A case of giant ileal duplication in an adult, successfully treated with laparoscope-assisted surgery

Alimentary tract duplication is a rare congenital malformation but can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. Most patients become symptomatic in early childhood, and only a few cases of adult patients have been reported in the literature. We herein report a unique case of a giant ileal duplication in an adult, which was successfully treated with laparoscope-assisted surgery. A 60-year-old male was admitted because of abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined cystic mass, measuring 15 cm, in the ileocecal region. We diagnosed it as a duplicated ileum and performed laparoscope-assisted surgery. The duplication was successfully resected with attached normal ileum, and there were no major complications in the postoperative course.

Abstract 4032: Functional analysis of exosomes derived from human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles (30-100 nm) released by many types of cells including cancer cells, and are thought to play an important role in cell-to-cell communications. Exosomes contain lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids such as mRNAs or microRNAs, they are tought to have relationship with tumor growth or metastasis. Our laboratory was previously reported the level of microRNA-1246, expressed mainly in tumor tissues of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), was significantly high in exosomes extracted from the serum of ESCC patients. However, the exosome dynamics and transportation between cancer cells and the other cells are still unclear. In this study, we assessed the cell-to-cell communication via exosomes with fluorescent imaging and analyzed the effect of cancer cell derived exosome to tumor progression.

In order to image and analyze the movement of cancer cell-derived exosomes, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged CD63, which is a general marker of exosomes, was expressed in human esophageal squamous cancer cell line TE2. Exosomes were extracted from supernatant with ultracentrifuge method. Extracted GFP-tagged exosomes were added to the other cells to obtain the images of transportation. The effects of exosomes to tumor progression were also assessed with cell proliferation assay, invasion oassay, and migration assay. Our data indicates that cancer cell derived exosomes affect tumor progression.

Citation Format: Yasunori Matsumoto, Masayuki Kano, Yasunori Akutsu, Takanori Nishimori, Naoyuki Hanari, Isamu Hoshino, Kentaro Murakami, Takeshi Toyozumi, Hiroshi Suito, Masahiko Takahashi, Nobufumi Sekino, Yoshihiro Nabeya, Hisahiro Matsubara. Functional analysis of exosomes derived from human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4032. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4032

Usefulness of microRNA‑375 as a prognostic and therapeutic tool in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to clarify the importance of microRNA‑375 (miR‑375) expression in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to examine the in vivo antitumor effects of miR‑375 in a model of ESCC using a non‑viral delivery system. We estimated the miR‑375 and LDHB and AEG‑1/MTDH mRNA expression of the ESCC tumors from 85 patients. The correlation between the miR‑375 expression and clinicopathological features, including the prognosis, were evaluated. The presence of high miR‑375 expression was associated with lymphatic vessel invasion, while a low expression of miR‑375 significantly correlated with a poor prognosis for the 85 ESCC patients. We also found that there was a significant inverse correlation between the expression of miR‑375 and that of LDHB. Before the examination of miR‑375 in the in vivo assay, we confirmed that atelocollagen prolonged the accumulation of miRNA by using fluorescently‑labeled miRNA and an in vivo imaging system. We injected the miR‑375/atelocollagen complex or a control‑miRNA/atelocollagen complex into mice bearing TE2 and T.Tn xenografts via subcutaneous (s.c.) injections. The growth of both the TE2 and T.Tn tumors in the miR‑375 groups was significantly suppressed compared with that in the control‑miRNA groups. In addition, The LDHB mRNA expression of TE2 xenografts was significantly downregulated after miR‑375 treatment. In conclusion, it might be possible for the level of miR‑375 expression to be a utilized as a prognostic indicator for ESCC patients. The administration of miR‑375 using a non‑viral delivery might represent a powerful new treatment for ESCC.

Screening of alternative drugs to the tumor suppressor miR-375 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using the connectivity map

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify alternative compounds to the tumor suppressor miR-375 using the connectivity map (CMAP) and to validate the antitumor effects of the identified drugs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

Gene profiling of miR-375-treated TE2 and T.Tn cells was applied in order to search the CMAP database. Among the compounds identified using the CMAP, we focused on 8 drugs [(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, metformin, rosiglitazone among others], excluding 2 drugs among the top 10 compounds. We evaluated whether these compounds possess tumor-suppressive functions in ESCC.

RESULTS

A cytotoxicity assay showed that the sensitivity of TE2 and T.Tn cells treated with the 8 compounds was evaluated based on IC50 values of 42.9 µM to 3.8 mM. A cell cycle analysis revealed that the percentage of TE2 and T.Tn cells incubated with 6 compounds in the G0/G1 phase or the G2/M phase increased by approximately 40-80%. A TUNEL assay showed that the percentages of apoptotic cells treated with almost all compounds were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with the control cells.

CONCLUSION

The CMAP database is a useful tool for identifying compounds affecting the same molecular pathways, particularly products that are difficult to apply via practical approaches, such as microRNAs.

The effect of stress on efficacy of dendritic cell therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

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Background: Recently, abscopal effect, by which systemic anti-tumor effect by local radiation therapy (RT) was elicited, has been reported. This phenomenon was thought to be mediated by stress protein gp96, a key molecule in antigen-presenting. We tested the enhancement of dendritic cell (DC) therapy by various stress, such as radiation or modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) in DC therapy for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods: Mouse SCC cells, SCCVII, were inoculated into the left femur (primary tumor) of C3H/He mice subcutaneously, and also similarly inoculated into non-treated chest subcutaneous tissue (secondary tumor). Only the primary tumor was exposed to 4 or 10 Gy of RT or 5-10 watts of mEHT. Then DCs was injected only into the primary tumor. Following that, tumor volumes of the primary and secondary tumor were measured. Next, the population of immune-related T-cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) and gp96 expression in the primary tumor were evaluated. Results: With intratumoral injection of DCs and RT, primary tumor growth was markedly suppressed. Furthermore, secondary tumor growth was also suppressed. On the other hand, the combination of DCs and mEHT could inhibit tumor growth at both the primary and the secondary tumor. As for the population of T-cells, the population of CD3+, CD 4+ and CD 8+T-cells in the TDLN was markedly elevated and that of FoxP3 was reduced my mEHT. Gp96 expression, a stress protein, was strongly enhanced after RT and mEHT. Conclusions: Stress, such as RT or hyperthermia can enhance the efficacy of DC therapy and can induce a strong antitumor effect by stimulating the expression of stress protein, gp96. These combination therapies can be a strong systemic immunotherapy for esophageal SCC.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer]

