A novel long non-coding RNA from the HOXA6-HOXA5 locus facilitates colon cancer cell growth

Background

Homeobox A5 (HOXA5), a member of the HOX family, plays an important role in tumor development and morphogenesis, although opposite effects on tumorigenesis have been observed, depending on the tissue type. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a novel transcript from the HOXA6-HOXA5 locus in colon cancer tumorigenesis.

Methods

Human colon cancer cell lines were analyzed using next generation sequencing-based targeted mRNA capture. The effects of overexpression and silencing of HOXA5 transcripts were evaluated in vitro and using a xenograft nude mouse model.

Results

We identified three novel transcripts (HOXA5 short, long 1, and long 2) transcribed from the HOXA6-HOXA5 locus in HCT116 colon cancer cells using next generation sequencing-based targeted mRNA capture. Knockdown of HOXA5 long 1 and long 2 transcripts did not affect cell growth, while selective silencing of HOXA5 short RNA inhibited cell growth independent of HOXA5 expression. Stable overexpression of HOXA5 short RNA promoted proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell lines HCT116, DLD1, and HT-29 and accelerated tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model. In vitro translation assays suggested HOXA5 short RNA was a functional long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Consistent with these observations, expression of HOXA5 short RNA was upregulated in advanced colon cancer tissues. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of differentially expressed genes between HOXA5 short RNA overexpressed and silenced HCT116 cells revealed that HOXA5 short RNA preferentially modified expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signal-related genes. Western blot analysis demonstrated that stable overexpression of HOXA5 short RNA increased EGF receptor levels and facilitated its phosphorylation in both HCT116 cells and xenograft tumors.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that HOXA5 short RNA, a novel lncRNA, may play a crucial role in colon tumor growth through activation of EGF signaling.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5715-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nucleolin facilitates nuclear retention of an ultraconserved region containing TRA2β4 and accelerates colon cancer cell growth

Transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs), which contain conserved sequences with 100% identity across human, rat and mouse species, are a novel category of functional RNAs. The human transformer 2β gene (TRA2B) encodes a UCR that spans exon 2 (276 bp) and its neighboring introns. Among five spliced RNA variants (TRA2β1-5) transcribed from the TRA2B gene, only TRA2β4 contains the conserved exon 2. TRA2β4 is overexpressed in colon cancer cells and accelerates cell growth by blocking the transcription of CDKN1A. However, the mechanisms underlying the overexpression of TRA2β4 in colon cancer cells are unknown. Using biotinylated RNA pull-down assays followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis, we identified nucleolin as a TRA2β4-binding protein. Knockdown of nucleolin reduced the nuclear retention of TRA2β4 and accelerated its degradation in the cytoplasm, whereas nucleolin overexpression increased TRA2β4 levels and its mitogenic activity. Nucleolin directly bound to TRA2β4 exon 2 via the glycine/arginine-rich (GAR) domain. Overexpression of GAR-deficient nucleolin failed to increase TRA2β4 expression and growth of colon cancer cells. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that TRA2β4 co-localized with nucleolin in nuclei but not with the mutant lacking GAR. Our results suggest that specific interactions between nucleolin and UCR-containing TRA2β4 may be associated with abnormal growth of colon cancer cells.

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 regulates p21-dependent growth arrest in colon cancer cells

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs) play wide-ranging roles in gene expression through post-transcriptional regulation as well as pre-mRNA splicing. SRSF7 was highly expressed in colon cancer tissues, and its knockdown inhibited cell growth in colon cancer cells (HCT116) in association with altered expression of 4,499 genes. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that cell cycle-related canonical pathways were ranked as the highly enriched category in the affected genes. Western blotting confirmed that p21, a master regulator in cell cycle, was increased without any induction of p53 in SRSF7 knockdown cells. Furthermore, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and retinoblastoma protein were remained in the hypophosphorylated state. In addition, the SRSF7 knockdown-induced cell growth inhibition was observed in p53-null HCT116 cells, suggesting that p53-independent pathways were involved in the SRSF7 knockdown-induced cell growth inhibition. The reduction of SRSF7 stabilized cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) mRNA without any activation of the CDKN1A promoter. Interestingly, SRSF7 knockdown also blocked p21 degradation. These results suggest that the reduction of SRSF7 post-transcriptionally regulates p21 induction at the multistep processes. Thus, the present findings disclose a novel, important role of SRSF7 in cell proliferation through regulating p21 levels. J. Med. Invest. 63: 219-226, August, 2016.

Human papilloma virus detection in oropharyngeal cancer with gargle samples

Human papilloma virus detection in oropharyngeal cancer with gargle samples.

OBJECTIVE

human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and knowledge of a patient's HPV status is clinically important in terms of treatment and prognosis. The practicality of using oral gargle samples to reliably detect HPV in patients with OPSCC remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of HPV detection in gargle samples of OPSCC patients using an HPV-dedicated nucleic acid amplification test (cobas 4800 HPV Test; Roche Diagnostics K.K.).

METHODOLOGY

15 patients with histologically proven OPSCC were evaluated from May 2014 to March 2015. Swab sam- ples served as positive controls and were tested using both the Hybrid Capture II HPV Test (HC-II; Digene Corporation) and the cobas 4800 HPV Test. Oral gargle samples were tested using the cobas 4800 HPV Test. Five of the 15 patients were confirmed to be HPV-positive by a combination of p16 immunohistochemistry, HPV-DNA in situ hybridization and nucleic acid amplification.

