Primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney: Report of a case confirmed by molecular detection of the SYT-SSX2 fusion transcripts

We describe an unusual case of primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney. A 47-year-old woman had a tumor massively replacing the right kidney. There were no primary extrarenal neoplastic lesions. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of a cellular proliferation of relatively uniform spindle-shaped cells having atypical spindle or oval nuclei arranged in fascicles with tumor necrosis, without epithelial areas. Immunohistochemically, a small number of the tumor cells were positive for epithelial markers such as cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. The SYT-SSX2 fusion transcripts were detected by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using RNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene transcripts that result from t(12; 15)(p13;q25), which is characteristic of cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma, were not demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the ninth case of primary renal synovial sarcoma. This case report indicates that synovial sarcoma should be taken into account for the differential diagnosis of renal spindle cell tumors and the molecular assay detecting the SYT-SSX fusion transcripts is useful for the final diagnosis of synovial sarcoma arising in an unusual location.

COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts in fibrosarcomatous areas of six dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans

The fibrosarcomatous transformation of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) has been considered for some time to be associated with an adverse clinical outcome. However, the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying the tumor progression remains undetermined. As the chimeric gene, COL1A1-PDGFB, has been proposed to play an important role in the histogenesis of DFSP, we conducted a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay to ascertain whether the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts can be detected in both conventional DFSP and fibrosarcomatous components of DFSP with fibrosarcomatous areas (DFSP-FS), using a simple method of microdissection on sections of archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from six DFSP-FS cases. The COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts could be detected in FS areas in five of the six cases, whereas conventional DFSP areas of all cases expressed the chimeric mRNA. A subsequent sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction products confirmed that the detected messages were derived from identical gene fusions in the two different components of each of the five cases. Our results verify that the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts are preserved in the FS areas of most DFSP-FSs. The expression of the fusion transcripts in both conventional DFSP and FS areas of DFSP-FS supports a common histogenesis of the two components.

Sarcomatoid chordoma: chordoma with a massive malignant spindle-cell component

We report a case of chordoma containing a spindle cell sarcomatoid component with a gradual transition from conventional chordoma. Immunohistochemically, many tumor cells in both conventional chordoma and sarcomatoid components were positive for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, CAM5.2) and epithelial membrane antigen as well as vimentin. This report provides a rare example of sarcomatoid chordoma. Familiarity with this type of bone tumor should help to avoid confusion with dedifferentiated chordoma and other spindle cell sarcomas or carcinomas.

Phenylethylamine-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and ascorbate free radicals in tobacco suspension culture: mechanism for oxidative burst mediating Ca2+ influx

In the previous paper [Kawano et al. (2000a) Plant Cell Physiol. 41: 1251], we demonstrated that addition of phenylethylamine (PEA) and benzylamine can induce an immediate and transient burst of active oxygen species (AOS) in tobacco suspension culture. Detected AOS include H2O2, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals. Use of several inhibitors suggested the presence of monoamine oxidase-like H2O2-generating activity in the cellular soluble fraction. It was also suggested that peroxidase(s) or copper amine oxidase(s) are involved in the extracellular superoxide production as a consequence of H2O2 production. Since more than 85% of the PEA-dependent AOS generating activity was localized in the extracellular space (extracellular fluid + cell wall), extracellularly secreted enzymes, probably peroxidases, may largely contribute to the oxidative burst induced by PEA. The PEA-induced AOS generation was also observed in the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reaction mixture, supporting the hypothesis that peroxidases catalyze the oxidation of PEA leading to AOS generation. In addition to AOS production, we observed that PEA induced an increase in monodehydroascorbate radicals (MDA) in the cell suspension culture and in HRP reaction mixture using electron spin resonance spectroscopy and the newly invented MDA reductase-coupled method. Here we report that MDA production is an indicator of peroxidase-mediated generation of PEA radical species in tobacco suspension culture.

A glutathione S-transferase inducer from papaya: rapid screening, identification and structure-activity relationship of isothiocyanates

We have developed a simple system for rapid detection and measurement of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GSTP1) that detoxify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the cultured rat normal liver epithelial cell line, (RL34) cells. Survey of fruit extracts for GST inducing ability identified both papaya and avocado as significant sources. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was isolated from papaya methanol extract as a principal inducer of GST activity. Further, the GST inducing ability of a total of 20 isothiocyanates (ITCs) and their derivatives was investigated. Some ITCs showed significant induction, and BITC was one of the most potent inducers among all compounds tested in the present study. The modification of isothiocyanate group (-NCS) or introduction of substituent group to the alpha-carbon modifies GST induction. Moreover, a significant correlation (P<0.01, r=0.913) between the GST activity enrichment and GSTP1 protein induction by ITCs was observed. We also indicated that phenethyl ITC and nitrophenyl ITC, potently inducing GST activity, but not inactive benzyl isocyanate, are potential inducers of intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). Our system of GSTP1 induction is appropriate for the chemical research such as screening and identification of novel type of inducers as well as the structure-activity relationship studies, providing mechanistic insight into essential structural elements for GSTP1 induction.

