Four cases of non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter-infected gastritis with duodenal spiral bacilli

BACKGROUND

Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) is rarely detected in duodenal mucosa due to its preference for slightly acidic environments. Here, we report four cases of NHPH-infected gastritis with duodenal spiral bacilli, potentially NHPH, indicating the possibility of duodenal mucosal infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

In every case, gastric mucosa showed endoscopic findings characteristic of NHPH-infected gastritis, and a mucosal biopsy was taken from the duodenal bulb; spiral bacilli were identified under microscopy using Giemsa staining. Case 1, a 46-year-old man, had diffuse spotty redness, mucosal edema, and multiple tiny erosions in the duodenal bulb, along with larger erosions in the second portion of the duodenum upon endoscopic examination. Histopathologically, moderate infiltration of mononuclear cells and neutrophils in the lamina propria and gastric epithelial metaplasia were observed. Case 2, a 54-year-old man, showed an elevated lesion, 1 cm in diameter, with multiple red spots and a few tiny erosions in the duodenal bulb. Histopathologically, mild inflammatory cell infiltration and gastric epithelial metaplasia were observed. In Case 3, a 52-year-old man, endoscopy revealed a flat elevated lesion, 7 mm in diameter, with multiple red spots and a few tiny erosions in the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. Histopathologically, we observed moderate inflammatory cell infiltration in the gastric antrum and gastric epithelial metaplasia in the duodenal bulb. Case 4, a 40-year-old man, showed mild spotty redness in the duodenal bulb. Histopathologically, mild mononucleocyte infiltration and gastric epithelial metaplasia were observed. A single spiral bacillus was observed in Case 4 by microscopy. In all but Case 2, Helicobacter suis was identified in the gastric juice by polymerase chain reaction analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Spiral bacilli resembling NHPH may infect the duodenal mucosa, particularly the bulb, causing inflammation. Gastric contents entering the duodenum may reduce the intraduodenal pH, promoting NHPH survival and proliferation.

Acute gastric mucosal lesions caused by acute infection of non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter: a case report

BACKGROUND

Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) is not widely recognized as a cause of acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML), as only a few cases of AGML caused by NHPH have been reported. We present here one case and examine the species and eradication of NHPH together with the three previously reported cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 52-year-old woman presented with a two-day history of severe epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed mucosal edema, multiple erosions, and ulcerations in the antrum. Biopsy specimens taken from the antrum revealed long spiral-shaped organisms, suggesting NHPH. As both serum anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody and H. pylori stool antigen test were negative, this case was diagnosed as AGML caused by NHPH. After the administration of esomeprazole 20 mg for 14 days and the interval of the following 12 days, AGML was deemed to have been cured endoscopically. In addition, microscopic examination and PCR analysis confirmed the success of NHPH eradication.

CONCLUSIONS

NHPH should be considered a probable cause of AGML in cases that are not attributed to the other causes already recognized. Taking probability of spontaneous eradication into consideration, it is appropriate to start eradication therapy after confirming the chronicity of NHPH infection.

Prevalence, clinical features, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) findings of non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter infection: A study of 50 cases at a single facility in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There are only a few reports of non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) gastritis in Japanese patients. We aimed to examine its prevalence, clinical features, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) findings based on 50 patients encountered in one facility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were all patients who had undergone gastric mucosal biopsy endoscopically at Kenwakai Hospital for approximately 10 years. NHPH infection was diagnosed by microscopic findings of Giemsa staining performed on all specimens. PCR analysis of urease genes was performed to detect and identify NHPH, when informed consent was obtained. Helicobacter pylori-diagnostic tests were also performed. NHPH-infected patients were questioned about symptoms and animal contact.

RESULTS

NHPH gastritis was found in 50 of 3847 patients (1.30%). The percentage increased to 3.35% (30 of 896 patients) in the latter 2 years and 4 months with increasing recognition of its characteristic endoscopic findings by endoscopists. PCR analysis, performed in 30 patients, detected NHPH in 28 patients: 26 as Helicobacter suis and 2 as Helicobacter heilmanii/Helicobacter ailurogastricus. Helicobacter pylori-diagnostic tests were almost negative. However, anti-H. pylori antibody showed high-negative titer (3.0-9.9 U/ml) in 12. Of 50 patients (consisting of 49 men and 1 woman), almost all were asymptomatic, and 25 were keeping pets. Regarding EGD findings, in all 50 patients, "crack-like mucosa" and/or nodular gastritis was noted in gastric antrum, and regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) was noted in gastric corpus. None of the patients infected with NHPH were co-infected with H. pylori.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence was finally estimated to be approximately 3.35%. Helicobacter suis was the most common NHPH species. "Crack-like mucosa" and/or nodular gastritis in gastric antrum, RAC in gastric corpus, and H. pylori-negativity by H. pylori-diagnostic tests especially containing a high-negative titer of anti-H. pylori antibody may indicate NHPH infection.