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer after surgical resection remains poor if curative resection cannot be achieved. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy( NAC) may increase the curative resection rate and reduce the recurrence rate following resection of marginally resectable advanced colorectal cancer by ensuring adequate surgical margin and controlling micro-metastases. Herein, we report the treatment regimen and outcomes of NAC for advanced colorectal cancer at our institute.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 2005 and December 2012, 10 patients with marginally resectable advanced colorectal cancer received NAC before undergoing laparotomy. NAC consisted of 4 to 8 courses of the FOLFIRI-3 regimen combined with molecular targeted agents. Laparotomy was performed 4 to 6 weeks after the last course of NAC, and 12 courses of mFOLFOX6 were recommended as adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery.

RESULTS

A partial response (PR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors ver. 3 was observed in 5 patients and progressive disease (PD) was not observed in any patient. Curative resection was achieved in 9 patients. All patients are currently alive, and the 2-year relapse-free survival rate was 62.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a retrospective study of a small number of subjects; however, the results suggest that NAC for marginally resectable advanced colorectal cancer increases the curative resection rate and reduces the recurrence rate.

A novel mechanism of keratin cytoskeleton organization through casein kinase Iα and FAM83H in colorectal cancer

Keratin filaments form cytoskeletal networks in epithelial cells. Dynamic rearrangement of keratin filament networks is required for epithelial cells to perform cellular processes such as cell migration and polarization; however, the mechanism governing keratin filament rearrangement remains unclear. Here, we found a novel mechanism of keratin cytoskeleton organization mediated by casein kinase Iα (CK-1α) and a newly identified keratin-associated protein, FAM83H. FAM83H knockdown induces keratin filament bundling, whereas FAM83H overexpression disassembles keratin filaments, suggesting that FAM83H regulates the filamentous state of keratins. Intriguingly, keratin filament bundling is concomitant with the dissociation of CK-1α from keratin filaments, while aberrant speckle-like localization of CK-1α is observed concomitantly with keratin filament disassembly. Furthermore, CK-1α inhibition, like FAM83H knockdown, causes keratin filament bundling and reverses keratin filament disassembly induced by FAM83H overexpression, suggesting that CK-1α mediates FAM83H-dependent reorganization of keratin filaments. Since the N-terminal region of FAM83H interacts with CK-1α, whereas the C-terminal region interacts with keratins, FAM83H might tether CK-1α to keratins. Colorectal cancer tissue also shows keratin filament disassembly accompanied with FAM83H overexpression and aberrant CK-1α localization, and FAM83H-overexpressing cancer cells exhibit loss or alteration of epithelial cell polarity. Importantly, FAM83H knockdown inhibits cell migration accompanied by keratin cytoskeleton rearrangement in colorectal cancer cells. These results suggest that keratin cytoskeleton organization is regulated by FAM83H-mediated recruitment of CK-1α to keratins, and that keratin filament disassembly caused by FAM83H overexpression and aberrant localization of CK-1α may contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for recurrent colorectal cancer]

BACKGROUND

The prognosis after surgical resection of recurrent colorectal cancer is still poor, even if it is diagnosed as "resectable" before operation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) may reduce the recurrence rate after resection of recurrent lesions by ensuring the surgical margin and controlling micro-metastases. This report presents the treatment regimen and outcome of NAC for recurrent colorectal cancer at this institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients with recurrent colorectal cancer, excluding hepatic and pulmonary metastases, received NAC before laparotomy between April 2005 and November 2011. The FOLFIRI3 regimen combined with molecular targeting agents was used for NAC, and 4 to 8 courses were administered. Laparotomy was performed during the 4-to 6-week period after the last NAC administration, and 12 courses of mFOLFOX6 were recommended as adjuvant chemotherapy after the operation.

RESULTS

Complete remission was observed in 1 patient and partial remission in 7 patients according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors ver. 3, and no progressive disease was observed. Curative resection was achieved in 13 patients. The 3-year overall survival rate was 83.6%, and the 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 50.3%.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study using a small number of subjects suggested that NAC for recurrent colorectal cancer may increase the curative resection rate while reducing the recurrence rate.

The molecular role of Fra-1 and its prognostic significance in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The expression of Fra-1 (Fos related antigen 1) involves tumor progression and invasion, and its gene ablation could suppress the invasive phenotypes of human tumor cells. The authors investigated the significance of Fra-1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and studied the effect of its down-regulation on cell proliferation, motility, and invasion.

METHODS

Surgical specimens from 164 patients with ESCC were evaluated. Fra-1 expression in the primary tumor along with metastatic lymph nodes was compared among various clinicopathological characteristics, and overall survival was analyzed. The rate and intensity of Fra-1 immunoreactivity were also investigated. The molecular role of Fra-1 was assessed by its down-regulation in human ESCC cell lines.

RESULTS

Fra-1 expression was positive in 127 (77.4%) ESCC patients. Immunoreactivity was localized to the marginal areas of the ESCC tumors. Positive Fra-1 expression correlated with depth of tumor, lymph node metastasis, stage, and infiltrative growth pattern. A significant difference was seen in the survival between tumors with and without Fra-1, and positive Fra-1 expression was revealed to be an independent factor related to poor prognosis. Patients with metastatic lymph nodes with positive Fra-1 expression presented decreased survival compared with negative Fra-1 expression. After the down-regulation of Fra-1 expression, a significant decrease in cell proliferation, motility, and invasion was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated ESCC patients positive for Fra-1 to be associated with poor prognosis. The findings also suggest that Fra-1 regulation may play an important role in the progression of ESCC.

Identification of a novel SEREX antigen family, ECSA, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may improve with early diagnosis. Currently it is difficult to diagnose SCC in the early stage because there is a limited number of tumor markers available.