RESULTS

the sensitivity and specificity of the gargling method were 60% and 100%, respectively. No false-positives were obtained. Detection of HPV in two very small tumours rising from the base of the tongue was difficult and these cases were overlooked as HPV-negative.

CONCLUSIONS

use of the gargling method to determine HPV positivity in OPSCC patients appears feasible, except in patients with very small tumours. Real-time polymerase chain reaction using gargle samples may have greater clinical efficacy than the swabbing method.

Effect of ethacrynic acid upon the peripheral vestibular nystagmus

The effect of ethacrynic acid (ETA) upon pendular rotation nystagmus and paralytic nystagmus was examined using 61 guinea pigs. 100 mg/kg ETA reduced these nystagmus but 30 mg/kg ETA had on effect. Galvanic nystagmus, Bechterew's compensatory nystagmus, OKN and EEG were not affected by 100 ng/kg ETA. These results are highly suggestive that the inhibition of the peripheral vestibular nystagmus by ETA is mainly due to the reduction of the ampullar endolymphatic potential.

Evaluation of Kampo medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced arthritic and pX transgenic mice

Abstract To evaluate the usefulness of Kampo medicines (traditional herbal medicines) used clinically for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we selected eight of them and examined their effects on collagen-induced arthritic and pX transgenic mice. Among these, Dai-bofu-to, Kanzo-bushi-to, and Makyo-yokkan-to significantly reduced the severity of arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The onset of arthritis was delayed by three Kampo medicines, but only the effect of Makyo-yokkan-to was statistically significant. In addition, three Kampo medicines suppressed the arthropathy of pX transgenic mice, which had developed spontaneously. The onset of arthritis was delayed by 10.7, 8.3, and 15.4 days following treatment with Dai-bofu-to, Kanzo-bushi-to, and Makyo-yokkan-to, respectively. A study of the underlying mechanism showed that Kanzo-bushi-to decreased serum antitype II collagen antibody levels, suggesting that Kanzo-bushi-to possesses immunomodulating activity. This study shows that some Kampo medicines are effective in an induced or spontaneously developed arthritis animal model of human RA.

The role of TNFalpha and IL-17 in the development of excess IL-1 signaling-induced inflammatory diseases in IL-1 receptor antagonist-deficient mice

IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra)-deficient mice spontaneously develop several inflammatory diseases, resembling rheumatoid arthritis, aortitis, and psoriasis in humans. As adoptive T cell transplantation could induce arthritis and aortitis in recipient mice, it was suggested that an autoimmune process is involved in the development of diseases. In contrast, as dermatitis developed in scid/scid-IL-IRa-deficient mice and could not be induced by T cell transfer, a T cell-independent mechanism was suggested. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines was augmented at the inflammatory sites. The development of arthritis and aortitis was significantly suppressed by the deficiency of TNFalpha or IL-17. The development of dermatitis was also inhibited by the deficiency of TNFalpha. These observations suggest that TNFalpha and IL-17 play a crucial role in the development of autoimmunity downstream of IL-1 signaling, and excess IL-1 signaling-induced TNFalpha also induces skin inflammation in a T cell-independent manner.

IgG reactive to CTL-directed epitopes of self-antigens is either lacking or unbalanced in atopic dermatitis patients

We previously demonstrated that CTL-directed epitopes derived from non-mutated self-antigens elicit a type-I allergy in the majority of healthy donors (HD) as did the presence of IgE and IgG reactive to these peptides in the sera of the donors. We investigated in this study whether Igs reactive to eight types of CTL-directed peptides were elevated in the sera of 40 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Total IgE levels in the sera of AD patients were significantly higher than those of HD, however, no significant differences between the AD patients and the HD were observed in either the serum levels or the positive rates of IgE reactive to seven of the eight peptides. Total IgG levels were not different from each other, however, IgG reactive to the two peptides with no sequence similarity to other species and one peptide that had similarity to DNA helicase II of enterobacteria were not detectable in the sera of the AD patients. Although IgG reactive to the remaining five peptides, which had sequence similarity to other species, were detectable in both the AD patients and the HD, ratios of peptide-specific IgG1/IgG2 were mostly lower in the AD patients than in the HD. These results indicate that IgG reactive to CTL-directed epitopes of self-antigens is either lacking or unbalanced in AD patients. This information may provide new insight into the immune-mechanisms of elevated auto-reactivity of AD patients.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of catalase-peroxidase from the halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui

Catalase-peroxidases are bifunctional enzymes found in many microorganisms. Crystals of catalase-peroxidase from the halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui were obtained using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The rhombic plate-shaped crystals were grown from purified protein solution using (NH(4))(2)SO(4) as precipitant at 293 K. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system, space group C2, and diffracted beyond 2.0 A resolution.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of V(1)-ATPase of Thermus thermophilus HB8 complexed with Mg-ADP

Crystals have been grown of the V(1)-ATPase sector of the V-type ATP synthase complex (V(0)V(1)) from the thermophilic eubacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8. These crystals are grown by the vapor diffusion method in the presence of 5 mM Mg-ADP, from solutions containing 100 mM sodium acetate and 2 M sodium formate, pH 5.5. The crystals diffracted X rays beyond 3.4 A in resolution on a synchrotron radiation source. The crystals belong to the trigonal space group P3, with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 89.0 A, c = 179.2 A, and gamma = 120 degrees. The unit cell presumably contains one molecule of V(1)-ATPase and the V(m) value is calculated as 3.0 A(3)/Da.

