Macrophage colony-stimulating factor as a marker for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary

We assessed the usefulness of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as a serum marker for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary. Serum levels of M-CSF were measured in 49 patients with malignant germ cell tumors and in 64 patients with mature benign cystic teratoma by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CA125 was measured by radioimmunoassay. The serum level of M-CSF was above normal (>1056 U/ml) in 44 (90%) of 49 patients with malignant germ cell tumors; the CA125 level was above the cutoff value (35 U/ml) in 34 patients (69%) (P < 0.05). The serum level of M-CSF was elevated in 20 (87%) of 23 patients with stage I disease and in all 16 patients with dysgerminoma. Only 7 (11%) of 64 patients with mature benign cystic teratoma had elevated levels of M-CSF. These results suggest that M-CSF is highly sensitive and specific for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary, especially for dysgerminoma.

Expanded CTG repeats in myotonin protein kinase suppresses myogenic differentiation

A full-length mutant human myotonin protein kinase (MtPK) cDNA having a 46 expanded CTG-repeat size or a wild type containing 5 CTG repeats was stably transfected into mouse C2C12 cell line in order to explore the effects of the expansion mutation of trinucleotide repeats in the 3' untranslated region on developing myogenic cells. Each established clone expressed a human 70 kDa MtPK protein without proteolytic processing. Differentiation experiments indicated that stable mutant MtPK cDNA-transformants suppressed myogenic differentiation, whereas wild-type transformants exhibited almost normal myogenesis. The disturbance of the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, a mediator of myoblast fusion, suggests that signal transduction system might be involved in the muscle manifestations of mutant MtPK.

Induction of follicular growth by exogenous interleukin-8

Although the effects of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on ovulation have been investigated, there are few reports concerning the effect of IL-8 in the ovary. We examined the localization of IL-8 in the human ovary, and also investigated the number of IL-8 staining cells in a section of 1 mm2. The number of IL-8 staining cells was 10 +/- 4.8 in the proliferative phase, 2.0 +/- 1.9 in the secretary phase, and 2.4 +/- 2.2 in the postmenopausal phase respectively. The increased number of IL-8 staining cells could be shown in the human ovarian medulla/stroma during the proliferative phase. By serial section analysis of the ovary, the localization of IL-8 corresponded with mast cells. When immature rats were injected with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) followed by an i.p. injection of human IL-8, ovarian vasodilatation and follicular growth were observed. Exogenous IL-8 induced a similar increase in follicular growth to that produced by the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. At 6 h after IL-8 (20 microg) i.p., the follicular size was increased to almost the same size as human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) i.p. However, at 24 h after IL-8 i.p., the follicular size decreased. The size of follicular growth was almost the same size as control when <2 microg IL-8 was injected. At 6 h after IL-8 (10 microg) local injection, the follicular size in rats was similar to that observed with IL-8 (20 microg) i.p. We conclude that IL-8 is one of the important cytokines in the ovulatory process.

Hypolumbarlordosis: a predisposing factor for preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research was to study the relationship between lumbar lordosis and preeclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

We studied lumbar lordosis of 52 primipara patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and 59 normal primipara pregnant women. We determined the lumbar lordotic deviation (LLD) from lumbar lordosis measurement device in the lateral recumbent position and standing position. Roll-over test was performed for both groups. Resistance index (RI) of internal iliac artery was also measured by color Doppler sonography.

RESULTS

The LLD was 33 +/- 6.1 degrees week 20-29 and 34 +/- 6.9 degrees week 30-40, respectively. In patients with preeclampsia, the LLD was 19.8 +/- 6.3 degrees week 20-29, 21.3 +/- 7.9 degrees week 30-40. The LLD in patients with preeclampsia was significantly lower than in the normal pregnant women. The LLD correlated to the increase diastolic pressure after roll-over test significantly. Hypolumbarlordosis was frequently associated with high resistance of peripheral vessel.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that hypolumbarlordosis is frequently associated with preeclampsia. It is also closely related to the mechanism for positive roll-over test and increase of resistance of vessels. As lumbar lordosis does not change greatly in individuals before pregnancy, hypolumbarlordosis may be a predisposing factor for preeclampsia.