RESULTS

Fifty-two esophageal SCC SEREX antigens were identified by SEREX (serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning) using a cDNA phage library and sera of patients with esophageal SCC. Sequence analysis revealed that three of these antigens were similar in amino acid sequences, and they were designated as ECSA (esophageal carcinoma SEREX antigen)-1, -2 and -3. The ECSA family was also similar to an EST clone, hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen 25a (HCA25a). Serum antibody levels to ECSA-1, -2 and -3 were significantly higher in patients with esophageal SCC than in healthy donors. Based on the conserved amino acid sequences, three peptides were synthesized and used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The serum antibody levels against one of these peptides were significantly higher in patients with esophageal SCC. This peptide sequence was also conserved in FAM119A, GOSR1 and BBS5, suggesting that these are also ECSA family members. Reverse transcription followed by quantitative PCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression levels of ECSA-1, -2 and -3 and FAM119A but not of HCA25a, GOSR1 and BBS5 were frequently elevated in esophageal SCC tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a new gene family designated ECSA. Serum antibodies against the conserved domain of the ECSA family may be a promising tumor marker for esophageal SCC.

The amino-terminal region of hemokinin-1 regulates the induction of thermal hyperalgesia in rats

It is known that intrathecal administration of substance P (SP) induces thermal hyperalgesia, whereas hemokinin-1 (HK-1), a member of the same tachykinin family as SP, hardly induces thermal hyperalgesia; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to clarify which amino acid of these peptides contributes to the induction of thermal hyperalgesia. When two chimera peptides between the N-terminal region of SP and the C-terminal region of HK-1, and vice versa, SP (1-5)/HK-1 and HK-1 (1-5)/SP, were intrathecally administered, SP (1-5)/HK-1 induced thermal hyperalgesia whereas HK-1 (1-5)/SP had hardly any effect; furthermore, thermal hyperalgesia was induced by only C-terminal fragments of HK-1 and SP. These findings indicate that the N-terminal region of HK-1 is involved in the non-induction of thermal hyperalgesia. Next, we synthesized and intrathecally administered these chimera peptides in which part of the N-terminal region of HK-1 was replaced with that of SP, and vice versa, and all synthesized peptides induced thermal hyperalgesia. Both SP (1-2)/HK-1 and HK-1 (1-4)/SP certainly induced thermal hyperalgesia, although HK-1 and HK-1 (1-5)/SP had hardly any effect; therefore, it is probable that Ser at the 2nd position and Arg at the 5th position of HK-1 may be involved in the non-induction of thermal hyperalgesia. Furthermore, peptides in which amino acid at the 3rd and/or 4th positions of HK-1 was replaced with that of SP were synthesized. Intrathecal administration of HK-1 (1-2,4-5)/SP, but not HK-1 (1-2,5)/SP and HK-1 (1-3,5)/SP, hardly induced thermal hyperalgesia. These findings indicate that three amino acids, Ser, Thr and Arg at the 2nd, 4th and 5th positions of HK-1, respectively, regulate the induction of thermal hyperalgesia by HK-1.

Effects of carbon-ion radiotherapy combined with a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, cyclic hydroxamic-acid-containing peptide 31 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Carbon-ion radiotherapy has several potential advantages over X-rays. This therapy has been applied for various solid tumors including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, some patients have shown resistance to this treatment. A new effective combined treatment strategy is required for improving the therapeutic effects. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are new therapeutic candidates for cancer treatment. Several studies have evaluated the combination of X-rays and HDACIs, but, to date, no study has evaluated carbon-ion radiotherapy combined with HDACIs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radio-sensitization to carbon-ion radiotherapy when combined with a novel HDACI cyclic hydroxamic-acid-containing peptide 31(CHAP31) was assessed in human esophageal SCC both in vitro and in vivo. Changes of expression of genes related to DNA repair, by CHAP31 were assessed by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptional PCR analysis.

RESULTS

CHAP31 induced sensitization to carbon-ion radiotherapy in vitro and tumor growth was significantly suppressed by the combination of carbon-ion radiotherapy with CHAP31 in comparison to either agent alone in in vivo experiments. CHAP31 inhibited the expression of genes related to DNA repair.

CONCLUSION

CHAP31 sensitizes SCC cells to carbon-ion radiotherapy and this combinatory treatment may be a potentially useful therapeutic strategy for esophageal SCC.

Central endogenous vasopressin induced by central salt-loading participates in body fluid homeostasis through modulatory effects on neurones of the paraventricular nucleus in conscious rats

Peripherally secreted arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays a role in controlling body fluid homeostasis, and central endogenous AVP acts as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. The limbic system, which appears to exert an inhibitory effect on the endocrine hypothalamus, is also innervated by fibres that contain AVP. We examined whether central endogenous AVP is also involved in the control of body fluid homeostasis. To explore this possibility, we examined neuronal activity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), periventricular parts of the PVN and limbic brain areas, as well as AVP mRNA expression in the PVN and the peripheral secretion of AVP after central salt-loading in rats that had been pretreated i.c.v. with the AVP V(1) receptor antagonist OPC-21268. Neuronal activity in the PVN evaluated in terms of Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI), especially in the parvocellular subdivisions, was suppressed. On the other hand, FLI was enhanced in the lateral septum, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the anterior hypothalamic area. Similarly, AVP mRNA expression was enhanced in the magnocellular subnucleus of the PVN, despite the lack of a significant difference in the peripheral AVP level between OPC-21268- and vehicle-pretreated groups. We recorded renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) as sympathetic nerve outflow during central salt-loading. The suppression of RSNA was significantly attenuated by i.c.v. pretreatment with OPC-21268. These results suggest that the suppression of RSNA during central salt-loading might be the result of a decrease in neuronal activity in the parvocellular subdivisions of the PVN via the inhibitory action of central endogenous AVP. The parvocellular and magnocellular neurones in the PVN might show different responses to central salt-loading to maintain body fluid homeostasis as a result of the modulatory role of central endogenous AVP.

Combined effects of p53 gene therapy and leptomycin B in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

p53 gene therapy has been examined in several clinical trials, however, the results of those trials have mostly been unsatisfactory due to the low efficacy of this therapy. Leptomycin B (LMB) is an antibiotic originally isolated from Streptomyces that has the ability to inhibit the export of proteins containing a nuclear export signal from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Currently, it has been shown that p53 protein has a nuclear export signal. In this study, we assessed whether LMB augments the transduced p53 gene effect.

