Differentiation of suprasellar nonneoplastic cysts from cystic neoplasms by Gd-DTPA MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging in 9 cases of surgically confirmed nonneoplastic intra- and/or suprasellar cysts was analyzed and compared with that from 17 cases of craniopharyngioma and 12 of cystic pituitary adenoma. Signal intensity did not help in distinguishing nonneoplastic cysts from cystic neoplasms. No postcontrast (Gd-DTPA) cyst wall enhancement was observed among the nonneoplastic cysts, although all 6 craniopharyngiomas and 12 cystic pituitary adenomas that underwent postcontrast study did enhance. Three nonneoplastic cysts were surrounded by the pituitary gland, thus mimicking wall enhancement in the postcontrast studies. Rapid enhancement in the early postcontrast-administration phase (dynamic studies) helped avoid confusion between the normal pituitary tissue and cyst wall enhancement. Magnetic resonance studies with contrast enhancement play an essential role in differentiating nonneoplastic cysts from cystic neoplasms in the sella region.

Isolation and partial characterization of a growth factor from human cementum

Cementum is the mineralized interface through which collagen fibers of periodontal connective tissues are anchored onto the tooth surface. We have isolated and partially characterized a mitogenic factor from human cementum which has properties different from other growth factors. Cementum was harvested from healthy human teeth, extracted in 1.0 M CH3COOH and mitogenic activities were fractionated by heparin-affinity chromatography. Proteins eluted by 0.4-0.6 M NaCl, which contained most of the cementum mitogenic activity, were precipitated by trichloroacetic acid and resolved by HPLC through ion-exchange and reverse-phase columns. NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the purified preparation contained a M(r) 23,000 protein and this protein was associated with mitogenic activity. The purified cementum-derived growth factor (CGF) was active alone, but at suboptimal concentrations its activity was potentiated by small quantities of plasma-derived serum and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The activity was resistant to heat, but it was destroyed by trypsin digestion. Reduction and alkylation destroyed the mitogenic activity, however electrophoretic mobility was not affected. Binding of EGF to fibroblast membranes was not affected by the CGF and assays to detect platelet-derived growth factor were negative. These characteristics indicated that CGF is a distinct molecular species. Our data show that cementum contains several mitogenic factors and that CGF is the major cementum mitogen.

Somatic mutations of the APC gene in colorectal tumors: mutation cluster region in the APC gene

We examined somatic mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in 63 colorectal tumors (16 adenomas and 47 carcinomas) developed in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and non-FAP patients. In addition to loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the APC locus in 30 tumors, 43 other somatic mutations were detected. Twenty-one of them were point mutations; 16 nonsense and two missense mutations, and three occurred in introns at the splicing site. Twenty-two tumors had frameshift mutations due to deletion or insertion; nineteen of them were deletions of one to 31 bp and three were a 1-bp insertion. One tumor had a 1-bp deletion in an intron near the splicing site. Hence, 41 (95%) of 43 mutations resulted in truncation of the APC protein. Over 60% of the somatic mutations in the APC gene were clustered within a small region of exon 15, designated as MCR (mutation cluster region), which accounted for less than 10% of the coding region. Combining these data and the results of LOH, more than 80% of tumors (14 adenomas and 39 carcinomas) had at least one mutation in the APC gene, of which more than 60% (9 adenomas and 23 carcinomas) had two mutations. These results strongly suggest that somatic mutations of the APC gene are associated with development of a great majority of colorectal tumors.

Distribution of complement regulators (CD46, CD55 and CD59) in skin appendages, and in benign and malignant skin neoplasms

Immunohistochemical studies were performed to establish the distribution of membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46), decay-accelerating (DAF; CD55) and homologous restriction factor (HRF20; CD59), in normal skin appendages, and in benign and malignant skin neoplasms. At least two of these regulators were detected on normal eccrine glands, apocrine glands and sebaceous glands. They were also found in cellular naevi (CN), seborrhoeic keratoses (SK), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Bowen's disease (BD), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Paget's disease (PD). Although there were slight differences in their distribution, these regulators were found in all the cells examined, indicating that they are essential factors in human skin as well as other organs, and in neoplasms, in preventing autologous complement attack.