Presence of Streptococcus infection in extra-oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its implication in carcinogenesis

To investigate the involvement of S. anginosus infection in head and neck cancer in the extra-oropharyngeal cavity, we analyzed 3 DNA samples prepared from squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal and one from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Southern blot analysis to detect the DNA sequence of S. anginosus. We also examined these four specimens by Gram's stain to detect the streptococcal bacterial bodies. By PCR analysis, the DNA sequence of S. anginosus was found in 4 out of 4 (100%) DNA samples obtained from these tumors. By Southern blot analysis, positive bands were detected in one out of the 3 (33%) samples from the tumor taken from the external auditory canal. We detected streptococcal bacterial bodies in one of the three specimens from the tumor obtained from cancer of the external auditory canal and in the one specimen from the skin cancer by the method of Gram's stain. Contrary to our expectations, these bacterial bodies were located in the middle of the tumor. Since S. anginosus is thought to exist in the mouth as a normal flora and to be located mainly in the gingiva and dental plaque, these data strongly indicate that S. anginosus infection is implicated in the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Streptococcus anginosus in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: implication in carcinogenesis

It has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection might be associated with not only gastric ulcers but also gastric malignancies. Recently, it was reported that the Streptococcus anginosus (S. anginosus) DNA sequence was found in DNA samples extracted from esophageal cancers. Because smoking and alcohol abuse are regarded as risk factors for both esophgeal cancer and head and neck cancer, infection of S. anginosus might be associated with carcinogenesis of head and neck cancer. To investgate the involvement of S. anginosus infection in head and neck cancer, we analyzed 217 DNA samples prepared from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. We performed PCR analysis with S. anginosus-16S ribosomal DNA-specific primers, and Southern blot analysis. For detection of S. anginosus in the oral and pharyngeal cavities, we used oropharyngeal bacteriological culture and PCR analysis of gingival smears of the patients. By PCR analysis, the S. anginosus DNA sequence was found in 217 out of 217 (100%) DNA samples obtained from head and neck cancers. By Southern blot analysis, positive bands were detected in 41 out of 125 (33%) samples. We could find no S. anginosus colony in oropharyngeal bacteriological culture dishes of 53 patients with and without head and neck cancer. On the other hand, we found the S. anginosus DNA fragment in 8 out of 8 DNA samples obtained from gingival smears by PCR analysis. These data indicate that the upper aerodigestive environment of the patients permitting S. anginosus infection was implicated in the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

A clinical study of oral tongue cancer

Thirty-nine previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue treated with curative intent in our hospital from 1993 through 1998 are reviewed. Of these patients, those in the early stage (stages I and II) constituted 64%. The over all 5-year survival rate of all the patients was 60%. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with early stage cancers was unsatisfactory (stage I: 73%; II: 56%). This was thought to be related to the absence of elective neck dissection and the administration of chemotherapy in the patients with early stage cancer. We concluded that elective neck dissection for levels I, II and III is the first choice of treatment strategy for patients with stage II cancer. Our data indicate that chemotherapy in patients with early stage cancer was not beneficial and might have increased the risk of late lymph node metastasis in the clinically NO patients without neck dissection. There were 9 patients younger than 40 years of age and their survival rate at 5 years was 80%, which was better than that of the older patients. The treatment strategy for patients younger than 40 years of age was similar to that of older patients.

Enhancement in the perfection of orthorhombic lysozyme crystals grown in a high magnetic field (10 T)

Orthorhombic crystals of hen egg-white (HEW) lysozyme were grown in a homogeneous and static magnetic field of 10 T. All crystals grown at 10 T were oriented such that their crystallographic c axes were parallel to the magnetic field direction and showed a narrower average full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the rocking curve than those grown at 0 T. Rocking-width measurements were made at the BL-10A station at the Photon Factory, Tsukuba, Japan, using a high-resolution vertical-type four-circle diffractometer. Crystal perfection was evaluated using the FWHM of the rocking curve; the effects of the magnetic field on the quality of the crystals were examined by comparison of the FWHM of seven crystals grown at 10 and 0 T. The FWHMs of the reflections along the a, b and c axes decreased by 23.5, 35.3 and 27.8%, respectively, and those of other general reflections decreased by 17.4-42.2% in the crystals grown at high magnetic field. These results clearly showed that a magnetic field of 10 T improved the crystal perfection of the orthorhombic lysozyme crystals. As a result, the maximum resolution of X-ray diffraction increased from 1.3 A at 0 T to 1.13 A at 10 T. The magnetic field also affected the dimensions of the unit cell, increments being 0.2% for the a and c axes and 0.1% for the b axis, respectively. These facts suggest that the application of a high magnetic field during crystallization might result in remarkable enhancements in the diffraction power of protein crystals having magnetic anisotropy.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced HIV-1 expression in transgenic mice is mediated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1, but not by interferon-gamma nor interleukin-6

