Possible roles of basic fibroblast growth factor in the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease: an immunohistochemical study

Prominent features of moyamoya disease are fibrocellular thickening of the intima and enhanced angiogenesis. The pathogenesis of moyamoya disease is, however, unknown. Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is an angiogenic factor as well as a potent mitogen for a number of cell types including vascular endothelial and smooth-muscle cells. In order to test the possibility that basic FGF takes part in the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease, the authors tested for the presence of this factor using a mouse monoclonal antibody against human recombinant basic FGF. The surgical specimens studied included two sections of the superficial temporal artery (STA) and four samples of dura mater from four patients with moyamoya disease. Surgical specimens were obtained from three patients with other diseases as control tissue. Sections of the STA obtained from the patients with moyamoya disease showed strong basic FGF immunoreactivity in endothelial and smooth-muscle cells, while control sections had only faint and scattered immunoreactivity. All sections of the dura mater obtained from the patients with moyamoya disease also revealed more intense immunohistochemical staining of basic FGF in meningeal and vascular cells than did control sections. These observations indicate that the amount of basic FGF is increased in the tissues of patients with moyamoya disease; thus, basic FGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease.

Antiulcer agents. II. Synthesis and gastric acid antisecretory activity of N-[3-(3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy)propyl]-4-(1-methyl-1H- tetrazol-5-ylthio)butanamide and related compounds

N-[3-(3-(Piperidinomethyl)phenoxy)propyl]butanamides having a 1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-ylthio moiety as a pharmacophore and related compounds were prepared and tested for their antisecretory activity against histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in conscious rats with gastric fistulas. Most of the compounds showed antisecretory activity. Among them, N-[3-(3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy)propyl]-4-(1-methyl-1 H-tetrazol-5-ylthio)butanamide (5f) was found to posses the most potent activity, and a possibility of isosteric replacement of the methoxycarbonyl group with 1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl group was indicated. The structure-activity relationships are also discussed.

Gene expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors in the tissues of human gliomas and meningiomas

Northern blot analysis showed transcripts of two types of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor genes, flg and bek, in almost all the tissues samples of 18 human gliomas and 22 human meningiomas, which produced abundant basic and/or acidic FGF. From immunohistochemistry, FGF receptors were expressed in the tumor cells of a glioma and a meningioma. RNA expression of these FGF receptors was also detectable in normal human brains and normal bovine meninges. The expression level of either FGF receptor gene was not significantly different between tumor tissues and normal tissues.

Effects of chimeric mutants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev and human T-cell leukemia virus type I Rex on nucleolar targeting signals

Two chimeric mutant genes derived from rev of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and rex of human T-cell leukemia virus type I were constructed to investigate the functions of the nucleolar-targeting signals (NOS) in Rev and Rex proteins. A chimeric Rex protein whose NOS region was substituted with the NOS of Rev was located predominantly in the cell nucleolus and functioned like the wild-type protein in the Rex assay system. However, a chimeric Rev with the NOS of Rex abolished Rev function despite its nucleolar localization. This nonfunctional nucleolar-targeting chimeric protein inhibited the function of both Rex and Rev. In the same experimental conditions, this mutant interfered with the localization of the functional Rex in the nucleolus.

Twelve-hour cardiopulmonary preservation using donor core cooling, leukocyte depletion, and liposomal superoxide dismutase

Because leukocytes and oxygen radical species contribute to ischemic and reperfusion injury during organ preservation, we examined the effects of a long-acting liposomal superoxide dismutase (liposomal SOD) and mechanical filtration of leukocytes on cardiopulmonary graft function after 12 hours of static preservation. Bovine heart-lung blocks were harvested, core cooled to 15 degrees C, stored in 4 degrees C donor blood for 12 hours, and then orthotopically transplanted (control group, n = 6). In the leukocyte-depletion group (n = 6), a leukocyte filter was incorporated in the bypass circuits of the donor and recipient. In the SOD group (n = 6), liposomal SOD (5000 U/kg) was administered in the cardioplegic solution, in the prime of the bypass circuits of donor and recipient, and immediately before recipient heart-lung reperfusion. In the combination group (n = 6), both leukocyte depletion (LD) and liposomal SOD were used. Only four of six control animals survived more than 2 hours after weaning from bypass, whereas all LD, SOD, and LD + SOD animals survived to be studied at 6 hours. Pulmonary function was assessed at 6 hours by arterial oxygen tension on 100% inspired oxygen (PO2), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and postmortem wet/dry lung weight ratios. Arterial pO2 values (mm Hg) were as follows: control, 102 +/- 51; LD, 437 +/- 60*; SOD, 278 +/- 83; and LD + SOD, 504 +/- 54* (*p less than 0.05 vs controls). PVR values (dynes . sec . cm5) were as follows: control, 1975 +/- 697; LD, 682 +/- 131*; SOD, 607 +/- 191*; and LD + SOD 367 +/- 87* (*p less than 0.05 vs controls).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Design, synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of a new indomethacin ester. 2-[N-[3-(3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy)propyl]carbamoylmethylthio]ethyl 1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-indole-3-acetate

