Pathology of asthma

Asthma is a serious health and socioeconomic issue all over the world, affecting more than 300 million individuals. The disease is considered as an inflammatory disease in the airway, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness, obstruction, mucus hyper-production and airway wall remodeling. The presence of airway inflammation in asthmatic patients has been found in the nineteenth century. As the information in patients with asthma increase, paradigm change in immunology and molecular biology have resulted in an extensive evaluation of inflammatory cells and mediators involved in the pathophysiology of asthma. Moreover, it is recognized that airway remodeling into detail, characterized by thickening of the airway wall, can be profound consequences on the mechanics of airway narrowing and contribute to the chronic progression of the disease. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition plays an important role in airway remodeling. These epithelial and mesenchymal cells cause persistence of the inflammatory infiltration and induce histological changes in the airway wall, increasing thickness of the basement membrane, collagen deposition and smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Resulting of airway inflammation, airway remodeling leads to the airway wall thickening and induces increased airway smooth muscle mass, which generate asthmatic symptoms. Asthma is classically recognized as the typical Th2 disease, with increased IgE levels and eosinophilic inflammation in the airway. Emerging Th2 cytokines modulates the airway inflammation, which induces airway remodeling. Biological agents, which have specific molecular targets for these Th2 cytokines, are available and clinical trials for asthma are ongoing. However, the relatively simple paradigm has been doubted because of the realization that strategies designed to suppress Th2 function are not effective enough for all patients in the clinical trials. In the future, it is required to understand more details for phenotypes of asthma.

Combustion of brominated flame retardants and behavior of its byproducts

The substance flow rate of PBDDs/DFs into flue gas and incineration residues from incineration of three types of waste samples containing brominated flame retardants were examined. The samples used consisted of PBDEs (a typical retardant), used TV casing materials (actual waste materials), and waste printed circuit boards. PBDDs/DFs concentrations in the experimental samples of PBDEs/PE, waste TV casing materials and printed circuit boards ranged between 3000 and 130,000 ng/g. These values are very high when compared to other investigations. The increase of chlorine concentration in input sample reduced the ratio of PBDDs/DFs in flue gas and raised the ratio of PCDDs/DFs. With adequate combustion control and flue gas treatment, the amount of PBDDs/DFs released from the incineration of resin containing brominated flame retardants was lower than the input amount. The presence of PBDDs/DFs in incineration residues dominated the total amount of dioxins released. When PBDDs/DFs, PCDDs/DFs and PXDDs/DFs were considered as a total, the total amount released was lower than the total amount input.

The timing of GM-CSF expression plasmid administration influences the Th1/Th2 response induced by an HIV-1-specific DNA vaccine

The mechanism of immune activation induced by a plasmid-encoding GM-CSF (pGM-CSF), administered in combination with a DNA vaccine encoding the envelope of HIV, was studied. Injecting pGM-CSF i.m. into mice 3 days before DNA vaccination primarily induced a Th2 response. Simultaneous administration of the DNA vaccine plus pGM-CSF activated both a Th1 and a Th2 response. When the plasmid was injected 3 days after DNA vaccination, enhancement of Th1 immunity predominated. These results suggest that the timing of cytokine expression determines the phenotype of the resultant Th response. After 3 days of pGM-CSF injection, the increased percentages of CD11c+, CD8+ cells were observed in the regional lymph nodes. In addition, many infiltrated cells, including S-100 protein-positive cells, were found in the pGM-CSF-injected tissue. The importance of these S-100+ cells or both CD8+ and CD11c+ cells, especially that of dendritic cells (DCs), was also studied. DCs derived from bone marrow and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing IL-4 and GM-CSF were incubated with DNA vaccine and then transferred into naive mice. Mice receiving DCs showed strong HIV-1-specific Th2 immune responses. Our results suggest that DCs play important roles in the activation or modification of the Th2-type immune response induced by DNA vaccination.

