Purification of soluble murine interleukin 5 (IL-5) receptor alpha expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and its action as an IL-5 antagonist

Recombinant soluble murine interleukin 5 receptor alpha (sIL-5R alpha) was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and its biological activity was characterized. By using murine IL-5-coupled Sepharose, the single step purification method of the protein was established. The purified protein inhibited the murine IL-5-induced differentiation of BCL1 cells into immunoglobulin M-secreting cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it also inhibited murine IL-5-induced but not human IL-5-induced proliferation of TF-1 cells. These results indicated that sIL-5R alpha acted as an IL-5 antagonist and apparent species specificity of IL-5 action on murine cells was mediated, at least in part, by the alpha-chain of the IL-5 receptor.

[A case of middle ear carcinoma with high plasma G-CSF level]

Malignant tumors sometimes yield a variety of paraneoplastic syndrome. We report a case of middle ear cancer demonstrating unusual granulocytosis which was considered to belong to this syndrome. A patient, 67-year-old male, noticed left facial nerve palsy in June 1989, and was operated on under the diagnosis of chronic otitis media. However, middle ear tumor was suspected during the operation, which was confirmed to be squamous cell carcinoma. He was referred to our hospital for radiotherapy. Six months after irradiation, spontaneous liqorrhea due to the dural necrosis occurred. When intracranial repair of dura was performed, tumor invasion into the dura was noticed. Subtotal resection of the temporal bone with iridium implant was done in vain to control the recurrent tumor, which spread quickly to adjacent tissues. A month before the death, progressive granulocytosis without appreciable inflammatory signs started. Numbers of WBC rapidly increased, maximally reaching 88,300/cmm. Plasma G-CSF concentration was assayed at this time, showing about ten times as much as that of normal controls. It was thus postulated that production of this substance by the tumor was responsible for granulocytosis.

Stereotactic thalamotomy for dystonic patients

A total of 54 patients (22 females and 32 males) with dystonia underwent thalamotomy. These patients consisted of 25 dystonia musculorum deformans (DMD) and 29 secondary dystonia cases. All of the patients were analyzed prospectively. Preoperative and postoperative symptoms were compared and grade. The target areas of thalamotomy were the ventral intermediate (Vim) and posterior ventral oral (Vop) nuclei. 59% of the patients showed more than 25% improvement, 23% were slightly improved cases (less than 25%), and 16% showed no change or their symptoms had worsened.

An attempt to substitute the cell binding domain of human fibronectin in lambda phage J protein: computer design and expression

We superimposed hydropathic indexes of the human fibronectin cell binding domain (CBD) on the lambda phage J protein by computer, and substituted 22 amino acids from the fibronectin CBD for a part of the lambda phage J protein. The fibronectin cell binding domain -Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser- (-RGDS-) localizes at the junction of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. We selected a similar hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic junction in the J protein region for substitution. This junction corresponds to 150 bp of the PstI fragment of J protein cDNA. We synthesized 150 bp of the relevant PstI fragment that includes the cell binding domain region. The region was then constructed by serial cloning as an expression vector, pJCBD. The vector pJCBD expressed the fused protein named JCBD (M(r) 32 kDa) in E coli XL1-BLUE. The expressed JCBD protein was identified by Western blot analysis in the extract of the pJCBD carrying bacterial lysate using both rabbit anti-lambda phage antiserum and anti-CBD of fibronectin antibody. The JCBD protein appeared to recognize retinoblast cell membrane RGDS-directed receptors, detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay and also by binding competition assay with synthetic pentapeptides, Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) and Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser (GRGES). The former competitor inhibited completely fibronectin CBD-dependent binding activity of JCBD, the latter had no inhibitory activity. These results suggest that certain functional proteins engineered by computer design between human fibronectin cell binding domain and lambda phage J protein can be produced.

Simultaneous expression of T-cell and myeloid cell phenotypes in eight newly established HTLV-I-positive T-cell lines

Eight cell lines were established from patients with adult T-cell leukemia, and from normal adults, by cocultivation with human T-cell leukemia virus type I(HTLV-I)-producer cell lines in the presence of interleukin-2. All of these cell lines harbored HTLV-I and showed T-cell markers CD2, CD3 and CD4, but not B-cell markers. Unexpectedly, all eight cell lines expressed a myeloid marker CD13 and three of the eight lines also expressed another myeloid marker CD33. Dual staining showed the simultaneous expression of CD3 and CD13 on the same cells. Thus, evidence was obtained for the expression of myeloid antigens on HTLV-I-harboring T cells.