Extrapleural solitary fibrous tumor: clinicopathologic study of 17 cases and molecular analysis of the p53 pathway

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) occurring at various extrapleural sites is sometimes difficult to diagnose because of its histologic variability. Although a solitary fibrous tumor is usually a slow-growing tumor with favorable prognosis, a small number of malignant cases have been reported. In the present study, we examined the clinical behavior, histologic, immunohistochemical and molecular features of 17 cases of extrapleural SFT. Four tumors were located in the pelvic cavity, two in the nasal cavity, two were confined to the pulmonary parenchyma, and there was one each in the meninges, kidney, mediastinum, retroperitoneum, temporal region, neck, groin, buttock and thigh. Histologically, all the tumors were characterized by the presence of areas consisting of a proliferation of bland spindle cells with variable amounts of thick, often hyalinized or keloid-like intercellular collagen bundles. Highly cellular areas were observed in three tumors, frequent mitoses in two, and cellular pleomorphism and tumor necrosis in one each. All 17 tumors showed immunoreactivity to CD34 and 15 (88%) to bcl-2 protein. The labeling indices of p53, mdm2 protein and Ki-67 were generally low. PCR-SSCP and a subsequent sequence analysis of the p53 gene disclosed point mutation at codon 161 in exon 5 in one of the 13 cases analyzed. According to follow-up information, none of the patients had developed local recurrence or distant metastasis. Our results suggest that most extrapleural SFTs behave in a benign fashion even in a higher histologic grade group, and it is difficult to predict their clinical outcome. Complete surgical excision in order to obtain clear margins and long-term follow-up is advisable for patients with an extrapleural SFT.

Antiplatelet and anticancer isothiocyanates in Japanese domestic horseradish, Wasabi

6-Methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate (MS-ITC) was isolated from wasabi (Wasabia japonica, Japanese domestic horseradish) as a potential inhibitor of human platelet aggregation in vitro through our extensive screening of vegetables and fruits. In the course of an another screening for the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in RL34 cells, MS-ITC was inadvertently isolated from wasabi as a potential inducer of GST. MS-ITC administered to rats or mice also showed both activities in vivo. As a result from elucidation of the platelet aggregation inhibition and the GST induction mechanisms of MS-ITC, the isothiocyanate moiety of MS-ITC plays an important role for antiplatelet and anticancer activities because of its high reactivity with sulfhydryl (RSH) groups in biomolecules (GSH, cysteine residue in a certain protein, etc.).

Redox regulation of glutathione S-transferase induction by benzyl isothiocyanate: correlation of enzyme induction with the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates

Here we report the molecular mechanism underlying the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in rat liver epithelial RL34 cells treated with a cancer chemopreventive isothiocyanate compound, benzylisothiocyanate (BITC). BITC was found to significantly induce GST activity in RL34 cells. Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated that BITC specifically enhanced the production of the class pi GST isozyme (GSTP1). Our studies demonstrated for the first time that the addition of BITC to the cells resulted in an immediate increase in the reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) detected by a fluorescence probe, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. The level of the ROIs in the cells treated with BITC (10 microM) was approximately 50-fold higher than those in the control cells. Furthermore, glutathione depletion by diethyl maleate significantly enhanced BITC-induced ROI production and accelerated the BITC-induced elevation of the GST activity, whereas pretreatment of the cells with glutathione inhibited both the ROI production and GST induction. The structure-activity relationship of the isothiocyanates also indicated that the ROI-producing activities closely correlated with their GST-inducing potencies. Moreover, the GSTP1 enhancer I-containing region was found to be essential for induction of the GSTP1 gene by intracellular ROI inducers such as BITC and diethyl maleate. These data suggest the involvement of the redox regulation on the induction of GSTP1 by BITC.

Antiplatelet and anticancer isothiocyanates in Japanese domestic horseradish, wasabi

6-Methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate (MS-ITC) was isolated from wasabi (Wasabia japonica, Japanese domestic horseradish) as a potential inhibitor of human platelet aggregation in vitro through our extensive screening of vegetables and fruits. In the course of another screening for the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in RL34 cells. MS-ITC was inadvertently isolated from wasabi as a potential inducer of GST. MS-ITC administered to rats or mice also showed both activities in vivo. As a result from elucidation of the platelet aggregation inhibition and the GST induction mechanisms of MS-ITC, the isothiocyanate moiety of MS-ITC plays an important role for antiplatelet and anticancer activities because of its highly reactivity with sulfhydryl (-SH) groups in biomolecules (GSH, cysteine residue in a certain protein, etc.).

