Anti‑tumor effects of perampanel in malignant glioma cells

Glioblastoma has a poor prognosis even after multimodal treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients with glioblastoma frequently develop epileptic seizures during the clinical course of the disease and often require antiepileptic drugs. Therefore, agents with both antiepileptic and antitumoral effects may be very useful for glioblastoma treatment. Perampanel, an α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor antagonist, is an antiepileptic drug that is widely used for intractable epilepsy. The present study aimed to assess the potential antitumoral effects of perampanel using malignant glioma cell lines. The cell proliferation inhibitory effect was evaluated using six malignant glioma cell lines (A-172, AM-38, T98G, U-138MG, U-251MG and YH-13). A dose-dependent inhibitory effect of perampanel on cell viability was demonstrated; however, the sensitivity of cells to perampanel varied and further antitumoral effects were demonstrated in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) in certain malignant glioma cells. Furthermore, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction analyses were performed in T98G and U-251MG cells using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated using western blotting. No significant change was demonstrated in the proportions of cells in the G0/G1, S and G2/M phases under 1.0 µM perampanel treatment, whereas induction of apoptosis was demonstrated using FACS at 10 µM perampanel and western blotting at 1.0 µM perampanel in both glioma cell lines. Overexpression of SERPINE1 may be related to poor prognosis in patients with gliomas. The combination of 1.0 µM perampanel and 5.0 µM tiplaxtinin, a SERPINE1 inhibitor, demonstrated further reduced cell viability in perampanel-resistant U-138MG cells, which have high expression levels of SERPINE1. These results indicated that the antitumor effect of perampanel may not be expected for malignant gliomas with higher expression levels of SERPINE1. The findings of the present study suggested that the antiepileptic drug perampanel may also have an antitumor effect through the induction of apoptosis, which is increased when combined with TMZ in certain malignant glioma cells. These findings also suggested that SERPINE1 expression may be involved in perampanel susceptibility. These results may lead to new therapeutic strategies for malignant glioma.

Interleukin-6 sensitizes TNF-α and TRAIL/Apo2L dependent cell death through upregulation of death receptors in human cancer cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) enhanced TNF-α and TRAIL/Apo2L induced cell death in various human cancer cells derived from malignant glioma, melanoma, breast cancer and leukemia, although the effect was not detected with IL-6 alone. The effects of IL-6 using SKBR3 cells were associated with the generation of apoptotic cells as analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. IL-6 activated p53 and upregulated TRAIL death receptors (DR-4 and DR-5) and stimulated the TNF-α and TRAIL dependent extrinsic apoptotic pathway without activation of the p53 mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway. TNF-α and TRAIL induced cleavage of caspase-8 and caspase-3 was more enhanced by IL-6, although these caspases were not cleaved by IL-6 alone. The dead cell generation elicited by the combination with IL-6 was blocked by anti-human TRAIL R2/TNFRSF10B Fc chimera antibody which can neutralize the DR-5 mediated death signal. These findings indicate that IL-6 could contribute to the enhancement of TNF-α or TRAIL induced apoptosis through p53 dependent upregulation of DR-4 and DR-5. The data suggest that a favorable therapeutic interaction could occur between TNF-α or TRAIL and IL-6, and provide an experimental basis for rational clinical treatments in various cancers.

Antitumor effects of ribavirin in combination with TMZ and IFN-β in malignant glioma cells

The prognosis of gioblastoma, the standard chemotherapy agent for which is temozolomide (TMZ), remains poor despite recent advances in multimodal treatments. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and develop novel therapeutics for this malignant disease. Ribavirin, an anti-viral agent which is one of the standard agents for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in combination with interferon (IFN), was recently revealed to have an antitumor potential towards various tumor cells, including malignant glioma cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the antitumor effect of ribavirin in combination with TMZ and IFN-β on glioma cells and to evaluate the possibility that such combinations might represent a novel candidate for glioblastoma therapy. The combination of ribavirin with TMZ and IFN-β displayed a significant cell growth inhibitory effect with a ribavirin dose-dependency, including a relatively low concentration of ribavirin, on not only TMZ-sensitive but also TMZ-resistant malignant glioma cells. The antitumor efficacy of such a combination further indicated a synergistic interaction when assessed by the Chou-Talalay method. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis suggested that apoptosis induction was one of the possible biological processes underlying the synergistic antitumor effect of these triple combination treatments. Therefore, such combinations may be potentially important in the clinical setting for glioblastoma treatment, although further detailed studies, e.g. on the adverse effects, are required.

Antitumor effect of lenalidomide in malignant glioma cell lines

Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor exhibiting highly aggressive proliferation and invasion capacities. Despite treatment by aggressive surgical resection and adjuvant therapy including temozolomide and radiation therapy, patient prognosis remains poor. Lenalidomide, a derivative of thalidomide, is known to be an immunomodulatory agent that has been used to treat hematopoietic malignancies. There are numerous studies revealing an antitumor effect of lenalidomide in hematopoietic cells, but not in glioma cells. The present study aimed to demonstrate the antitumor effect of lenalidomide on malignant glioma cell lines. The growth inhibition of malignant glioma cells (A-172, AM-38, T98G, U-138MG, U-251MG, and YH-13) by lenalidomide was assessed using a Coulter counter. The mechanism of the antitumor effect of lenalidomide was examined employing a fluorescence-activated cell sorter, western blot analysis, and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in malignant glioma cell lines (A-172, AM-38). The results revealed that the number of malignant glioma cells was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner by lenalidomide. DNA flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an increase in the ratio of cells at the G₀/G₁ phase following lenalidomide treatment. Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR revealed that p53 activation and the expression of p21 were increased in glioma cells treated with lenalidomide. Western blot analysis revealed that cleavage of PARP did not occur; however, increased expression of Bax protein, cleavage of caspase-9 and cleavage of caspase-3 were confirmed. Analysis by FACS also supported the conclusion that little apoptosis induction occurred following lenalidomide treatment of malignant glioma cell lines. In conclusion, lenalidomide exerts an antitumor effect on glioma cells due to alterations in cell cycle distribution.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 is highly expressed in glioma stem cells