Fibroblast activation protein-positive fibroblasts promote tumor progression through secretion of CCL2 and interleukin-6 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive tumor with frequent recurrence even after curative resection. The tumor microenvironment, which consists of non-cancer cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), was recently reported to promote several cancers, including ESCC. However, the role of CAF as a coordinator for tumor progression in ESCC remains to be elucidated. In our immunohistochemical investigation of ESCC tissues, we observed that the intensity of expression of two CAF markers-alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-in the tumor stroma was significantly correlated with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, advanced pathological stage, and poor prognosis. We co-cultured human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with ESCC cells and confirmed the induction of FAP expression in the co-cultured MSCs. These FAP-positive MSCs (which we defined as CAF-like cells) promoted the cell growth and migration of ESCC cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophage-like cells. CAF-like cells induced the M2 polarization of macrophage-like cells. A cytokine array and ELISA revealed that CAF-like cells secreted significantly more CCL2, Interleukin-6, and CXCL8 than MSCs. These cytokines promoted the migration of tumor cells and macrophage-like cells. The silencing of FAP in CAF-like cells attenuated cytokine secretion. We compared cell signaling of MSCs, CAF-like cells, and FAP-silenced CAF-like cells; PTEN/Akt and MEK/Erk signaling were upregulated and their downstream targets, NF-κB and β-catenin, were also activated with FAP expression. Silencing of FAP attenuated these effects. Cytokine secretion from CAF-like cells were attenuated by inhibitors against these signaling pathways. These findings indicate that the collaboration of CAFs with tumor cells and macrophages plays a pivotal role in tumor progression, and that FAP expression is responsible for the tumor promotive and immunosuppressive phenotypes of CAFs.

ANXA10 induction by interaction with tumor-associated macrophages promotes the growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) have important roles in the growth, angiogenesis and progression of various tumors. Although we have demonstrated the association of an increased number of infiltrating CD204⁺ TAMs with poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs), the roles of TAMs in ESCC remain unclear. Here, to study the effects of TAMs on the tumor microenvironment of ESCCs, we established a co‐culture assay using a human ESCC cell line and TAM‐like peripheral blood monocyte‐derived macrophages and performed a cDNA microarray analysis between monocultured and co‐cultured ESCC cell lines. Our qRT‐PCR confirmed that in the co‐cultured ESCC cell lines, CYP1A1, DHRS3, ANXA10, KLK6 and CYP1B1 mRNA were highly up‐regulated; AMTN and IGFL1 mRNA were down‐regulated. We observed that the high expression of a calcium‐dependent phospholipid‐binding protein ANXA10 was closely associated with the depth of invasion and high numbers of infiltrating CD68⁺ and CD204⁺ TAMs and poor disease‐free survival (P = 0.0216). We also found ANXA10 promoted the cell growth of ESCC cell lines via the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 pathways in vitro. These results suggest that ANXA10 induced by the interaction with TAMs in the tumor microenvironment is associated with cell growth and poor prognosis in human ESCC tissues.

CXCL8 derived from tumor-associated macrophages and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas contributes to tumor progression by promoting migration and invasion of cancer cells

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are involved in tumor progression and poor prognosis in several malignancies. We previously demonstrated the interaction between high numbers of infiltrating TAMs and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). To investigate the significance of TAMs in ESCC, we conducted a cDNA microarray analysis of peripheral blood monocytes (PBMo)-derived macrophages and PBMo-derived macrophages stimulated with conditioned media of TE-series ESCC cell lines (TAM-like PBMo-derived macrophages). C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) was up-regulated in the TAM-like PBMo-derived macrophages. Here we confirmed a high expression level of CXCL8 in TAM-like PBMo-derived macrophages and the expression of CXCR1/2, known as CXCL8 receptors, in TE-series ESCC cell lines. Recombinant human CXCL8 induced the ESCC cell lines’ migration and invasion by the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2. In indirect co-cultures, not only signal pathway inhibitors but also neutralizing antibodies against CXCL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 suppressed these phenotypes induced by TAM-like PBMo-derived macrophages. Immunohistochemical analysis of 70 resected ESCC samples showed that high expression levels of CXCL8 in ESCC tissues were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. These results suggest that CXCL8 up-regulated in the microenvironment may contribute to ESCC progression by promoting cancer cells’ migration and invasion.