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma with combined well-differentiated and myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma-like myxoid areas

To broaden the knowledge of myxoid morphology in liposarcoma, eight cases of unusual liposarcoma with combined well-differentiated and myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH)-like myxoid areas are reported. The tumors arose as huge retroperitoneal masses in elderly patients, except for one that occurred in the spermatic cord. Three cases had local recurrences, and one of the seven patients who were followed up had died of the tumor. Grossly, the tumors were mostly confluent and multinodular and showed a glistening myxoid appearance in variable proportions, which merged gradually into or were juxtaposed to yellow fatty or sclerotic whitish areas. Microscopically, in addition to areas of well-differentiated lipoma-like or sclerosing liposarcoma, all the tumors contained myxoid portions characterized by scattered multinucleated or bizarre giant cells and a prominent plexiform vascular pattern that resembled myxoid MFH or myxofibrosarcoma. The myxoid areas were associated with discernible lipogenesis. High-grade dedifferentiation was present in one tumor. Cytogenetically, in one case, the myxoid lesion had nonrandom chromosomal aberrations, such as ring and marker chromosomes, characteristic of a well-differentiated variant of liposarcoma. In a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis using archival paraffin-embedded tissue, it was seen that none of the eight tumors with myxoid MFH-like features had TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion transcripts characteristic of myxoid and round cell liposarcomas. These clinicopathologic and molecular features suggest that the current myxoid tumors are more closely related to well-differentiated liposarcoma rather than to ordinary myxoid liposarcoma despite their unequivocal myxoid morphology. Missense point mutations of the p53 gene were detected in two (25%) cases by single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analyses. Immunohistochemical expressions of p53 and mdm2 were observed in 75% of the cases, in which immunoreactive tumor cells were seen more often in the myxoid MFH-like areas. Thus, altered p53 pathways, such as p53 gene mutation and mdm2-mediated inactivation of p53, may play a pathogenetic role in this form of tumor progression showing myxoid MFH-like morphology in liposarcoma, as has been suggested in dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

Detection of COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues

The reciprocal translocation t(17;22)(q22;q13) and a supernumerary ring chromosome, r(17;22), derived from the translocation, have been shown to be highly characteristic of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Its consequence is a fusion of two genes, a collagen type I alpha 1 gene (COL1A1) and platelet-derived growth factor B-chain gene (PDGFB). The COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene, is expected to be a diagnostic molecular assay. However, previous studies on this subject were mostly based on frozen tissue specimens or cultured tumor cells. In this present study, the investigators conducted a reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 12 patients with DFSP. To amplify the fusion transcripts, a specific COL1A1 forward and PDGFB reverse primers were designed for single step PCR. The COL1A1-PDGFB fusion transcripts could be detected in 10 of 12 paraffin-embedded DFSP tumor specimens (83%). Subsequent sequence analysis using the PCR products confirmed that the detected messages were derived from gene fusions composed of PDGFB exon 2 and different regions of the COL1A1 gene (exon 8, 10, 22, 24, 32, 38, 45 or 46). Two samples of Bednar tumor included in this series also contained the fusion transcripts. In sample of DFSP with fibrosarcomatous transformation, the COL1A1-PDGFB could not be detected in the fibrosarcoma areas of the third recurrence, though the chimeric transcripts were identified in the ordinary DFSP areas of the first recurrence. No fusion transcripts could be amplified in non-DFSP lesions, including 10 dermatofibromas and 9 malignant fibrous histiocytomas. These results indicate that this molecular assay could be applied to archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues as a diagnostic aid for DFSP.

New potent antioxidative o-dihydroxyisoflavones in fermented Japanese soybean products

A potent antioxidative 6-hydroxydaidzein (6-OHD) was newly isolated from soybean koji fermented with Aspergillus oryzae. 6-OHD, in addition to 8-hydroxydaidzein and 8-hydroxygenistein, were found to be present in various fermented soybean products, including their koji. Considering that these o-dihydroxyisoflavones had strong antioxidative activities, they may contribute to protecting from oxidative deterioration during the processing of fermented soybean products.