Recent research has revealed that glioblastoma (GBM) avoids the immune system via strong expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). IDO1, an enzyme involved in tryptophan metabolism, is now proposed as a new target in GBM treatment, since several reports have demonstrated that IDO1 expression is related to GBM malignancy. On the other hand, it is well known that glioma stem cells (GSCs) are strongly related to the malignancy of GBM. However, there is as yet no report evaluating the relationship between GSCs and IDO1. We therefore examined the expression levels of IDO1 in GSCs in order to identify a new therapeutic target for GBM based on the immune systems of GSCs. In the present study, we employed human GBM cell lines (U-138MG, U-251MG) and patient-derived GSC model cell lines (0125-GSC, 0222-GSC). GSC model cell lines Rev-U-138MG and Rev-U-251MG were established by culturing U-138MG and U-251MG in serum-free media, while differentiated GBM model cell lines 0125-DGC and 0222-DGC were established by culturing 0125-GSC and 0222-GSC in serum-containing media. The expression levels of stem cell markers (Nanog, Nestin, Oct4 and Sox2) and IDO1 protein and mRNA were determined. Rev-U-138MG and Rev-U-251MG formed spheres and their expression levels of stem cell markers were increased as compared to U-138MG and U-251MG. On the other hand, 0125-DGC and 0222-DGC suffered breakdown of sphere formation, despite the original 0125-GSC and 0222-GSC forming spheres, and their expression levels of the markers were decreased. IDO1 expressions were strongly recognized in Rev-U-138MG, Rev-U-251MG, 0125-GSC and 0222-GSC as compared to U-138MG, U-251MG, 0125-DGC and 0222-DGC. These findings demonstrate that GSCs exhibit treatment resistance with immunosuppression via high expression levels of IDO1, and could represent a novel target for GBM treatment.

IFN‑β sensitizes TRAIL‑induced apoptosis by upregulation of death receptor 5 in malignant glioma cells

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, induces apoptosis in cancer cells by binding to its receptors, death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5, without affecting normal cells, and is therefore considered to be a promising antitumor agent for use in cancer treatment. However, several studies have indicated that most glioma cell lines display resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. To overcome such resistance and to improve the efficacy of TRAIL-based therapies, identification of ideal agents for combinational treatment is important for achieving rational clinical treatment in glioblastoma patients. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether interferon-β (IFN-β) (with its pleiotropic antitumor activities) could sensitize malignant glioma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis using glioma cell lines. TRAIL exhibited a dose-dependent antitumor effect in all of the 7 types of malignant glioma cell lines, although the intensity of the effect varied among the cell lines. In addition, combined treatment with TRAIL (low clinical dose: 1 ng/ml) and IFN-β (clinically relevant concentration: 10 IU/ml) in A-172, AM-38, T98G, U-138MG and U-251MG demonstrated a more marked antitumor effect than TRAIL alone. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of the combined treatment with TRAIL and IFN-β may be enhanced via an extrinsic apoptotic system, and upregulation of DR5 was revealed to play an important role in this process in U-138MG cells. These findings provide an experimental basis to suggest that combined treatment with TRAIL and IFN-β may offer a new therapeutic strategy for malignant gliomas.

Interferon-β sensitizes human malignant melanoma cells to temozolomide-induced apoptosis and autophagy

Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer that is highly resistant to chemotherapy. Adjuvant therapy is administered to patients with melanoma that possess no microscopic metastases or have a high risk of developing microscopic metastases. Methylating agents, including dacarbazine (DTIC) and temozolomide (TMZ), pegylated interferon (IFN)‑α2b and interleukin‑2 have been approved for adjuvant immuno‑chemotherapy; however, unsatisfactory results have been reported following the administration of methylating agents. IFN‑β has been considered to be a signaling molecule with an important therapeutic potential in cancer. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether antitumor effects could be augmented by the combination of TMZ and IFN‑β in malignant melanoma. We evaluated the efficacy of TMZ and IFN‑β by comparing O6‑methylguanine‑DNA transferase (MGMT)‑proficient and ‑deficient cells, as MGMT has been reported to be associated with the resistance to methylating agents. Cell viability was determined by counting living cells with a Coulter counter, and apoptosis was analyzed by dual staining with Annexin V Alexa Fluor® 488 and propidium iodide. The expression of proteins involved in the cell cycle, apoptosis and autophagy was evaluated by western blot analysis. The combined treatment with TMZ and IFN‑β suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest. We also demonstrated that a combination of TMZ and IFN‑β enhanced apoptosis and autophagy more efficiently compared with TMZ treatment alone. These findings suggest that antitumor activity may be potentiated by IFN‑β in combination with TMZ.

Promotion of TRAIL/Apo2L-induced apoptosis by low-dose interferon-β in human malignant melanoma cells

Interferon β (IFN-β) is considered a signaling molecule with important therapeutic potential in cancer since IFN-β-induced gene transcription mediates antiproliferation and cell death induction. Whereas, TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand/Apo2 ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) has emerged as a promising anticancer agent because it induces apoptosis specifically in cancer cells. In this study, we elucidated that IFN-β augments TRAIL-induced apoptosis synergistically using five human malignant melanoma cells. All of these cells were induced apoptosis by TRAIL. Whereas, the response against IFN-β was different in amelanotic cells (A375 and CRL1579) and melanotic cells (G361, SK-MEL-28, and MeWo). The responsibility of amelanotic cells against IFN-β was higher than those of melanotic cells. The synergism of IFN-β and TRAIL were correlated with the responsibilities of the cells against IFN-β. The synergistic interaction was confirmed by a combination index based on the Chou-Talalay method. The upregulation of apoptosis in amelanotic cells was caused by very low doses of IFN-β (over 0.1 IU/ml). Both of p53-mediated intrinsic pathway and Fas-related extrinsic pathway were activated by IFN-β alone and combination with TRAIL. Further, TRAIL death receptors (DR4 and DR5) were upregulated by a low-dose IFN-β (over 0.1 IU/ml) and the expression was more promoted by the combination with TRAIL. It was clarified that the upregulation of DR5 is associated with the declination of viability.

Efficacy of ribavirin against malignant glioma cell lines: Follow-up study

Ribavirin, a nucleic acid analog, has been employed as an antiviral agent against RNA and DNA viruses and has become the standard agent used for chronic hepatitis C in combination with interferon-α2a. Furthermore, the potential antitumor efficacy of ribavirin has attracted increasing interest. Recently, we demonstrated a dose-dependent antitumor effect of ribavirin for seven types of malignant glioma cell lines. However, the mechanism underlying the antitumor effect of ribavirin has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to provide further relevant data using two types of malignant glioma cell lines (U-87MG and U-138MG) with different expression of MGMT. Dotted accumulations of γH2AX were found in the nuclei and increased levels of ATM and phosphorylated ATM protein expression were also observed following ribavirin treatment (10 µM of ribavirin, clinical relevant concentration) in both the malignant glioma cells, indicating double-strand breaks as one possible mechanism underlying the antitumor effect of ribavirin. In addition, based on assessements using FACS, ribavirin treatment tended to increase the G₀/G₁ phase, with a time-lapse, indicating the induction of G₀/G₁-phase arrest. Furthermore, an increased phosphorylated p53 and p21 protein expression was confirmed in both glioma cells. Additionally, analysis by FACS indicated that apoptosis was induced following ribavirin treatment and caspase cascade, downstream of the p53 pathway, which indicated the activation of both exogenous and endogenous apoptosis in both malignant glioma cell lines. These findings may provide an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of glioblastomas with ribavirin.