Urinary trypsin inhibitor suppresses the production of interstitial procollagenase/proMMP-1 and prostromelysin 1/proMMP-3 in human uterine cervical fibroblasts and chorionic cells

The mechanisms by which urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) prevents preterm premature rupture of fetal membrane and premature cervical ripening were investigated. We, therefore, examined the effects of UTI on the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which closely participate in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in cultured human uterine cervical fibroblasts and human chorionic cells. UTI suppressed specifically the production of interstitial procollagenase/proMMP-1 and prostromelysin 1/proMMP-3 from both cells in a dose-dependent manner (0.32-1.28 microM). This suppression was accompanied by a decrease in steady-state levels of their mRNAs. These results indicate for the first time that UTI down-regulates the production of proMMP-1 and proMMP-3 accompanying with the decrease in the expression of their mRNAs, and therefore UTI actually participates in the maintenance of fetal membranes and/or uterine cervix by overall suppression of MMP production along with the known inhibitory actions towards serine proteinases.

Hyaluronic acid-specific regulation of cytokines by human uterine fibroblasts

The physiological inflammatory response can provide an effective mechanism for delivering the baby at the time of parturition. We characterized the mechanisms by which hyaluronic acid (HA) regulates interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in human uterine fibroblasts. A dose-dependent increase in cytokine release was observed over an HA concentration range of 10 microg/ml to 1 mg/ml. The action of HA on the cytokine production is mediated by CD44. Under serum-free conditions, HA-induced cytokine generation was significantly less compared with production in the presence of serum, suggesting involvement of serum proteins. Addition of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) under serum-free conditions enhanced the HA-induced synthesis of TNF-alpha, which stimulated the temporary release of IL-8. In addition, HA and IL-1beta stimulated the release of hyaluronidase by the fibroblasts. These results indicate that cytokine production in human uterine fibroblasts is regulated in a CD44-HA-ITI-specific fashion. HA may be involved in the regulation of delivery in part through the selective release of cytokines that contribute to uterine cervical ripening.

The role of chondroitin sulfate chains of urinary trypsin inhibitor in inhibition of LPS-induced increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ in HL60 cells and HUVEC cells

Preincubation of HL60 cells and HUVEC cells with urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) inhibited increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ induced by LPS. In contrast, an increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ induced by LPS was not inhibited by deglycosylated UTI, UTI treated with monoclonal antibody of chondroitin sulfate. 45Ca2+ binding showed that UTI binds 45Ca2+ dose-dependently. Scatchard plot analysis showed that UTI has two binding sites for Ca2+, a high affinity binding site (Kd=15 microM) and a low affinity site (Kd=150 microM), and that UTI has more than 70 Ca2+ binding sites per molecule. The Ca2+ binding capacity of deglycosylated UTI and UTI treated with monoclonal antibody of chondroitin sulfate was markedly depressed. Furthermore, UTI forms multi-polymers in the presence of Ca2+ as demonstrated by gel filtration and agarose gel electrophoresis. These results suggest that UTI is a physiological Ca2+ chelator on the cells and that the action is due to chondroitin sulfate chains of UTI.

Selective homonuclear polarization transfer in the tilted rotating frame under magic angle spinning in solids

An application of the R2TR method (1995, Chem. Phys. Lett. 232, 424) to selective homonuclear polarization transfer under magic angle spinning is proposed. It is shown that, for a spinning speed fast enough to remove the maximum homonuclear dipolar coupling constant omegaD involved, the flip-flop and flop-flop mechanisms are suitable for recoupling the spins with a chemical shift difference larger than omegaD and a difference comparable to or smaller than omegaD, respectively. It is also shown that, for fast polarization transfer, the off-resonance frequencies should be much higher than the RF intensity in the flip-flop condition, while for the flop-flop condition, the off-resonance frequencies should be much lower than the RF intensity. Some one- and two-dimensional experiments are proposed by utilizing the capability of the R2TR method to abruptly switch on and off the recoupling condition, and are demonstrated for triply 13C-enriched l-alanine. The mixing time required for population transfer was found to be ca. 0.5 ms for the methine and methyl 13C spins separated by 1.5 A and ca. 5 ms for the methyl and the carboxyl carbons separated by 2.5 A. The experimental results and theoretical simulations show that selective polarization transfer is achieved when the difference in the isotropic chemical shifts between the relevant pair of spins and a neighboring spin is more than 1000 Hz.