Triple cancers in the urogenital area of a patient with aplastic anemia

Three epithelial neoplastic lesions, perineal Bowenoid papulosis, uterine cervical carcinoma, and bladder transitional cell carcinoma, which occurred in a mildly immunosuppressed patient who had aplastic anemia were studied for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In the Bowenoid papulosis, HPV type 16 DNA was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in situ hybridization (ISH). In contrast, in the uterine cervical carcinoma, HPV 16 was not detected, although possibly another unidentified type of HPV in the lesion was suggested by the ISH findings. In the bladder transitional cell carcinoma, neither papillomavirus genus-specific (PGS) antigen nor HPV DNA was found.

Expression of myeloid cell phenotypes by a novel adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cell line

BACKGROUND

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can infect a number of cells of different lineages in vitro, yet the immunophenotypes of most adult T-cell leukemia/lymphomas (ATLs) are restricted to CD4+. The apparent discrepancy between these findings is still largely unknown.

PURPOSE

We report on a unique case of ATL in which the leukemia cells were positive for both T-cell and myeloid cell antigens. To characterize these cells, we isolated cell lines from this patient with ATL.

METHODS

The fresh leukemia cells were cultured without the addition of interleukin-2. Cell cloning was carried out by limiting dilution.

RESULTS

A cell line (MU) and its clonal sublines were established. MU cells showed the same chromosomal abnormalities and T-cell receptor beta-chain gene rearrangement pattern as those of fresh leukemia cells. MU cells were exclusively positive for a myeloid cell marker (CD13) but not for T-cell markers, despite the presence of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement.

CONCLUSION

The established ATL cell line showed both T-cell and myeloid cell characteristics, which seems to be the first evidence for the close association of ATL cells with both lymphoid and myeloid features. The cell line may provide a new insight for the targets of HTLV-1 infection and transformation in vivo.

Neurones with epileptiform discharge in the central nervous system and chronic pain. Experimental and clinical investigations

Epileptiform discharge was recorded from neurons in the thalamic nuclei of chronic pain patients during stereotactic surgery. Hyperactive neurons showed regular firing of 3-5 trains of epileptic-like group discharges with a frequency of 4 to 5 Hz. As described by Lombard et al. (1979), we operated on the dorsal root unilaterally, sectioning C5 to Thl in male Wistar rats. One to three months after the operation, hyperactive neurons were examined in the contra-lateral thalamic nuclei (VP, zona incerta), and lemniscus medialis. The firing patterns and distribution of hyperactive neurons in these animals was very similar to those of humans. The hyperactive neuron was unaffected by electrical stimulation of the nucleus raphe dorsalis (NRD) and locus ceruleus (LC). Administration of phenytoin and diazepam reduced the firing. However, no effect was seen with valproic acid. During spreading depression of the sensorimotor cortex, a remarkable reduction was seen on the firing of thalamic hyperactive neurons. This suggested that hyperactive neurons of the thalamic nuclei received facilitory effects from the sensorimotor cortex with little influence from adrenergic or serotoenergic systems.

[A neuron-specific enolase (NSE) positive leiomyosarcoma]

A 40-year-old woman with multiple skin tumors was admitted to our hospital on September 5, 1989. Extensive studies by means of light and electron-microscopic examination and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a neuron-specific enolase (NSE) positive leiomyosarcoma. The level of her elevated serum NSE decreased after receiving her initial chemotherapy, but after the fourth session of chemotherapy, the NSE began to elevate again and she died on December 25, 1989. NSE appears to be a useful marker for determining if the neuronal and neuroendocrine cells are normal. This rare case, however, seems to demonstrate that abnormal, nonneuronal cells like a sarcoma also open metabolic pathways to synthesize NSE.