Antitumorigenic effect of interferon-β by inhibition of undifferentiated glioblastoma cells

Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) are undifferentiated cells that are considered to be an origin of glioblastomas. Furthermore, they may contribute to treatment resistance and recurrence in glioblastomas. GSCs differentiate into differentiated glioma cells (non-glioma stem-like cells: non-GSCs), and interconversion might occur between GSCs and non-GSCs. We investigated whether interferon-beta (IFN-β) could exert any efficacy towards GSCs or such interconversion processes. The neural stem cell marker CD133 and pluripotency marker Nanog in GSCs were analyzed to evaluate their differentiation levels. GSCs were considered to undergo differentiation into non-GSCs upon serum exposure, since the expression of CD133 and Nanog in the GSCs was negatively affected. Furthermore, the cells regained their undifferentiated features upon removal of the serum. However, we verified that IFN-β reduced cell proliferation and tumor sphere formation in GSCs, and induced suppression of the restoration of such undifferentiated features. In addition, we also confirmed that IFN-β suppressed the acquisition process of undifferentiated features in human malignant glioma cell lines. Our data thus suggest that IFN-β could be an effective agent not only through its cell growth inhibitory effect on GSCs but also as a means of targeting the interconversion between GSCs and non-GSCs, indicating the possibility of IFN-β being used to prevent treatment resistance and recurrence in glioblastomas, via the inhibition of undifferentiated features.

Characterization of glioma stem-like cells from human glioblastomas

Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) could have potential for tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence (GSC hypothesis). However, the mechanisms underlying such potential has remained elusive and few ultrastructural features of the cells have been reported in detail. We therefore undertook observations of the antigenic characteristics and ultrastructural features of GSCs isolated from human glioblastomas. Tumor spheres formed by variable numbers of cells, exhibiting a variable appearance in both their size and shape, were frequently seen in GSCs expressing the stem cell surface markers CD133 and CD15. Increased cell nucleus atypia, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, coated vesicles, and microvilli, were noted in the GSCs. Furthermore, cells at division phases and different phases of the apoptotic process were occasionally observed. These findings could imply that GSCs have certain relations with human neural stem cells (NSCs) but are primitively different from undifferentiated NSCs. The data may provide support for the GSC hypothesis, and also facilitate the establishment of future glioblastoma treatments targeting GSCs.

Differential Effects of IFN-β on the Survival and Growth of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells

It has been documented that interferon (IFN)-β is effective against the genesis of atherosclerosis or hyperplastic arterial disease in animal model. The main mechanism of the efficacy was antiproliferative action on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). To understand more about the mechanisms that are responsible for the efficacy, we examined minutely the effects of IFN-β on the apoptosis and growth of vascular SMC and endothelial cells (EC). IFN-β enhanced SMC apoptosis in serum starved medium. Conversely, EC apoptosis induced by serum and growth factor deprivation was inhibited by IFN-β. The induction of SMC apoptosis and anti-apoptotic effect on EC linked to the expression of pro-apoptotic bax mRNA and caspase-3 activities. Anti-apoptotic bcl-2 mRNA was also up-regulated in EC. IFN-β inhibited SMC growth in a dose dependent manner. However, the growth of EC was rather enhanced by a low dose of IFNs. The antiproliferative effect on SMC associated with the activation of p21 and increase of G0/G1 arrested cells. The growth stimulation on EC was considered to link with increase of S and G2/M phase cells. SMC produced IFN-β in response to various stimulants. However, IFN-β was not induced in EC. These suggested that endogenous IFN-β from SMC may act on EC and affect to EC functions. In this study, it was clarified that IFN-β enhances SMC apoptosis and inhibits the EC apoptosis, and stimulates the EC growth. These effects were considered to contribute to a cure against hyperplastic arterial diseases as the mechanisms in the efficacy of IFN-β.

Efficacy of ribavirin against malignant glioma cell lines

Ribavirin (1-β-D-ribofuranosy-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) has been widely administered as an antiviral agent against RNA and DNA viruses. Ribavirin, in combination with interferon, has predominantly been applied in the treatment of the hepatitis C virus infection and its potential antitumor efficacy has recently become a point of interest. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ribavirin on the growth of malignant glioma cells, to identify novel predictive genes in malignant glioma cells (by analyzing gene expression profiles) and to assess the influence of ribavirin on the cell cycle of malignant glioma cells. The present study evaluated the antitumor efficacy of ribavirin against various malignant glioma cell lines (A-172, AM-38, T98G, U-87MG, U-138MG, U-251MG and YH-13). After culturing the cells in ribavirin-containing culture medium (final concentration, 0–1,000 μM) for 72 h, the viable proliferated cells were harvested and counted. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of ribavirin, with regard to the growth of the malignant glioma cell lines, was determined from the concentration of ribavirin required for 50% growth inhibition in comparison to the untreated control cells. Furthermore, the current study identified the genes in which the gene expression levels correlated with the ribavirin sensitivity of the malignant glioma cells lines, using a high-density oligonucleotide array. Finally, cell cycle analysis was performed on the U-87MG cell line. It was identified that ribavirin inhibited the growth of all of the malignant glioma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, although the ribavirin sensitivity varied between each cell line. Of the extracted genes, PDGFRA demonstrated the strongest positive correlation between gene expression level and ribavirin sensitivity. Cell cycle analysis of the U-87MG cell line demonstrated that ribavirin treatment induces G0/G1 arrest and thus may be an effective agent for inhibiting malignant glioma cell growth. Therefore, the results of the current study indicate that ribavirin may have potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of malignant gliomas.

