Apoptosis and proliferation in gastric carcinoma: the association with histological type

We examined apoptosis in 33 gastric carcinomas using the terminal deoxynucleotydil transferase mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labelling technique (TUNEL). Of the tumours, nine were well-differentiated, 13 moderately differentiated and 11 poorly differentiated. In addition, we also analysed MIB-1, a cell proliferation antigen. Morphologically, apoptotic tumour cells were more frequently observed in well-differentiated tumours. In addition, apoptotic signals of the TUNEL method were seen even in the nuclei of tumour cells which did not show apoptosis. The nick end labelling index was 51.0 +/- 26.3 in the well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumours and 28.0 +/- 18.8 in poorly differentiated tumours. The mean of apoptotic body index and nick end labelling index were both significantly higher in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumours than in the poorly differentiated type (P < 0.0001, P = 0.008). The MIB-1 labelling index and higher in poorly differentiated tumours than in the well-differentiated or moderately differentiated tumours, and labelled cells were more numerous in the superficial region than in the middle and deep regions of tumours. No apparent correlation was found between the nick end labelling index and the MIB-1 labelling index. The high number of apoptotic cells (the high Nick end labelling index) and low proliferation potentiality (the low MIB-1 labelling index) in well-differentiated gastric carcinomas may thus be related to their natural tendency to demonstrate slow growth.

[Blood patch therapy of the perilymphatic fistulas--an experimental study]

Blood patch is a therapeutic procedure that uses a perilymphatic fistula to repair an inner ear window rupture by filling the tympanic cavity with autologous blood. The experimental study was conducted in 13 guinea pigs. Autologous blood or commercially available fibrin glue was poured into the otic bulla after artificial rupture of the round window. The animals were sacrificed immediately, or 1 to 7 days after the operation. The results showed that the blood or the fibrin glue successfully closed the window rupture by closing directly and by facilitating the formation of granulation at the margin of the rupture. Fibrin glue seemed to be preferable to autologous blood due to its non-toxic nature in the inner ear.

Transduction of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene into human multidrug resistant cancer cells: enhanced therapeutic efficacy of monoclonal anti-P-glycoprotein antibody in nude mice

To develop a therapeutic modality for overcoming multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer with anti-MDR1 antibody, we examined the effect of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) gene transfection into MDR AD10 cells on therapy of MDR cancer with anti-MDR1 antibody (MRK17) in nude mice. MDR human ovarian cancer (AD10) cells were transduced with the human M-CSF gene inserted into an expression vector to establish gene-modified cells capable of producing low (ML-AD10), intermediate (MM-AD10) nd high (MH-AD10) amounts of M-CSF. Systemic administration of MRK17 resulted in significant dose-dependent inhibition of subcutaneous growth of ML-AD10 tumors. In contrast, systemic administration of recombinant M-CSF in combination with MRK17 did not augment the therapeutic efficacy of MRK17 alone, but rather promoted the growth of the parent AD10 cells. To test the efficacy of in vivo M-CSF gene therapy combined with antibody, we mixed the parent AD10 cells with MH-AD10 cells producing a large amount of M-CSF, and inoculated the mixed cells subcutaneously. Treatment with MRK17 inhibited growth of the mixed cells more than that of the parent cells alone. Thus, combined therapy with anti-MDR1 mAb and M-CSF gene modification of MDR cancer cells may provide a new immunotherapeutic modality for overcoming MDR in humans.

Cortical dysgenesis in a patient with Turner mosaicism

In a patient with Turner mosaicism who had mental retardation, epilepsy and cerebellar ataxia, MRI showed cerebellar atrophy and a bizarre cortical dysgenesis of the cerebrum, which was considered to comprise a mixture of relatively normal gyri and structures resembling pachygyria and lissencephaly. The karyotype of the patient was 45,X/47,XXX, but the brain dysgenesis could not be explained solely on the basis of this mosaicism, which is rarely associated with a gross abnormality in brain pathology. Abnormality of the X chromosome seems to have some potential for inducing cortical dysgenesis, and this case may be partially attributable to an abnormal locus on the X chromosome.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human myocardial infarction

To define mechanisms that may influence collateral circulation and angiogenesis, we investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in human hearts. In non-ischemic human hearts, VEGF mRNA was not detected in vessels, but was found in cardiomyocytes. In hearts with myocardial infarction, the intensity of the VEGF signal was much higher in smooth muscle cells of arterioles adjacent to necrosis and in infiltrating macrophages than in myocytes around the site of the necrosis. This study suggests that levels of VEGF expression are high in smooth muscle cells and macrophages around infarcted areas after myocardial infarction and that VEGF may play a role in promoting collateral circulation and angiogenesis in human ischemic hearts.