The predominant contribution of oligopeptide transporter PepT1 to intestinal absorption of beta-lactam antibiotics in the rat small intestine

Although recent evidence suggests that certain beta-lactam antibiotics are absorbed via a specific transport mechanism, its nature is unclear. To confirm whether peptide transport in the rat can be largely ascribed to the intestinal oligopeptide transporter PepT1, the transporter has been functionally characterized and its significance in the intestinal absorption of beta-lactam antibiotics was evaluated. For evaluation of transport activity complementary RNA (cRNA) of rat PepT1 was synthesized in-vitro and expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. cRNA induced uptake of several beta-lactam antibiotics and the dipeptide [14C]glycylsarcosine; this was specifically inhibited by various dipeptides and tripeptides but not by their constituent amino acids or by tetra- or pentapeptides. The transport activity of PepT1 for beta-lactam antibiotics correlated well with their in-vivo intestinal transport and absorption. Furthermore, mutual inhibitory effects on uptake were observed between glyclsarcosine and beta-lactam antibiotics. Hybrid depletion of the functional expression of rat PepT1 in oocytes injected with rat intestinal epithelial total mRNA was studied using an antisense oligonucleotide corresponding to the 5'-coding region of PepT1. In oocytes injected with rat mRNA pre-hybridized with the antisense oligonucleotide against rat PepT1, the uptake of [14C]glycylsarcosine was almost completely abolished, whereas its uptake was not influenced by a sense oligonucleotide for the same region of PepT1. Similarly, the uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics was also reduced by the antisense oligonucleotide against rat PepT1. These results demonstrate that the intestinal proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter PepT1 plays a predominant role in the carrier-mediated intestinal absorption of beta-lactam antibiotics and native oligopeptides in the rat.

Increased concentrations of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in patients with eclampsia

We measured plasma catecholamine concentrations on admission (after eclamptic fit) and after 6 days of delivery in 21 eclamptic patients and on admission in 15 normotensive pregnant women in Bangladesh. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations in eclamptic patients were significantly higher on admission than those of normotensive pregnant women (P < 0.0001). Plasma catecholamine concentrations and mean arterial blood pressure had return to be almost normal as normotensive pregnant women after 6 days of delivery, resulting in no correlation between mean arterial blood pressure and plasma catecholamines. On admission (after eclamptic fit) mean arterial blood pressure was positively correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = 0.626, P < 0.002) and norepinephrine (r = 0.553, P < 0.008) concentrations in patients with eclampsia. The amount of proteinuria was also significantly correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = 0.515, P < 0.02) and norepinephrine (r = 0.606, P < 0.003) concentrations. Number of convulsions was significantly correlated with concentrations of plasma epinephrine (r = 0.514, P < 0.02), norepinephrine (r = 0.521, P < 0.01) and mean arterial blood pressure (r = 0.535, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between time passed after convulsion with plasma epinephrine (r = 0.515, P < 0.02) and norepinephrine (r = 0.570, P < 0.006) concentrations. These suggested that the increased plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in eclamptic patients were well correlated with the severity of the clinical features of eclampsia.

Effect of serum cholesterol levels on meta-chlorophenylpiperazine-evoked neuroendocrine responses in healthy subjects

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that serum cholesterol levels might be associated with serotonergic receptor function. The participants were 10 healthy male subjects. After an overnight fast, the subjects received meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) or identical placebo capsules orally in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Blood was obtained for measurement of prolactin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cholesterol. There were some significantly positive correlations between serum cholesterol levels and hormonal responses to m-CPP administration. These results suggest that serum cholesterol levels may be positively associated with serotonergic receptor function.