Abstract 730: The roles of FGF-2-NCAM/FGFR1 interplay in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and its microenvironment including tumor-associated macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have important roles in the angiogenesis, tumor immunosuppression and tumor infiltration of various cancers. Previously, we reported that a large number of infiltrated tumor promoting CD204+ TAMs within esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) contributed to the significant association of clinicopathological malignancy and poor disease free survival. However, the relevant malignant progression mechanisms have not been studied explicitly yet. To elucidate roles of TAMs in ESCCs, we established an in vitro macrophage model using human peripheral blood acquired by healthy volunteer donors. Peripheral blood monocytes were treated with 25 ng/mL recombinant human M-CSF for 6 days to induce macrophage-like differentiation (macrophage-like cells), then exposed to the conditioned media of TE series ESCC cell lines (TECM) for 2 days to induce TAM-like cells. From the cDNA microarray data between macrophages-like cells treated with and without TECM, we interested in upregulated genes. Among highly expressed genes in TAM-like cells, we focused on neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) which was a possibility to act on the regulation between tumor and its surrounding stroma. Gene knockdown of NCAM by siRNA in TAM-like cells revealed significant suppression of cell survival and migration via decrease of PI3K/Akt signaling and downregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) expression. Interestingly, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) derived from ESCCs promotes FGF2/FGFR1 autocrine loop, and activates FGFR1 signaling in TAM-like cells. Furthermore, we analyzed 70 ESCC tissue samples by immunohistochemistry whether the expression levels of FGF-2 were associated with clinicopathological background factors of ESCC patients. Relationships of the expression levels of FGF-2 in human ESCC stromal cells including macrophages had a correlation with the depth of invasion, blood vessel invasion, TNM classification UICC cancer staging and high number of infiltrating CD163 positive and CD204 positive macrophages as a marker for the M2 macrophage phenotype. These findings may indicate novel roles of FGF-2-NCAM/FGFR1 interplay in ESCCs and its microenvironment including TAMs.

Citation Format: NOBUHISA TAKASE, Yuichiro Koma, Noriaki Arai, Himiko Kodaira, Masayoshi Hosono, Yumi Ichihara, Mari Nishio, Manabu Shigeoka, Hiroshi Yokozaki. The roles of FGF-2-NCAM/FGFR1 interplay in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and its microenvironment including tumor-associated macrophages. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 730.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of KW-4490, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor: difference in excretion of KW-4490 and acylglucuronide metabolites between rats and cynomolgus monkeys

1. The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of KW-4490, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, were investigated in rats and monkeys. After oral administration, KW-4490 was rapidly absorbed, and then its plasma concentrations apparently declined with half-lives of approximately 5 h in rats and 3.5 h in cynomolgus monkeys; however, a number of secondary peaks were apparent in the profiles for both species. The plasma pharmacokinetics of KW-4490 were comparable between rats and monkeys. 2. After oral administration, KW-4490 was mainly eliminated by metabolism to acylglucuronides and renal excretion in the unchanged form. KW-4490 acylglucuronides were found in monkey but not rat urine. In rats, KW-4490 acylglucuronides were excreted only in bile. Although the pathway of excretion of acylglucuronides differed between rats and monkeys, cumulative excretion in the two animals was very similar, as expected from comparable hepatic clearance for glucuronidation in rat and monkey liver microsomes. 3. The glomerular filtration rate of unbound KW-4490 indicated that renal tubular secretion was significant in monkeys, whereas reabsorption was significant in rats. These species differences in urinary excretion of KW-4490 and its acylglucuronide metabolites are most likely due to substrate specificity of active transporters in rat and monkey kidney.

Effect of the antiulcer polysaccharide fraction from Bupleurum falcatum L. on the healing of gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in rats

An antiulcer polysaccharide fraction (BR-2) from Bupleurum falcatum L. was examined for its effect on the healing of chronic ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats. When BR-2 was administered orally to the rats, it was shown to be effective in the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer. This result suggests that the use of herbal prescriptions containing B. falcatum L. may prove useful for the treatment of peptic ulcers.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding mouse DNA helicase B, which has homology to Escherichia coli RecD protein, and identification of a mutation in the DNA helicase B from tsFT848 temperature-sensitive DNA replication mutant cells

DNA helicase B is a major DNA helicase in mouse FM3A cells. A temperature-sensitive mutant defective in DNA replication, tsFT848, isolated from FM3A cells, has a heat-labile DNA helicase B. In this study, we purified DNA helicase B from mouse FM3A cells and determined partial amino acid sequences of the purified protein. By using a DNA probe synthesized according to one of the partial amino acid sequences, a cDNA was isolated, which encoded a 121.5 kDa protein containing seven conserved motifs for DNA/RNA helicase superfamily members. A database search revealed similarity between DNA helicase B and the alpha subunit of exodeoxyribonuclease V of a number of prokaryotes including Escherichia coli RecD protein, but no homologous protein was found in yeast. The cDNA encoding DNA helicase B from tsFT848 was sequenced and a mutation was found between DNA/RNA helicase motifs IV and V.