Formation of Nepsilon-(hexanonyl)lysine in protein exposed to lipid hydroperoxide. A plausible marker for lipid hydroperoxide-derived protein modification

The objectives of this study were to estimate the structure of the lipid hydroperoxide-modified lysine residue and to prove the presence of the adducts in vivo. The reaction of lipid hydroperoxide toward the lysine moiety was investigated employing N-benzoyl-glycyl-L-lysine (Bz-Gly-Lys) as a model compound of Lys residues in protein and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE) as a model of the lipid hydroperoxides. One of the products, compound X, was isolated from the reaction mixture of 13-HPODE and Bz-Gly-Lys and was then identified as N-benzoyl-glycyl-Nepsilon-(hexanonyl)lysine. To prove the formation of Nepsilon-(hexanonyl)lysine, named HEL, in protein exposed to the lipid hydroperoxide, the antibody to the synthetic hexanonyl protein was prepared and then characterized in detail. Using the anti-HEL antibody, the presence of HEL in the lipid hydroperoxide-modified proteins and oxidized LDL was confirmed. Furthermore, the positive staining by anti-HEL antibody was observed in human atherosclerotic lesions using an immunohistochemical technique. The amide-type adduct may be a useful marker for the lipid hydroperoxide-derived modification of biomolecules.

Molecular detection of EWS-FLI1 chimeric transcripts in Ewing family tumors by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction: application to archival paraffin-embedded tumor tissues

Chromosomal translocations generating unique chimeric genes are highly characteristic of specific sarcomas, and their use as diagnostic markers has been suggested. From a diagnostic pathologic point of view, detection of such cytogenetic or molecular aberrations applicable to routinely processed archival tissue specimens is considered a powerful tool for tumor diagnosis. To assess the feasibility and reliability of the molecular detection of the transcript originating from the chimeric gene in paraffin-embedded tumor specimens, we performed a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay to detect the EWS-FLI1 chimeric message in a series of Ewing family tumors. Of 24 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 23 cases analyzed, the chimeric message was detectable in 20 (83%) specimens from 20 cases (87%) by this nested RT-PCR assay, whereas none of 7 small round cell tumors not from this family (3 alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas, 2 neuroblastomas, 2 malignant lymphomas) showed detectable chimeric messages. In the sequence analysis of the PCR products, the amplified chimeric messages contained the junctions between exon 7 of the EWS gene and any one of exons 5, 6 and 8 of the FLI1 gene. The detection process was usually completed within 3 days, except for the subseqent sequence analysis. Our results endorse the use of this molecular assay as an ancillary technique in the diagnosis of Ewing family tumors using paraffin-embedded material.

Detection of SYT-SSX fusion transcripts in synovial sarcoma by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using archival paraffin-embedded tissues

The reciprocal translocation t(X;18)(p11;q11) is known to be highly characteristic of synovial sarcoma, and its consequence, an SYT-SSX fusion gene, is expected to be a diagnostic molecular marker. In this study, we conducted a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assay to detect the SYT-SSX fusion gene transcripts using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from a series of 32 synovial sarcoma cases including 6 tumors found in unusual anatomical sites. The SYT-SSX fusion transcripts could be detected in 30 of 32 paraffin-embedded specimens (94%). A subsequent sequence analysis using the polymerase chain reaction products confirmed that the detected messages were derived from either the SYT-SSX1 (22 cases) or SYT-SSX2 (8 cases) fusion gene. Of 23 SYT-SSX-positive monophasic tumors, 16 tumors had an SYT-SSX1 fusion transcript. Fusion transcripts were detectable in all the 7 biphasic tumors analysed, one of which had an SYT-SSX2 fusion transcript. All of the six tumors at unusual locations (lung; 3, metastasis to the abdominal cavity from a tumor of retroperitoneal origin; 1, sacral region; 1, iliopsoas muscle; 1) contained detectable messages. Our results indicate that this molecular assay can be applied to archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues as a feasible and reliable molecular technique for the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma.

Coat assembly directs v-SNARE concentration into synthetic COPII vesicles

COPII proteins are required to create transport vesicles and to select cargo molecules for transit from the ER. A reconstituted liposome budding reaction was used to detect the capture and concentration of membrane-associated v-SNARE molecules into synthetic COPII vesicles. A novel glutathione-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine conjugate (Glut-PE) was synthesized and incorporated into chemically defined liposomes to provide binding sites for GST hybrid proteins. Large liposomes containing bound cytoplasmic domains of the v-SNAREs, Sec22p or Bos1p, or of the ER resident proteins, Sec12p and Ufe1p, were exposed to COPII proteins and GMP-PNP. v-SNAREs but not resident proteins were concentrated in synthetic COPII vesicles generated from donor liposomes. We conclude that COPII proteins are necessary and sufficient for cargo selection and vesicle morphogenesis.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with fibrosarcomatous areas. Molecular abnormalities of the p53 pathway in fibrosarcomatous transformation of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Fibrosarcomatous (FS) change in a rare, but well-known phenomenon encountered in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), and an increased chance in an adverse outcome has been suggested in patients with DFSP having FS areas (DFSP-FS). As altered p53 pathway has been suggested as having a potential role in tumour progression, we analysed the p53 gene and p53 protein together with the p53-related protein mdm2 and p21Waf1 in 5 cases of DFSP-FS and 13 of DFSP to ascertain whether the p53 pathway correlates to the fibrosarcomatous transformation of DFSP. Three of the five DFSP-FSs overexpressed p53 protein immunohistochemically, and one of them had a "missense" mutation of the p53 gene without immunohistochemical overexpression of mdm2 or p21Waf1. The other two DFSP-FSs with p53 overexpression demonstrated increased labelling indices of both mdm2 and p21Waf1. The three DFSP-FS patients with overexpression of p53 protein had frequent local recurrences, ranging from 3 to 5 in number with increasingly short intervals (mean 4.5 years), while one of the other two had no recurrences and the other, only one. None of the 13 DFSPs showed any alterations in the p53 gene or overexpressions of p53, mdm2 and p21Waf1, except for one DFSP having a "silent" mutation of the p53 gene. Three DFSPs had local recurrences once or twice with longer intervals to recurrence (mean 10.3 years). Although the number of cases examined is limited, the results suggest that alterations in the p53 pathway, such as overexpression of p53 protein by a mutated gene and mdm2 overexpression, are involved in fibrosarcomatous transformation in a subset of fibrohistiocytic tumours and possibly correlated with its more locally aggressive behaviour than that without p53 alterations or ordinary DFSP.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the lung: report of two cases