The role of hyaluronic acid as a mediator and regulator of cervical ripening

During pregnancy, hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration in the human cervix is very low, but increases rapidly at the onset of labour. HA has a high affinity for water molecules and hence can maintain tissue hydration. HA can stimulate collagenase production in rabbit cervix, and also stimulates migration and function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the tissues. It is an endogenous regulator of interleukin-1 (IL-1). We hypothesized that HA plays an essential role during cervical ripening. The effect of exogenous application of HA (20 mg) on non-pregnant and pregnant (day 23) rabbit cervices was compared with controls. HA induced cervical ripening in both pregnant and non-pregnant animals, and cervical water content was significantly increased. Tissue collagen was markedly decreased. The localization and distribution of HA and HA receptor CD44 was determined in non-pregnant and pregnant human cervical connective tissue using biotinylated HA binding protein and CD44 monoclonal antibodies. Both were widely distributed in the connective tissues, especially around the blood vessels and cervical glands. The effect of IL-8 (50, 100, 150 and 200 ng/ml) on HA production and hyaluronidase (HAase) activity was investigated in cultures of lower uterine segment collected during elective Caesarean sections. HA production was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner; there was no effect on hyaluronidase activity. HA administration (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml) stimulated the activities of collagenase and gelatinase together with IL-8 production in the culture supernatants. Thus HA may play an important role in cervical ripening, being involved in the regulation of cervical tissue water content, collagenolytic enzymes and cytokines.

Experimental hemolytic uremic syndrome induced by lipopolysaccharide irritation of celiac ganglia in rats

Although nervous system complications often appear in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the relationship between HUS and the nervous system is still not clear. We suspect that damage to the nervous system may play a role in the pathophysiology of HUS. In this context, rats received different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline to celiac ganglia or peritoneum. In rats treated with LPS on the celiac ganglia, a significant decrease in platelet count (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.05) were found, and at the same time plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline increased markedly (p < 0.05). The renal arterioles and glomeruli showed endothelial swelling and narrowing of the lumina. Intense immunostaining for von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen in glomeruli and renal vessels was also observed. These parameters were accompanied by a systolic blood pressure elevation. The results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HUS.

Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor is concentrated in the pericellular environment of mouse granulosa cells through hyaluronan-binding

OBJECTIVE

The binary complex involving hyaluronan and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) is an important component of the cumulus oocyte complex. The aim of this study is to investigate the physiological association between ITI and its derivatives and hyaluronan or its binding protein (HABP).

STUDY DESIGN

ITI and its derivatives (heavy chains of ITI and urinary trypsin inhibitor, UTI) were tested for their ability to interact with hyaluronan or HABP. HABP was used to locate the distribution of hyaluronan in mice ovaries.

RESULT

ITI and heavy chains of ITI, but not UTI, could specifically bind to immobilized hyaluronan. Furthermore HABP could specifically bind immobilized hyaluronan with high affinity, and also to immobilized ITI and its derivatives. 6 h after the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin, the hyaluronan staining in the preovulatory ovaries displayed a heterogenous appearance in which the most intense stainings were observed in cumulus oocyte complex. The distribution of ITI was found to be similar to that of hyaluronan.

CONCLUSION

The hyaluronan binding sites of ITI are located in the heavy chains of this molecule. ITI is concentrated in the pericellular environment of granulosa cells through hyaluronan-binding. The altered amount of hyaluronan and ITI in the preovulatory ovaries may contribute to their important clinical characteristics including cumulus oocyte complex expansion.

Cold-induced stress stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing hypertension and proteinuria in rats

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether cold-stress stimulation of the soles of the paws would produce a preeclampsia-like syndrome in rats.