BACKGROUND

As serum HIV-1 load correlates well with the prognosis of the disease, it is suggested that the viral load is one of the major determinants of the disease progression of AIDS. Accordingly, HIV-1 activation mechanisms were extensively studied in vitro, and involvement of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-gamma has been suggested in this process. However, so far the roles of these cytokines in the HIV-1 expression in vivo have not been well elucidated because of the lack of appropriate animal disease models.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the roles of cytokines in HIV-1 activation in vivo.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Transgenic mice carrying a defective HIV-1 genome were used as a model for HIV-1 carriers. In order to examine the possible involvement of cytokines in HIV-1 expression, TNF-alpha-, IL-1-, IL-6- and IFN-gamma-deficient HIV-1 transgenic mice, were produced and HIV-1 expression was analyzed after activation with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

RESULTS

HIV-1 expression in the transgenic mouse spleen was activated 10- to 20-fold by LPS, and the serum p24 Gag protein levels reached 400 pg/ml, which is nearly equal to the levels that occur in AIDS patients. However, this augmentation was suppressed by 60% in TNF-alpha-deficient mice and by 40% in IL-1alpha/beta-deficient mice. In contrast, no suppression was observed in either IL-6-, IFN-gamma-, IL-1alpha, or IL-1beta-deficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-1 play important roles in HIV-1 gene activation and selective suppression of these cytokines could improve clinical prognosis and potentially slow progression of the disease.

Columnar epidermal necrosis: a unique manifestation of transfusion-associated cutaneous graft-vs-host disease

BACKGROUND

In 1978, the first case of columnar epidermal necrosis was reported in a 6-year-old boy. There were scaly, partially vesicular or crusty, erythematous lesions mainly involving the extremities that histopathologically showed peculiar features of focal, total epidermal necrosis accompanied by a lichenoid tissue reaction. He developed the skin eruption after receiving a blood transfusion from his mother when he showed debility induced by vaccination with an alternated live measles virus vaccine. The lesions rapidly regressed after sun exposure. To our knowledge, there has been no report of a similar case despite such unique features.

OBSERVATION

We encountered a similar case of columnar epidermal necrosis in a 15-year-old Japanese girl with chronic graft-vs-host disease; the lesions occurred 3 months after the transfusion of peripheral blood stem cells from her HLA antigen-matched brother. However, there was no exacerbation of liver dysfunction, diarrhea, or bone marrow aplasia. The peculiar cutaneous lesions responded well to topical phototherapy.

CONCLUSION

These 2 patients shared a similarity in their lesions and circumstances under which the blood transfusion was performed to a debilitated patient from a close family member. We believe that focal epidermal necrosis observed in patients with this condition represents a variant of blood transfusion-associated lichenoid graft-vs-host disease that occurs uniquely in a skin-targeted fashion.

Bone marrow-derived cells are responsible for the development of autoimmune arthritis in human T cell leukemia virus type I-transgenic mice and those of normal mice can suppress the disease

Previously, we reported that human T cell leukemia virus type I env-pX region-introduced transgenic (pX-Tg) mice developed an inflammatory polyarthropathy associated with a development of autoimmunity. To elucidate roles of autoimmunity in the development of arthritis, the immune cells were reciprocally replaced between pX-Tg mice and non-transgenic (Tg) mice. When bone marrow (BM) cells and spleen cells from pX-Tg mice were transferred into irradiated non-Tg mice, arthritis developed in these mice. In contrast, arthritis in pX-Tg mice was completely suppressed by non-Tg BM and spleen cells. Similar results were obtained with BM cells only. After the transplantation, T cells, B cells, and macrophages were replaced completely, whereas cells in the joints were replaced partially. In those mice, serum Ig and rheumatoid factor levels correlated with the disease development, and inflammatory cytokine expression was elevated in the arthritic joints. Furthermore, involvement of T cells in the joint lesion was suggested, because the incidence was greatly reduced in athymic nu/nu mice although small proportion of the mice still developed arthritis. These observations suggest that BM stem cells are abnormal, causing autoimmunity in pX-Tg mice, and this autoimmunity plays an important, but not absolute, role in the development of arthritis in this Tg mouse.

[An adult case of asymptomatic congenital tracheal stenosis]

We report an adult case of asymptomatic congenital tracheal stenosis. A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital, whose chief complaint was tongue pain. Clinical examination revealed a tumor 35 x 20 mm in diameter along the middle, right edge of the tongue, and histopathological examination determined a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. She had no history of dyspnea, stridor nor recurrent pneumonia, and enjoyed playing table tennis in her daily life. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, spirogram and laboratory data showed no abnormal signs although chest roentgenogram revealed a narrowed trachea 6 mm in diameter, however, the tracheal stenosis was not noted at the time. On the 10th hospital day, radical operation for cancer of the tongue including right hemiglossectomy and supraomohyoid neck dissection, were performed. Oral intubation was not successful, and a tracheostomy was conducted. The trachea was incised, and revealed that complete tracheal rings existed without posterior membraneous tissue. The operation time was limited because of high airway pressure for a narrow tracheal tube (5 mm in diameter). The main postoperative complication was one crust formation in the tracheal lumen that resulted in CO2 narcosis due to check valve obstruction of the trachea on the 4th postoperative day. A nebulizer provided continuous moisture and was effective in preventing recurrence of the crust attachment to the tracheal membrane thus, the tracheostoma was closed by the 17th postoperative day. This case indicates that among healthy people there are extremely rare patients with congenital tracheal stenosis who survive their postnatal and infantile periods, and who experience no trouble in their daily lives. As physicians, we must be aware of this disease in adult patients in our clinics.

