marrow]

A 44-year-old man was admitted because of persistent fever and pancytopenia. Because his bone marrow was hypoplastic and the karyotype of his marrow cells was normal, he was given a diagnosis of aplastic anemia, and treated with glucocorticoids and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Splenomegaly was later found and a splenectomy performed: pathological findings on resected tissue specimens disclosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B-cell diffuse large. The patient was transferred to our hospital, where a bone marrow biopsy revealed lymphoma cells infiltrating his hypoplastic marrow. Complex chromosomal abnormalities were detected in marrow cells, but no lymphadenopathy was observed. A diagnosis of primary splenic lymphoma with infiltration of lymphoma cells into bone marrow was made, and chemotherapy was accordingly started. After multiple cycles of chemotherapy, the patient's marrow recovered to a normal state and his karyotype abnormalities disappeared. Six months later, pancytopenia reappeared and lymphoma cells were again detected in the patient's bone marrow. We reasoned that the hypoplastic state of his bone marrow was associated with the lymphoma, and that cytokines, including interferon-gamma, may have been responsible for this association.

Effect of epidermal growth factor administration on the development of mouse salivary gland carcinomas

This study investigated whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) administration was capable of modifying salivary gland carcinogenesis. Two groups of mice were given 1 mg of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) into the left submandibular gland, and then Group 1 mice received 2 microg of EGF and Group 2 mice received vehicle subcutaneously for 8 weeks. Mice in two other groups, 3 and 4, received either EGF or vehicle alone. Twelve weeks after the start of the experiment, the incidences of submandibular gland carcinomas in Groups 1 and 2 were 39% and 58%, respectively, although this difference was not statistically significant. Duct- and cyst-like structures and carcinomas in the left submandibular glands were weakly stained by anti-EGF receptor (EGFR) antibody. Immunoblot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses revealed the expression of EGFR in the submandibular glands and carcinomas. However, EGFR was undetectable in YT cells that were derived from a submandibular gland undifferentiated carcinoma of a Group 2 mouse. These findings indicate that EGF does not promote tumor induction in mouse salivary gland carcinogenesis. This may be ascribed in part to the low expression level of EGFR in tumor cells.

Activation of inwardly rectifying K+ channel in OK proximal tubule cells involves cGMP-dependent phosphorylation process

The inwardly rectifying K+ channel with an inward conductance of about 90 pS in the surface membrane of cultured opossum kidney proximal tubule (OKP) cell is activated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). In this study, we further examined the involvement of the guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent process in modulation of this K+ channel by using the patch-clamp technique. In cell-attached patches, channel activity was increased by the application of either N2, 2'-O-dibutyrylguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcGMP, 100 microM) or 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8BrcGMP, 100 microM), and it was inhibited by KT5823 (10 microM), a membrane-permeable specific inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). The effect of DBcGMP on channel activity was abolished by the pretreatment of cells with KT5823 (10 microM), but it was observed in the presence of KT5720 (200 nM), a specific inhibitor of PKA. Furthermore, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, 10 nM) increased channel activity, which was also prevented by the application of KT5823 (10 microM). In inside-out patches, ATP (3 mM) was required to maintain channel activity, which was inhibited by KT5823 (10 microM), but it was not increased by cGMP (100 microM) alone. The channel activity was increased by the coapplication of PKG (500 U/ml) and cGMP (100 microM). These results suggest that cGMP activates the inwardly rectifying K+ channel in OKP cells through PKG-mediated phosphorylation processes independent of PKA-mediated processes, and that ANP is an agonist which stimulates PKG-mediated processes in the proximal tubule cell. Furthermore, it is suggested that the ATP-dependent channel activity in inside-out patches is maintained at least in part by PKG, which is the membrane-bound catalytic domain.

[A case of acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood with a good outcome]

We experienced a case of acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood with a good outcome. The disease continued for about three weeks, and the patient recovered with a sequela of mild left-hemiparesis. On the brain magnetic resonance imaging, abnormal intensity areas in the thalamus and putamen reduced size at an early stage of the disease. After 1 year, his mental and motor development seemed to be almost normal, but brain single photon emission computed tomography and electroencephalography were abnormal. Subclinical functional abnormalities persisted longer than had been expected.