Antitumor activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha conjugated with polyvinylpyrrolidone on solid tumors in mice

We attempted the development of a novel polymer conjugation to further improve the therapeutic potency of antitumor cytokines compared with PEGylation for clinical application. Compared with native tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in vitro, specific bioactivities of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP)-modified TNF-alphas (PVP-TNF-alphas) were decreased by increasing the degree of PVP attachment. PVP-TNF-alpha fraction 3, Mr 101,000, had the most effective antitumor activity of the various PVP-TNF-alphas in vivo. PVP-TNF-alpha fraction 3 had >200-fold higher antitumor effect than native TNF-alpha, and the antitumor activity of PVP-TNF-alpha fraction 3 was >2-fold higher than that of MPEG-TNF-alpha (Mr 108,000), which had the highest antitumor activity among the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated TNF-alphas. Additionally, a high dose of native TNF-alpha induced toxic side effects such as body weight reduction, piloerection. and tissue inflammation, whereas no side effects were observed after i.v. administration of PVP-TNF-alpha fraction 3. The plasma half-life of PVP-TNF-alpha fraction 3 (360 min) was about 80- and 3-fold longer than those of native TNF-alpha (4.6 mm) and MPEG-TNF-alpha (122 min), respectively. The mechanism of increased antitumor effect in vivo caused the prolongation of plasma half-life and increase in stability. These results suggested that PVP is a useful polymeric modifier for bioconjugation of TNF-alpha to increase its antitumor potency, and multifunctionally bioconjugated TNF-alpha may be a potentiated antitumor agent for clinical use.

Reaction of various lectins to mucin derived from the different layers of rat gastric mucosa: comparison of enzyme-linked lectin binding assay with lectin histochemistry

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the histochemical staining reactivities of lectins in rat stomach actually represent the gastric mucins, and to estimate the utility of the lectins for mucin histochemistry. In this paper, the lectin histochemistry was compared with an enzyme-linked lectin binding assay (ELLA) of the mucins derived from distinct regions and layers of the Sprague-Dawley rat stomach and it was examined to determine the definite binding and problematic binding of the conventional lectin. Among the 10 different biotinylated lectins, Canavalia ensiformis (ConA), Griffonia simplicifolia II (GS-II), Triticuin vulgaris (WGA), Ricinus communis I (RCA-I), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Glycine max (SBA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Ulex europaeus I (UEA-I), Sambucus nigra (SNA) and Maackia amurensis II (MAL-II), examined in this study, GS-II, SBA, DBA, UEA-I, SNA and MAL-II bound clearly to the mucin of distinct regions and layers of the Sprague-Dawley rat stomach in agreement with the results of ELLA. Namely GS-II lectins preferentially bound to the mucin in the mucous neck cells of the corpus area. SBA and DBA clearly recognized the mucin in the covering epithelial mucous cells in the corpus and antral area. UEA-I was widely bound to all the mucin present in both the corpus and antrum. On the other hand, SNA and MAL-II could not react with the mucin obtained from the gastric mucosa but was specifically bound to the mucin purified from the mucous gel layer. These results suggested that the lectins described above are useful histochemical tools to recognize the mucus present in the different regions and layers of Sprague-Dawley rat gastric mucosa.

Bioconjugation of laminin-related peptide YIGSR with polyvinyl pyrrolidone increases its antimetastatic effect due to a longer plasma half-life

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) which can be radically synthesized and have a long blood residency was used to modify the laminin-related peptide YIGSR, and its inhibitory effect on experimental lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells was examined. The antimetastatic effect of PVP-conjugated YIGSR (PVP-YIGSR) was more than 100-fold greater than that of native YIGSR. When injected intravenously, PVP-YIGSR showed more than a 15-fold longer plasma half-life relative to native YIGSR. In addition, the stability of YIGSR in plasma was increased by conjugation with PVP. These findings suggest that PVP is a useful polymeric modifier for increasing the antimetastatic activity of YIGSR.

Rat gastric mucous gel layer contains sialomucin not produced by the stomach

The sialylated mucus components of the normal gastric mucosa and mucous gel layer of rats were studied by using various histochemical staining methods including Maackia amurensis II (MAL-II) and Sambucus nigra (SNA) lectins, alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5 -- periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and high iron diamine (HID) -- AB pH 2.5. The acidic and neutral mucins characterized by the AB-PAS staining were abundantly present in the mucous gel layer as well as in the gastric mucosa. The sialomucin characterized by HID-AB was barely found in either the mucous gel layer or the mucosa. The sialomucin positive to MAL-II and SNA, which react with the N-acetyl neuraminic acid residue linked to galactose via an alpha-linkage, was moderately detected only in the mucous gel layer, but not in the entire mucosal layer. Furthermore, in animals given surgery to form an esophageal fistula through which saliva was excluded or in animals subjected to salivectomy, the mucous gel layer stained with MAL-II and SNA lectins was markedly decreased. These results indicate that a part of the sialomucin containing-mucous gel layer covering normal rat gastric mucosa originates from the saliva and that MAL-II and SNA lectins are useful for detecting this specific sialomucin.