[B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia/prolymphocytic leukemia (CLL/PL)--a case report]

A 48-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on April 20, 1989 because of general fatigue and abdominal fullness. Physical examination showed hepatomegaly, massive splenomegaly, and systemic lymphadenopathy. Hematological findings revealed WBC 73,000/microliters, RBC 289 x 10(4)/microliters, Hb 8.0g/dl, and platelet 9.1 x 10(4)/microliters. WBC differential count demonstrated a mixture of 63% matured small lymphocytes and 32% prolymphocytoid cells. Bone marrow aspiration was unsuccessful with a dry tap. Surface marker analysis of peripheral blood lymphoid cells disclosed that they were positive for anti-HLA-DR, CD 5, CD 19, CD 20, CD 21, CD 25, Sm-IgM, Sm-IgD, and Sm-K. He was diagnosed as B-CLL/PL, and treated with VEPA with partial remission. CLL/PL which was advocated by Melo in 1986 is regarded as a distinct clinical entity intermediate between CLL and PLL in clinical and laboratory features. Our case is interesting with regard to good response to combination chemotherapy, though most cases of CLL/PL have a resistance to standard chemotherapy.

Fluctuation in the concentrations of vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid in mass screening for neuroblastoma

Fluctuations in the amount of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were studied in random urine samples from 13 infants with neuroblastoma. In patients with a small tumour, many samples contained amounts below the cut off values, suggesting that detection of a patient with neuroblastoma depended on mathematical probability. Using high performance liquid chromatography a patient with a tumour of about 10 g may well be overlooked, whereas a patient whose tumour weighs over 30 g would probably be detected. With qualitative screening, although more likely to miss a patient with low VMA excretion, a patient with a tumour weighing over 50 g would be detected. In a thorough hospital examination care should be exercised in interpreting borderline values of VMA and HVA; excretion information suggesting the existence of a tumour may aid localization by radiological imaging procedures.

[A transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder with a high level of serum CA 19-9--a case report]

Reported is the case of a 72 year-old man who was hospitalized because of abdominal pain and gross hematuria. A subsequent laboratory examinations revealed a high level of serum CA 19-9, and abdominal computed tomography showed a mass lesion behind the urinary bladder and multiple lymphadenopathy. Examination of the digestive organs revealed no abnormality, however cystoscopy showed a submucosal a tumor with a partly ruddy surface. Thus, a percutaneous needle biopsy and a transurethral biopsy were performed. The pathological findings indicated a transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, and ABC-peroxidase staining revealed the presence of CA 19-9 positive cells in a portion of the carcinomatous cells.

Improvement in prognosis of neuroblastoma through mass population screening

Since April 1981, the city of Sapporo, Japan, has conducted a mass screening program to measure urinary vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillylic acid using high-performance liquid chromatography. This program was expanded to the entire island of Hokkaido in October 1987. Mass screening proved beneficial, resulting in an increase in patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma under 1 year of age from 17% to 66%, an increase in stage I cases from 9% to 26%, an increase in stage III cases from 9% to 32%, and an increase in the tumor resectability rate from 15.1% to 58%. These improvements raised the 5-year survival rate for neuroblastoma from 23% to 66.7%. An additional study of these mass screening cases using Shimada's classification showed a wide range of histopathological distribution, and it demonstrated the usefulness of such a program in identifying the tumors most in need of early treatment.

Microstimulation for stereotactic neurosurgery

840 microstimulations were done in 21 patients with movement disorders and chronic pain. Paresthesia was the most common response and occurred in 53.3% of cell responses, since the present study was performed mainly in the nucleus ventrocaudalis (Vc). Sensorimotor responses were noted in 8.3%, mainly from the Vc, but they were also noted from the nuclei intermedialis (Vim) and oralis posterior (Vop). Motor responses were noted in 3.6%, mainly from the Vim and Vop nuclei. Pain sensation was elicited in 3.8% and no response was seen in 22.6% of cells after stimulation.

[Prolymphocytic leukemia associated with serum hypo IgA]

A 69-year-old man was admitted for the evaluation of leukocytosis with atypical cells. Physical examination revealed marked hepatosplenomegaly. The peripheral blood demonstrated Hb 10.1 g/dl, platelet 13.6 x 10(4)/microliters, and WBC 14200/microliters with 76% lymphoid cells. Bone marrow showed 52.4% lymphoid cells. These cells had a nucleus which was relatively large with a coarse chromatin structure and one prominent nucleolus. Under electron microscopy, these cells had a narrow cytoplasm containing a few mitochondria with some microvilli. The surface of these cells was positive for Ia, B1, B2, C3R, and had markedly elevated IgM-K and IgD-K surface immunoglobulins. Levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were 1140 mg/dl, 53 mg/dl, and 198 mg/dl respectively. He was diagnosed as having B-PLL, and was treated with vincristine, cytarabine and prednisolone. Since B-CLL frequently in accompanied by reduced levels of one or several immunoglobulins, and the most significant is the decrease of IgA, it is speculated from our case that B-PLL is very similar to B-CLL in the abnormalities of B cell function.