A novel indomethacin ester prodrug, 2-[N-[3-(3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy)propyl]carbamoylmethylthio ]ethyl 1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindole-3-acetate (1) was prepared from a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, N-[3-(3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy)propyl]-2-(2-hydroxyethylthio )acetamide (2) and indomethacin (3). The compound 1 was shown to be essentially similar to 3 in its antiinflammatory action and to almost completely inhibit carrageenin-induced hind-paw edema in the rat at a very high dose of 230 mg/kg (280 mumol/kg), which is comparable to that of 100 mg/kg (280 mumol/kg) of 3, without producing gastric lesions. On a molar basis, the acute gastric lesioning properties of 1 were near one-hundred times less than those of 3, resulting in over a twenty-fold improvement in the ratio of antiedema activity to ulcerogenicity. The effect of the co-administration of histamine H2-receptor antagonists on antiedema activity and ulcerogenicity caused by 3 is also discussed.

The nucleolar localisation signal of the HTLV-I protein p27rex is important for stabilisation of IL-2 receptor alpha subunit mRNA by p27rex

In this study we investigated the mechanism of stabilisation of IL-2 receptor alpha subunit mRNA by the HTLV-I protein p27rex. We tested the role of the nucleolar targetting signal in rex by introducing mutations. Three deletion mutants could not express rex protein in the nucleolus and although protein was still expressed in the nucleoplasm none of the mutants could stabilise IL-2R alpha mRNA. A substitution mutant could be expressed in the nucleolus and could also stabilise IL-2R alpha mRNA. The data show that the nucleolar targetting signal is crucial for stabilisation of IL-2R alpha mRNA by rex and raise the possibility that transport of mRNA from nucleus to cytoplasm can involve the nucleolus.

Phosphorylation and subcellular distribution of calpastatin in human hematopoietic system cells

Calpastatin is an endogenous inhibitor protein acting specifically on calpain (EC 3.4.22.17; Ca2(+)-dependent cysteine proteinase). The phosphorylation of calpastatin was investigated in human hematopoietic system cell lines. Microheterogeneity of calpastatin was observed, in which 118- and 116-kDa forms were named calpastatin a and b, respectively. The phosphorylation of both calpastatins was identified in all cell lines examined and occurred mainly at serine residues with trace amounts of phosphothreonine in vivo. The incubation of cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate increased the incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate into calpastatin a. Two-dimensional maps of 32P-labeled phosphopeptide from both calpastatins were identical except for additional minor spots for calpastatin a. [35S]methionine-labeled calpastatins a and b were localized mainly in the cytosol, and only 6% of cellular calpastatins were detected in the membrane fraction. By contrast, more than 30% of the 32P-labeled calpastatins a and b were distributed in the membrane fraction. Thus, the phosphorylation of calpastatin may be involved in regulating the calpain-calpastatin protein kinase system by its subcellular distribution.

HTLV-1 p27rex stabilizes human interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain mRNA

Expression of the pX gene products (p40tax, p27rex and p21X-III) of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), which is known to be a causative agent of adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia, induces expression of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (IL-2R alpha) on infected T cells. Comparison of IL-2R alpha promoter activities has revealed that the transcriptional activation of the promoter alone cannot explain the large numbers of IL-2R alpha expressed on HTLV-1 infected cells. We found that the rates of the IL-2R alpha mRNA degradation were greatly reduced in pX-positive cells as compared with pX-negative cells. Simultaneous transfection of the expression vector plasmid containing IL-2R alpha cDNA and similar plasmids containing various pX sequences showed that p27rex elongated the half life of IL-2R alpha mRNA. As p27rex did not affect the transport of the IL-2R alpha mRNA from nucleus to cytoplasm, prolongation of the IL-2R alpha mRNA half life by p27rex is ascribed to stabilization of the mRNA. Experiments using deletion mutants and chimeric constructs of the IL-2R alpha cDNA demonstrated that the coding sequence but not the 5' or 3' untranslated region of the IL-2R alpha mRNA sequence is responsible for its protection by p27rex.