METHODS

Antiproliferative effect of LMB was assessed in human esophageal squamous cancer cell lines. Accumulation of p53 protein into the nucleus by LMB was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The combined effect of p53 and LMB was evaluated in in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

LMB induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner and p53 drastically accumulated in the nucleus after LMB treatment. The combinatory treatment of p53 gene and LMB significantly increases the efficiency compared to either agent alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that LMB has a potent ability to augment the effect of the tumor suppressor p53 in esophageal squamous cancer cell lines and that it is a promising component in p53 gene therapy.

Role of histone deacetylase inhibitor in adenovirus-mediated p53 gene therapy in esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Recently, the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) with gene therapy has been shown to improve the effect of this therapy. The effectiveness of one of the novel HDACIs, FK228, was examined in adenovirus-mediated p53 gene therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression levels of coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) in ESCC patients were examined immunohistochemically. CAR induction by FK228 in ESCC cells was analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The efficiencies of adenoviral transduction treated with FK228 were determined using AV1.0CMV-betagal. The acetylation of p53 protein was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

CAR expression was reduced in some tumor specimens compared to that in normal specimens. CAR expression was increased by FK228 in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. FK228 improved the efficiency of adenovirus infection. Acetylated p53 protein was increased in a dose- and a time-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that FK228 has a potent ability to augment the effect of adenovirus-mediated p53 gene therapy in ESCC cells.

Pharmacological characterization of desensitization in scratching behavior induced by intrathecal administration of hemokinin-1 in the rat

Desensitization is induced by the repeated administration of high doses of substance P (SP) or hemokinin-1 (HK-1). However, little information is available about the mechanisms involved in the induction of desensitization by these peptides. Thus, to characterize this desensitization, we examined the dose-dependent effect of these peptides, the effect of pretreatment with neurokinin 1(NK1) receptor antagonists, and the effect of pretreatment with inhibitors of protein kinases such as protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). The number of scratchings induced by 10(-3)M SP or HK-1 decreased following pretreatment with 10(-11)-10(-3)M SP or HK-1 with a marked reduction at 10(-3) and 10(-6)M SP or HK-1. The effect of NK1 receptor antagonists on desensitization induced by pretreatment with 10(-6)M SP was marked, whereas there was little effect of pretreatment with these antagonists on 10(-6)M HK-1-induced desensitization. Additionally, 10(-6)M SP- and HK-1-induced desensitization was attenuated by pretreatment with PKA, PKC and MEK inhibitors, except a CaMKII inhibitor that inhibited SP-induced desensitization. These results indicate that the receptor and kinases involved in HK-1-induced desensitization are partially different from those of SP.

[Two cases treated with trastuzumab as primary chemotherapy]

We report two cases treated with primary chemotherapy containing trastuzumab with a review of some important papers. The first patient was a 43-year-old female. A 33-mm left breast invasive ductal carcinoma (ER (-), PgR (-), HER2 3+(IHC) ) with several lymph node metastases in the Ax, Ic and Sc was found. After primary chemotherapy with 6 courses of EC and 4 courses of weekly paclitaxel + trastuzumab, the efficacy for the local tumor was judged as PR. However, brain metastases appeared, so the operation was canceled. Brain metastases were then treated by gamma-knife three times, but systemic chemotherapy was not administered. Eight months later, carcinomatous meningitis appeared. Intrathecal chemotherapy with MTX+Ara-C was started, but the patient died after 20 months from the beginning of the treatment. Local efficacy was judged as CR. The second patient was a 41-year-old female. A 39-mm right breast invasive ductal carcinoma (ER (-), PgR (-), HER2 3+(IHC) ) with two lymph node metastases in the Ax was found. After primary chemotherapy with 6 courses of FEC and 4 courses of weekly paclitaxel + trastuzumab, the efficacy was judged as PR. The operation was scheduled, but he patient wished to continue chemotherapy for cosmetic reasons. Later, because of mild tumor regrowth, we used 2 courses of vinorelbine in combination with trastuzumab. The tumor grew more, so Bp + Ax was done. The woman is alive at this writing with no recurrence.

Tumor suppressor Prdx1 is a prognostic factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients

Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs) are a family of antioxidant enzymes that are also known as scavengers of peroxide in mammalian cells. Some reports have shown that the overexpression of Prdx1, which is one of the peroxiredoxins that is a ubiquitously expressed protein, was related to a poor prognosis in several types of human cancers. In this study, we investigated the expression levels of Prdx1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between the Prdx1 expression and the clinical status was elucidated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 114 samples which were collected from surgical esophageal cancer specimens. Cytoplasmic staining of Prdx1 was evaluated based on the following scoring criteria: Grade I, negative or weak staining; Grade II, moderate staining; and Grade III, strong staining. The percentage of patients with a Grade I expression of Prx1 was 20% (23 of 114), 44% had Grade II (50 of 114), and 36% had Grade III (41 of 114). The Prdx1 immunoreactivity showed an inverse significant correlation with T-category (P<0.0001), lymph node metastasis (P=0.048), and stage (P=0.001). In addition, the patients with tumors exhibiting a reduced Prdx1 expression had shorter overall survival (P=0.022) in comparison to the patients with tumors which had a higher Prdx1 expression. Currently, Prdx1 has been shown to act as a tumor suppressor. Our results provide strong evidence that the reduced Prdx1 expression is an important factor in esophageal squamous cancer progression and could serve as a useful prognostic marker.