METHODS

Pregnant or nonpregnant rats were kept in 0 degree C floor and 23 degrees C room temperature cages (the cold-stressed group) or in 23 degrees C floor and 23 degrees C room temperature cages (the control group) for 2 weeks. Their blood pressure, proteinuria, and plasma catecholamines were measured, and histologic studies were performed on all groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure between the two groups during the first week of the experimental period; however, during the last week of gestation the blood pressure of the cold-stressed group did not fall and was significantly higher than that of the control group. A significant increase in urinary protein excretion was observed in the cold-stimulated pregnant rats, in contrast to the control rats. The concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine in the cold-stressed pregnant rats were markedly higher than those in the control rats. A decrease in trophoblast invasion, congestion, and fibrinoid deposits of the labyrinth were observed in the cold-stressed rats. A marked increase in subendothelial fibrinoid deposits in the glomerular capillary was found only in the cold-stressed pregnant rats. The blood pressure, biochemical parameters, and histologic findings in the nonpregnant rats were almost the same as those in the pregnant rats.

CONCLUSION

Chronic local cold stimulation of the soles of the paws induces preeclampsia-like phenomena in pregnant and nonpregnant rats, and this model suggests that the cause of preeclampsia is involved in chronic stimulation of the sympathetic nerve.

[A case of depression manifesting incessant pacing and wandering following discontinuation of antipsychotic drugs due to neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a possible involvement of withdrawal akathisia]

A depressed 36-year-old woman manifesting a delusion of persecution was started on neuroleptics. In parallel with the increase of neuroleptics, she suffered from akathisia, such as wandering, and thereafter developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Thus, neuroleptics were discontinued. As a result, she manifested severer wandering, impairment of conversation, and unacceptable behavior (e.g. touching her stool) though neuroleptic malignant syndrome subsided. These symptoms improved following the administration of levomepromazine and amitriptyline. It seems difficult to regard these symptoms as just a prolongation of akathisia, since the level and frequency of akathisia increased. It also seems unlikely to regard these symptoms as those of agitated depression, since there were no complaints of irritability. On the other hand, it seems probable that "withdrawal akathisia" occurred following the discontinuation of neuroleptics and the reinstituted levomepromazine improved the withdrawal phenomena consisting of severer wandering, impairment of conversation, and unacceptable behavior.

The role of cell membrane-associated urinary trypsin inhibitor in tumor cell invasion and metastasis

Tumor cells (human choriocarcinoma SMT-cc1 cells and human promyeloid leukemia U937 cells) express urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI)-like immunoreactive substance. Because of the prominent inhibitory effects of exogenous UTI on tumor cell invasive and metastatic potential, it is important to determine whether there is endogenous UTI production by these cells. Most of cell-associated UTI is located on the cell surface. Immuno-precipitates of the particulate fraction contained three different polypeptide chains including M(r) >200 kDa, 125 kDa, and a polydisperse band of M(r) 40 kDa, which is confirmed to be UTI by amino acid sequence analysis. In SMT-cc1 cells pulse-labeled with [S-35]sulfate, a polyclonal antibody against UTI precipitated labeled proteins of >200 kDa, 125 kDa, 93 kDa, 69 kDa, and 40 kDa. Upon chase, very low levels of 40 kDa band could be detected in lysates. On the other hand, although UTI was immunoprecipitated from U937 cells and the cells were immunohistochemically positive with anti-UTI antibody, UTI remained unlabeled even after long incubation of the cells with [S-35]sulfate. This suggests that SMT-cc1 cells may produce endogenous UTI, but U937 cell-associated UTI, which may not be generated by U937 cells themselves, may be taken up onto the cell surface from the serum. SMT-cc1 cells were invasive on the Matrigel in an in vitro assay. Exogenously applied UTI efficiently inhibits tumor cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, addition of anti-UTI antibody to the cells enhanced cell-associated caseinolytic activity. Anti-UTI antibody produced biphasic, concentration-dependent changes in tumor cell invasion. Although invasion by the cells was enhanced by addition of lower concentrations (<0.5 mu g/ml) of anti-UTI antibody to the in vitro assay system, higher concentrations (>0.5 mu g/ml) of antibody blocked tumor cell invasion, suggesting that too much cell-associated proteolytic activity may cause uncontrolled matrix degradation. Our results suggest that certain tumor cells express UTI on their cell surface and that membrane-bound UTI may control proteolysis and contribute to prevent the excessive fibrinolysis in condition such as tumor invasion.