Epidermal growth factor can replace thymic mesenchyme in induction of embryonic thymus morphogenesis in vitro

The thymus is surrounded by a thin layer of mesenchyme and the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction is known to be essential for the thymus development. To clarify the roles of mesenchyme in the thymus lobule formation that occurs around embryonic days 14-15 in vivo, we set up a three-dimensional organ culture system. The epithelium of embryonic day 14 thymic primordium was separated from the mesenchyme and cultured in Matrigel (reconstituted basement membrane). Addition of the mesenchyme to a chamber separated by a membrane filter induced the lobule formation of the thymic epithelium in vitro. We found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) can replace the mesenchyme for lobulation of the embryonic thymus in vitro. Among other growth factors tested, only transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha was as effective as EGF, in agreement with the fact that EGF and TGF-alpha bind to the same receptor. These results suggest that EGF or its family members may be involved in morphogenesis and differentiation of the thymus gland epithelium, although we cannot exclude the possibility that other unknown factors are required in vivo.

Expression of multiple classes of the nuclear factor-1 family in the developing human brain: differential expression of two classes of NF-1 genes

Nuclear factor-1 (NF-1) is a multifunctional protein that participates in both transcription and replication. NF-1 proteins exist as a family of proteins that share some common structural and functional features but also demonstrate organ and cell type specific expression. Based upon these characteristics, the family of NF-1 proteins is divided into four classes, A, B, C and D. Several NF-1 binding sites have been identified in the regulatory sequences of the human polyomavirus, JCV, which multiplies most efficiently in glial cells derived from human fetal brain. Nuclear proteins from these cultures bind specifically to these NF-1 sites. It is not known, however, which member(s) of the NF-1 family is expressed in cells susceptible to JCV infection. We have examined glial cells as well as HeLa cells, which are not permissive to JCV, for NF-1 expression. By RT-PCR analysis, all four classes of NF-1 are expressed in human fetal glial cells and HeLa cells. However, by Northern analysis the expression of class D gene is much higher in the glial cells than HeLa cells. Expression of the class C gene, first identified in HeLa cells as NF-1/CTF1, is barely detectable in glial cells but highly expressed in HeLa cells. The screening of cDNA libraries from two early human brain tissues resulted in the identification of a number of clones which appear to be related and belong to a single class of the NF-1 family, class D. Nucleotide sequence of one clone, designated NF-1/AT1, confirms this. The NF-1/AT1 protein was overexpressed in E coli and found to bind specifically to an NF-1 probe by gel shift analysis. Southern analysis of human fetal glial cells indicates that the NF-1/AT1 gene, class D, is derived from a different gene than NF-1/CTF1. These results suggest the possibility that genes or viruses, like JCV, which use NF-1 for their expression in human brain derived cells may preferentially use the NF-1 class D protein.

Cellular immune responses of patients with juvenile chronic arthritis to retinal antigens and their synthetic peptides

The objective of this study was to determine the proliferative responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes of ocular antigens like retinal S-antigen, peptides M and G of S-antigen, yeast histone H3 peptide 106-121 homologous to peptide M and peptide R16 of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). We have studied the in vitro proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 41 patients with JCA (10 with and 31 without uveitis) and 23 healthy controls against the above antigens. The responders were retested after 1 or 6 months. Fifty (5/10) and 9.7% (3/31) of JCA patients with and without uveitis, respectively, responded (stimulation index > 3) to S-antigen or one of its peptide listed above or yeast histone H3 peptide or R16 of IRBP. None of the healthy controls responded to any of these antigens. The difference in the frequency of responders (SI > 3) between JCA associated with uveitis and healthy controls was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Similarly, the difference between JCA with and without uveitis was also significant (p = 0.013). Our findings suggest that these antigens may have a role in the pathogenesis of uveitis in a subset of patients with JCA.