Gene expression profiling induced by histone deacetylase inhibitor, FK228, in human esophageal squamous cancer cells

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are promising therapeutic agents with the potential for regulating cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis in cancer cells. HDACI activity is associated with selective transcriptional regulation and altering gene expression. However, the exact mechanisms leading to the antitumor effect of HDACIs are not fully understood. FK228, one of the powerful HDACIs, strongly inhibited cell growth of T.Tn and TE2 cells and induced apoptosis. Therefore, comprehensive analysis of the changes in gene expression in human esophageal cancer cell lines by the HDACI FK228 was carried out by microarray analysis. This analysis was used to clarify the expression profiles of genes after exposure to FK228. Of the 4,608 genes analyzed, 93 genes in T.Tn and 65 genes in TE2 were up- or down-regulated 2-fold or more at least at one time point during FK228 exposure and they were classified into four clusters based on their expression patterns. Among them, 15 genes were contained in both cell lines and their expression patterns were similar. Except p21, Prdx1 (reported by us) and IGFBP3, the behaviour/expression of 12 highly responsive genes has still not been reported in esophageal cancer cells. These observations of the expression patterns of functionally classified genes provided insights into the mechanism of the antitumor effect of FK228 in esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Combination of direct intratumoral administration of dendritic cells and irradiation induces strong systemic antitumor effect mediated by GRP94/gp96 against squamous cell carcinoma in mice

We tested a new therapeutic modality for head and neck and esophageal cancers, a combination of direct intratumoral (i.t.) administration of dendritic cells (DCs) and radiation therapy (RT) in mouse squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We also evaluated the functions of gp96, which can enhance systemic antitumor activity, and the mechanism of the abscopal effect. Mouse SCC cells (1 x 10(5)), SCCVII, were inoculated into the left femur of C3H/He mice subcutaneously, and also similarly inoculated into chest subcutaneous tissue. Only the left femur tumor was exposed to 4 or 10 Gy of ionizing radiation, and then 1 x 10(6) DCs i.t. was injected only into the femur tumor. Following this procedure, tumor volumes of the femur and chest were measured. We evaluated whether gp96 could enhance the antitumor effect. With DCs i.t. and RT, tumor growth was markedly suppressed. Tumor growth of non-treated tumors were also suppressed, indicating that the combination therapy of DCs and RT evoked systemic antitumor activity. In vitro, the enhancement of gp96 expression was strongly detected by immunostaining after irradiation, DCs with gp96 induced strong cytotoxic activity in vitro, and tumor growth inhibition was observed by direct i.t. injection of gp96. A combination of DCs i.t. and RT can induce a strong antitumor effect not only against treated local tumor but also against non-treated distant tumor, indicating that this treatment can evoke a strong systemic antitumor effect. Gp96 is thought to be one of the target molecules to explain the abscopal effect.

Combinatory gene therapy with electrotransfer of midkine promoter-HSV-TK and interleukin-21

We examined the effect of the combination of herpes simplex virus type1-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)-suicide gene therapy and interleukin-21 (IL-21) immune gene therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To improve tumor specificity and the safety of gene therapy, we designed the suicide gene (HSV-TK) to be driven by midkine (MK) minimal promoter (MKp-TK). Plasmid DNA containing HSV-TK-suicide gene or IL-21 gene was injected into TE2 and Colon26 tumors developed in nude mice and electric pulses were then delivered.

RESULTS

Tumors transduced with the MKp-TK gene demonstrated increased sensitivity to ganciclovir (GCV) in vitro and in vivo. MK minimal promoter conferred efficient transcriptional activity to the HSV-TK-suicide gene and in vivo electroporation was an effective method for transducing the MKp-TK gene. IL-21-transduced tumors disappeared completely in syngeneic BALB/c mice. However, the tumors were not suppressed completely in T-cell-depleted nude mice, and antitumor effects were absent in NK-cell-depleted mice. These data suggest that IL-21 induces T- and NK-cell-dependent antitumor effects. Furthermore, the growth of IL-21-producing tumors subsequently transduced with MKp-TK by electroporation was significantly retarded compared with control groups.

CONCLUSION

Using the minimal promoter region of MK to drive the HSV-TK gene and in vivo electroporation to transduce IL-21 DNA into the tumors produced an efficient gene therapy with improved safety. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a combination gene therapy using HSV-TK/GCVand IL-21.

Proteomic analysis of primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reveals downregulation of a cell adhesion protein, periplakin

Recent advances in two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) such as fluorescent 2-D differential gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) has made it possible to detect and quantitate the critical changes involved in disease pathogenesis. We have previously identified novel proteins with altered expression in primary colorectal cancer using agarose 2-DE that has a higher loading capacity than immobilized pH gradient gel. The aim of this study is to identify novel proteins with altered expression in primary esophageal cancer using the powerful method of agarose 2-DE and agarose 2-D DIGE. Excised tissues from 12 patients of primary esophageal cancer were obtained. Proteins with altered expression between cancer and adjacent non-cancer tissues were analyzed by agarose 2-D DIGE and identified by mass spectrometry. Thirty-three proteins out of 74 spots with altered expression in tumors were identified. Among them, a 195-kDa protein, periplakin, was significantly downregulated in esophageal cancer, which was confirmed by immunoblotting. Immunohistochemistry showed that periplakin was mainly localized at cell-cell boundaries in normal epithelium and dysplastic lesions, while it disappeared from cell boundaries, shifted to cytoplasm, in early cancers and scarcely expressed in advanced cancers. These results suggest that periplakin could be a useful marker for detection of early esophageal cancer and evaluation of tumor progression.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor FK228 activates tumor suppressor Prdx1 with apoptosis induction in esophageal cancer cells

PURPOSE

The histone deacetylase inhibitor FK228 shows strong activity as a potent antitumor drug but its precise mechanism is still obscure. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of FK228 on gene expression in the cell and to determine the mechanism of the antitumor activity of FK228 for further clinical applications.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS

Microarray analysis was applied to verify the gene expression profiles of 4,608 genes after FK228 treatment using human esophageal squamous cell cancer cell lines T.Tn and TE2. Among them, peroxiredoxin 1 (Prdx1), a member of the peroxiredoxin family of antioxidant enzymes having cell growth suppression activity, as well as p21(WAF1), were significantly activated by FK288. In addition, FK228 strongly inhibited the cell growth of T.Tn and TE2 by the induction of apoptosis. Further, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that FK228 induced the accumulation of acetylated histones H3 and H4 in Prdx1 promoter, including the Sp1-binding site. In mouse xenograft models of T.Tn and TE2 cells, FK228 injection resulted in significant tumor regression as well as activated Prdx1 expression in tumor tissues. Prdx1 suppression by RNA interference hindered the antitumor effect of FK228.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the antitumor effect of FK228 in esophageal cancer cells is shown at least in part through Prdx1 activation by modulating acetylation of histones in the promoter, resulting in tumor growth inhibition with apoptosis induction.