AIMS

We report two unusual cases of intrapulmonary small round cell tumour with evidence that they are primitive neuroectodermal tumours.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The patients were a 25-year-old woman and a 15-year-old man, in whom mass shadows were found by routine chest radiography. Both tumours were located in the pulmonary parenchyma, and there was no evidence of an extrapulmonary involvement by the tumour. The lesions showed morphological and immunophenotypic features consistent with peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (pPNET). These features included a hypercellular diffuse growth pattern of closely packed small round cells occasionally forming abortive Homer-Wright-type rosettes and intense immuroreactivities to neurone-specific enolase and MIC2 gene product (O13). Unusual chondroid foci were present in one of the cases. This diagnosis was further supported by the cytogenetic and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) findings of the characteristic t(11;22) chromosomal translocation and EWS/FLI-1 fusion transcripts, respectively, in one of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

These morphological and cytogenetic findings substantiate pPNET as a subtype of intrapulmonary small round cell tumours.

Acrolein is a product of lipid peroxidation reaction. Formation of free acrolein and its conjugate with lysine residues in oxidized low density lipoproteins

Lipoprotein peroxidation, especially the modification of apolipoprotein B-100, has been implicated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, there have been few detailed insights into the chemical mechanism of derivatization of apolipoproteins during oxidation. In the present study, we provide evidence that the formation of the toxic pollutant acrolein (CH2=CH-CHO) and its conjugate with lysine residues is involved in the oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein (LDL). Upon incubation with LDL, acrolein preferentially reacted with lysine residues. To determine the structure of acrolein-lysine adduct in protein, the reaction of acrolein with a lysine derivative was carried out. Employing Nalpha-acetyllysine, we detected a single product, which was identified to be a novel acrolein-lysine adduct, Nalpha-acetyl-Nepsilon-(3-formyl-3,4-dehydropiperidino )lysine. The acid hydrolysis of the adduct led to the derivative that was detectable with amino acid analysis. It was revealed that, upon in vitro incubation of LDL with acrolein, the lysine residues that had disappeared were partially recovered by Nepsilon-(3-formyl-3, 4-dehydropiperidino)lysine. In addition, we found that the same derivative was detected in the oxidatively modified LDL with Cu2+ and that the adduct formation was correlated with LDL peroxidation assessed by the consumption of alpha-tocopherol and cholesteryl ester and the concomitant formation of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that measures free acrolein revealed that a considerable amount of acrolein was released from the Cu2+-oxidized LDL. Furthermore, metal-catalyzed oxidation of arachidonate was associated with the formation of acrolein, indicating that polyunsaturated fatty acids including arachidonate represent potential sources of acrolein generated during the peroxidation of LDL. These results indicate that acrolein is not just a pollutant but also a lipid peroxidation product that could be ubiquitously generated in biological systems.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and its fibrosarcomatous variant with areas of myoid differentiation: a report of three cases

AIMS

We describe three examples of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans which demonstrated focal myofibroblastic differentiation, and discuss the nature of myofibroblastic differentiation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied three cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, two of which had fibrosarcomatous portions containing myoid areas, and one which showed myoid areas in ordinary dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Myoid areas were recognized histologically as randomly distributed, scattered bundles or small nodules of spindle cells with deeply eosinophilic cytoplasm. Myofibroblastic differentiation was demonstrated immunohistochemically by positive staining for smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin, and ultrastructurally by the presence of microfilament bundles with focal dense bodies and pinocytic vesicles. The myoid areas occasionally contained intraneoplastic blood vessels.