Effect of midbrain raphe nucleus stimulation on somatosensory evoked potential in cat

Experiments were carried out to clarify the effect of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] upon the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) elicited by superficial radial nerve stimulation in cat, and the following results were obtained: (i) in untreated (control) animals, a significant reduction occurred in amplitude of the SEP in response to conditioning stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus in the midbrain, within 100 ms of the interval between conditioning and test stimuli; (ii) in 5-HT depleted animals prepared by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), the amplitude of SEP significantly increased in comparison with that of nontreated animals. Conditioning stimulation of the raphe nucleus in 5-HT depleted animals failed to cause any remarkable change in the SEP; (iii) the diminuation of the SEP by raphe nucleus conditioning reappeared following intraventricular administration of a large dose of 5-HT (200 micrograms) in the PCPA-treated animals. These results have demonstrated that the serotonergic system with its cell bodies located in the raphe nucleus of the midbrain has the function of reducing the amplitude of the SEP, thus suggesting that it acts as a suppressive control on the excitability of the cortex to sensory input.

Evoked potentials from the human thalamus: correlation with microstimulation and single unit recording

During stereotactic surgery, intrathalamic single unit recordings and summated evoked potentials (Th-SEP), evoked by percutaneous electrical median nerve stimulation and intrathalamic microstimulation, were done using the same microelectrode at the same site. Potentials evoked by natural and electrical stimulation were compared. The format of Th-SEP varied in anteroposterior, mediolateral and dorsoventral directions in the ventrocaudal nucleus (Vc). The positive response peak latency was shortest from the caudal part of Vc and longest from the anterior part of Vc.

[A case of hypercalcemia with ovarian carcinoma]

A 45-year-old female manifested lower abdominal fullness and symptoms of hypercalcemia with nausea, vomiting, and thirst. Physical examination showed a right ovarian mass and laboratory data demonstrated hypercalcemia (14.6 mg/dl). The radiographic findings confirmed a right ovarian tumor without any evidence of bone metastasis. Tests revealed that her PTH, nephrogenic urinary cyclic AMP, and 1-25 (OH)2 Vitamin D were not high but that her prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was elevated. After correction of her calcium elevation with infusion and prednisolone, right oophorectomy with tumor excision was performed. A histological examination of the tumor revealed a mucinous cysto-adenocarcinoma. The postoperative course has been uneventful, with normal calcium and PGE2 values. This case illustrates that hypercalcemia associated with an ovarian carcinoma (Malignancy-associated hypercalcemia) can be mediated by the patient's PGE2 in part.

Influence of the ipsilateral hemisphere upon somatosensory evoked potential in cats

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded on the skull corresponding to the (left) SI area by (right) superficial radial nerve stimulation. Amongst the various components of the SEP, special attention was directed to the negative component (N15) with a latency of approximately 15 ms. Changes in this potential followed by conditioning stimulation of the ipsilateral (right) hemisphere were observed and the following results were obtained: (i) when conditioning stimuli were applied to the contralateral (left) superficial radial nerve, the ipsilateral (right) thalamic VPL nucleus and the ipsilateral (right) sensory cortex, the amplitude of N15 decreased to 65-80% of the control level at C-T intervals less than 100 ms and (ii) following functional elimination of the unilateral sensory cortex by KCl application, the amplitude of N15 recorded at the opposite side significantly increased. In this condition, the inhibitory effects of the ipsilateral thalamus and contralateral peripheral nerve disappeared. From these observations, ipsilateral homologous cortex may well have an inhibitory influence upon the near field potential (N15) of the SEP.

Methods for microstimulation and recording of single neurons and evoked potentials in the human central nervous system

An apparatus and technique are described for microstimulation and recording of both slow wave and single neuron (single unit) activities during functional stereotaxic procedures. This method facilitates microstimulation and evoked potential and single unit analysis which, in combination, provide optimum definition of stereotaxic targets in the treatment of functional disorders of the human central nervous system.