Type 1 IFN inhibits the growth factor deprived apoptosis of cultured human aortic endothelial cells and protects the cells from chemically induced oxidative cytotoxicity

It has been shown that the genesis of atherosclerotic lesions is resulted from the injury of vascular endothelial cells and the cell damage is triggered by oxygen radicals generated from various tissues. Human vascular endothelial cells can survive and proliferate depending on growth factors such as VEGF or basic FGF and are induced apoptosis by the deprivation of growth factor or serum. It was found that type 1 IFN inhibits the growth factor deprived cell death of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and protects the cells from chemically induced oxidative cytotoxicity. The anti-apoptotic effects of type 1 IFN were certified by flow cytometry using annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining and cell cycle analysis, fluorescence microscopy using Hoechst33342 and PI, colorimetric assay for caspase-3 activity, p53 and bax mRNA expressions, and cell counts. It was considered that IFN-β inhibits the executive late stage apoptosis from the results of annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining and the inhibition of caspase-3 activity, and that the anti-apoptotic effect might be owing to the direct inhibition of the apoptotic pathway mediated by p53 from the transient down-regulation of bax mRNA expression. Whereas, type 1 IFN protected the cells from the oxidative cytotoxicity induced by tertiary butylhydroperoxide (TBH) under the presence of Ca(2+). The effects of IFN-β is more potent inhibitor of cell death than IFN-α. These results indicate that type 1 IFN, especially IFN-β may be useful for the diseases with vascular endothelium damage such as atherosclerosis or restenosis after angioplasty as a medical treatment or a prophylactic.

Establishment of a microcarrier culture system with serial sub-cultivation for functionally active human endothelial cells

A microcarrier culture system was established for a large-scale production of functional human endothelial cells. It has been difficult to cultivate human endothelial cells in large quantities for the reasons that specific growth factor and extracellular matrix are required for the survival and proliferation of the cells and the life span of the primary cells are limited. A lot of studies have reported that the shear stress gives significant influences on the structure, growth rate and biological functions of endothelial cells. We aimed to develop a convenient microcarrier culture system for human endothelial cells which can reproduce the flow effects experienced in vivo or in vitro. In 200 mL volume culture, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) could be serially sub-cultivated by optimizing the culture conditions such as shear strength, growth factor, beads and seeding cell concentration, serum concentration, and passage timing. The growth rate was enhanced depending on the shear strength and the life span of the cells was elongated until over 43PDL which is much longer than those of monolayer cultures. The cells maintained the diploidy of over 80% without obvious abnormal changes in the chromosomes. The serially sub-cultured microcarrier cells maintained various endothelial cell functions such as the syntheses of von Willebrand factor (vWf), prostacyclin and other biological substances, the expression of CD31, and the VEGF(165) dependent growth characteristic. The synthesis of biological products was affected by shear strength. In the case of prostacyclin, a different synthesis response was observed between steady flow and transiently reduced shear strength. The synthesis of endothelin-1 (ET-1) was down-regulated by increase of shear strength different from those of other products. The culture system was scaled up until 2 L volume under the optimum DO control. The cells synthesized IL-6 in response to shear strength. These results indicate that the established microcarrier system might be able to contribute to the supply of functional human endothelial cells for various medical applications such as the reconstruction of injured blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis or restenosis of coronary arteries after angioplasty, and the construction of an anti-coagulable artificial blood vessel or an artificial skin with good transplant-ability.

Gene expression profiles predicting the response to IFN-β and a combination of temozolomide and IFN-β in malignant gliomas

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating agent that has yielded significant benefits and is a current standard agent in the treatment of malignant gliomas. However, its survival benefit remains unsatisfactory. Recently, a synergistic antitumor effect between TMZ and interferon-β (IFN-β) was reported in malignant glioma cells. The Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) brain tumor study group has recently began a randomized phase II study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of combination therapy with TMZ and IFN-β in glioblastomas. However, it is not sufficient just to evaluate the mechanisms and establish an experimental basis for rational clinical therapy with IFN-β and TMZ. The precise mechanisms governing the direct effects of IFN-β and a combination of IFN-β and TMZ in gliomas are not yet fully understood. To gain insight into the mechanisms of sensitivity/resistance involving IFN-β and combination therapy with IFN-β and TMZ, and further to identify new marker(s) that could be used clinically to predict the response to such therapy and new target gene(s) for therapies related to malignant glioma patho-genesis, we evaluated the gene expression profiles of human malignant glioma cell lines employing a high-density oligo-nucleotide DNA array, GeneChip. We present a list of the most highly upregulated and downregulated genes which may be involved in conferring a response to IFN-β and synergistic effect between IFN-β and TMZ in malignant gliomas. Although the present study has several limitations, our reported candidate genes could represent not only potential molecular markers but also chemotherapy targets for improving the treatment outcome by devising strategies that are able to circumvent primary drug resistance in malignant gliomas.

Targeted-glycosylation of "non-core region" of interleukin-11 modulates its biological function. (57.15)

Human interleukin-11 (hIL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine administered to patients for recovering low platelet counts. From a structural point of view hIL-11 belongs to the long-helix cytokine superfamily, which is characterized by a conserved core motif consisting of four alpha-helices. We have investigated the region of hIL-11 that does not belong to the alpha-helical bundle motif, which we have termed “non-core region”. The interleukin was N- or O-glycosylated at specific positions within the non-core region, and the functional consequences of these modifications were examined in cell-based as well as biophysical assays. The data indicated that the non-core region modulates the function of hIL-11 in two ways. First, most of the muteins displayed enhanced cell-stimulatory properties (super-agonist behavior) in a glycosylation-dependent manner, suggesting that the non-core region is biologically designed to limit the cell-proliferative potential of hIL-11. Second, glycosylation of a predicted mini alpha-helix led to cytokine inactivation, demonstrating that this structural element interacts with a second gp130 receptor. These findings have unveiled new and unexpected elements modulating the biological activity of hIL-11, which may be exploited to develop more versatile medications based on this important cytokine. Yanaka S et al. J. Biol. Chem. in press. (2011)

Non-core region modulates interleukin-11 signaling activity: generation of agonist and antagonist variants

Human interleukin-11 (hIL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine administered to patients with low platelet counts. From a structural point of view hIL-11 belongs to the long-helix cytokine superfamily, which is characterized by a conserved core motif consisting of four α-helices. We have investigated the region of hIL-11 that does not belong to the α-helical bundle motif, and that for the purpose of brevity we have termed "non-core region." The primary sequence of the interleukin was altered at various locations within the non-core region by introducing glycosylation sites. Functional consequences of these modifications were examined in cell-based as well as biophysical assays. Overall, the data indicated that the non-core region modulates the function of hIL-11 in two ways. First, the majority of muteins displayed enhanced cell-stimulatory properties (superagonist behavior) in a glycosylation-dependent manner, suggesting that the non-core region is biologically designed to limit the full potential of hIL-11. Second, specific modification of a predicted mini α-helix led to cytokine inactivation, demonstrating that this putative structural element belongs to site III engaging a second copy of cell-receptor gp130. These findings have unveiled new and unexpected elements modulating the biological activity of hIL-11, which may be exploited to develop more versatile medications based on this important cytokine.