CONCLUSION

The presence of myoid areas may be related to reactive hyperplasia of stroma, and its relation to the histogenesis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is uncertain.

A novel biomarker for hyperglycemia, MRX isolated from hydrolysate of glycated proteins

Long-lived proteins can undergo non-enzymatic glycation to form highly crosslinked structures with characteristic fluorescence during aging and diabetes processes. In this paper, a typical fluorophore, named Maillard reaction product X (MRX), was isolated from the hydrolysate of glycated proteins. MRX could be formed by incubation of bovine serum albumin with glucose, followed by acid hydrolysis. The structure of MRX was determined to be 8-hydroxy-5-methyldihydrothiazolo[3,2-alpha] pyridinium-3-carboxylate. MRX was also found to be formed by the incubation of cysteine and arginine with glucose, followed by hydrolysis. We found the formation of MRX in the recently developed genetically diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and compared them with that in the control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Significantly higher levels of MRX were observed from the serum (p < 0.005) and urinary protein (p < 0.001) of OLETF rats in comparison with those of LETO rats. MRX must be a potential candidate as a biomarker for hyperglycemia.

Detection of TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion transcripts in myxoid and round cell liposarcomas by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using archival paraffin-embedded tissues

The reciprocal translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) has been shown to be highly characteristic of myxoid and round cell subtypes of liposarcoma, and the TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion gene that resulted from the translocation is expected to be a diagnostic molecular marker of these sarcomas. In this study, we conducted a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay to detect the TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion gene transcripts using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens. Of 18 paraffin-embedded specimens from 16 myxoid and round cell liposarcoma cases, the fusion transcripts could be identified in 16 (89%) specimens from 15 (94%) cases. A sequence analysis using the PCR products confirmed that the detected messages were derived from either type I or type II TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion gene, the latter of which was predominant (80%). The results were consistent in primary and recurrent lesions of the same patients and in paraffin-embedded and snap-frozen samples from the same tumors. In two negative specimens, transcripts of the beta-actin gene could not be detected by RT-PCR, and intact mRNA including the fusion messages might have been degraded. No fusion transcripts were detected in snap-frozen or paraffin-embedded material of other types of tumors with myxoid morphology (seven myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytomas and four lipomas with myxoid change). These results indicate that this molecular assay can be applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues as a diagnostic aid for these subtypes of liposarcoma.

Ansamycin antibiotics as free radical scavengers isolated from Streptomyces by using the bactericidal action of the hydroxyl radical

Ansamycin antibiotics (1-4) were isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. USF-319 strain as a result of our screening for free radical scavengers. They inhibited the bactericidal effect of the Fenton reagent toward Bacillus subtilis by their radical scavenging activity. Some of them also showed inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation and lipoxygenases.

Protein glycation inhibitors from thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Nonenzymatic glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was inhibited in vitro by some extracts of 34 kinds of spices. The methanol extract of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) had the most potent inhibitory activity among them. Chromatographic purification yielded four flavonoids, quercetin (1), eriodictyol (2), 5,6,4'-trihydroxy-7,8,3'-trimethoxyflavone (3), and cirsilineol (4). These known flavonoids suppressed the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and fructosamines, shown by the measurement of specific fluorescent groups and the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), respectively. The inhibitory activities were compared with those of other structure-related flavonoids and aminoguanidine.

Nodules of less-differentiated tumor within or adjacent to hepatocellular carcinoma: relative expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and its receptor in the different areas of tumor

Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and its receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and adjacent nontumorous livers from 25 Japanese patients were examined using immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin-embedded sections. TGF-alpha was detected in 24 of 25 (96%) HCCs and 23 of 24 (96%) available adjacent nontumorous livers. EGFR was detected in 16 of 25 (64%) HCCs and 17 of 24 (71%) adjacent nontumorous livers. TGF-alpha and EGFR were not detected by immunohistochemical staining in normal livers. Fifteen of 25 HCCs contained an apparent area of a second tumor (two of the 15 also contained a third tumor) that had a less-differentiated histological grade developing within or adjacent to the first tumor. In those cases, staining in the less-differentiated area of tumor was usually less intense than in the more highly differentiated area (80% of cases for TGF-alpha; 91% for EGFR). These data confirm that increased expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR occur frequently in human HCC. Furthermore, the detection of greater staining in more highly differentiated portions of the tumors suggests that increased expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR may be events of the early stages of human hepatocarcinogenesis.