Induction of potent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses following direct injection of DNA encoding the HIV type 1 env and rev gene products

DNA vaccines have the potential of giving rise to a potent cell-mediated immune response by inducing intracellular synthesis and subsequent antigenic presentation of encoded antigens. We have tested a DNA vaccine specific for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by the injection of animals with expression plasmids encoding the HIV-1 envelope protein and the Rev regulatory protein. Injection of both plasmids into mice, rabbits, or macaques was found to induce high levels of specific antibodies capable of efficiently inhibiting both HIV-1 infection and envelope-mediated cell fusion. A readily detectable delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was demonstrable in injected mice and lymphocytes derived from these proliferated in response to an HIV-1 envelope V3 loop-specific peptide. Interestingly, the injected mice or macaques also developed a strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against target cells pulsed with the V3 peptide. Taken together, these data demonstrate that injection of HIV-1 gene expression plasmids can induce potent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and suggest that DNA vaccines may prove to be significantly beneficial as a means of immunizing against HIV-1.

Stable suppression of tumorigenicity by Pin1-targeted RNA interference in prostate cancer

PURPOSE

The peptidyl-prolyl isomrase Pin1 plays a catalytic role in oncogenesis in solid cancers, including prostate cancer. In the present study, we sought to determine the potential of Pin1-targeted gene silencing in inhibiting cellular growth and tumorigenicity in prostate cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A retrovirus-mediated RNA interference targeting Pin1 was expressed in PC3 and LNCaP cells, and cell growth and several transformed properties were investigated.

RESULTS

The stable expression of Pin1-specific small interfering RNA constructs in PC3 and LNCaP cells significantly reduced cellular proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion but strongly enhanced the apoptotic response induced by serum depletion or treatment with anticancer agents. Furthermore, Pin1 depletion significantly suppressed tumorigenic potential in athymic mice, resulting in the inhibition of both tumor growth and angiogeneisis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly suggest that Pin1 plays an important role not only in tumorigenesis but also in the maintenance of the transformed phenotype in prostate cancer cells. Hence, Pin1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target, particularly for recurrent prostate tumors.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound activates the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt pathway and stimulates the growth of chondrocytes in three-dimensional cultures: a basic science study

Introduction

The effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on cell growth was examined in three-dimensional-cultured chondrocytes with a collagen sponge. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the mechanical activation of chondrocytes, intracellular signaling pathways through the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the integrin/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways as well as proteins involved in proliferation of chondrocytes were examined in LIPUS-treated chondrocytes.

Methods

Articular cartilage tissue was obtained from the metatarso-phalangeal joints of freshly sacrificed pigs. Isolated chondrocytes mixed with collagen gel and culture medium composites were added to type-I collagen honeycomb sponges. Experimental cells were cultured with daily 20-minute exposures to LIPUS. The chondrocytes proliferated and a collagenous matrix was formed on the surface of the sponge. Cell counting, histological examinations, immunohistochemical analyses and western blotting analysis were performed.

Results

The rate of chondrocyte proliferation was slightly but significantly higher in the LIPUS group in comparison with the control group during the 2-week culture period. Western blot analysis showed intense staining of type-IX collagen, cyclin B₁ and cyclin D₁, phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase, and phosphorylated Akt in the LIPUS group in comparison with the control group. No differences were detected, however, in the MAPK, phosphorylated MAPK and type-II collagen levels.

Conclusion

LIPUS promoted the proliferation of cultured chondrocytes and the production of type-IX collagen in a three-dimensional culture using a collagen sponge. In addition, the anabolic LIPUS signal transduction to the nucleus via the integrin/phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase/Akt pathway rather than the integrin/MAPK pathway was generally associated with cell proliferation.

cDNA cloning and mRNA expression of a serine proteinase inhibitor secreted by cancer cells: identification as placental protein 5 and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2

A serine proteinase inhibitor was purified from conditioned medium of the human glioblastoma cell line T98G. Analysis of its partial amino acid sequences indicated that this protein was identical to placental protein 5 (PP5), a placenta-derived glycoprotein with serine proteinase inhibitor activity, the amino acid sequence of which had been partially determined. cDNA cloning of PP5 demonstrated that it belonged to the Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitor family, having three putative Kunitz-type inhibitor domains, and that it was identical to a recently reported inhibitor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) [Sprecher et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 3353-3357]. PP5/TFPI-2 transcripts were highly abundant in the full-term placenta and widely expressed in various adult human tissues, such as the liver, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, and pancreas. Several ovarian carcinoma cells as well as T98G also contained significant amounts of the transcripts.