Gene expression profiling predicts response to temozolomide in malignant gliomas

Malignant gliomas are highly lethal neoplasms that cannot be cured with currently available therapies. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a recently introduced alkylating agent that has yielded significant benefits and become a key agent in the treatment of high-grade gliomas. However, its survival benefit remains unsatisfactory. Understanding the molecular basis of TMZ sensitivity/resistance is necessary for improving the treatment outcome by devising strategies that are able to circumvent primary drug resistance. We therefore combined the in vitro TMZ response with microarray gene expression data to identify genes that could potentially be used to predict the response of malignant gliomas to TMZ therapy. We first obtained the individual IC50 values for TMZ in seven malignant glioma cell lines (A-172, AM-38, T98G, U-87MG, U-138MG, U-251MG and YH-13) and then identified the genes whose expression correlated most highly with TMZ sensitivity employing a cDNA microarray. We present here a list of the most highly up-regulated and down-regulated genes which may be involved in conferring TMZ sensitivity/resistance in malignant gliomas, although most of the genes have not been implicated as a causal factor in the TMZ response except MGMT. We also demonstrated and confirmed the MGMT methylation status, quantitative MGMT mRNA levels, and MGMT protein expression levels in TMZ resistant glioma cells in vitro. Our results are thus consistent with previous studies and suggest that a dominant mechanism conferring sensitivity/resistance to TMZ exists in malignant glioma cells. Although the present study dose have several limitations, our reported candidate genes could represent not only potential molecular markers for TMZ sensitivity/resistance but also chemotherapy targets. Furthermore, the present study could provide a foundation for alternative therapeutic strategies including novel combination treatments that incorporate additional reagents directed at overcoming resistance to TMZ.

Effect of IFN-beta on human glioma cell lines with temozolomide resistance

Human interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is known to exhibit pleiotropic biological activities including antitumor effects. On the other hand, temozolomide (TMZ), an oral bioavailable alkylating agent with excellent tolerability, has demonstrated efficacy and has become a key therapeutic agent in patients with malignant gliomas; however, its survival benefit remains unsatisfactory. More recent studies have indicated that there might be favorable therapeutic interactions between IFN-beta and TMZ, although the therapeutic advantages of such a combination have not yet been fully explored. The main aim of the present study was to determine whether an antitumor effect could be potentiated by a combination of IFN-beta and TMZ. The antitumor effect of and cell sensitivity to IFN-beta and TMZ and the synergistic potential of IFN-beta and TMZ in combination were evaluated in six malignant glioma cell lines. Correlations among the MGMT methylation status, quantitative level of MGMT mRNA, MGMT protein expression and the antitumor effect of these agents were also evaluated, since one of the most prominent resistance mechanisms to TMZ involves the DNA repair protein MGMT. The cell growth inhibitory effects of IFN-beta and TMZ on all tumor cell lines were observed in a dose-dependent manner, and the human malignant glioma-derived cell lines differed in their sensitivity to TMZ. The MGMT status, including promoter hypermethylation, quantitative mRNA expression and protein expression, was strongly correlated with TMZ sensitivity. A synergistic cell growth inhibitory effect and down-regulated MGMT mRNA levels were significantly observed when a clinically achievable CNS dose of IFN-beta was combined with TMZ, as compared to treatment with IFN-beta or TMZ alone in TMZ-resistant T98G cells. Furthermore, significant amounts of endogenous IFN-beta protein were detected in TMZ-treated T98G cells by ELISA. These results suggest that the clinical therapeutic efficacy of TMZ might be improved by a combination with IFN-beta in malignant gliomas unmethylated at the MGMT gene. The data provide an experimental basis for future strategies in TMZ chemotherapy, although further studies are needed to determine the detailed role of combined IFN-beta and TMZ chemotherapy in increasing tumor sensitivity.

Contributions of interfacial residues of human Interleukin15 to the specificity and affinity for its private alpha-receptor

Human interleukin 15 (hIL15) is a soluble cytokine that plays a key role in the maintenance of long-lasting responses against pathogens and a valuable target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we sought to elucidate the thermodynamic basis of the recognition mechanism for its private alpha-receptor (hIL15Ralpha), considered the first step of the interleukin's activation pathway. Binding of wild-type hIL15 to its alpha-receptor is characterized by a very slow dissociation rate constant and driven by a favorable enthalpy change. We further studied the kinetic and energetic consequences of substituting residues of hIL15 located at the contact interface by means of the surface plasmon resonance technique. Replacement of negatively charged residues with Ala indicates that the energetics of interaction is primarily driven by electrostatic forces, manifested by a dramatic acceleration of the dissociation step and a reduction of favorable binding enthalpy. Our analyses also unveiled a novel and critical role for residue Tyr26 in the interaction, which facilitates desolvation of key charged residues during the assembly of the complex. These results were rationalized in terms of a previously reported structure of hIL15.hIL15alpha, demonstrating that the binding energetics is dominated by interactions occurring at three hot spots whose spatial locations coincide with a previously proposed structural division of the contact interface in three regions. Specifically, Region 1 is the main contributor to the binding energy of the complex by establishing very favorable electrostatic interactions with the receptor; Region 2 is also dominated by electrostatic forces, although of a lesser intensity; and Region 3 confers specificity to the association by means of high shape complementarity and by bringing additional stabilization energy to the complex. The biological impact of hIL15 mutations with the most effect on alpha-receptor binding was evaluated in a cell-based proliferation assay, validating the conclusions of our thermodynamic analyses and highlighting the functional importance of molecular contacts that promote prolonged binding of the interleukin to the alpha-receptor. In closing, the thermodynamics and physicochemical nature of the interactions observed in IL15h.IL15Ralpha complex, together with interactions in Region 3 of the interleukin, poses a stark contrast with the structurally related and sometimes functionally redundant interleukin 2.

Emission of terahertz radiation from dual grating gate plasmon-resonant emitters fabricated with InGaP/InGaAs/GaAs material systems

This paper reviews recent advances in our original 2D-plasmon-resonant terahertz emitters. The structure is based on a high-electron-mobility transistor and featured with doubly interdigitated grating gates. The dual grating gates can alternately modulate the 2D electron densities to periodically distribute the plasmonic cavities along the channel, acting as an antenna. The device can emit broadband terahertz radiation even at room temperature from self-oscillating 2D plasmons under the DC-biased conditions. When the device is subjected to laser illumination, photo-generated carriers stimulate the plasma oscillation, resulting in enhancement of the emission. The first sample was fabricated with standard GaAs-based heterostructure material systems, achieving room temperature terahertz emission. The second sample was fabricated in a double-decked HEMT structure in which the grating gate metal layer was replaced with the semiconducting upper-deck 2D electron layer, resulting in enhancement of emission by one order of magnitude.