Porcine S-antigen: cDNA sequence and expression in retina, ciliary epithelium and iris

cDNA clones encoding S-antigen (arrestin) were isolated from the expression library constructed from porcine retina and sequenced. The 1490 base pair fragment contained a 1215 base pair open reading frame. From the nucleotide sequence, an amino acid sequence consisting of 405 residues was deduced and a molecular mass of 45,102 daltons was calculated. In order to determine whether the S-antigen mRNA transcript was expressed in anterior eye tissues, mRNA from ciliary non-pigmented epithelial cells and pigmented epithelial cells and iris was analysed by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers taken from sequences flanking the coding and non-coding regions of retinal S-antigen. Sequence analysis of the expected 611 base pairs in the 5' region and 672 base pairs in the 3' region of DNA fragments indicated that an identical mRNA for S-antigen was expressed in the anterior tissues examined. To investigate the in situ expression of S-antigen mRNA, 35S-labeled sense and antisense RNA probes were synthesized from the cDNA to label frozen sections of retina, ciliary body and iris and the treated sections were examined by autoradiography. The antisense probe labeled the layer between retinal pigmented epithelium and the outer nuclear layer of the retina, ciliary epithelium, and iris epithelium. From the results of sequencing PCR products and in situ hybridization, we concluded that, in porcine eye, the mRNA for S-antigen is expressed not only in the retina but also in the anterior tissues such as the ciliary epithelium and iris epithelium.

Immunohistochemical analysis of bcl-2 and p53 protein in breast carcinoma

We analyzed the expression of bcl-2 and p53 in relation to clinicopathological features and estrogen receptor (ER) status in breast carcinomas from a series of 67 women who were treated surgically. Fifty and 23 cases showed positive immunostaining for bcl-2 and p53 protein, respectively. Thirty-five cases were ER-positive. A positive relationship was observed between bcl-2 and ER (p<0.05). Furthermore, an inverse relationship was observed between bcl-2 and p53 (p<0.01), which suggests that overexpression of p53 may down-regulate bcl-2 expression in breast carcinoma tissue, as has been described in a breast carcinoma cell line.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of EDTA solution as an endodontic irrigant

The effect of eliminating the smear layer by means of 15% EDTA solution as a root canal irrigant was studied in 189 single-rooted infected teeth. Each tooth was treated at two appointments, and the root canal bacteriological examination was studied on the first (pretreatment, and after enlargement and irrigation) and second (pretreatment) visits. The root canals were irrigated with 15% EDTA solution with ultrasonics agitation. No antibacterial intracanal medications were used between the appointment. When 15% EDTA solution was used, no bacteria could be recovered from 93 of 129 root canals at the sampling stage on second visit. No bacteria were found in 21 of 60 root canals when saline solution was used as an irrigant. These results suggest that 15% EDTA solution is more effective than saline solution as a root canal irrigant.

Establishment and characterization of a carrier cell culture producing high titres of polyoma JC virus

This report concerns a carrier cell culture (designated JCI) infected persistently with JC virus (JCV). Immunostaining with an anti-JCV antiserum revealed that JCI was a carrier culture in which only a small fraction of the cells (approximately 1.5%) produced the virus. The JCV titre was increased strikingly by incubating confluent JCI cells for 4-6 days in medium containing a low concentration of fetal bovine serum (2%). Viral genomes cloned from the persistently infected JCI cells were heterogeneous with respect to size, but most clones had an alteration of the same regulatory region (designated CR-JCI). Transfection experiments with a chimeric JCV DNA (Mad-1/CR-JCI), in which the regulatory region was CR-JCI and the other region was derived from an infectious JCV (Mad-1) DNA, showed that CR-JCI was less efficient in inducing viral growth than the regulatory regions of IMR-32-adapted JCVs. The transfected cells could be readily subcultured, and they continued to produce JCV. It is concluded that a decrease in the activity of the JCV regulatory region is of importance for the maintenance of the carrier state of JCI cells.

Teebi hypertelorism syndrome: further observations

A new autosomal dominant syndrome resembling craniofrontonasal syndrome was identified by Teebi [1987: Am J Med Genet 28:581-591]. We report on an additional case of Teebi hypertelorism syndrome. A 6-year-old girl presented with brachycephaly, peculiar facial appearance resembling mild frontonasal "dysplasia", small hands and feet with interdigital webbing. In addition, she had previously undescribed manifestations including ventricular septal defect, lipoma of the occipital area, and hypoplastic left hemisphere of the cerebellum. These seem to expand the phenotype of Teebi hypertelorism syndrome. The proposita's father had mild manifestations of the condition including flat occiput, widow's peak, small ears, bulbous nose, brachydactyly with interdigital webbing, and mild shawl scrotum.