Liver cirrhosis with marked thrombocytopenia and highly elevated serum thrombopoietin levels

Three patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and a bleeding tendency due to marked thrombocytopenia of less than 20 x 10(9)/l were admitted to our hospital for further examination. Bone marrow examination revealed megakaryocytic hypoplasia in all three patients. All patients exhibited amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenic purpura, myelodysplastic syndrome, or bone marrow hypoplasia. 111In-labeled platelet kinetic studies revealed decreased platelet production in all patients. Although serum thrombopoietin (sTPO) levels are usually within the normal level in patients with LC, the sTPO levels of our patients were about 10 times higher than the levels of normal subjects (1.22 +/- 0.37 fmol/ml): 13.34, 16.79, and 10.46 fmol/ml, respectively. These sTPO data supported our findings of decreased megakaryopoiesis. Our findings suggest that examination of sTPO levels is useful in determining the etiology of marked thrombocytopenia in LC patients.

A selective amplifier gene for tamoxifen-inducible expansion of hematopoietic cells

BACKGROUND

We have developed a novel system for expansion of gene-modified hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to overcome the low efficiency of current gene transfer methodology. This system involves 'selective amplifier genes', that encode fusion proteins between the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (GCR) and the hormone-binding domain of estrogen receptor (ER). Hematopoietic progenitors expressing the chimeras showed estrogen-responsive growth in a controllable manner. However, endogenous estrogen may activate the fusion proteins in vivo, depending on the hormonal status of the subjects.

METHODS

We replaced ER with a mutant receptor (TmR) which specifically binds to 4-hydroxytamoxifen (Tm), to overcome limitations with wild-type ER. Interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent Ba/F3 cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells transduced with the resultant fusion proteins (GCRTmR and delta GCRTmR) were examined for ligand-inducible growth.

RESULTS

GCRTmR- and delta GCRTmR-expressing Ba/F3 showed IL-3-independent growth in response to Tm, while the cells were unresponsive to estrogen at concentrations up to 10(-7)-10(-6) M. Furthermore, murine bone marrow cells transduced with GCRTmR and delta GCRTmR formed colonies in methyl-cellulose medium in response to Tm, while virtually no colonies appeared with 10(-7) M estrogen or without cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that influences of the endogenous estrogen can be almost eliminated by using the GCRTmR/Tm or delta GCRTmR/Tm system to expand gene-modified hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.

Bioconjugation of laminin peptide YIGSR with poly(styrene co-maleic acid) increases its antimetastatic effect on lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells

A comb-shaped polymeric modifier, SMA [poly(styrene comaleic anhydride)], which binds to plasma albumin in blood was used to modify the synthetic cell-adhesive laminin peptide YIGSR, and its inhibitory effect on experimental lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells was examined. YIGSR was chemically conjugated with SMA via formation of an amide bond between the N-terminal amino group of YIGSR and the carboxyl anhydride of SMA. The antimetastatic effect of SMA-conjugated YIGSR was approximately 50-fold greater than that of native YIGSR. When injected intravenously, SMA-YIGSR showed a 10-fold longer plasma half-life than native YIGSR in vivo. In addition, SMA-YIGSR had the same binding affinity to plasma albumin as SMA, while native YIGSR did not bind to albumin. These findings suggested that the enhanced antimetastatic effect of SMA-YIGSR may be due to its prolonged plasma half-life by binding to plasma albumin, and that bioconjugation of in vivo unstable peptides with SMA may facilitate their therapeutic use.

Low prevalence of a polymorphism of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib beta associated with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in Asian populations

Iy alloantigen system is the first polymorphism of platelet glycoprotein Ib beta reported to cause neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. We investigated the allelic frequency of Iy alloantigen among Japanese and Korean populations by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length method to determine the possibility of alloimmunization against Iy. Two hundred and nine Japanese and 97 Korean subjects were examined. All 306 individuals were homozygous for glycine at amino acid position 15 and negative for Iy. The allelic frequency of Iy in these populations was calculated to be less than 0.0016. Alloimmunization associated with Iy antigen in Asian populations seems unlikely from these results.

Fas and mutant estrogen receptor chimeric gene: a novel suicide vector for tamoxifen-inducible apoptosis

Several cancer gene therapy strategies involve suicide genes to kill the neoplasm, or to regulate effector cells such as lymphocytes. We have developed an inducible apoptosis system with a Fas-estrogen receptor fusion protein (MfasER) for rapid elimination of transduced cells. In the present study, we further improved this molecular switch for estrogen-inducible apoptosis to overcome concerns with the wild-type estrogen receptor and its natural ligand, 17beta-estradiol (E2). The ligand-binding domain of MfasER was replaced with that of a mutant estrogen receptor which is unable to bind estrogen yet retains affinity for a synthetic ligand, 4-hydroxytamoxifen (Tm). The resultant fusion protein (MfasTmR) and MfasER were expressed in L929 cells for examination of their ligand specificities. Tm induced apoptosis in MfasTmR-expressing cells (L929MfasTmR) at 10(-8) M or higher concentrations, but induced no apoptosis in MfasER-expressing cells (L929MfasER) at up to 10(-6) M. On the other hand, E2 induced apoptosis in L929MfasER at concentrations as low as 10(-10)-10(-9) M, while it did so partially in L929MfasTmR at concentrations greater than 10(-7) M. Thus, L929MfasTmR cells were highly susceptible to Tm, but refractory to E2, with 100-1,000 times more tolerance than L929MfasER. These results suggest that the MfasTmR/Tm system would induce apoptosis in the target cells more safely in vivo, working independently of endogenous estrogen.