[Superselective intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy of high-dose cisplatin for advanced paranasal sinus carcinomas]

Eighteen patients with advanced paranasal sinus carcinomas were treated by "two-route" intra-arterial chemotherapy using cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) and sodium thiosulfate (STS) to preserve the hard palate and the eye. In these patients, 100 mg/m2 of CDDP was administered weekly through each feeding artery of the tumor superselectively at 5 mg/min. During infusion of CDDP, STS at a two-hundred fold dose of CDDP was injected through a catheter placed in the brachiocephic vein introduced via the subclavian vein. The complete and partial response rates were 14/18 (78%) and 4/18 (22%), respectively. None of the nine patients following operation showed residual tumors histologically. The peak of the mean total plasma platinum concentration was 5.5 micrograms/ml, and this concentration was rapidly reduced to 1.5 micrograms/ml in 5 hours. The peak of the plasma protein unbound platinum was 3.9 micrograms/ml. This concentration rapidly decreased to almost zero within 5 hours after IA infusion. The mean tumor platinum content achieved by superselective IA infusion was as high as 6.0 micrograms/g tumor, and this decreased rapidly to 2.4 micrograms/g tumor on the 5th day after the 1st intra-arterial infusion. All patients were free from chemotoxicity such as renal, hematological dysfunctions, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Each chemotherapy treatment could be done weekly on schedule. All but one patient was alive for 5-40 months. This new method of chemotherapy appears very effective for advanced paranasal sinus carcinomas.

[Loss of heterozygosity of 3p21 and 9p21 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and its prognostic implication]

To examine whether genetic factors influence the prognosis of cancer patients, several microsatellite markers were used to determine the allelic loss of certain areas of the genome. Three microsatellite markers, D3S1067, IFNA and D9S171 were used to study the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 3p21 and 9p21 in 93 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Of 57 informative cases, LOH was detected in 27 of 57 (47%) DNA samples obtained from cancer specimens when at least one marker was used. The frequency of LOH was not correlated with the clinical factors. However, the frequency of LOH was significantly higher in the recurrent cases than in the non-recurrent cases, and patients with 3p21 and/or 9p21 LOH tended to survive for a shorter period of time. These results suggested that the allelic loss at 3p21 and/or 9p21 could be correlated with the prognosis of the patients, and that it was a novel prognostic factor independent of other clinical factors concerning head and neck cancers. LOH at 3p21 and/or 9p21 may help to identify head and neck cancer patients with a poor prognosis, who need an intensive postoperative follow-up protocol, or who are suitable for novel investigational therapeutic approaches.

The human T cell leukemia virus type I-tax gene is responsible for the development of both inflammatory polyarthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis and noninflammatory ankylotic arthropathy in transgenic mice

We previously reported that inflammatory arthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develops among transgenic mice carrying the long terminal repeat (LTR)-env-pX-LTR region of human T cell leukemia virus type I (LTR-pX-Tg mice). Because four genes are encoded in this region, we produced transgenic mice that only express the tax gene to examine its role in the development of arthritis. Transgenic mice were produced by constructing DNAs that express the tax gene alone under the control of either its own LTR or CD4 enhancer/promoter and by microinjecting them into C3H/HeN-fertilized ova. We produced seven transgenic mice carrying the LTR-tax gene and nine mice carrying the CD4-tax and found that one of the LTR-tax-Tg mice and five of CD4-tax-Tg mice developed RA-like inflammatory arthropathy similar to LTR-pX-Tg mice, indicating that the tax gene is arthritogenic. On the other hand, the other two LTR-tax-Tg mice had ankylotic changes caused by new bone formation without inflammation. In these ankylotic mice, tax mRNA, inflammatory cytokine mRNA, and autoantibody levels except for TGF-beta1 level were lower than those in LTR-pX- or CD4-tax-Tg mice. These results show that Tax is responsible for the development of inflammatory arthropathy resembling RA and that this protein also causes ankylotic arthropathy.

[Late phase II clinical study of RP56976 (docetaxel) in patients with advanced/recurrent head and neck cancer]

A late phase II clinical study of RP56976 (docetaxel), a new anticancer agent for advanced/recurrent head and neck cancer, was conducted in 29 institutions all over Japan as a multi-institutional cooperative study. Docetaxel was administered by 1 to 2-hour intravenous infusion at a dose of 60 mg/m2 every 3 to 4 weeks. Of 63 patients eligible in this study, 59 were judged as complete cases. Complete response (CR) was observed in 1 patient, partial response (PR) in 13, no change (NC) in 25, and progressive disease (PD) in 20, for an overall response rate of 22.2% (14/63, 95% CI: 12.7-34.5%) in eligible cases, and 23.7% (14/59, 95% CI: 13.6-36.6%) in complete cases. Previously treated patients showed a 17.9% (10/56) response rate, whereas treatment--naive patients showed a 57.1% (4/7) response rate. Among 46 patients who received prior chemotherapy, one CR and 7 PR were observed with a 17.4% response rate. Major hematological toxicities were leucopenia in 95.1% (> or = grade 3, 59.7%) and neutropenia in 90.3% (> or = grade 3, 79.0%). Other severe toxicities (> or = grade 3) included anorexia in 9.7% (6 cases), diarrhea in 3.2% (2 cases), dyspnea in 3.2% (2 cases), and fatigue in 3.2% (2 cases). One patient had a grade 3 interstitial pneumonia; however, symptoms were resolved by the administration of corticosteroids. During this study, one patient died due to multiple organ failure (MOF) caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and this case was reported as a therapy-related death. Based on these results, docetaxel is an active agent for treatment of head and neck cancer.