Germ-line mutations of the APC gene in 53 familial adenomatous polyposis patients

We searched for germ-line mutations of the APC gene in 79 unrelated patients with familial adenomatous polyposis using a ribonuclease protection analysis coupled with polymerase chain reaction amplifications of genomic DNA. Mutations were found in 53 patients (67%); 28 of the mutations were small deletions and 2 were 1- to 2-base-pair insertions; 19 were point mutations resulting in stop codons and only 4 were missense point mutations. Thus, 92% of the mutations were predicted to result in truncations of the APC protein. More than two-thirds (68%) of the mutations were clustered in the 5' half of the last exon, and nearly two-fifths of the total mutations occurred at one of five positions. This information has significant implications for understanding the role of APC mutation in inherited forms of colorectal neoplasia and for designing effective methods for genetic counseling and presymptomatic diagnosis.

Insertion/deletion polymorphism and other restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the MCC gene

The MCC gene is a candidate as a tumor suppressor gene for colorectal neoplasms. Further, MCC is tightly linked to the familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) locus by linkage and physical analysis. Hence, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of this gene might be very useful for presymptomatic diagnosis of individuals in families segregating mutant alleles of the APC gene. Here we report the identification of five polymorphic systems in MCC gene (both cDNA and genomic), one of which is an insertion/deletion polymorphism that is detectable by a polymerase chain reaction method. These five RFLP systems should be useful for linkage studies in FAP and for examining loss of heterozygosity at this locus in colonic polyps and tumors.

The human prohibitin gene located on chromosome 17q21 is mutated in sporadic breast cancer

A gene called "prohibitin" was isolated as a candidate antiproliferating gene in rat liver cells. We have isolated the human homologue of the rat prohibitin gene and mapped it to chromosome 17q12-21 where a gene responsible for hereditary breast cancer was localized. DNA sequence analysis of 2 exons in this gene in 23 sporadic breast cancers, which showed loss of heterozygosity on the long arm of chromosome 17 or developed in patients 35 years old or younger, identified 4 cases of somatic mutation; 2 of these were missense mutations; 1 showed a 2-base deletion resulting in truncation of the gene product due to a frame shift; the other had a C to T transition in an intron adjacent to an intron-exon boundary. These results suggest that this gene may be a tumor suppressor gene and is associated with tumor development and/or progression of at least some breast cancers.

[Transcatheter arterial infusion of adriamycin-lipiodol suspension to patients with metastatic liver tumor]

Adriamycin-Lipiodol suspension was administered to 44 patients with metastatic liver tumor using the transcatheter arterial infusion method. The result revealed 23% in the over all effect (partial response or more) of the therapy which was evaluated by comparing the CT images of the tumor, 47% in the 25% or more of the decrease of the tumor, and 65%, very effective in the decrease of the smaller tumor (less than 50 cm2). Except for a case of hepatic subcapsular hematoma after the infusion of Adriamycin-Lipiodol suspension, minor complications were experienced such as abdominal pain, slight fever, and so on. No serious exacerbation in liver function test and white blood cell count was noted.

Disruption of the APC gene by a retrotransposal insertion of L1 sequence in a colon cancer

The APC gene is responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis and is considered to be a tumor suppressor gene associated with development of sporadic colorectal tumors. Here we report the disruption of the APC gene caused by somatic insertion of a long interspersed repetitive element (LINE-1 sequence) into the last exon of the APC gene in a colon cancer. The inserted sequence was composed of a 3' portion of the LINE-1 consensus sequence and nearly 180 base pairs of polyadenylate tract. Furthermore, since an 8-base pair target site duplication was observed, retrotranscriptional insertion of an active LINE-1 sequence is suspected as the cause of this insertion event. This is the first report of the disruption of a tumor suppressor gene caused by somatic insertion of a mobile genetic element.

Interstitial loss of the same region of 5q in multiple adenomas and a carcinoma derived from an adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) patient

Accumulation of genetic alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes causes the transformation of a normal cell into a malignant cell. Recently, Fearon and Vogelstein (Cell 61:759-767, 1990) reported on a model for the genetic pathway in development of colorectal neoplasia. To investigate genetic alterations in colorectal carcinomas, we examined allelic losses on some chromosomes in adenomas and carcinomas derived from patients with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). We found evidence for an interstitial deletion of 5q. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 5q around the APC locus was observed in both adenoma and carcinoma in one case. The fact that the same region of chromosome 5 was lost in five adenomas and one carcinoma derived from the same patient suggests that a somatic interstitial deletion may be caused not by random mechanisms but by a specific mechanism.