Identification of miR-30d as a novel prognostic maker of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant carcinoma that develops in men in Western countries. MicroRNA (miRNA) have the potential to be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of various cancers. We found significantly higher expression of miR-30d in 3 PCa cell lines (PC3, DU145 and LNCaP) compared with 2 normal prostate cell lines (RWPE-1 and PrSc) using miRNA microarrays and qPCR. Clinicopathological study revealed that miR-30d expression levels were significantly higher in cancer tissue samples than in the paired normal controls (P = 0.03). Furthermore, the miR-30d^−high group had shorter time to biochemical recurrence (P = 0.026). MiR-30d overexpressed PCa cells promoted proliferation and invasion in vitro. Inoculation of miR-30d depleted PCa cells dramatically reduced tumor volumes in vivo. Using reporter gene assay, we identified miR-30d as a downregulator of SOCS1 expression by directly binding to 3'-UTR of SOCS1. MiR-30d regulated the expression of phospho-STAT3, MMP-2 and MMP-9 through the downregulation of SOCS1. The levels of SOCS1 mRNA and protein were significantly down-regulated in prostate cancer tissues. Consistently, miR-30d expression was inversely correlated with SOCS1 expression (P = 0.03). The miR-30d^−high/SOCS1^−low group was associated with an increased risk of early biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0057). Taken together, miR-30d appears to be a novel independent prognostic marker of PCa progression that allows clinicians to identify patients who need more intensive treatments.

Immunomodulatory effects of a plasmid expressing B7-2 on human immunodeficiency virus-1-specific cell-mediated immunity induced by a plasmid encoding the viral antigen

B7 co-stimulation is essential for activating resting T cells following antigen recognition by the T cell receptor. To determine whether B7 has adjuvant activities on human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-specific immunity induced by inoculation of a plasmid encoding HIV-1 env and rev (DNA vaccine), B7-1 and B7-2 expression plasmids were co-inoculated with the DNA vaccine. The delayed-type hypersensitivity response and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were significantly enhanced when B7-2 expression plasmid was co-inoculated with the DNA vaccine, but were unaffected when the B7-1 expression plasmid was used with the vaccine instead. The immunological response enhanced by B7-2 decreased below the level of mice immunized with the DNA vaccine in combination with CTLA4Ig, an inhibitor of the B7/CD28 co-stimulatory signal, suggesting that this signal is critical for the enhanced response induced by co-inoculation of the DNA vaccine and B7-2 expression plasmid. This enhancement appeared to occur via an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-dependent mechanism, as combined administration of the B7-2 plasmid and neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma antibody abrogated the virus-specific cell-mediated immunity. These results suggest that this gene-based co-inoculation strategy using HIV-1 viral antigen and B7-2 co-stimulatory molecule could be a powerful means of combating HIV-1 infection.

Monophosphoryl lipid A enhances both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to DNA vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type 1

To enhance immunity induced by DNA vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), we evaluated the efficacy of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), an adjuvant of bacterial origin. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly injected with immunogenic DNA, encoding the env and rev genes of the HIV-1(IIIB) strain, formulated with MPL dissolved in different vehicles (MPL in stable emulsion and MPL in aqueous formulation). The sera from mice immunized with the two preparations of MPL revealed 2(6) to 2(9) times higher HIV-1-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers than the sera from mice immunized without MPL. In virus neutralization tests for HIV-1(IIIB), by p24 assay and antifusion assay of infected MOLT-4 cells, MPL tends to elicit antibody more protective than antibody elicited without adjuvant. MPL also elicited stronger delayed-type hypersensitivity and cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte activity against HIV-1(IIIB) compared to DNA alone. HIV-1-specific IgG subclass analysis showed that MPL tends to facilitate IgG2a production, suggesting enhancement of a predominant T-helper-type-1 response, and this enhancement may help to facilitate protective-antibody induction. Furthermore, a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay was employed to determine whether MPL affected the gene expression process. Interestingly, both MPL preparations reduced CAT activity in the muscle injected with CAT expression vector but increased anti-CAT antibody production. These results indicate that MPL acts as an effective adjuvant for immunogenic DNA injection despite reduced expression of encoding protein in muscle. We conclude that MPL has a strong adjuvant effect on DNA vaccination against HIV-1.