Synthetic cephalosporins. VII. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(3-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridon-1-yl)-3- carboxypropoxyimino)acetamido]-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-thiomethyl-3- cephem-4-carboxylic acid and its related compounds

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(3-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridon-1-y l)-3- carboxypropoxyimino)acetamido]-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)thio methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (12a) and its related compounds are described. Compound 12a exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of N-[3-(3-(1-Piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy)propyl]-2-(2-hydroxyethylthio)- acetamide and related compounds as antiulcer agents. I

N-Phenoxypropylacetamide derivatives were prepared and tested for antiulcer activity. These compounds exhibited both gastric acid antisecretory and cytoprotective properties. Structure-activity studies led to the identification of N-[3-(3-(1-piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy)propyl]-2-(2-hydroxyethylt hio)acetamide (8), which was selected for further development and clinical evaluation.

Synthetic cephalosporins. VI. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(1-carboxy-1-methyl) ethoxyiminoacetamido]- 3-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridon-1-yl)methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid and related compounds

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(1-carboxy-1-methyl)ethoxyimin oacetamido]- 3-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridon-1-yl)-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (12) and its related compounds are described. Compound 12 exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria, and its anti-pseudomonal activity was ten to fifteen times greater than that of ceftazidime.

Gene expression of fibroblast growth factors in human gliomas and meningiomas: demonstration of cellular source of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA and peptide in tumor tissues

The growth autonomy of human tumor cells is considered due to the endogenous production of growth factors. Transcriptional expression of candidates for autocrine stimulatory factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), acidic FGF, and transforming growth factor type beta were determined in human brain tumors. Basic FGF was expressed abundantly in 17 of 18 gliomas, 20 of 22 meninglomas, and 0 of 5 metastatic brain tumors. The level of mRNA expression of acidic FGF in gliomas was significant. In contrast, transforming growth factor type beta 1 was expressed in all the samples investigated. The mRNA for basic FGF and its peptide were localized in tumor cells in vivo by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, showing that basic FGF is actually produced in tumor cells. Our results suggest that tumor-derived basic FGF is involved in the progression of gliomas and meningiomas in vivo, whereas acidic FGF is expressed in a tumor origin-specific manner, suggesting that acidic FGF works in tandem with basic FGF in glioma tumorigenesis.

2,3 Dimercapto-1-propanol inhibits HIV-1 tat activity, viral production, and infectivity in vitro

We have examined the effect of 2,3 dimercapto-1-propanol (DMP), which is known as an anti-heavy metal-poisoning drug, against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We demonstrate that DMP inhibited transactivation directed by tat protein, which is a metal containing transcriptional transactivating factor and also interfered with viral production. Furthermore, treatment and pretreatment of cells with DMP strongly reduced their sensitivity for HIV-1 infection through unknown mechanisms. These results indicate that DMP reveals pleuripotent effects on HIV-1 infection and production in vitro and thus may provide an exploitable hypothesis for designing new drugs against AIDS.

Protein kinase inhibitor H-7 blocks accumulation of unspliced mRNA of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)

Rex, the post-transcriptional regulator of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), is known to induce accumulation of the unspliced viral gag-pol mRNA. Rex is a phosphoprotein found in the cell nucleolus, whose function may be regulated by its localization and phosphorylation. We have examined the role of phosphorylation on Rex function by using a protein kinase inhibitor, H-7 [1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine]. Treatment of an HTLV-I infected human T-cell line with H-7 blocked specifically accumulation of the unspliced gag-pol mRNA, resulting in the decreased Gag protein synthesis that corresponds with the decreased in vivo phosphorylation of Rex. In contrast, other viral and cellular products have not been influenced by the level of H-7 used. Therefore, the phosphorylation of Rex is required for the viral RNA partition of HTLV-I.

Spontaneous and cAMP-dependent induction of a resting phase and neurite formation in cell hybrids between human neuroblastoma cells and thymidine auxotrophs of rat nerve-like cells

Cell hybrids (BIM) were produced between human neuroblastoma cells (IMR-32) and thymidine auxotrophs (B3T) of rat nerve-like cells (B103) in order to obtain cell lines undergoing stable neuronal differentiation. BIM cells exhibited the growth properties of partial transformation: 1) When the cell growth reached a plateau, BIM cells ceased to proliferate and expressed a differentiated phenotype. The shape of the cells changed from flat to round and they extended neurites. 2) When cultured in methylcellulose, BIM cells formed colonies, indicating that BIM cells have the ability of anchorage-independent growth. By Southern blot analysis, BIM cells had both human and rat types of N-myc genes. The human N-myc genes were amplified, but the extent of the amplification was lower in BIM cells than that in the parental cell line IMR-32. The rat N-myc gene was detected at a similar level in BIM, B3T, B103, and rat fibroblastic cells 3Y1. Therefore, the decrease in amplification of human N-myc genes may be involved in the properties of partial reverse-transformation in BIM cells. When treated with various drugs such as db-cAMP, forskolin, and cAMP with isobutyl-methylxanthine, BIM cells expressed a nerve-like phenotype. These findings indicate that cell hybridization yielded partial normalization of transformed nerve-like cells.