A new technique of laparoscopic obturator hernia repair: report of a case

An 84-year-old woman presented with ileus. Ultrasonography, a computed tomography scan, and small bowel contrast examination showed a Richter-type hernia in her left obturator orifice. Under general anesthesia, laparoscopic surgery with low-pressure (4mmHg) pneumoperitoneum was carried out using a peritoneal needle retractor, and a reduction of the strangulated intestinal loop was thus achieved. Because the hernial opening measured 5mm in diameter, it could be closed with four pieces of End-Universal stapler without polypropylene mesh. The ischemic ileum was resected, and the bowel was anastomosed extracorporeally with a minimal skin incision. She was ambulant on the first postoperative day, and her postoperative course was good. Obturator hernias are rare, but when a definitive diagnosis is made in such elderly patients, laparoscopic repair using the peritoneal needle retractor is recommended for minimally invasive surgery. We recommend doing the repair with an End-Universal stapler, since this procedure is more simple and useful for preventing infection than using polypropylene mesh in such a strangulated case.

Prevention of hypoxic liver cell necrosis by in vivo human bcl-2 gene transfection

Prevention of hypoxic cell death is a key to successful liver transplantation. We developed a new method for preventing liver hypoxic cell death by introducing an anti-cell death gene directly into rat livers. When the human bcl-2 gene (hbcl-2) was directly transfected into rat livers together with non-histone chromosomal protein high mobility group 1 (HMG1) by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (Sendai virus; HVJ)-liposome method, human Bcl-2 protein (hBcl-2) was efficiently expressed. Electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy revealed that hepatocytes expressing exogenous hBcl-2 were almost completely protected the hypoxic cell necrosis. The expression of the hBcl-2 also inhibited activation of caspase-3 (-like) proteases and liver dysfunction. Thus, we conclude that transfection of the hbcl-2 gene through HVJ-liposome method is useful to prevent liver cell necrosis induced by hypoxia. This finding could lead to new strategies to avoid the hypoxic cell death, the major problem in liver transplantation.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of TAN-1511 analogues as potent hematopoietic agents

A series of TAN-1511 analogues bearing a non-peptide spacer in place of the Gly-Gly-Gly sequence in the peptide moiety was synthesized, and the effects of these compounds on the proliferation of bone marrow cells in culture and experimental leukocytopenia in mice were examined. The structure-activity relationships obtained were as follows. As the substituent at the 2-position of the 4-thiaheptanoic acid framework, an amino group, methyl group or hydrogen was preferable; as a spacer in place of the Gly-Gly-Gly sequence, a 4-aminobenzoyl or 4-aminomethylbenzoyl group was suitable; and as the fatty acids bonded to the 6,7-dihydroxy groups, C16 fatty acid was best. Compounds 12f, 30d and 30i potently promoted the proliferation of bone marrow cells in culture and the restoration of leukocyte counts in a murine leukocytopenia model.

Abdominal wall plasty for a premature infant with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

This paper reports a premature infant with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) who underwent an abdominal wall plasty to enlarge the abdominal cavity, one of twin infants born at 32 weeks weighing 1,255 g. After stabilization, the herniated viscera were reduced from the pleural cavity and the abdominal wall muscle and skin layers were replaced by a Gore-tex patch without closure of the diaphragmatic defect. Respiratory and circulatory conditions were stable during the perioperative period. Postoperatively, a roentogenogram showed expansion of the lung. However, his condition deteriorated 24 h after surgery, triggered by intratracheal suction, and he died on the 4th day of life despite the use of high-frequency oscillation, catecholamines, and vasodilators. Postmortem examination showed severely hypoplastic lungs. Abdominal wall plasty may be a less invasive initial procedure, however, further studies, such as comparison with the standard method or conservative management, are needed using a large clinical group or animal models to justify the usefulness of this procedure.