Expression of transforming growth factor alpha in the liver before and after interferon alfa therapy for chronic hepatitis B

The effect of interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) therapy on the expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in the liver during chronic hepatitis B was investigated. Serial liver biopsy specimens were evaluated from 35 patients who had participated in a randomized, controlled trial of recombinant human IFN-alpha for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Percutaneous liver biopsy specimens obtained before and 1 year after entry in the trial were sectioned and stained with a monoclonal antibody to TGF-alpha in an avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex system. The expression of TGF-alpha in each section was evaluated blindly (with respect to treatment group and order of biopsies) and was numerically scored. There was no significant difference in TGF-alpha expression before or after therapy between 13 patients receiving daily IFN-alpha, 13 receiving alternate-day IFN-alpha, and 9 receiving no therapy. Sustained clearance of HBV-DNA and DNA polymerase activity occurred in 8 of 26 treated patients ("responders"); the 18 other patients were "nonresponders." Expression of TGF-alpha before IFN-alpha therapy was significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders; after IFN-alpha therapy, TGF-alpha expression decreased significantly among responders compared with nonresponders and untreated controls. Thus, the level of expression of TGF-alpha in the liver, which was correlated with the severity of inflammation in the liver in this study, appeared to be predictive of the response to IFN-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis B, with a higher level of expression indicating a greater likelihood that the patient would respond.

Identification of two p53-binding proteins using a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the wild-type human p53 gene

A recombinant vaccinia virus was constructed using the wild-type human p53 gene as an insert. The p 53 protein produced by this recombinant virus was used to investigate p53 binding proteins in seventeen cell lines, including 10 derived from human hepatocellular carcinoma, four from other human cancers, and three from non-human primate tissues. In all 17 cell lines tested, two proteins of 40 kD and 50 kD were identified that bound to wild-type p53 and that may be cellular regulators of p53 function.

USF-19A, a new lipoxygenase inhibitor from Streptomyces sp

USF-19A, a soybean lipoxygenase (SBL) and human 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor, was isolated from Streptomyces sp. USF-19 strain. Its chemical structure was determined by spectroscopic evidence to be a new member of the antimycin antibiotic family. The IC50 value of USF-19A against 5-LO was 28.0 microM.

Neuroimaging and neuropathologic findings in AIDS patient with cytomegalovirus infection

This 21-year-old male with hemophilia A developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). He had a history of numerous blood transfusions. Serum antibody titers became positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), when the patient was 18 years of age. Three years later, he developed CMV retinitis due to his immunosuppression. Ganciclovir (DENOSINE, TANABE SEIYAKU CO., LTD., Osaka, Japan) therapy given for 4 weeks produced a marked improvement in the ocular fundal findings, but the neurologic signs and symptoms, including headache, hypoesthesia, disorientation, and dementia became worse. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a diffuse high intensity area in the periventricular white matter and small focal or patchy lesions in the hippocampus, basal ganglia, midbrain, medulla oblongata and the nucleus dentatus. The patient died of HIV encephalopathy and CMV infection. Characteristic CMV intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed histologically in most sites of the brain including the hippocampus, white matter, basal ganglia, midbrain, medulla oblongata, nucleus dentatus and the retina. Infiltration by monocyte-macrophage and multinucleated giant cells, which are characteristic of HIV encephalopathy, were observed in the periventricular white matter and the hippocampus. In this patient, the neuroimaging findings were compatible with the neuropathologic observations. MR imaging proved useful in detecting the central nervous system (CNS) lesions of AIDS and CMV infection.

Apocrine adenocarcinoma arising in cystic teratoma of the ovary

We present a rare case of an apocrine adenocarcinoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. The patient, a 41-year-old woman, was admitted to the hospital with low back pain and hypermenorrhea. A unilocular cystic tumor, measuring 5.5 x 5.0 cm in diameter, was found in her right ovary, and was removed. The tumor contained a mural nodule, measuring 8 x 7 mm in diameter. Microscopically, the unilocular cystic tumor was a teratoma consisting of mature cutaneous tissue with numerous hairs. The mural nodule was composed mostly of cords of epithelial cells with an infiltrative fashion and anastomosing tubular structures, which were lined partly by cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and decapitation secretion. The cytoplasm contained iron granules as well as granules that were stained with periodic acid-Schiff, with and without diastase digestion.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma of the uterine cervix

A rare case of an alveolar soft part sarcoma of the uterine cervix in an 8 year old girl is presented. The patient was admitted because of genital bleeding lasting for 7 months. A polypoid tumor, 2 x 1.5 cm in diameter, was found in her external uterine os and was surgically resected. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of a uniform sheet of tumor cells in the cytoplasm which contained granules and which were stained with periodic acid-Schiff, both before and after the diastase digestion. Alveolar arrangement of the tumor cells was manifested with reticulin silver impregnation. Dense, membrane bound granules were evident at an ultrastructural level in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. An immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a positive reaction for anti-desmin, anti-myoglobin, anti-HHF35 and anti-neuron specific enolase in the cytoplasm.