The development of autoimmune inflammatory arthropathy in mice transgenic for the human T cell leukemia virus type-1 env-pX region is not dependent on H-2 haplotypes and modified by the expression levels of Fas antigen

Previously, we reported that human T cell leukemia virus type-1 env-pX region-introduced transgenic (pX-Tg) mice develop an inflammatory polyarthropathy. Although autoimmune pathogenesis was suggested, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this report, we examined effects of the MHC and fas genes on the development of the disease. When pX-Tg mice were backcrossed with different inbred strains, the incidence of arthritis differed among strains; 64% and 72% in BALB/cAn (H-2d), 25% and 46% in C3H/HeN (H-2k), and 0% and 2% in C57BL/6J (H-2b) background at 3 and 6 months of age, respectively. Rheumatoid factor levels in the serum correlated with the susceptibility to the disease, whereas IL-1beta and MHC gene expression were similarly elevated in all of these strains, suggesting involvement of immune regulatory genes in this strain difference. However, introduction of the H-2d locus into C57BL/6J pX-Tg mice did not increase the incidence of arthritis, and substitution of the BALB/cAn H-2 locus with the H-2b did not decrease it. The results indicate that the H-2 locus is not the major determinant of the disease. Then, since previous study indicated a defect in Fas-mediated apoptosis of transgenic T cells, the effects of fas gene modification on the disease were examined. The incidence increased when these pX-Tg mice were crossed with lpr/lpr mice, while it decreased when crossed with fas-transgenic mice. These observations suggest that aberration of Fas-mediated apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes, rather than negative selection in the thymus, is involved in the development of autoimmune arthropathy in pX-Tg mice.

Loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 9p21 and 7q31 is correlated with high incidence of recurrent tumor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

To examine whether genetic factors influence the prognosis of cancer patients, several polymorphic markers were used to determine the allelic loss of certain areas of the genome. Two polymorphic markers, IFNA and D9S171 were used to study the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 9p21 in 75 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. LOH was detected in 14 out of 64(22%) DNA samples obtained from cancer specimens when at least one marker was used. The frequency of LOH was not correlated with the localization of the tumor, clinical stage of the patient, tumor size and lymph node involvement. However, the frequency of LOH was significantly higher in the recurrent tumors than in the non-recurrent tumors, suggesting that the allelic loss at 9p21 can be correlated with the short term prognosis of the patients. LOH was identified in only three out of 19(16%) samples when D7S522 was used as a marker. However, all of these three cases were recurrent, and two of the three showed the allelic loss at 9p21 at the same time. These results indicate that LOH of 9p21 and/or 7q31 is a novel prognostic factor independent of other clinical factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Replication error (RER) was observed in 4 cancers, implicating genetic instability in the carcinogenesis of a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

UVB irradiation decreases the magnitude of the Th1 response to hapten but does not increase the Th2 response

Exposure of murine skin to low doses of ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation before sensitization with hapten reduces the ability of antigen presenting cells (APC) in the draining lymph nodes to initiate contact hypersensitivity responses in vivo and results in the induction of hapten-specific suppressor T cells. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that exposure of skin to UVB radiation suppresses T cell responses to hapten in vivo by altering the functions of APC, resulting in decreased stimulation of Th1 lymphocytes, which mediate contact hypersensitivity responses, and preferential activation of Th2 cells. C3H/HeN mice were exposed to either a single 2 kJ/m2 dose of UVB or to 400 J/m2 of UVB daily from FS40 sunlamps for four consecutive days and sensitized with fluorescein isothiocyanate on UV-irradiated skin. Draining lymph node cells were collected 18 h after sensitization and co-cultured with nylon wool-purified T cells from naive or fluorescein-immunized mice. Unseparated lymph node cells or sorter-purified fluorescein-bearing APC from UV-irradiated mice induced less T cell proliferation than APC from non-UV-exposed mice. Lymph node cells produced less Th1 and Th2-associated cytokines, interferon-gamma and interleukin-4, respectively, in response to APC from UV-irradiated animals compared with APC from unirradiated, fluorescein-sensitized mice. Thus, low doses of UV radiation do not result in preferential stimulation of Th2 response in lymph nodes, and results from cloned cell lines may incompletely reflect T cell responses in vivo.

[Has the clinical trials in Japan been accepted by the society?]

The difference between clinical trial and clinical practice of cancer treatment were discussed. The problems of clinical trials in Japan was clarified. The conditions how clinical can be accepted by the society were discussed.