Simultaneous analysis of tiaramide metabolites in horse urine and plasma by solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography

A simple method for the simultaneous analysis of tiaramide (TRA) metabolites in the horse is described. The sample preparation method using a Bond-Elut PH cartridge and stepwise elution with ice-cold, 30% aqueous methanol followed by additional methanol is effective for recovering the metabolites with different properties. The extraction method gives good recoveries (greater than 80%) and reproducibility. Each metabolite is well separated by high-performance liquid chromatography using an octadecyl-type column of polymer-based packing with a solvent system of 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.5)-acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran (6:1:0.2) containing a quaternary ammonium salt as an ion-pairing reagent. The detection limit of each metabolite is in the range of 20-80 ng/ml. The major metabolites of TRA in equine urine and plasma are N-acetic acid (TRAA) and N-oxide. The N-oxide of TRAA is detected as a metabolite in the urine. A dealkylation product PER) is detected as a minor metabolite. Unchanged TRA is detected only at low concentrations in the urine. Several minor metabolites of DER or TRAA or both are detected in the urine.

Apoptosis in histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis

Cell death can now be divided into necrosis and apoptosis, which are different in their morphology, biochemistry and biological significance. The present study was designed to investigate cell death in histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL). The features of cell death in 10 cases of HNL were analyzed using histiomorphology, ultrastructure and in situ apoptosis detection (ApopTag) methods. Two patterns of cell death were discerned. One was apoptosis of individual cells and the other was necrosis. The first pattern could be observed in all cases and the morphological features of the dead cells were consistent with those of apoptosis, which included distinctive cell volume shrinking and chromatin condensation. The apoptotic cells and bodies could frequently be found to be phagocytosed by the histiocytes. ApopTag was positively stained in most of the morphologically apoptotic cells. By double staining, most ApopTag positive cells were found to be T lymphocytes. A previous report showed that the majority of the proliferative cells were T lymphocytes. Based on those results, if was speculated that the main pathological characteristics of HNL therefore consisted of apoptosis and the proliferation of T lymphocytes.

[The study of chemotherapy via the reservoir to colo-rectal cancer patients with liver metastases]

From January 1986 to December 1994, we administered intra-arterial chemotherapy via the reservoir to 26 colo-rectal cancer patients with liver metastases. The protocol of this chemotherapy was administration of ADM 30 mg/body/4 wks, MMC 10 mg/body/2 wks and 5-FU 500 mg/body/2 wks. Responses to this chemotherapy were PR in 8 cases, NC 3 cases, PD 14 cases and unknown 1 case. The rate of response was 32.0%. Side effects were shown in 12 cases (46.2%), and trouble with the reservoir in 5 cases (20.8%). Survival times of patients were from 5 months to 42 months (average 13.6). We think that this intra-arterial chemotherapy via the reservoir was effective for patients with liver metastases from colo-rectal cancer.

Structure and chromosomal localization of the human stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) gene

Stromal cell-derived factors 1 alpha and 1 beta are small cytokines belonging to the intercrine CXC subfamily and originally isolated from a murine bone-marrow stroma cell line by the signal sequence trap method. cDNA and genomic clones of human SDF1 alpha and SDF1 beta (SDF1A and SDF1B) were isolated and characterized. cDNAs of SDF1 alpha and SDF1 beta encode proteins of 89 and 93 amino acids, respectively. SDF1 alpha and SDF1 beta sequences are more than 92% identical to those of the human counterparts. The genomic structure of the SDF1 gene revealed that human SDF1 alpha and SDF1 beta are encoded by a single gene and arise by alternative splicing. SDF1 alpha and SDF1 beta are encoded by 3 and 4 exons, respectively. Ubiquitous expression of the SDF1 gene, except in blood cells, was consistent with the presence of the GC-rich sequence in the 5'-flanking region of the SDF1 gene, as is often the case in the "housekeeping" genes. Although genes encoding other members of the intercrine family are localized on chromosome 4q or 17q, the human SDF1 gene was mapped to chromosome 10q by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Strong evolutionary conservation and unique chromosomal localization of the SDF1 gene suggest that SDF1 alpha and SDF1 beta may have important functions distinct from those of other members of the intercrine family.