[Fibrinogenolytic activity of a novel trypsin-like enzyme found in human airways]

We previously reported finding a novel trypsin-like enzyme in sputum samples from patients with chronic airway diseases, and named it human airway tryptase (HAT). We also obtained data suggesting that HAT is secreted from submucosal serous glands onto the mucous membrane of the airway, and that fibrinogen is cleaved by HAT. We studied whether HAT can act as an anticoagulant in the airway by breaking down fibrinogen. The concentration of fibrinogen in sputum samples was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentration was higher in mucoid sputum from patients with bronchial asthma (6.3 +/- 5.5) than in mucoid sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis (1.9 +/- 1.1), and it was higher in purulent sputum from patients with bronchiectasis (18.8 +/- 8.8) than in mucoid sputum from patients with asthma. The trypsin-like activity in sputum (milliunit/ml) was 23.4 +/- 18.0 in mucoid sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis, 46.9 +/- 43.9 in mucoid sputum from patients with asthma, and 14.9 +/- 8.23 in purulent sputum from patients with bronchiectasis. The effect of HAT on human fibrinogen at concentrations from 4 to 2000 micrograms/ml was examined at pH 7.4 and 8.6, with purified HAT at concentrations from 0.5 to 10 milliunit/ml. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that HAT can cleave fibrinogen. especially the alpha-chain, at low concentrations (4 to 16 micrograms/ml) and at a high concentration (2000 micrograms/ml) of fibrinogen. Exposure of fibrinogen to HAT resulted in the loss of thrombin-induced clotting capacity; the strength of that effect depended on the duration of exposure to HAT and on the concentration of HAT. From these results we postulate that HAT acts at an anticoagulant in the airways, especially on the mucous membrane, by cleaving fibrinogen transported from blood.

Mechanical stretching induces interleukin-8 gene expression in fetal membranes: a possible role for the initiation of human parturition

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is known to play a crucial role in human parturition. We aimed to study the effect of mechanical stretching on the expression of IL-8 in fetal membranes (amniochorion) and decidua.

STUDY DESIGN

We examined the expression of IL-8 and its receptor in fetal membranes (amniochorion) and decidua by immunohistochemical staining. Also, we studied the synthesis of IL-8 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the fetal membranes before and after stretching.

RESULTS

We found that mechanical stretching within physiological limit increased IL-8 messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis in fetal membranes and decidua in a time- and load-dependent manner. Application of mechanical force led to markedly increased staining of IL-8 receptor in decidual cells but not in amnion or chorion cells.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that mechanical stretching was a candidate for one of the signals important for production of IL-8 in fetal membranes and decidua and probably for initiation of a cytokine network at amniochorio-decidual interface through increased expression of IL-8 receptors.

Novel drought-inducible genes in the highly drought-tolerant cowpea: cloning of cDNAs and analysis of the expression of the corresponding genes

Ten cDNAs of genes that were induced by dehydration stress were cloned by differential screening from the highly drought-tolerant legume, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a major crop in West Africa. The clones were collectively named CPRD (cowpea clones responsive to dehydration). Northern blot analysis revealed that nine of the CPRD genes were induced by dehydration stress, but the timing of induction of mRNA synthesis varied among the CPRD genes. We analyzed the effects of other environmental stresses on the expression of the CPRD8, CPRD14 and CPRD22 genes, and we found that these genes were strongly induced by high-salinity stress but not by cold or heat stress. Drought-stressed cowpea plants accumulated abscisic acid (ABA) to a level that was 160 times higher than that in unstressed plants. The CPRD8 and CPRD22 genes were induced to a significant extent by the application of exogenous ABA but the CPRD14 gene was not. These results indicate the existence of at least two signal-transduction pathways between the detection of water stress and the expression of CPRD genes in cowpea. Sequence analysis of CPRD8 and CPRD22 cDNAs revealed that they encoded putative proteins that were related to old yellow enzyme and group 2 LEA proteins, respectively. The protein encoded by CPRD14 exhibited sequence homology to dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR) and vestitone reductase (VR). Old yellow enzyme, DFR and VR have not been identified as drought-inducible proteins in other plants, whereas LEA genes have been well characterized as drought-inducible genes. The various gene products might function to protect cells from environmental stress.