A possible role of autogenous IFN-beta for cytokine productions in human fibroblasts

It has been already known that human diploid fibroblasts are able to produce not only high levels of IFN-beta but also various kinds of cytokines by poly rI: poly rC, and some inflammatory cytokines are induced by IFN-beta gene activation. We also obtained similar results. However, in our system, cytokine productions were extremely enhanced by treating the cells with a low dose of type 1 IFN and the priming effects on cytokine productions were blocked by cycloheximide similar to those on IFN-beta productions. Most of cytokines were produced later than IFN-beta and synthesis patterns of their mRNA showed the same phenomena. We made clear that cytokine productions by poly rI: poly rC are mediated by secreted IFN-beta at a protein level using a monoclonal antibody against human IFN-beta. Further, it was shown that intra-cellular IFN-beta which is not secreted might also participate in cytokine productions. Meanwhile, IL-1beta induced various kinds of cytokines in human fibroblasts and production time courses of these cytokines were similar to those of poly rI: poly rC induced cytokines. Although secreted IFN-beta was not detected in IL-1beta stimulated culture, expression of IFN-beta mRNA was augmented. These results showed that priming effects of type 1 IFN on cytokine productions by poly rI: poly rC might not be the direct action, but successive IFN-beta production might be essential in the production processes of other cytokines. Further, it was suggested that inducible IFN-beta might also take part in IL-1beta-induced cytokine productions.

A nursing tool validated as an effective measure over MMSE and FAB in dementia

AIM

To evaluate the clinical use of the Abilities Assessment Instrument (AAI) when used together with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), thus examining the concurrent validity of the instrument. Also, to evaluate the effect of a learning program administered for elders with dementia.

METHODS

Fourteen older people, who were afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, were invited into a learning program. Measures were taken at baseline, at 3 months and 6 months to see the effects of the program. Instruments used in the study were the AAI, the MMSE and the FAB.

FINDINGS

There were statistically significant differences measured by the Japanese version of the AAI in the subjects' abilities to perform the learning tasks between 3 and 6 months after intervention. No statistical significant differences were noted at any points in time measured by the MMSE or the FAB.

CONCLUSION

The translated AAI promises to be a valid instrument for nurses' use in their day-to-day assessment of Japanese elders. The AAI appears also to be useful in learning programs with this population, and may have value as a screening tool.

Movement of viruses between biomes

Viruses are abundant in all known ecosystems. In the present study, we tested the possibility that viruses from one biome can successfully propagate in another. Viral concentrates were prepared from different near-shore marine sites, lake water, marine sediments, and soil. The concentrates were added to microcosms containing dissolved organic matter as a food source (after filtration to allow 100-kDa particles to pass through) and a 3% (vol/vol) microbial inoculum from a marine water sample (after filtration through a 0.45-microm-pore-size filter). Virus-like particle abundances were then monitored using direct counting. Viral populations from lake water, marine sediments, and soil were able to replicate when they were incubated with the marine microbes, showing that viruses can move between different ecosystems and propagate. These results imply that viruses can laterally transfer DNA between microbes in different biomes.

Identification of interleukin-8 converting enzyme as cathepsin L

IL-8 is produced by various cells, and the NH(2)-terminal amino acid sequence of IL-8 displays heterogeneity among cell types. The mature form of IL-8 has 72 amino acids (72IL-8), while a precursor form (77IL-8) of IL-8 has five additional amino acids to the 72IL-8 NH(2)-terminal. However, it has been unclear how IL-8 is processed to yield the mature form. In this study, converting enzyme was purified as a single 31-kDa band on silver-stained polyacrylamide gel from 160 l of cultured fibroblast supernatant by sequential chromatography. NH(2)-terminal amino acid sequence analysis revealed a sequence, EAPRSVDWRE, which was identified as a partial sequence of cathepsin L. Polyclonal antibodies raised against cathepsin L recognized the purified converting enzyme on Western blot. Moreover, human hepatic cathepsin L cleaved 77IL-8 between Arg(5) and Ser(6), which is the same cleavage site as the putative converting enzyme, resulting in 72IL-8 formation. These data indicate that the converting enzyme of the partially purified fraction of the human fibroblast culture supernatant was cathepsin L. Furthermore, 72IL-8 was sevenfold more potent than 77IL-8 in a neutrophil chemotaxis assay. These results show that cathepsin L is secreted from human fibroblasts in response to external stimuli and plays an important role in IL-8 processing in inflammatory sites.

New functions of lactoferrin and beta-casein in mammalian milk as cysteine protease inhibitors

We found new inhibitory function of lactoferrin and beta-casein in milk against cysteine proteases using reverse zymography. The inhibition of cathepsin L by lactoferrin was strongest and the inhibition kinetics were of a non-competitive type. Heat denatured lactoferrin lost the inhibitory activity completely, therefore the tertiary structure is essential to show the inhibition. Native lactoferrin was not degraded by papain during the assay condition. The intramolecular peptide, Y(679)-K(695), of lactoferrin is an active domain and the synthesized peptide inhibited cysteine proteases. The Y(679)-K(695) peptide showed 90% homology with the sequences of a common active site of cystatin family. beta-Casein and the active domain, synthesized L(133)-Q(151), peptide inhibited cysteine proteases. Lactoferrin and beta-casein in milk might play a role in antiseptic and antiinfectious functions due to cysteine protease inhibition of bacteria and viruses.

Possible identity of IL-8 converting enzyme in human fibroblasts as a cysteine protease

A converting activity was characterized in human diploid fibroblasts, which secrete 72IL-8 and 77IL-8 in treatment with IFN-beta and poly I: poly C. 77IL-8 was significantly converted to 72IL-8 by a partially purified fraction of the culture supernatant of human diploid fibroblasts. The converting activity, which was temperature-dependent and optimal at pH 6, was completely inhibited by cysteine protease inhibitors, antipain dihydrochloride and E-64, but not by other types of protease inhibitors. These data clearly show that human diploid fibroblasts are capable of processing IL-8 to produce a mature IL-8 and that the putative converting enzyme appears to be a cysteine protease.

[Three-channeled aortic dissection: selection of surgery based on the images]

Three patients with 3-channeled dissection were operated upon. Images of the dissection were enlargement of the false lumens, compression of the true lumen by enlarged false lumens and visceral arteries of false lumen origin. These prevent the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cause malperfusion of the viscera. Three-channeled dissecion is easy to rupture for its peculiar anatomy and total repair of the thoraco-abdominal aorta is mandatory. Fenestration brings functional recovery of malperfused viscera and enables the patients to be placed on CPB for total repair. Two patients underwent infrarenal and descending aorta fenestration followed by the total repair of thoraco-abdominal aorta successfully. A third patient has been placed on the strict CT follow-up following the infrarenal fenestration.