Resistance to activated protein C and Arg 506 Gln factor V mutation are uncommon in eastern Asian populations

We investigated the prevalence of the factor V (FV) Arg 506 Gln mutation in healthy subjects from three eastern Asian countries (Japan, n = 270; China, n = 113; and Korea, n = 93) and in 26 Japanese patients showing venous thromboembolic events. The patients were also examined for activated protein C (APC) resistance by using the Coatest APC resistance kit. The FV mutation was investigated by polymerase chain reaction and restricted enzyme digestion with MnlI RFLP assay of the FV gene. None of the patients showed APC resistance, while all subjects examined were homozygous for Arg at position 506 of the FV gene. Our results imply that FV mutation and APC resistance contribute little to venous thrombotic diseases in eastern Asia.

Serum thrombopoietin (c-Mpl ligand) levels in patients with liver cirrhosis

To clarify the role of c-Mpl ligand (thrombopoietin: TPO) in liver cirrhosis (LC), we examined serum TPO levels (sTPO) in patients with LC (N = 44), chronic hepatitis (CH; N = 13) and healthy controls (N = 41) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Although platelet counts of all LC patients (89 +/- 59 x 10(9)/l; mean +/- SD) were lower than those of controls and CH patients, sTPO levels in LC patients (1.23 +/- 0.51 fmol/ml) were the same as those in controls (1.22 +/- 0.37) and CH patients (1.18 +/- 0.36). Platelet counts were significantly higher in splenectomized patients than in unsplenectomized patients, but the sTPO level did not differ between these two groups. In LC patients, the sTPO level was not correlated with the platelet count, but was correlated with prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and total bilirubin, indicating that production of TPO in the liver decreases slightly with the development of liver dysfunction. Our findings suggest that production of TPO is maintained in LC patients and their thrombocytopenia is not due to a defect in platelet production.

The largest isoform of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib alpha is commonly distributed in eastern Asian populations

Platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib alpha has at least two polymorphisms which affect phenotype. One is the dimorphism at codon 145, and the other is a molecular weight polymorphism due to variable numbers of tandem repeats (TR) in the macroglycopeptide region. These two polymorphisms are in linkage disequilibrium. The frequencies of these polymorphisms differ considerably depending on race, and the largest variant with four TR is almost exclusively present in the Japanese population. We examined the genotypes of HPA-2 and TR polymorphism in three different races from Eastern Asia; the Japanese (n = 103), Korean (n = 101) and Chinese population (n = 177). The gene frequency of HPA-2 differed significantly among these three populations. Among HPA-2b-positive individuals, the A isoform with four TR and B with three TR were present in all three populations and A dominated over B. Individuals homozygous for the A isoform were found in both Japanese and Korean populations. These findings indicate that the largest haplotype is common in the Eastern Asian region.

Eosinophilia associated with proliferation of CD(3+)4-(8-) alpha beta+ T cells with chromosome 16 anomalies

We describe a patient with eosinophilia and an abnormal CD(3+)4-(8-) alpha beta+ T-cell population. Chromosomal analysis of sorted CD(3+)4-(8-) cells revealed abnormal karyotypes on chromosome 16. In the presence of IL-2 the production of IL-5 from CD(3+)4-(8-) cells was higher than that from CD(3+)4-(8-) cells. Eosinophil survival-enhancing activity in the patient serum was inhibited by a combination of anti-IL-5 and anti-GM-CSF monoclonal antibodies. These data suggest that increased production of IL-5 and GM-CSF from the abnormal CD(3+)4-(8-) cells might cause eosinophilia.

[Effect of FRG-8813, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on gastric mucus production in rats]

We examined the effect of FRG-8813, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on 1% NH3-induced gastric mucosal lesions and basal gastric mucus production in rats. The effect of FRG-8813 (10 mg/kg) given orally was investigated macroscopically and histochemically compared with that of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2, 2 micrograms/kg) or capsaicin (Cap, 10 mg/kg) in the fundic gland area. FRG-8813, dmPGE2 and capsaicin inhibited the NH3-induced mucosal lesions, and stimulated the mucus secretion 5 min after the administration. Chemical deafferentation abolished the gastroprotective effect of FRG-8813 or Cap and attenuated the increase by FRG-8813, dmPGE2 or Cap in mucus secretion seen after 5 min. These results suggest that FRG-8813 exerts its effect on gastric mucus production partially through the capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves, like the mechanism involved in gastroprotection, and that the increase in mucus production by FRG-8813 is at least in part responsible for the gastroprotection.