Biochemical analysis of airway aspirates of newborns

We measured contents of tracheobronchial and alveolar components contained in the newborn airway aspirates (NAA) obtained from 54 healthy newborns, with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) from healthy adults, and with mucoid sputum from adults with chronic bronchitis as controls. Fucose (a parameter of tracheobronchial mucus mucoprotein) and tryptase activity were used as tracheobronchial components, and pulmonary surfactant apoprotein A (SP-A) as an alveolar component. The ratio of the content of each component to that of total protein (TP) was compared among NAA, BLF, BALF, and the mucoid sputum. The SP-A/TP ratio in the NAA was similar to that in BLF but 1/24 of that in BALF. The fucose/TP ratio in NAA was about 1/2 of that in BLF and about 6 times higher than that in BALF. The tryptase/TP ratio in NAA was about twice that in BLF and about 80 times that in BALF. The ratios of the above components to TP in the mucoid sputum were closer to those in NAA and BLF than those in BALF. These results suggest that NAA contain both tracheobronchial and alveolar components, and their contents of the formers are larger than those of the latters, and that NAA may be useful for diagnosing pathologic conditions in the airway of newborns, and for comparing the biological defence mechanism between newborns and adults.

Urinary trypsin inhibitor efficiently inhibits urokinase production in tumor necrosis factor-stimulated cells

We demonstrated that urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) efficiently inhibits soluble and tumor cell-associated plasmin activity and subsequently inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The effect of UTI on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-induced stimulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in the promyeloid leukemia U937 cells was studied. uPA antigen was evaluated in the cell lysate and in the conditioned media by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Western blot. TNF can promote the production of uPA in HUVEC and in U937 cells. The PKC inhibitors (H7, calphostin C, and staurosporine) inhibited TNF-induced uPA expression and secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of the expression of cell surface receptor-bound uPA by flow cytometry using uPA-specific MAb indicates that induction of uPA expression by TNF was inhibited when these cells were incubated with UTI. On the other hand, treatment of the cells with UTI alone failed to alter uPA production. UTI also reduced the secretion of uPA in TNF-treated cells. UTI was as effective as PKC inhibitors in inhibiting uPA expression by TNF. Incubation of the cells with UTI, however, had no effect on the ability of PMA to stimulate cell-associated uPA expression. These data suggest that UTI may influence the PKC-dependent protein kinase pathway in uPA expression. The study on intracellular pathways involved in UTI modulation of uPA will enhance our understanding of the role that UTI plays in uPA-mediated cellular invasion.

Increased concentrations of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in patients with eclampsia

We measured plasma catecholamine concentrations on admission (after eclamptic fit) and after 6 days of delivery in 21 eclamptic patients and on admission in 15 normotensive pregnant women in Bangladesh. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations in eclamptic patients were significantly higher on admission than those of normotensive pregnant women (P < 0.0001). Plasma catecholamine concentrations and mean arterial blood pressure had return to be almost normal as normotensive pregnant women after 6 days of delivery, resulting in no correlation between mean arterial blood pressure and plasma catecholamines. On admission (after eclamptic fit) mean arterial blood pressure was positively correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = 0.626, P < 0.002) and norepinephrine (r = 0.553, P < 0.008) concentrations in patients with eclampsia. The amount of proteinuria was also significantly correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = 0.515, P < 0.02) and norepinephrine (r = 0.606, P < 0.003) concentrations. Number of convulsions was significantly correlated with concentrations of plasma epinephrine (r = 0.514, P < 0.02), norepinephrine (r = 0.521, P < 0.01) and mean arterial blood pressure (r = 0.535, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between time passed after convulsion with plasma epinephrine (r = 0.515, P < 0.02) and norepinephrine (r = 0.570, P < 0.006) concentrations. These suggested that the increased plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in eclamptic patients were well correlated with the severity of the clinical features of eclampsia.