H-reflex and reciprocal Ia inhibition after fatiguing isometric voluntary contraction in soleus muscle

This study investigated the H-reflex and reciprocal Ia inhibition during fatigue in the human soleus muscle. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study, and performed intermittent isometric voluntary contraction of the ankle plantarflexion at 50% MVC as the fatiguing task. Reciprocal Ia inhibition was evaluated by the degree of H-reflex amplitude depression in the soleus muscle by the test stimulus following conditioning stimulus to the common peroneal nerve. The difference in H-reflex amplitude between before and after fatiguing task was also checked. There was no significant difference in the degree of H-reflex amplitude depression, although the H-reflex amplitude significantly decreased after the fatiguing task (p < 0.01). From the results of this study, it was considered that the decrease in H-reflex amplitude was caused by descending inhibitory input from the supraspinal to alpha-motoneuron, and the excitability of the Ia inhibitory interneuron was not involved. It was suggested that the function of reciprocal Ia inhibition was difficult to modulate during fatigue caused by isometric voluntary contraction in this study.

M wave and H-reflex of soleus muscle before and after electrical muscle stimulation in healthy subjects

PURPOSE

This study was the preliminary research for applying the evaluation of muscle fatigue using the evoked electromyography in the field of physical therapy. In this study, we speculated that muscle fatigue was induced by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). And we studied the M wave and amplitude ratio of H/M before and after EMS because the M wave and amplitude ratio of H/M have been often used as the parameter in the study of muscle fatigue.

METHODS

Subjects were five healthy males. In this study, the intermittent EMS (30 Hz) was administered to the soleus muscle of dominant leg for 10 minutes and we analyzed the amplitude of maximal M wave and the amplitude ratio of H/M in this study.

RESULTS

The amplitude of maximal M wave after EMS significantly decreased compared with that before the EMS (p < 0.05). And the results of amplitude ratio of H/M varied as follows; decrease in two subjects, increase in one subject and unchanged results in two subjects.

DISCUSSION

M wave reflects the excitability of muscle membrane related to the change in force during muscle fatigue and the amplitude ratio of H/M has been considered as the index of a relative excitability of alpha motoneuron pool. From the results of this study, we considered that muscle fatigue was induced by EMS as predictability because the amplitude of maximal M wave significantly decreased after EMS. And it was considered that the excitability of spinal neural function corresponding to fatigued soleus muscle by EMS was not consist change in this study. Therefore we thought that results of amplitude ratio of H/M might be influenced by excitability of spinal neural function in subject's ordinary state.

CONCLUSION

It was suggested that the muscle fatigue was induced because the amplitude of maximal M wave significantly decreased after EMS in this study. And also it was suggested the excitability of spinal neural function corresponding with fatigued soleus muscle by EMS was not consist change in this study.

Test-retest reliability for recording the Erb's point potential with a change of recording posture

This study was the preliminary research for testing the median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) with a postural alteration in the field of rehabilitation medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate test-retest reliability for recording the median nerve SEPs with a change of recording posture. Subject was one healthy male, with an age of 28 years and a height of 176 cm. Median nerve SEPs was recorded in supine position on the bed with changing the tilting angle, which was set at each of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees. We compared a coefficient of variation of the latency and amplitude of the Erb's point potential at each tilting angle. A coefficient of variation of the latency and amplitude at each tilting angle was calculated ranged from 10.0% to 20.0%. From a result in a coefficient of variation, all Erb's point potentials of median nerve SEPs with a change of recording posture were recorded reproducibly in this study.

The silent period from soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in relation to conditions of standing

To clarify the relationship between postural instability and silent period (SP), we studied the variation of SP from soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles on various standings. Subjects were eight healthy males, with a mean age of 23.5 +/- 2.2 (21-27) years. Standings in this study was regulated with ten kinds of situations provided by visual information, supporting or not by a finger and a width of base of support. SP evoked by single stimulation to tibial nerve at the popliteal fossa was recorded from SOL and GAS of dominant side during ten kinds of standings in random. The raw data were averaged 30 times. SP was calculated the duration from the artifact due to electrical stimulation to re-starting the electromyographical bursting of tonic muscle contraction under 100 or 200 microV|div on a screen. As a result of this study, there were not any statistical significant changes in SP from both SOL and GAS (one-way ANOVA: F = 1.797, F = 1.786) among ten kinds of standing. It is thought that a variation of SP may reflect the magnitude of facilitation or disinhibition of the central nervous system including spinal, brainstem or motor cortex. As the result of this study in healthy persons, it was suggested that the degree of facilitation or disinhibition of central nervous system related to SP from SOL and GAS was not different on ten kinds of standings regulated by visual information and a width of base of support.

Virtual pancreatoscopy of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Virtual endoscopy is a new method of diagnosis using computer processing of three-dimensional images data sets. However, there are few reports about the clinical application of virtual endoscopy for the pancreas. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of surface-rendered magnetic resonance virtual endoscopy for pancreatic cancer.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-six cases of pancreatic cancer were studied. Fifteen patients had pancreatic head cancer, 7 had pancreatic body cancer, and 4 had pancreatic tail cancer. Twelve patients underwent surgical resection of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired with a 1.5-T clinical imager (Signal.5; GE Medical Systems, USA). We used a multislab single-shot fast spin-echo sequence. Section thickness was between 2 and 3 mm in the coronal plane. Three-dimensional reconstructed images and virtual endoscopic images were generated with Advantage Windows by GE.

RESULTS

Virtual endoscopic images could be generated in 20 patients with pancreatic cancer (76.9%). In these cases, we were able to observe the inner surface of the pancreatic duct and the stricture from not only the pancreatic head but also the pancreatic tail. Clear virtual images could not be generated in 6 cases. We were able to divide the 20 cases in which images could be generated into groups according to the appearance of the stricture. The edge of the stricture appeared to be protruding in 4 cases (15.4%), and appeared to be polygonal in 13 cases (50.0%). In 3 cases, we recognized the existence of a stricture, but the detail of the stricture was unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual endoscopy caused minimal discomfort compared to real endoscopic examination, and it can access cystic lesions and the pancreatic duct behind the stricture. It is concluded that virtual endoscopy for pancreatic cancer has potential clinical utility.