[Effects of FRG-8813, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on gastric mucus in rats]

We examined the effects of FRG-8813, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist with potent antisecretory activity, on gastric mucus in male SD rats (7w). In this study, the effects of FRG-8813 (1, 3, 10 mg/kg), given orally twice a day for 7 days, were investigated by histochemical and biochemical methods in comparison with those of cimetidine (CM, 30 mg/kg) and famotidine (FM, 1 mg/kg) in the fundic gland area (F. area) and pyloric gland area (P. area). In the histochemical study by alcian blue (pH 2.5)-PAS (AB-PAS) or high iron diamine-alcian blue (HID-AB) staining, the CM group showed a significant decrease in PAS and tended to show decreases in HID-AB positive mucus and mucous gel layer in the F. area; the FM group also showed a decrease in AB positive mucus in the P. area. On the other hand, the AB-PAS and HID-AB positive mucus of the FRG-8813 group were not affected. In the biochemical study, FRG-8813 increased the gastric mucosal hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid composing the mucus in a dose-dependent manner in the F. area. These results suggest that FRG-8813 does not cause a decrease in gastric mucus, unlike CM or FM, and it may be able to promote mucus secretion through increasing the mucous component in the F. area.

[A study on fixatives for the simultaneous histological estimation of the gastric mucous gel layer and mucous cells in rat gastric surface mucosa]

We examined the special characteristics of various kinds of fixatives and tried to find the most suitable method for simultaneous histological estimation of the mucous gel layer and mucous cells in rat gastric paraffin sections stained with Alcian blue (pH2.5)-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS). The tested fixatives were (group in parentheses): absolute ethanol at -80 degrees C (A), absolute methanol at -80 degrees C (B), Carnoy's solution (C), formalin-ethanol (D) and formalin-Tyrode (E). The thickness of the mucous gel layer (ML) and the numbers of AB- and PAS-positive cells (AB cells, PAS cells) of both the fundic gland area (F. area) and pyloric gland area (P. area) were measured microscopically (x 200). ML in the F. area was found in the order of (A) > (B) > (C) > (D) = (E). AB cells were in the order of (A) > (E) > (B) > (C) > (D); and PAS cells were in the order of (B) > (A) > (E) > (C) > (D). Effects of various fixatives in the P. area showed the same trend as the F. area. Apart from above mentioned procedures, we observed the effects of ethanol at various temperatures: -80 degrees C, -25 degrees C, -4 degrees C and 20 degrees C. ML, AB and PAS cells showed the highest level at -80 degrees C. Moreover, to confirm that these fixatives retain the mucus, we evaluated the hexose and hexosamine contents contained in the fixative solution after fixation. As a result of various fixations, the hexose and hexosamine values in the fixative solution were the smallest for ethanol at -80 degrees C. In conclusion, ethanol at -80 degrees C was the most suitable fixative for histological estimation of mucous gel and mucous cells in rat gastric surface mucosa.

Identification of the convulsant opiate thebaine in mammalian brain

The convulsant opiate thebaine, an intermediate of morphine biosynthesis, was purified from bovine brain to homogeneity by gel filtration and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) monitored by a radioimmunoassay. The immunoreactive material behaved identically to standard thebaine in two HPLC systems and was confirmed to be thebaine by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. To our knowledge, the presence of thebaine in mammalian tissue has not been demonstrated previously. Codeine and morphine were also found to exist in ovine brain. The presence of thebaine in ovine brain provides strong evidence that morphine and codeine, in various mammalian tissues, are of endogenous origin and actually biosynthesized from a precursor.

The measurement of gastric mucus using a computer image processing system

The measurement of gastric mucus, and the effects of aspirin and some antiulcer drugs on the content or components of gastric mucus were investigated in normal rats by using a newly devised computer image processing system. The present method enabled us to separate mucus components into PAS positive mucus (PAS+), and AB positive mucus (AB+), and to measure the amount of each mucus. Aspirin induced significant decreases in both PAS+ and AB+, teprenone increased the total amount of gastric mucus (PAS+ plus AB+), secretin tended to increase AB+, and cimetidine and omeprazole caused no remarkable changes on mucus secretion. These changes in gastric mucus could be observed on both microscopic observation and with the computer image processing system. The results indicate that the computer image processing system is very useful for the measurement of gastric mucus.