Differential effects of propentofylline on the production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro

The effects of the xanthine derivative propentofylline on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were studied. When PBMCs were cultured with propentofylline in vitro, the production of IL-6 was markedly increased at concentrations of 0.1 to 3.0 mmol/L of propentofylline and the production of IL-1 beta was slightly increased at concentrations of 1.0 to 3.0 mmol/L. However, an insignificant increase in TNF-alpha production was observed. When the effects of propentofylline on the production of IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha by OK-432-stimulated PBMCs were examined, IL-6 secretion was not significantly increased, whereas production of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha were significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrate that propentofylline has a differential effect on the production of IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha by PBMCs, and it is proposed that propentofylline may exert pharmacologic actions on the regulation of the production of cytokines in the central nervous system.

Expression and characterization of membrane co-factor protein (MCP) in human skin

Membrane co-factor protein (MCP; CD46) is an integral membrane protein with molecular weight (MW) of the two species of 63 kD and 55 kD, and regulates autologous complement activation, with the activity of factor I cofactor. The quantity of each species is genetically regulated, and two codominantly inherited allelic variants account for the three phenotypic patterns. By immunohistochemical study, MCP was found both in the intercellular spaces of the epidermis and on the endothelial cells in the dermis of normal human skin in vivo. The intensity of the staining pattern was higher in the basal layer than in the granular layer. By Western blot analysis with use of a monoclonal antibody, MCP in the epidermis appeared as several bands ranged from 60-50 kD, with a major band of 56 kD, which was different from those in either polymorphonuclear cells, platelets, and cultured keratinocytes. No other variants were found in the epidermis obtained from skin of 20 normal humans. Complement activation in human skin may be regulated at several steps, including DAF and HRF20, thereby protecting cells from autologous complement attack.

Frequent loss of heterozygosity at the MCC locus on chromosome 5q21-22 in sporadic colorectal carcinomas

Recent studies have identified a gene on chromosome 5q, designated MCC (mutated in colorectal cancers), as a candidate for the putative colorectal tumor suppressor gene that is located at 5q21. We examined loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the MCC locus and its vicinity in sporadic colorectal carcinomas, using 12 RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) markers. One clone, L5.71, had been used to identify the MCC gene; all 12 markers also had tight linkage to the gene responsible for adenomatous polyposis coli. All 40 cases studied were informative with at least one marker, and 22 of them (55%) showed LOH at one or more loci. LOH in the tumors was more frequent in the immediate vicinity of L5.71 than in distant parts of the chromosome, and a common region of deletion was detected between markers L5.62 and 15A6. In one case, alleles were retained at L5.71 and at loci proximal to L5.71, but alleles were lost at loci distal to L5.71. In another case, both alleles were retained at L5.71 but alleles were lost at loci proximal and distal to L5.71. These results support the conclusion that a tumor suppressor gene for colorectal carcinoma is located within or around locus L5.71.

Mutations of chromosome 5q21 genes in FAP and colorectal cancer patients

Previous studies suggested that one or more genes on chromosome 5q21 are responsible for the inheritance of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Gardner's syndrome (GS), and contribute to tumor development in patients with noninherited forms of colorectal cancer. Two genes on 5q21 that are tightly linked to FAP (MCC and APC) were found to be somatically altered in tumors from sporadic colorectal cancer patients. One of the genes (APC) was also found to be altered by point mutation in the germ line of FAP and GS patients. These data suggest that more than one gene on chromosome 5q21 may contribute to colorectal neoplasia, and that mutations of the APC gene can cause both FAP and GS. The identification of these genes should aid in understanding the pathogenesis of colorectal neoplasia and in the diagnosis and counseling of patients with inherited predispositions to colorectal cancer.

Lectin staining of neoplastic and normal background colorectal mucosa in nonpolyposis and polyposis patients

A lectin histochemistry approach was adopted for comparative assessment of a colon cancer risk. Binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II (GSA-II), and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) was investigated in tumor and background tissue from a total of 34 adenoma and 44 cancer patients and compared with reaction patterns in control and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. Adenoma patients with UEA-I positive rectal mucosa were found to have a 33.3 percent familial history of large bowel cancer, which was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than the respective 4.0 percent figure for patients with negative rectal mucosa. In the cancer patients, an even stronger correlation was noted, with a 63.2 percent UEA-I positive family history association being recorded, as opposed to 4.0 percent in the negative rectal mucosa patients (P less than 0.01). Thus, the results suggest that, apparently, normal rectal background mucosa of individuals genetically at high risk for colon and rectal cancer demonstrates a specific lectin binding ability similar to that of FAP patients and that the simple method using UEA-I staining of rectal biopsy specimens can be of practical use in identification of high-risk colorectal cancer.