Effect of a single bout of exercise and beta-carotene supplementation on the urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in humans

We investigated the effects of acute exhaustive exercise and beta-carotene supplementation on urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion in healthy nonsmoking men. Fourteen untrained male (19-22 years old) volunteers participated in a double blind design. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the beta-carotene or placebo supplement group. Eight subjects were given 30 mg of beta-carotene per day for 1 month, while six subjects were given a placebo for the same period. All subjects performed incremental exercise to exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer both before and after the 1-month beta-carotene supplementation period. The blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations significantly increased immediately after exercise in both groups. The baseline plasma beta-carotene concentration was significantly 17-fold higher after beta-carotene supplementation. The plasma beta-carotene decreased immediately after both trials of exercise, suggesting that beta-carotene may contribute to the protection of the increasing oxidative stress during exercise. Both plasma hypoxanthine and xanthine increased immediately after exercise before and after supplementation. This thus suggests that both trials of exercise might enhance the oxidative stress. The 24-h urinary excretion of 8-OHdG was unchanged for 3 days after exercise before and after supplementation in both groups. However, the baseline urinary excretion of 8-OHdG before exercise tended to be lower after beta-carotene supplementation. These results thus suggest that a single bout of incremental exercise does not induce the oxidative DNA damage, while beta-carotene supplementation may attenuate it.

Effects of ligation and reperfusion of hepatic afferent vessels on the composition of liver cell membrane in the rat: 1H- and 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis

Biochemical changes that occur within hepatic tissue of the rat during ischemia and subsequent reperfusion were investigated using magnetic resonance spectroscopy of liver extracts. Hepatic ischemia was produced in the rat by a continuous clamping of the left branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein. In the reperfusion experiments, the vascular clamps were released after 30 or 120 min of ischemic periods. At the end of the periods of ischemia and/or reperfusion, the left and middle hepatic lobes were dissected and processed for subsequent 1H-MRS and 31P-MRS analyses. Phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylethanolamine contents all showed reduction of about 30% after 120 min of ischemia. In contrast, the content of lysophosphatidylcholine showed relatively small changes following ischemia. Ten minutes after initiation of reperfusion, further decline of the total phospholipid content resulting in as much 42% reduction was observed. Then it recovered to nearly the control level when ischemia was for 30 min, but to only 65% of the control level when ischemia was for 120 min. The cholesterol/-N-(CH3)3 ratio, generally regarded as a parameter for membrane fluidity, showed about a 40% increase when ischemia was for 120 min, a change toward decreased membrane fluidity. These results appear to reflect ischemia/reperfusion-induced changes of membrane phospholipid metabolism.

Crystal structures of a mutant maltotetraose-forming exo-amylase cocrystallized with maltopentaose

The three-dimensional structures of the catalytic residue Glu219-->Gln mutant of Pseudomonas stutzeri maltotetraose-forming exo-alpha-amylase, and its complex with carbohydrate obtained by cocrystallization with maltopentaose were determined. Two crystal forms were obtained for the complexed enzyme, and a bound maltotetraose was found in each. The structures were analyzed at 2.2 A and 1.9 A resolution, respectively for the uncomplexed and complexed mutant. These structures were compared with the wild-type enzyme structure. In the complexed crystals, the maltotetraose was firmly bound, extensively interacting with the amino acid environments in the active cleft. The non-reducing end glucose unit was hydrogen bonded to the side-chain of Asp160 and the main-chain nitrogen of Gly158, which seem to be predominantly required for the recognition of the non-reducing end of the substrate that determines the exo-wise degradation of this enzyme. The reducing end glucose unit of bound maltotetraose showed clear deformation, adopting a half-chair conformation with extensive hydrogen bonds to surrounding polypeptides. The C1-atom of this deformed glucose unit lies very close to Asp193OD1 with a distance of 2.6 A. The catalytic residue Asp294 is firmly hydrogen-bonded to the O2 and O3-hydroxyl groups of the deformed reducing end glucose unit. Upon binding of the carbohydrate, small but significant induced fits were observed in the regions of Asp294, Phe156, Ile157, and Asp160. Possible roles of the three catalytic residues are also discussed.