Transient dilatation of the abdominal aorta in an infant with Kawasaki disease associated with thrombocytopenia

We report on an 8 month old infant with Kawasaki disease associated with giant coronary aneurysms and transient thrombocytopenia. The patient's platelet count decreased to 24,000/mm3 on the 31st day of illness and fibrin degradation product was 5 micrograms/mL. Platelet count increased to the normal level (357,000/mm3) on the 35th day of illness. On the 27th day of illness, dilatation of the distal abdominal aorta adjacent to the bifurcation of the iliac arteries was observed by B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography. It gradually returned to a normal size by the 45th day of illness. Aspirin administered from the 3rd to the 26th day of illness was replaced with flubioprophen because of liver dysfunction. Although we can not eliminate aspirin allergy as the cause of the transient thrombocytopenia, we think that the thrombocytopenia may have been related to the regression of the abdominal aorta.

The surgical anatomy of coronary venous return in hearts with isomeric atrial appendages

Although absence of the coronary sinus is widely recognized in hearts with isomerism of the right atrial appendages, little attention has been paid to the fashion of the venous return from the heart itself. In this study, the arrangement of coronary venous return was investigated in 99 specimens with isomeric right and 49 with isomeric left appendages. In the normal heart, the coronary veins consist of a circumflex component within the atrioventricular groove and longitudinal components on the ventricular mass. The circumflex venous system was seen in 44 hearts with isomerism of left appendages (90%), but 23 of these hearts lacked the anatomic features of the coronary sinus. Circumflex veins were entirely lacking in the other 10% of hearts with isomeric left appendages and in all those with isomeric right appendages. In these hearts, longitudinal veins drained independently into the atria in three patterns. The first was a direct connection, with the venous orifice opening between the trabeculations of the atrial wall immediately having crossed the atrioventricular groove. The second was a crooked return, with the vein running an intramural course along the atrioventricular groove. The third was a distant connection, reaching superiorly to the smooth-walled atrial component after running an intramural course. Intramural courses were seen in 19% of the longitudinal veins, such veins being found in 62% of all hearts with no circumflex venous system. These findings, which to the best of our knowledge have never previously been recognized in detail, almost certainly have potential surgical significance.

Autoantibodies against beta-crystallins induce lens epithelial cell damage and cataract formation in mice

One-year-old B6C3/f mice, injected with beta-crystallins emulsified with CFA, developed lens epithelial cell damage. Both serum transfer and mAb transfer studies clearly established that the autoimmune insult is induced by humoral immunity. Older mice were more susceptible to autoimmune insult than younger animals. Lens epithelial cell damage invariably proceeded to cortical and posterior subcapsular cataract formation. This mouse model of experimental autoimmune cataract formation will facilitate the exploration of the relation between immune phenomena and human age-related cataract.

Autoantibodies against beta-crystallins induce lens epithelial cell damage and cataract formation in mice

One-year-old B6C3/f mice, injected with beta-crystallins emulsified with CFA, developed lens epithelial cell damage. Both serum transfer and mAb transfer studies clearly established that the autoimmune insult is induced by humoral immunity. Older mice were more susceptible to autoimmune insult than younger animals. Lens epithelial cell damage invariably proceeded to cortical and posterior subcapsular cataract formation. This mouse model of experimental autoimmune cataract formation will facilitate the exploration of the relation between immune phenomena and human age-related cataract.

Serum levels of interleukin 6 in patients with lung cancer

Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in 75 patients with lung cancer and in 20 patients with benign lung diseases. IL-6 was detectable in 29 patients with lung cancer (39%), but was not detectable in any of the patients with benign lung diseases. Serum C-reactive protein levels and plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly higher and serum albumin concentration was significantly lower in lung cancer patients with detectable serum IL-6 levels than in those without detectable serum IL-6 levels and in patients with benign lung diseases. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in blood platelet counts in these three groups. Moreover, serum IL-6 levels were not significantly different in lung cancer patients with or without clinically demonstrated distant metastasis. These results suggest that IL-6 may be a mediator of various reactions including an inflammatory response in lung cancer patients.