The overexpression and altered localization of the atypical protein kinase C lambda/iota in breast cancer correlates with the pathologic type of these tumors

Breast cancer is one of the common malignant diseases among women in Japan as well as in western countries, and its incidence continues to increase. Normal mammary duct epithelial cells exhibit a well-organized apicobasal polarity, which forms the basis for their specific structure and function. Although the loss of epithelial cell polarity is one of the major changes that occur during the progression of tumor cells, including breast cancer, the underlying molecular mechanisms for this, as well as their relationship to other changes such as increased proliferation and metastasis, remain to be elucidated. The atypical protein kinase C lambda/iota (aPKC lambda/iota) is involved in several signal transduction pathways, including the establishment of epithelial cell polarity. In this study we evaluated the expression and localization of aPKC lambda/iota in breast cancer by immunohistochemistry and compared our findings with the clinicopathologic factors associated with the tumor specimens. We detected aPK Clambda/iota protein overexpression in 88 of the 110 breast cancer cases (80.0%) under study, expect for decreased expression in a few cases. The immunoreactivity of aPK Clambda/iota was generally weak in ductal carcinoma in situ, but strong in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC; P = .022). The correlation between apical or cytoplasmic aPKC lambda/iota localization and tumor pathologic type (ie, atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ. or IDC) was also demonstrated (P < .001). These results thus indicate that the normal apicobasal polarity is lost upon the progression of a breast lesion to IDC. This is also the first evidence to show aPKC lambda/iota overexpression in breast cancer and demonstrates that its localization is associated with the trend of pathologic type of the tumor.

Platelet-dependent thrombin generation in patients with diabetes mellitus: effects of glycemic control on coagulability in diabetes

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess the usefulness of platelet-dependent thrombin generation as an index of coagulability in diabetes and to determine the effect of glycemic control on coagulability in diabetes.

BACKGROUND

It is important to investigate the interaction of platelets and the coagulation factors to clarify the processes of the coagulation system in detail.

METHODS

Platelet-rich plasma (150 X 10(9)/liter), 0.5 ml, was prepared, and 40 mmol/liter of calcium chloride was added to initiate clotting. S-2238 was added to each sample in a microtiter plate every 10 min, and the absorbance of the released color product at 2 min was measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 405 nm using a microtiter plate reader as thrombin generation. We measured the platelet-independent thrombin generation in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus grouped according to glycemic control.

RESULTS

Platelet-dependent thrombin generation at 30 min after calcium chloride addition was significantly higher in 23 patients with poorly glycemic-controlled non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus without complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy (hemoglobin [Hb] A1c >/= 9.0%) than in 46 healthy normal subjects (448 +/- 75 vs. 165 +/- 28 mU/min, p < 0.001). Thrombin generation in 31 well controlled diabetic patients without complications (Hb A1c < 9.0%) was intermediate (240 +/- 72 mU/min) between those of the poorly controlled group and healthy normal subjects. Platelet-poor plasma from diabetic patients increased platelet-dependent thrombin generation in normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Coagulability is evidently enhanced in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus compared with that in healthy normal subjects on the basis of assessments of the platelet-dependent thrombin generation, and good glycemic control may help to correct a hypercoagulable state in diabetic patients.

M2-polarized macrophages contribute to neovasculogenesis, leading to relapse of oral cancer following radiation

Despite the fact that radiation is one of the standard therapies in the treatment of patients with oral cancer, tumours can recur even in the early stages of the disease, negatively impacting prognosis and quality of life. We previously found that CD11b⁺ bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) were recruited into human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), leading to re-organization of the vasculature and tumour regrowth. However, it is not yet known how these cells contribute to tumour vascularization. In the present study, we investigated the role of infiltrating CD11b⁺ myeloid cells in the vascularization and recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In a xenograft mouse model, local irradiation caused vascular damage and hypoxia in the tumour and increased infiltration of CD11b⁺ myeloid cells. These infiltrating cells showed characteristics of M2 macrophages (M2Mφs) and are associated with the promotion of vascularization. M2Mφs promoted tumour progression in recurrence after irradiation compared to non-irradiated tumours. In addition, we found that CD11b⁺ myeloid cells, as well as CD206⁺ M2Mφs, are increased during recurrence after radiotherapy in human OSCC specimens. Our findings may lead to the development of potential clinical biomarkers or treatment targets in irradiated OSCC patients.

Hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic stroke: diagnosis with diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted echo-planar MR imaging

PURPOSE

To determine if diffusion- and T2-weighted echo-planar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used to detect acute hemorrhagic stroke and to differentiate hemorrhagic from nonhemorrhagic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 118 examinations (diffusion- and T2-weighted MR imaging) in 19 patients with 27 nonhemorrhagic strokes and in six patients with seven hemorrhagic strokes were performed. The ratios of apparent diffusion coefficient and of signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images in lesions to those in contralateral control areas were calculated.

RESULTS

Decreased ADC was shown in lesions of acute (0-3 days) hemorrhagic stroke, as well as in lesions of acute nonhemorrhagic stroke. Hypointense areas were seen on T2-weighted MR images in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke, in contrast to normal to increased signal intensity in those with acute nonhemorrhagic stroke. Apparent diffusion coefficient tended to remain decreased in hemorrhagic stroke lesions even 100 days after onset, in contrast to the increased coefficient in nonhemorrhagic stroke lesions at the late chronic stage (31 days or older).

CONCLUSION

Diffusion- and T2-weighted echo-planar MR imaging can be used to detect and distinguish between acute hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic stroke.

Protection against influenza virus challenge by topical application of influenza DNA vaccine

We studied the use of a DNA vaccine expressing the matrix (M) gene of the influenza virus A/PR/8/34. Mice were immunized by painting the DNA vaccine three times on the skin after removal of its keratinocytic layers. Immunization by this method produced M-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, and acquired resistance against influenza virus challenge. This protection was abrogated by the in vivo injection of anti-CD8 or anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody. We further found that simultaneous topical application (t.a.) of GM-CSF expression plasmid (pGM-CSF) or liposomes plus mannan produced stronger immune response competence and enhanced the protective effect against influenza virus challenge. The present study revealed that administering DNA vaccine by topical application can elicit both humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI).

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas: a clinicopathologic study and report of three cases

Among 27 surgically resected carcinomas of the pancreas, 3 cases were diagnosed histologically as adenosquamous carcinoma (11.1%). This is the highest rate among the medical literature we reviewed. Since a very small focus of squamous cell carcinoma was detected through close observation in 1 case, it would seem that this sort of pancreatic tumor could be more common than is ordinarily expected. From the histologic studies of these 3 cases, it seems likely that the preexisting adenocarcinoma partially underwent malignant transformation into a malignant squamous component. When the different modes of spread of these two histologic elements are compared, the adenocarcinomatous element seems to be more invasive and more likely to metastasize than does squamous cell carcinoma.

Production of functional spermatids from mouse germline stem cells in ectopically reconstituted seminiferous tubules

Testicular germ cell transplantation into the seminiferous tubules is at present the only way to induce spermatogenesis from a given source of spermatogonial stem cells. Here we show an alternative method that harnesses the self-organizing ability of testicular somatic cells. The testicular cells of embryonic or neonatal mice or rats and of newborn pigs were dissociated into single cells. Each of them reorganized into a tubular structure following implantation into the subcutis of immunodeficient mice. When mouse germline stem (GS) cells derived from spermatogonial stem cells and expanded in culture were intermingled with testicular cells of rodents, they were integrated in the reconstituted tubules and differentiated beyond meiosis into spermatids. Normal offspring were produced by the microinjection of those spermatids into oocytes. This method could be applicable to various mammalian species and useful for producing functional gametes from GS cells in a xenoectopic environment.