Analysis of influenza A virus temperature-sensitive mutants with mutations in RNA segment 8

Temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of influenza virus strain A/Udorn/72 (H3N2 subtype) with lesions in RNA segment 8 exhibited intrasegmental complementation, and were divided in two complementation groups (H1 and H2) on MDCK cells. The nucleotide sequence of segment 8 was determined for three of these mutants. The H1 strains, ICR1629 and SPC45, have a single amino acid substitution in the coding region of the non-structural protein NS1, whereas the H2 strain, ICR516, has a substitution in the NS2-coding region. With both NS1 ts mutants, the synthesis of two late proteins, the matrix protein (M1) and haemagglutinin (HA), was greatly reduced and NS1 synthesis also decreased at 40 degrees C (non-permissive temperature) compared to that at 34 degrees C (permissive temperature). The synthesis of each virus-specific RNA was analysed using a quantitative hybridization method. However, at 40 degrees C, the levels of individual mRNAs including those for the late proteins, were almost the same as those at 34 degrees C, and attained the wild-type levels later in the infection (5 h post-infection) when the synthesis of the late proteins and the NS1 protein was severely reduced. The observations suggest that the NS1 protein, which is a nuclear protein, is involved in some post-transcriptional processes in the synthesis of the late proteins and the NS1 protein.

Epidermal growth factor stimulates the anchorage-independent growth of human squamous cell carcinomas overexpressing its receptors

We examined the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of four human squamous carcinoma cell lines that overexpress EGF receptors. While EGF inhibited anchorage-dependent growth, it stimulated anchorage-independent growth of all four cell lines tested. The results suggest that the proliferative responses to EGF are characterized by a preference for anchorage-independent, rather than -dependent growth, in cells overexpressing EGF receptors. Moreover, as EGF has been shown to stimulate the in vivo growth of squamous carcinoma cells overexpressing EGF receptors, it is also suggested that the in vitro EGF responsiveness of these cells in soft agar, but not in monolayer, better correlates with the in vivo EGF responsiveness.

Soluble factors including proteinases released from damaged cells may trigger the wound healing process

The wound healing process is initiated as soon as tissue is injured. Herein, we demonstrate that c-fos and c-myc mRNA transcripts are promptly increased in the wounded tissue in vivo and in vitro. A buffer solution from scraped serum-starved quiescent fibroblasts, when added to resting fibroblasts, caused the increase of c-fos and c-myc mRNA among the indicator cells. Soluble factors contained in the wounding supernatant are responsible for these phenomena and we call them wounding factors. Addition of proteinase inhibitors to the culture medium drastically reduced the c-fos mRNA induction by the wounding factors. Exogenously added trypsin or thrombin mimicked the activity of wounding factors. These results suggest that wounding causes soluble factors including various proteinases to be released from the damaged cells, which trigger the adjacent cells to respond to the injury.

[Simplified intraarterial infusion and angiographic method for rabbit VX-2 hind limb tumor via the saphenous artery]

We developed a new simplified intraarterial infusion and angiographic method for rabbit VX-2 hind limb tumors. A 24 gauge cannula was placed in the saphenous artery of the tumor-bearing leg (not supplying the tumor) and used for intraarterial drug infusion or angiography. This method has several advantages as follows: 1) easy and time-saving in manipulation (about 15 minutes per a rabbit); 2) selective drug infusion into the tumor-supplying artery without fluoroscopy; 3) sequential follow-up angiographies available for weeks.

Effects of a highly basic region of human immunodeficiency virus Tat protein on nucleolar localization

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 encodes a positive trans-activator protein, Tat, which is located predominantly in the cell nucleolus. To study the role of the basic region of Tat in nucleolar localization, we constructed fusion genes encoding serially deleted segments of Tat joined to the amino-terminal end of the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase molecule. We show that the basic region of Tat was sufficient for nuclear localization but not for nucleolar localization. Addition of three amino acids (59, 60, and 61) of the Tat sequence at the C-terminal end of the basic region was necessary for the chimeric beta-galactosidase to localize in the nucleus as well as in the nucleolus. We demonstrate that a short amino acid sequence (G-48 RKKRRQRRRA HQ N-61), when fused to the amino terminus of beta-galactosidase, can act as a nucleolar localization signal.