Deficient antigen presentation and Ts induction are separate effects of ultraviolet irradiation

Ultraviolet-B irradiation of murine skin before contact sensitization alters the antigen-presenting activity of cells in the skin and draining lymph nodes (DLN), decreases the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response, and induces hapten-specific Ts cells. We determined whether hapten-bearing antigen-presenting cells (APC) from the DLN of UV-irradiated mice induce Ts cells. APC from UV-irradiated, FITC-sensitized mice were isolated, and FITC+ cells were FACS-purified and injected into the hind footpads of naive, syngeneic mice. Unseparated and FACS-purified bright FITC+ cells (FITChi) from UV-irradiated mice induced Ts. However, dull (FITClo) FITC+ cells, T-cell-depleted FITChi cells, or DLN cells from C3H SCID mice failed to induce Ts. Injection of FITC-bearing DLN cells from nonirradiated mice into UV-irradiated recipients failed to immunize and induced Ts instead. Treatment of the UV-irradiated recipients with anti-TNF-alpha blocked these effects. Thus, transferable suppression is due to Thy-1+ cells, does not require UV-altered APC for induction, and may depend on TNF-alpha.

Autoimmunity induction by human T cell leukemia virus type 1 in transgenic mice that develop chronic inflammatory arthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis in humans

We recently reported on an inflammatory arthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis that develops in high incidence among transgenic mice that carry the env-pX region of the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 genome. In an effort to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease, we found that genes for inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta 1, IFN-gamma, and IL-2, as well as MHC genes were activated in transgenic joints. Serum levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were also elevated. Interestingly, these mice produced Ab against IgG, type II collagen (IIC), and heat shock proteins accompanied by IgG hypergammaglobulinemia. The cellular immune response to IIC as well as that to heat shock proteins were activated. Moreover, these mice became immunologically responsive to exogenously administered IIC and developed arthritis, in contrast to their nontransgenic littermates, which showed little response to IIC. Taken together, the results suggest that human T cell leukemia virus type 1 can cause immune system hyperreactivity and induce autoimmunity. The possibility that elevated cytokine and/or MHC gene expression are involved in the development of autoimmunity and arthropathy are discussed.

Autoimmunity induction by human T cell leukemia virus type 1 in transgenic mice that develop chronic inflammatory arthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis in humans

We recently reported on an inflammatory arthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis that develops in high incidence among transgenic mice that carry the env-pX region of the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 genome. In an effort to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease, we found that genes for inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta 1, IFN-gamma, and IL-2, as well as MHC genes were activated in transgenic joints. Serum levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were also elevated. Interestingly, these mice produced Ab against IgG, type II collagen (IIC), and heat shock proteins accompanied by IgG hypergammaglobulinemia. The cellular immune response to IIC as well as that to heat shock proteins were activated. Moreover, these mice became immunologically responsive to exogenously administered IIC and developed arthritis, in contrast to their nontransgenic littermates, which showed little response to IIC. Taken together, the results suggest that human T cell leukemia virus type 1 can cause immune system hyperreactivity and induce autoimmunity. The possibility that elevated cytokine and/or MHC gene expression are involved in the development of autoimmunity and arthropathy are discussed.

A new and efficient method to generate human IgG monoclonal antibodies reactive to cancer cells using SCID-hu mice

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are very useful for treatment of cancer, but they are difficult to obtain since immunization of humans is not a practical proposition at present. As an approach to circumvent this problem, we have simultaneously inoculated cancer tissues and regional lymph node cells obtained from lung cancer patients into SCID mice to allow in vivo stimulation of human lymphocytes against autologous cancer tissues. Human immunoglobulins, especially IgG, were observed in the SCID-hu sera, and some showed high reactivity to lung cancer cell lines. Testing of human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines obtained from SCID-hu spleen and thymus for antibody activity revealed 16-45% of them to be reactive to lung cancer cells. These percentages are high as compared with previous reports. Furthermore, we could establish 4 human IgG mAbs reactive to lung cancer cell lines. These results indicate successful stimulation of specific human lymphocytes in vivo, which thereby enables efficient generation of human monoclonal antibodies using SCID-hu mice.

Comparison of reactivity of monoclonal antibody (3F2) to trimeric tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) with that to monomeric TNF-alpha

Biologically active TNF-alpha is a trimer. Our newly developed monoclonal antibody against recombinant human TNF-alpha (3F2) bound to TNF-alpha immobilized on a solid phase precoated with the same monoclonal antibody, 3F2. We therefore examined the possibility that 3F2 preferentially recognized trimeric TNF-alpha, and obtained the following results. (i) Treatment of TNF-alpha with 1% NP40 enhanced the dissociation from the trimer to the monomer. The treatment also reduced the reactivity of 3F2 to TNF-alpha immobilized on a solid phase precoated with either 3F2 or a rabbit anti-TNF-alpha antibody (PT50). (ii) When trimeric and monomeric TNF-alpha, obtained by gel filtration of NP40-treated TNF-alpha, were assayed with either PT50 (solid phase)/3F2 (fluid phase) or PT50/PT50, PT50/3F2 showed a higher response to trimeric TNF-alpha than to monomeric TNF-alpha, while PT50/PT50 showed the opposite result. (iii) The values for two fractions containing only trimeric TNF-alpha obtained on ELISA with PT50/3F2 fitted the standard curve for ELISA with PT50/3F2 which was made by using unseparated TNF-alpha. Taken together, these findings suggested that 3F2 preferentially recognizes trimeric TNF-alpha.