Prolyl-isomerase Pin1 accumulates in lewy bodies of parkinson disease and facilitates formation of alpha-synuclein inclusions

Parkinson disease (PD) is a relatively common neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and by the formation of Lewy bodies (LBs), which are cytoplasmic inclusions containing aggregates of alpha-synuclein. Although certain post-translational modifications of alpha-synuclein and its related proteins are implicated in the genesis of LBs, the specific molecular mechanisms that both regulate these processes and initiate subsequent inclusion body formation are not yet well understood. We demonstrate in our current study, however, that the prolyl-isomerase Pin1 localizes to the LBs in PD brain tissue and thereby enhances the formation of alpha-synuclein immunoreactive inclusions. Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue from PD patients revealed that Pin1 localizes to 50-60% of the LBs that show an intense halo pattern resembling that of alpha-synuclein. By utilizing a cellular model of alpha-synuclein aggregation, we also demonstrate that, whereas Pin1 overexpression facilitates the formation of alpha-synuclein inclusions, dominant-negative Pin1 expression significantly suppresses this process. Consistent with these observations, Pin1 overexpression enhances the protein half-life and insolubility of alpha-synuclein. Finally, we show that Pin1 binds synphilin-1, an alpha-synuclein partner, via its Ser-211-Pro and Ser-215-Pro motifs, and enhances its interaction with alpha-synuclein, thus likely facilitating the formation of alpha-synuclein inclusions. These results indicate that Pin1-mediated prolyl-isomerization plays a pivotal role in a post-translational modification pathway for alpha-synuclein aggregation and in the resultant Lewy body formations in PD.

Pathophysiology of placentation abnormalities in pregnancy-induced hypertension

During embryogenesis and development, the fetus obtains oxygen and nutrients from the mother through placental microcirculation. The placenta is a distinctive organ that develops and differentiates per se, and that organizes fetal growth and maternal condition in the entire course of gestation. Several life-threatening diseases during pregnancy, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and eclampsia, are closely associated with placental dysfunction. Genetic susceptibilities and poor placentation have been investigated intensively to understand the pathophysiology of PIH. It is currently thought that “poor placentation hypothesis”, in which extravillous trophoblasts fail to invade sufficiently the placental bed, explains in part maternal predisposition to this disease. Cumulative studies have suggested that hypoxic micromilieu of fetoplacental site, shear stress of uteroplacental blood flow, and aberrantly secreted proinflammatory substances into maternal circulation synergistically contribute to the progression of PIH. For example, soluble form of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and soluble form of CD105 are elevated in circulation of PIH mothers. However, it remains to be poorly understood the pathological events in the placenta during the last half of gestation as maternal systemic disorders get worse. For better understanding and effective therapeutic approaches to PIH, it is important to clarify pathological course of PIH-associated changes in the placenta. In this review, current understanding of placental development and the pathophysiology of PIH placenta are summarized. In addition, recent findings of vasoactive signalings in PIH and rodent PIH models are discussed.

Chemical induction of HO-1 suppresses lupus nephritis by reducing local iNOS expression and synthesis of anti-dsDNA antibody

There is accumulating evidence that haem oxygenase (HO)-1 plays a protective role in various disorders. The beneficial efficacy of HO-1 induction therapy has been shown in renal diseases such as glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis and drug induced nephrotoxicity. However, involvement of HO-1 in the development of autoimmune renal diseases remains uncertain. To assess the clinical efficacy of HO-1 induction therapy for lupus glomerulonephritis, MRL/lpr mice were intraperitoneally injected with 100 micromol/kg hemin, a potent HO-1 inducer, or PBS as controls, once a week from 6 weeks of age to 21-24 weeks-old. We found that treatment with hemin led to a significant reduction of proteinuria and remarkable amelioration of glomerular lesions accompanied by decreased immune depositions. In addition, the circulating IgG anti-double-stranded DNA antibody level was significantly decreased in hemin treated mice when compared with controls. A single intraperitoneal injection with hemin resulted in reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the kidney and spleen, and serum interferon-gamma level. Our results suggest that HO-1 induction therapy ameliorates lupus nephritis by suppressing nitric oxide (NO) dependent inflammatory responses and attenuating production of pathogenic autoantibodies.