Cutaneous mesenchymal hamartoma in the palm

A case of congenital, solitary, cutaneous mesenchymal hamartoma in the palm of the left hand is reported. The mass was composed mainly of an intimate mixture of fibrocollagenous bundles and islands of mature fat cells, distorted blood vessels with smooth muscle in the wall, and eccrine sweat glands. Many mast cells were scattered throughout the fibrocollagenous bundles. The mast cell may be an important cell in this hamartoma.

Typing of Rhodococcus equi isolated from submaxillary lymph nodes of pigs in Japan

Isolation of Rhodococcus equi from the submaxillary lymph nodes of pigs, with or without caseous lymphadenitis, and typing of the isolates by two serological methods were carried out. The rate of isolation of the organisms from the lymph nodes of pigs was 5 times higher in the lymph nodes with caseous lymphadenitis than in those without the lesion. Of 219 isolates, 146 (66.7%) were typable by the method of Prescott, while all the 219 isolates (100%) were typable by the method of Nakazawa et al. The most frequently isolated were serotype 2 of Prescott (identical to serogroup 16 of Nakazawa et al.), and serogroup 3 of Nakazawa et al., which did not correspond with any serotypes of Prescott. Serotypes/serogroups of R. equi from pigs were thus first clarified in Japan.

Selective release of glutathione transferase subunits from primary cultured rat hepatocytes by carbon tetrachloride and deoxycholic acid

The change in the activity of glutathione (GSH) transferases by carbon tetrachloride or deoxycholic acid, which induced hepatotoxicity, was studied using primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The activity of GSH transferases in the hepatocytes was decreased after the treatment with carbon tetrachloride or deoxycholic acid in their concentration- and incubation time-dependent manners. On the other hand, these compounds elicited the release of the activity of GSH transferases into the medium. Glycyrrhizin, an antihepatotoxic agent, inhibited the release of both aspartate transaminase (AST) and GSH transferases induced by carbon tetrachloride or deoxycholic acid. All subunits comprised of GSH transferases could not be released by these compounds. The main subunits of GSH transferases released by hepatotoxicity were identified as 3 and 4. These results indicate that hepatotoxicity is accompanied by the selective release of GSH transferase isozymes (class mu) following the loss of the enzymes activity in the cells.

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis with a giant cutaneous hemangioma on the axilla

A case of diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis is described. At birth, a giant tumor, 10 cm in diameter and 6 cm in height, was present on the left axilla and associated with thrombocytopenia. Numerous cherry-red papules were present on the skin and buccal mucosa. On the second day of life, the giant tumor was excised. Histological examination of the tissue revealed masses of endothelial cells embedded in fibrous tissues. Plain and enhanced computed tomography of the brain revealed a hemorrhage and two hemangiomas. The associations of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia were discussed.

[Cytomolecular aspects of colorectal carcinoma]

This report reviewed recent remarkable progresses on the cytomolecular mechanisms in colorectal carcinogenesis. Colorectal carcinoma is a good model for the study of multi-step progression, because we can obtain adenomatous polyps which are considered as a precancerous form. Furthermore, a familial syndrome, which is characterized by numerous adenomas of the colon, is available for linkage analysis. Recently, the p53 and DCC genes have been identified as candidate tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 17p and 18q respectively. In this paper, we present the multiple genetic alterations in colorectal carcinoma, including activation of K-ras gene and inactivation of tumor suppressor gene such as p53 and DCC genes as well as loss of heterozygosity and approach to the gene responsible for adenomatous polyposis coli by reverse genetics.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in identical twins

Identical twin sisters developed generalized erythema and bullae on skin and mucous membranes at 18 and 19 years of age. Atrophic scars and milia were formed later. Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) study of the separated skin by incubation in 1.0M NaCl showed antibasement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies bound to the dermal side. The HLA-DR typing demonstrated DR2/DW11. Pulse therapy resulted in marked clinical improvement. This is the first report of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) in identical twins and suggests the possibility that the disease may have a genetic component.