Intracranial self-stimulation induces Fos expression in GABAergic neurons in the rat mesopontine tegmentum

The cholinergic neurons which originate in the mesopontine tegmentum and innervate the midbrain ventral tegmental area have been proposed to play a key role in intracranial self-stimulation reward. This mesopontine area also contains GABA neurons. Detailed information is still lacking, however, about the relationship of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons in this region to self-stimulation reward. Therefore, using double immunostaining for Fos as a marker of neuronal activity and choline acetyltransferase as a marker of cholinergic neurons, or for Fos and GABA, we investigated whether self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle induces Fos expression within cholinergic and GABAergic neurons in two regions of the mesopontine tegmentum, i.e., pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. Self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle for 1 h induced a large increase in the number of cells expressing Fos in both the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, when compared to control brains. However, the self-stimulation-induced expression of Fos was restricted mostly to GABA-, but not choline acetyltransferase-, immunostained cells. We also examined, using microdialysis, whether self-stimulation increases acetylcholine efflux in the ventral tegmental area, a terminal region of the mesopontine tegmentum cholinergic pathway. One hour of self-stimulation significantly increased acetylcholine efflux from this terminal area. These results indicate that intracranial self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle may increase acetylcholine release without affecting expression of Fos in cholinergic neurons, while the same stimulation may induce Fos expression in GABAergic neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum. GABAergic as well as cholinergic neurons in this area appear to be activated by self-stimulation reward in the medial forebrain bundle.

Local infusion of nerve growth factor attenuates myelinated nerve fiber sprouting into lamina II of the spinal dorsal horn and reduces the increased responsiveness to mechanical stimuli in rats with chronic constriction nerve injury

PURPOSE

To clarify the relationship between allodynia and the sprouting of myelinated fibers, we examined whether the administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) affected the paw withdrawal response to non-noxious mechanical stimuli and the sprouting of myelinated fibers into lamina II of the spinal dorsal horn, using a chronic constriction injury model of the sciatic nerve.

METHODS

Mechanical allodynia was determined as the threshold of the withdrawal response stimulated by von Frey filaments. Sprouting was examined using horseradish peroxidase conjugated to the B fragment of cholera toxin (B-HRP). NGF was continuously infused into the site of nerve injury for 14 days after nerve ligation.

RESULTS

With vehicle infusion, significantly increased responsiveness to mechanical stimuli was observed on postoperative days (PODs) 5, 7, and 14 after ligation, compared with before surgery, and B-HRP-positive fibers were newly localized in lamina II on PODs 7 and 14. Infusion of NGF reduced the responsiveness to mechanical stimuli on 5, 7, and 14 PODs and B-HRP-positive fibers in lamina II on PODs 7 and 14.

CONCLUSION

We propose that the suppression of the increased responsiveness to mechanical stimuli produced by NGF could be related to the disappearance of B-HRP-positive fibers in lamina II.

[Perioperative management of the patient with von Willebrand's disease]

A 67-year-old man with von Willebrand's disease, was referred to our hospital for operation of the lung cancer. He underwent right upper lobectomy of the lung and mediastinal lymph node dissection under general anesthesia. Three days before surgery, 1-desamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin (DDAVP) was infused with good response of bleeding time shortening from 6 minutes to 3 minutes. Therefore, immediately before operation, DDAVP was infused. During the operation bleeding tendency was observed. Heat-treated factor VIII concentration and fresh frozen plasma were administered. Bleeding tendency was controlled. Total blood loss was 613 ml. During intraoperative and postoperative period, factor VIII activity and von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity were kept at adequate levels (factor VIII: 105-150%; vWF: 65-225%). The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged 18 days after the operation.

Mucosal disease induced in cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus by antigenically different cytopathic virus

Four cattle persistently infected with non-cytopathic (NCP) bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus were challenged with cytopathic (CP) BVD virus that was antigenically different from the persistent virus. Two of the animals were injected with dexamethasone (DM) and then challenged. They developed mucosal disease on days 21 and 33 post-challenge. CP-BVD viruses were isolated from their lymph nodes but not from the sera. The isolates were antigenically different from the persistent virus and the nucleotide sequence of a 787 base region in the E2 gene was markedly different. One of the isolates was indistinguishable from the challenge virus by virus neutralization tests and the nucleotide sequence showed high homology with that of the challenge CP-BVD virus. The other two cattle, challenged with the CP-BVD virus without DM treatment, developed mucosal disease at 30 and 264 days post-inoculation. CP-BVD virus was isolated from the sera as well as the lymph nodes of the cattle and was antigenically and genetically similar to the persistent virus and different from the challenge CP-BVD virus. The present results indicate that cattle persistently infected with NCP-BVD virus can develop mucosal disease induced by antigenically different CP-BVD viruses when their cellular immunity is suppressed, although they are not immunotolerant to the virus.

MK-801 reduces non-noxious stimulus-evoked Fos-like immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of rats with chronic constriction nerve injury

We investigated the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on non-noxious stimulus-induced pain by examining the effect of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) in the spinal dorsal horn by non-noxious stimulation to rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. In CCI rats that did not receive the non-noxious stimulus, FLI was significantly increased in laminae V/VI of the dorsal horn at the 7th and 14th days after surgery relative to sham rats. When CCI rats received non-noxious stimuli, rubbing the plantar of the hind paw, FLI in laminae I/II at the 14th day was significantly increased relative to CCI rats that did not receive the stimulation. In sham rats, the same stimulus significantly decreased FLI in laminae III/IV and V/VI at the 7th and 14th day. When MK-801 was administered intraperitoneally prior to non-noxious stimulation in CCI rats at the 14th day after surgery, the stimulus-induced FLI in laminae I/II in CCI rats was significantly reduced. This study indicates that NMDA receptor is involved in upregulating FLI in response to non-noxious stimulation of CCI rats.