SIRT1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis, whereas DBC1 is associated with favorable outcomes in gastric cancer

Clinical trials of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as antitumor therapy have been conducted for gastric cancer. Expression of SIRT1, a class III HDAC, is related to poor prognosis in some malignancies. We investigated the correlation between SIRT1 expression and progression and prognosis of gastric cancers comparing with molecules linked to SIRT1 in order to better predict the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in treating this disease. We evaluated SIRT1 expression by western blot in 51 cases and SIRT1, DBC1, acetylated H4K16 (H4K16Ac), acetylated H3K9 (H3K9Ac), and p53 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 557 cases of gastric cancer. Western blotting showed that SIRT1 high expression related with statistics to advanced tumor progression, positive lymphatic invasion, positive venous invasion, and advanced stage but not to poor prognosis. IHC revealed that SIRT1 high expression correlated with worse clinico-pathological prognostic factors as same as in western blotting and related poor prognosis both by univariate and multivariate analyses. By the contrast, DBC1 and H4K16Ac were related to favorable prognostic factors and linked to favorable prognosis by univariate analysis but not by multivariate analysis. H3K16Ac correlated only favorable prognostic factors. Results of p53 were very similar to those of SIRT1. We found that SIRT1 high expression closely correlates with progression and prognosis in gastric cancer patients. And it was also indicated that SIRT1 acts as an oncogene by the results of DBC1, H4K16Ac, and H3K9Ac and might be a target molecule of HDAC inhibitor treatment for gastric cancer patients.

Platelet-dependent thrombin generation in patients with hyperlipidemia

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated coagulability as determined by platelet-dependent thrombin generation in hypercholesterolemic patients before and after treatment with pravastatin and in hypertriglyceridemic patients to investigate the usefulness of coagulability as an index of atherosclerosis and to determine the importance of treating hyperlipidemia.

BACKGROUND

An understanding of the interaction between platelets and the plasma coagulation system is important for clarifying the mechanism of the procoagulant process.

METHODS

We assessed coagulability in 58 patients with hypercholesterolemia (serum total cholesterol level > or = 220 mg/dl, age 56.5 +/- 1.5 years [mean +/- SEM]), 37 patients with hypertriglyceridemia (serum triglyceride level > or = 200 mg/dl, age 59.5 +/- 1.7 years), 13 patients with hypercholesterolemia plus hypertriglyceridemia (age 51.4 +/- 3.1 years) and 75 normal subjects (age 52.2 +/- 1.7 years). We also studied platelet-dependent thrombin generation in patients with hypercholesterolemia before and after treatment with pravastatin. Calcium chloride was added to 0.5 ml of platelet-rich plasma (150 x 10(9)/liter) to initiate coagulation. Ten microliters of the sample was transferred into 90 microliters of 3.8% sodium citrate at 10-min intervals for 30 min. A chromogenic substrate, S-2238, was added to each sample, and absorbance was measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 405 nm to determine thrombin generation.

RESULTS

Platelet-dependent thrombin generation was increased in patients with hypercholesterolemia and patients with hypercholesterolemia plus hypertriglyceridemia (p < 0.01) compared with patients with hypertriglyceridemia and control subjects. Treatment with pravastatin normalized thrombin generation.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypercholesterolemia, but not hypertriglyceridemia, was associated with increased platelet-dependent thrombin generation. Pravastatin normalized the generation of thrombin.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) expression plasmid enhances DNA vaccine-induced immune response against HIV-1

CD8+ cell-secreted CC-chemokines, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-beta have recently been identified as factors which suppress HIV. In this study we co-inoculated MIP-1alpha expression plasmid with a DNA vaccine constructed from HIV-1 pCMV160IIIB and pcREV, and evaluated the effect of the adjuvant on HIV-specific immune responses following intramuscular and intranasal immunization. The levels of both cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity and DTH showed that HIV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was significantly enhanced by co-inoculation of the MIP-1alpha expression plasmid with the DNA vaccine compared with inoculation of the DNA vaccine alone. The HIV-specific serum IgG1/IgG2a ratio was significantly lowered when the plasmid was co-inoculated in both intramuscular and intranasal routes, suggesting a strong elicitation of the T helper (Th) 1-type response. When the MIP-1alpha expression plasmid was inoculated intramuscularly with the DNA vaccine, an infiltration of mononuclear cells was observed at the injection site. After intranasal administration, the level of mucosal secretory IgA antibody was markedly enhanced. These findings demonstrate that MIP-1alpha expression plasmid inoculated together with DNA vaccine acts as a strong adjuvant for eliciting Th1-derived immunity.