Morphologic characteristics, proliferation, and tumor marker expression of two human ovarian carcinoma cell lines in three-dimensional culture

Two cell lines derived from human serous ovarian adenocarcinoma (KOC-1S, KOC-2S) were cultured three-dimensionally in type I collagen gel, and their morphology, growth kinetics, and tumor marker expression were compared with those of cells grown on plastic dishes. KOC-1S cells were established from a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and they formed three-dimensional round colonies and tubular structures in collagen gel culture. KOC-2S cells were established from a poorly differentiated serous adenocarcinoma and they proliferated diffusely in a solid pattern to form irregularly shaped colonies in collagen gel culture. The doubling times of both cell lines were longer in collagen gel culture, but the ratio of their doubling times was virtually the same in both culture systems. KOC-1S cells produced CA125 and TPA, while KOC-2S cells only produced TPA. For both cell lines, tumor marker secretion per 10(5) cells was greater in collagen gel that on plastic dishes. These results suggest that human ovarian carcinoma cell lines retain characteristics similar to those in vivo with regard to histologic type, degree of differentiation, and growth kinetics when they are cultured in collagen gel.

Coexistence of mature teratoma and thecoma in an ovary. A report of two cases

Two cases of coexisting mature teratoma and thecoma are reported. In Case 1, a 36-year-old woman presented with severe genital bleeding and an ovarian tumor, 12 x 9 cm in size, was found. In Case 2, a 48-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with severe lower abdominal pain and an ovarian tumor, 15 x 11 cm in size, was detected. Macroscopically, the resected tumors of both cases showed a unilocular cystic tumor adjacent to a solid tumor. Microscopically, the cystic tumors were composed of cutaneous tissues and the solid tumors consisted of spindle cells with lipid-rich cytoplasm, arranged in interlacing bundles. The cystic tumor and the solid tumor were completely separate and no transitional features were recognized histologically.

[Characterization of oncogenes (K, N-ras and N, c-myc) in subcloned cell lines (KCC-1a and 1b) derived from same endometrial carcinoma presenting well differentiated adenocarcinoma and clear cell carcinoma]

Human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines (KCC-1a and KCC-1b) were established from the same endometrial carcinoma. 1) Amplification of the N-ras gene was not able to be observed in Southern blot hybridization. K-ras gene amplification of KCC-1b was more than 10 fold that of KCC-1a and the control. N-myc gene amplification of KCC-1b was more than 3-5 fold that of KCC-1a. c-myc gene amplifications of KCC-1a and KCC-1b were more than 5-7 fold that of the control DNA. 2) p21 was observed in tubular adenocarcinoma but not in clear cell carcinoma. p21 was detected in KCC-1b cells but not in KCC-1a cells. 3) KCC-1a and KCC-1b cells had quite different characteristics in molecular biology.

Serum concentrations of carotenoids, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol in healthy persons determined by high-performance liquid chromatography

Serum concentrations of alpha-carotene (AC), beta-carotene (BC), lycopene (LY), beta-cryptoxanthin (CR), zeaxanthin (including lutein. ZX), canthaxanthin (CX), retinol (RE), and alpha-tocopherol (TO) in healthy persons (618 males and 1,196 females) aged 7-86 years were determined by HPLC. Serum concentrations of BC among persons aged 20-49 years were higher with increasing age in females, but not in males. Serum CR concentrations decreased with age ranging from 7 to 39 years, while ZX concentrations rose in the age group of 20 to 59 years for both sexes. In contrast, serum RE concentrations and ratios of RE/BC and RE/CR, especially in males aged 20-49, were higher with age. Serum TO values in both sexes rose with age and were similar.

Reaction of formaldehyde with calf-thymus nucleohistone

The reactions of formaldehyde with calf thymus nucleohistone were analyzed in the following ways: measurement with fluorescamine of the decrease in primary amino groups resulting from hydroxymethylation and crosslinking reactions, measurement with dodecylsulphate-gel electrophoresis of formation of histone oligomers, measurement of fixation of histones to the DNA in nucleohistone, and measurement of changes in the circular dichroism spectrum in the region of 250--300 nm. In the presence of formaldehyde, the primary amino groups of histones decreased very rapidly, attaining an equilibrium within 60 min, and successively intermolecular crosslinks were also formed between histone molecules, the resulting dimers and oligomers being separable by dodecylsulfate-gel electrophoresis. Whereas the fixation reaction proceeded much more slowly. The extent of fixation could be measured more accurately by dodecylsulfate/sucrose centrifugation analysis than by sulfuric acid extraction. After removal of formaldehyde from the reaction mixture, the fraction of masked amino groups decreased, perhaps due to the reverse reaction, but the extent of fixation of histones continued to increase with time. No specificity was observed among five molecular species of histones in the fixation reaction. With increase in formaldehyde concentration, the ellipticity of nucleohistone decreased to a minimum with about 0.4% formaldehyde, and then increased.