Augmentation of c-fos and c-jun expression in transgenic mice carrying the human T-cell leukemia virus type-I tax gene

To analyze the effect of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) on cellular gene expression and its relation to tumorigenesis, two lines of transgenic mice carrying the long terminal repeat (LTR)-env-pX-LTR regions of the HTLV-I genome were produced. The transgene was expressed in many organs, including the brain, salivary gland, spleen, thymus, skin, muscle, and mammary gland. We found that the expression of the c-fos and c-jun genes, but not of the lyn and c-myc genes, was augmented 2- to 20-fold in histologically normal skin and muscle of these mice. The augmentation was tissue specific, suggesting the involvement of a cellular factor in the transgene action. In these mice, a three to seven times higher incidence of tumors was seen as compared with the control mice. These tumors included mesenchymal tumors, such as fibrosarcoma, neurofibroma, and lipoma, and adenocarcinomas of the mammary gland, salivary gland, and lung. The c-fos and c-jun genes were also activated in these tumors. The possible roles of elevated c-fos and c-jun gene expression in tumorigensis are discussed.

Survival after surgery for cancer of the gallbladder

The records of 45 patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder who had undergone surgical resection at least 5 years previously were reviewed retrospectively to determine which factors influence long-term survival. Seventeen patients survived at least 5 years and 23 died from recurrence (five patients were excluded from analysis). Of the 17 long-term survivors 15 had tumours superficial to the subserosa that showed a non-infiltrative growth pattern. Those alive at 5 years were more likely than short-term survivors to have tumours that were papillary (P < 0.05) or well differentiated (P < 0.01) adenocarcinoma. Venous, lymphatic and perineural invasion was more common in short- than in long-term survivors (87 versus 29 per cent, P < 0.001). Patients with tumours limited to the muscularis and those with non-infiltrative subserosal involvement are likely to have better survival and may have a chance of cure after extended cholecystectomy.

Ultraviolet irradiation of murine skin alters cluster formation between lymph node dendritic cells and specific T lymphocytes

Exposure of murine skin to suberythemal doses of ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation before contact sensitization alters the activity of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the draining lymph nodes (DLN), decreases the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response, and induces hapten-specific Ts cells. We determined whether in vivo UVB irradiation alters the ability of hapten-bearing APC from the DLN to form clusters with hapten-specific T lymphocytes. When APC from UV-irradiated, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-sensitized mice were mixed with a FITC-specific T-cell line, significantly fewer clusters formed compared with FITC+ APC from unirradiated mice. A higher percentage of clusters formed with APC from UV-irradiated mice were Mac-1+ and bound both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, whereas FITC+ APC from nonirradiated mice bound CD4+ cells. These results suggest that UVB irradiation interferes with the induction of CHS by altering the functional interaction between APC and T cells, perhaps by altering the population of APC in the skin.

Altered energy metabolism and oxidative injury following endotoxemia in rats with normal or cirrhotic livers

The release of oxygen-derived free radicals has been implicated in endotoxin-mediated hepatic injury. The effect of hepatic lipid peroxidation on tissue energy reserves in the livers of normal and cirrhotic rats was studied following administration of E. coli endotoxin. Before endotoxin injection, the basal hepatic energy charge was lower and levels of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and total glutathione (GSH) higher in cirrhotic rats than in normal rats. Virtually identical levels of blood endotoxin were obtained in the two groups 24 h after injection of LD50 doses of endotoxin (20 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg in normal and cirrhotic rats, respectively). Hepatic energy charge, tissue blood flow, GSH and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were consistently or transiently decreased up to 24 h after the injection of endotoxin in both normal and cirrhotic rats. MDA, significantly increased in normal rats 1 h after injection of endotoxin, returned to normal levels 3-12 h after endotoxin administration, but was again elevated at 24 h. Cirrhotic rats did not show any significant change in MDA following endotoxin injection. In normal rats, endotoxin appears to trigger the liberation of free radicals accelerating depletion of hepatic energy reserves, over and above the effect of decreased hepatic blood flow. In contrast, increased lipid peroxidation was not detected in cirrhotic rats despite GSH and GPX consumption during endotoxemia (indicating oxygen radical generation). Cirrhotic livers were apparently protected against oxygen radical injury by higher levels of endogenous GSH and GPX. Reduced hepatic blood flow may be mainly responsible for the alteration in energy metabolism of the cirrhotic liver.

Inflammatory polyarthritis in mice transgenic for human T cell leukemia virus type I

OBJECTIVE

We have recently reported that arthropathy develops in high incidence among transgenic mice carrying the pX region of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). In the present study, the histopathologic features of the joints in these mice were examined in order to compare the animal disease with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans.

METHODS

Paraffin sections of limbs (right and left fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, toes, knees, and ankles) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, azan-Mallory, or phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, and examined by light microscopy.

RESULTS

Abnormalities of the limbs began to occur as early as 3 weeks of age, and the incidence gradually increased until the mice were 12 months old. The incidence of arthropathy was 22% (48 of 217) at 3 months of age and 28% (18 of 64) at 6 months. The severity of the histopathologic changes in the joints of the transgenic mice ranged from grade I to grade IV.

CONCLUSION

The major histopathologic features in the joints of HTLV-I transgenic mice are similar to those in humans with RA. Thus, these mice may represent a useful model for the study of the disease in humans.