[Double chambered right ventricle in a 62-year-old female: a surgical case report]

A 62-year-old female was admitted with a chief complaint of transient syncope on exertion. Angiography in right ventricle revealed a defect caused by an anomalous muscle bundle and a pressure gradient of 151 mmHg was observed between the two chambers by cardiac catheterization. Resection of the anomalouse muscle bundle was undertaken using a lower median sternotomy starting at the 2nd intercostal space level and through the outflow tract right ventriculotomy. Patch plasty was also undertaken in the outflow tract. Post-operative course was uneventful and pressure gradient had disappeared at the post-operative catheterization. A rare case of DCRV in a 62-year-old patient with a pressure gradient of 151 mmHg in the right ventricle was reported.

Chromatin structure of the rat somatotropin gene locus and physical linkage of the rat somatotropin gene and skeletal-muscle sodium-channel gene

Cosmid clones from -32 kb to +74 kb region of the rat somatotropin gene locus were isolated for examination of the chromatin structure in the region from -39 kb to +47 kb by DNase I-sensitivity analysis using rat pituitary-derived GC (somatotropin+, prolactin-), and 235 (somatotropin-, prolactin+) cells, and liver-derived BRL (somatotropin-, prolactin-) cells. DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHS) specific for somatotropin-producing cells were previously shown to be located exclusively in the -2 kb to +9 kb region [Aizawa, A., Yoneyama, T., Kazahari, K. & Ono, M. (1995) Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 2236-2244]. No other DHS having this specificity was found in the region examined in this study. Except for these and two other DHS located in a cluster in this region, no DHS could be found from -23 kb to +22 kb. DHS having no or less cell-type specificity were scattered about in the -39 kb to -23 kb and +22 kb to +47 kb regions. The polyadenylation site of the human skeletal-muscle Na-channel alpha-subunit gene has been shown present 22 kb upstream from the somatotropin gene [Bennani-Baiti, I. M., Jones, B. K., Liebhaber, S. A. & Cooke, N. E. (1995) Genomics 29, 647-652]. Polyadenylation site of the rat skeletal-muscle Na-channel gene was shown in this study to be at -15.7 kb. The skeletal-muscle Na-channel gene was specifically expressed in skeletal-muscle cells but not in somatotropin-producing cells, and thus the boundary region that ensures the cell-type-specific expression of each gene would appear to be situated between two genes. The region prerequisite for cell-type-specific expression of the rat somatotropin gene was estimated based on the present findings.

[Mitral obstruction due to infective endocarditis: a case report]

Acute valvular obstruction caused by vegetation is a rare complication infective endocarditis. To our knowledge, only 9 cases and an autopsy case by Roberts have been reported since 1967. A 46-year-old man admitted with a chief complaint of pyrexia for 2 months duration. Within 24 hours of admission, the patient noticed of increased shortness of breath. Physical examination and the chest X-ray confirmed the pulmonary edema. An echocardiogram revealed a huge echogenic mass that was adherent to the mitral leaflet and obstructed the orifice completely. Soon after the patient fell into cardiogenic shock, an emergency mitral valve replacement was undertaken. At operation, multiple verrucae arising from the entire mitral leaflet was seen to occlude the orifice. The vegetation was excised and replaced with a # 25 Omnicarbon prosthesis. Postoperatively, the patient developed multiple organ failure caused by cardiogenic and septic shock which responded well to intensive medical treatment consisting of hemodialysis and continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Angiographically, a mycotic aneurysm in the left radial artery was found on the 18th postoperative day. After extirpation of the infective focuses, the postoperative course had stabilized. Mitral obstruction due to infective endocarditis is a fatal disease. Prompt diagnosis with echocardiogram and an emergency surgery should be undertaken to save the patient.

[A case of traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta with severe chronic compression of the trachea]

A case of successfully treated traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta with severe major air way compression was reported. A 38-year-old man, who had a history of blunt chest trauma in a traffic accident twenty years ago, complained of asthma-like coughing chest CT scan and angiogram showed a saccular aneurysm of desending aorta compressing the isthmus of the trachea and the esophagus severely. Resection of the aneurysm and prosthetic graft replacement was undertaken successfully with the aid of F-F bypass. The trachea and the esophagus were well decompressed and the patient recovered well with no complaints.

[Sex determination with a discriminant function analysis of deciduous teeth size in plaster models]

Plaster models of the teeth of 3-year-old Japanese children (96 males, 98 females) were used to record the crown length, crown width and crown thickness of 5 maxillary and 5 mandibular deciduous teeth (30 measurement values). These measurements were used to devise a number of sex determination formulae. A sex-determination formula using all 30 values was calculated. Furthermore, a number of practical formulae were derived from only the crown width and crown thickness values because the deciduous teeth wear in 4 years and older children rapidly progress, making the crown length measurement unreliable. These formulae were calculated for the maxillary teeth alone and mandibular teeth alone. The formulae based on only the crown width or thickness were also calculated for both maxillary and the mandibular teeth. A step-wise discriminant analysis was then used to ascertain the most reliable measurements and a practical formula subsequently devised. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean value for each measurement was greater in males than in females. 2. Significant differences in the values recorded were seen in 28 out of the 30 measurements taken. The measurement items not exhibiting these significant differences were the crown width of the maxillary lateral incisor and the crown thickness of the mandibular second molar. 3. The accuracy rates for the sex-determination analysis and the step-wise sex determination analysis calculated using all 30 values were 78.6% and 75.7%, respectively. 4. The accuracy ranges for the modified sex-determination formulae and the associated step-wise sex determination analyses were 70.6-78.4% and 67.0-76.8%, respectively.

Production of multiple growth factors by a newly established human thyroid carcinoma cell line

A multiple growth factor‐producing tumor cell line (NIM‐1) was newly established from a patient with thyroid cancer and remarkable neutrophilia. NIM‐1 cells also caused severe neutrophilia in nude mice bearing tumors. NIM‐1‐conditioned medium (NIM‐1CM) contained activities that supported not only granulocyte, macrophage and eosinophil colony formation of human bone marrow cells but also the growth of colony‐stimulating factor (CSF)‐dependent cell lines, NFS60‐KX and TF‐1. Northern blot hybridization analysis revealed the constitutive expression of granulocyte‐CSF (G‐CSF), granulocyte/macrophage‐CSF (GM‐CSF) and interleukin(IL)‐6 mRNAs in NIM‐1 cells. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using NIM‐1CM also confirmed the production of IL‐la and a small amount of IL‐1β besides G‐CSF, GM‐CSF and IL‐6 in NIM‐1 cells. In addition, unexpected production of IL‐11 in NIM‐1 cells was detected by northern blot hybridization analysis and by bioassay using an IL‐11‐dependent cell line. Therefore, NIM‐1 cell line is shown to produce multiple cytokines including potentially megakaryopoietic growth factors such as GM‐CSF, IL‐6 and IL‐11.