Transformation of thebaine to oripavine, codeine, and morphine by rat liver, kidney, and brain microsomes

Thebaine, an intermediate of morphine biosynthesis in the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum, was transformed to oripavine, codeine, and morphine by rat liver, kidney, and brain microsomes in the presence of an NADPH-generating system. The formation of morphine, codeine, and oripavine was identified by a specific RIA, HPLC, and GCMS. Thebaine also gave rise to four other compounds, which for the moment are unidentified. NADH dramatically increased the formation of both codeine and morphine when used together with an NADPH-generating system, especially in liver microsomes. NADPH is essential in the formation of oripavine from thebaine and morphine from codeine, while NADH is critical in the conversion of thebaine to codeine and from oripavine to morphine. Carbon monoxide or SKF 525A inhibited the conversion, indicating a role of cytochrome P-450. These results provide evidence for the enzymatic in vitro conversion by mammalian tissues of thebaine to morphine. The pathway is similar to that which exists in plants.

[A study of (Ca2+-Mg2+)-, and actomyosin-ATPase activities in pregnant myometrium and the functional modification by calmodulin]

In order to clarify the biochemical bases of myometrial contractions, (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity, actomyosin (ACT)-ATPase activity and ACT superprecipitation were studied during pregnancy. The results indicate that; (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in nonpregnant ovariectomized rats was markedly increased after estradiol treatment (15 micrograms/day for 3 days) from 12.0 +/- 20.1 to 132.5 +/- 22.8 nmolePi/mg/min (p less than 0.01). The activity on days 19, 20, 21 and 22 of pregnancy was 48.0 +/- 5.0, 48.2 +/- 7.5, 112.3 +/- 18.5 and 27.3 +/- 8.8 nmolePi/mg/min, respectively, showing marked prepartum increase and rapid decrease after delivery. In human myometrium, basal (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity showed no significant change but at term the activity was decreased (79.4 +/- 9.8 to 60.7 +/- 7.4 nmolePi/mg/min, p less than 0.05) in the presence of calmodulin (CMD). Human myometrial ACT-ATPase activity, on the other hand, was stimulated with CMD (1st trimester, term without labor and with labor: 295 to 1,134, 550 to 1,243 and 897 to 4,735 pmolePi/mg/min, p less than 0.05). Myometrial CMD concentrations, however, showed no change during pregnancy. ACT prepared from rabbit uterus showed an enhanced interaction of contractile proteins in the presence of CMD. These data indicate that CMD stimulates (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in early pregnancy but inhibits at term and increases ACT-ATPase activity. Since the myometrial CMD concentration remains unchanged during pregnancy, there may exist a function which alters CMD action on ATPase activity as pregnancy advances.

Study of oxytocin receptor: II. oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha receptors in human myometria and amnion-decidua complex during pregnancy and labor

Oxytocin receptors (OXT-R) and prostaglandin F2 alpha receptors (PGF2 alpha-R) in human myometrium, amnion and decidua during pregnancy and at parturition were examined in an effort to clarify their role in the initiation and maintenance of uterine contractions. The number of binding sites for OXT in myometria showed an increase as gestation advance (Ist trimester v.s. at term; 205 +/- 90 v.s. 671 +/- 98 fmol/mg protein, N = 5, p less than 0.01), and a rapid decrease following the onset of labor (254 +/- 60 fmol/mg protein, N = 5, p less than 0.02). On the other hand the number of PGF2 alpha-R, remained unchanged throughout pregnancy and in labor. This myometrial PGF2 alpha binding capacity was approximately 1/20 to 1/30 that of the OXT binding, while binding affinity was almost equal. The OXT-R both in amnion and decidua, which was 1/6 to 1/7 that in myometrium, showed no significant changes throughout pregnancy or after the onset of labor. Binding affinity for each tissue was almost the same and appeared to increase towards term but no statistical significance was detected. Present data confirmed the presence of OXT as well as PGF2 alpha receptors in the three functionally distinct entities of pregnant human uterus; myometrium, amnion, and decidua. Among the components, the OXT binding increased only in the myometrium during pregnancy, suggesting this tissue specifically responds to OXT. In contrast, there was a constant binding in myometria for PGF2 alpha.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Time-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation by dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine. Important roles of their metabolites

The effects of dopamine (DA) and 3-methoxytyramine (3MT) on arachidonic acid (AA)-, collagen-, and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced rabbit platelet aggregation were studied in relation to their metabolites in vitro. DA and 3MT did not inhibit AA- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation immediately after addition of a low concentration, but inhibition did occur, in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner, when DA and 3MT were incubated in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The concentration of DA and 3MT decreased time-dependently, and the main metabolites of DA and 3MT were 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (MOPAL), respectively, as determined by high performance liquid chromatography. These aldehydes were found to have potent inhibitory activities nearly equal to those of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (DOPET) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethanol (MOPET) on both AA- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. DOPET and MOPET were detected only in small concentrations. Taking into account both the anti-platelet potency and the concentrations detected in PRP of DOPAL and MOPAL, it is concluded that the time-dependent inhibition of the platelet aggregation by DA and 3MT may be due to the mediation of their corresponding main metabolites, DOPAL and MOPAL, respectively, while the concentration-dependent inhibition by DA and 3MT seems to be largely due to an innate activity.