Remission and recurrence of hyperthyroid Graves' disease during and after methimazole treatment when assessed by IgE and interleukin 13

We analyzed the relationship between serum IgE concentrations and the remission or recurrence of Graves' disease. One hundred seven patients with Graves' disease were treated with methimazole (MMI). Serum IgE concentration greater than 170 IU/ml was found in 41 of 107 untreated patients (38.3%). However, the presence of TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulin or thyroid-stimulating antibody did not correlate with the IgE concentrations. Remission was found in 20 of 41 patients with elevated IgE concentrations (48.8%) after 18 months of MMI treatment, as opposed to 53 of 66 patients with normal concentrations (80.3%) (P = 0.0014). MMI treatment was discontinued in 73 patients who were followed for 26-48 months. The recurrence of Graves' disease was found in 13 patients, whereas the remaining 60 were still in remission. The rate of long-standing remission was lower in patients with elevated than normal IgE concentration (34.1% vs. 69.7%, P = 0.0007). We also analyzed serum levels of interleukin (IL)-13. Although IL-13 was not detected in all patients, the detection rate was higher in patients without remission and in those with recurrence than in those with long-standing remission (47.1%, 38.5%, and 13.3%, respectively; P = 0.0012). More patients with elevated IgE were positive for allergic diseases and for family history of allergic diseases in their first-degree relatives. We conclude that the elevation of IgE and the higher detection rate of IL-13 are associated with both remission and recurrence of Graves' disease.

Genomic and serological diversity of bovine viral diarrhea virus in Japan

Genomic properties of 62 field isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) collected from 1974 to 1999 in Japan were investigated. The 5' untranslated region (UTR) was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the 244 to 247 base nucleotide sequences were determined. Serological properties were also characterized by the cross-neutralization test using antisera against the representative strain of the classified genotype. Using phylogenetic tree analysis, BVDV 1 was subdivided into two major clusters, BVDV-1a (29 isolates) and BVDV-1b (27 isolates). In group 1a, 3 differed from the other viruses, and were classified in a branch assigned as 1a'. However, 4 isolates (So CP/75, 190 CP, 190 NCP and KS86-1-NCP) could not be assigned to group 1a or 1b. In comparison with the published sequence data, KS86-1-NCP, 190 CP and 190 NCP were similar to the Southern Africa isolates that have recently been proposed as BVDV 1c. The 5' UTR sequence of So CP/75 was unique among those of BVDV 1, suggesting that the isolate should be classified into a new genotype. Only 2 out of 62 isolates collected in 1989 and 1990 were identified as BVDV 2. The results of the cross-neutralization test strongly supported these data, suggesting a close correlation between the 5' UTR sequence and the antigenicity of BVDV.

Immunohistochemical characterisation of Fos-positive cells in brainstem monoaminergic nuclei following intracranial self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle in the rat

Fos immunostaining was used as a marker of neuronal activity following intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) in the rat, and was combined with immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), serotonin (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), or NR1 (one of the glutamate N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor subunits) for purposes of neurochemical identification. ICSS induced a significant but different degree of increase in the number of Fos-immunopositive (Fos+) cells in the six brainstem monoaminergic nuclei examined, which included the ventral tegmental area (VTA), substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), median raphe nucleus (MR), locus coeruleus (LC), and A7 noradrenaline cells. Densely labelled Fos+ cells were observed in the LC following ICSS, and many of these Fos+ cells were colocalized with TH. Similarly, many of Fos+ cells in the A7 and DR/MR were colocalized with TH and 5-HT, respectively. By contrast, a smaller number of Fos+ cells was detected in the VTA and SNc following the ICSS, and in these regions the majority of Fos+ cells were not colocalized with TH. Although results among regions quantitatively differed, the ICSS induced a significant increase in the number of double-labelled cells (GABA+/Fos+ or NR1+/Fos+) in all of the VTA, DR, and LC, in which the ICSS produced an ipsilaterally weighted increase in Fos-like immunoreactivity. These results suggest that ICSS of the MFB induces differential Fos expression within monoaminergic and GABAergic neurons in brainstem monoaminergic nuclei under modulation by glutamatergic afferents.

Experimental transmission of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever from sheep to Japanese deer (Cervus nippon) and cattle

The assumption that sheep carry ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), the causative agent of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), is widely accepted, albeit OvHV-2 has not been isolated. We attempted experimental contact transmission of MCF from Japanese sheep persistently infected with OvHV-2 to Japanese deer (Cervus nippon) and cattle. In Experiment 1, a deer was kept in close quarters with an infected ewe. In Experiment 2, a second deer was kept with the same ewe. In Experiment 3, two cows were each kept with two infected wethers. In Experiment 1, the deer developed clinical signs at 138 days after first contact and then died. OvHV-2 genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescent antibodies to Alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 were detected in the affected deer. Moreover, sequences of PCR products (423bp), obtained by amplification of materials from the sheep and from the affected deer, coincided. These results clearly confirmed that the sheep was a carrier of OvHV-2, and that this virus had induced SA-MCF in a deer. In other experiments, no OvHV-2 infection occurred in deer and cattle during the 6-18 months periods of contact, though viral genes were detected in the nasal swabs and white blood cells of the sheep. To our knowledge, this is the first report on successful experimental transmission of MCF from OvHV-2-infected sheep to deer.

Effects of previous noxious stimulus applied to remote areas on noxious stimulus-evoked c-Fos expression in the rat trigeminal nucleus caudalis

Noxious stimulus-evoked c-Fos expression in the spinal dorsal horn is modulated by noxious stimuli applied previously to remote areas of the body. To confirm the existence of such modulation in c-Fos expression in the trigeminal system, changes in c-Fos expression in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis induced by formalin injection into the rat whisker pad were examined by previously injecting formalin into different areas (contralateral whisker pad, ipsilateral or contralateral forepaw) of the body. Formalin injection-evoked c-Fos expression in this nucleus was significantly reduced by previous formalin injection into the contralateral whisker pad or ipsilateral forepaw but not into the contralateral forepaw. The interval between the two injections of formalin that produced a maximal reduction of formalin injection-evoked c-Fos expression was 1 h, and the reduction of c-Fos expression was less when the interval of the two noxious stimuli was longer or shorter than 1 h. These results suggested that noxious stimulus-evoked c-Fos expression in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis is reduced by noxious stimulus applied previously to remote areas, and the reduction is dependent on the area of previous noxious stimulation and interval between the two noxious stimuli.