[Pulmonary thromboembolectomy of subacute massive pulmonary thromboembolism in a patient with familial antithrombin III deficiency]

Reported is a case of successful pulmonary thromboembolectomy and inferior caval vein interruption in a patient with subacute massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). He had been complicated by the right atrial and deep vein thrombosis due to type I familial antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency. Pulmonary embolectomy and caval interruption was performed 20 days after the initial attack and followed by anti-coagulation therapy. Thrombi weighed 50 gm were removed mainly from the left pulmonary artery. The right atrial thrombus which had got smaller by the preoperative fibrinolytic therapy could not be found with right atriotomy. Respiratory function at rest and slightly elevated pulmonary arterial pressure was normalized post-operatively. Although the PTE in this patient was considered to be subacute by the histological findings of the fibrin thrombus removed, tapering of pulmonary arteries in PAG and obstructive intimal hypertrophy of the small vessels in the lungs suggests the chronic nature of the PTE (post-thrombotic obstruction of pulmonary arteries) caused by the hyper-coagulable state. In patients with familial ATIII deficiency, 50% of normal ATIII activity can be expected because they are heterozygotes, so the cardio-pulmonary bypass should be run with special caution to the heparin dosage. Caval vein interruption and warfarin therapy are recommended for prophylaxis of recurrent PTE.

[Reconstruction of radicular arteries in the total replacement of thoracoabdominal aorta]

A technique of reconstructing low intercostal, high lumbar arteries and Adamkiewicz artery is described to prevent paraplegia following operations on the thoracoabdominal aorta. A graft with a side branch is anastomosed proximally and a side branch to the distal thoracic aorta after reinforcement of the stumps under the partial bypass. Applying a clamp on the main graft, flow through the side branch and true lumen of the aneurysm is reestablished and bypass is terminated. The main graft, extended with a Y-graft, is anastomosed to common iliac arteries after proximal suture-ligation to perfuse the lower extremities. Splanchnic arteries are reconstructed according to DeBakey's technique which is followed by trimming of the thoracoabdominal aorta incising longitudinally with a clamp applied on the 1st side branch. Edges of the trimmed aneurysm are sutured to the slit of the graft from the right common iliac artery reconstructing intercostal, lumbar arteries and Adamkiewicz artery from the level of L2 upwards to T4 or more. As a final step, the graft is sutured to the 1st side branch allowing perfusion distally to the right lower extremity and the main graft to the splanchnic arteries and left lower extremity after division of a Y-graft right branch. The technique minimizes ischemic time for reconstruction of the aortic branches and enables complete reconstruction of the radicular arteries.

Effect of glucocorticoid hormones on the growth of human fibroblast cells and interferon production

Human diploid fibroblasts could be passaged serially on microcarriers and used as an efficient system for the bulk production of human interferon-beta (IFN-beta), provided that appropriate amounts of glucocorticoid hormones were added to the fetal bovine serum used in the medium; alternatively, precolostrum newborn calf serum, which has a relatively high content of hydrocortisone, could be used.

Structural characterization of recombinant human interferon-gammas derived from two different mammalian cells

Recombinant human interferon-gammas (rHuIFN-gamma s) were obtained from two different mammalian cells (mouse C127 cells and Chinese hamster ovary, CHO, cells) cultured in a microcarrier culture system. Both rHuIFN-gamma s were purified using sequential chromatographies for their comparison of structural properties. The peptide maps of HuIFN-gamma s digested with V8 protease and Western blot analysis demonstrated that C127 cells yielded mainly about 25kDa component and CHO cells produced about 25kDa and about 20kDa components. By the identification of glycosylated peptides, it was suggested that 20kDa and 25kDa components are glycosylated at one and at two sites, respectively. C-terminal amino acid sequence analysis indicated that both rHuIFN-gamma s consisted of at least six different species lacking 2 to 16 amino acid residues from C-terminus, so that C-termini of both rHuIFN-gamma s were slightly different from each other. Amino acid sequence and composition analyses of N-terminal peptides demonstrated that N-termini of both rHuIFN-gamma s were blocked and were supposed to be identical with that of natural HuIFN-gamma. These results suggested that different molecular heterogeneities of rHuIFN-gamma s resulted from the difference of post-translational modifications of host cells.

Constitutive long-term production and characterization of recombinant human interferon-gammas from two different mammalian cells

Two expression plasmids (pSVIFN gamma/BPV97 and pSVIFN gamma/AdDHFR) for constitutive production of human interferon-gamma (HuIFN-gamma) were constructed and introduced into the two different mammalian cell lines, mouse C127 cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Genetically engineered C127 and CHO cells grew on microcarriers having high productivity of HuIFN-gammas for at least six months. Isoelectric focusing patterns and molecular weight analyses suggest that C127- and CHO-HuIFN-gammas are glycoproteins and that both HuIFN-gammas have different molecular structures. The development of a microcarrier culture system for genetically engineered mammalian cells has enabled us to prepare glycosylated HuIFN-gammas on a large scale.

Effect of glucocorticoid hormones on growth of human fibroblast cells and interferon production in a microcarrier culture system

Glucocorticoid hormones promoted the growth of fibroblast cells derived from human neonatal foreskins and prolonged their life span in a microcarrier culture system that used Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS). But, these hormones suppressed cell growth in conventional monolayer cultures. Precolostrum newborn calf serum (PNCS) was the only species that supported the serial propagation of fibroblast cells on microcarriers, possibly because of its high content of hydrocortisone (HC). Fibroblast cells grown on microcarriers in the presence of glucocorticoid hormones maintained their ability to produce interferon (IFN)-beta in a superinduction method with poly I: poly C and antimetabolites. These cells had more than 93% diploidy and no chromosomal aberration or translocation. Use of PNCS for the cultivation of human fibroblast cells has high potential for providing a microcarrier culture system for the mass production of human IFN-beta.

Carcinoma in heterotopic gastric pancreas

A case of a 55-year-old Japanese female who died of adenocarcinoma originating from heterotopic gastric pancreas is presented. The autopsy revealed, extensive metastases of bones. Though careful examination was done, other primary focus except that of the stomach could not be detected. In review of literatures, 11 malignant tumors originating from heterotopic gastric pancreas could be found including our case.