High expression of the human hepatocarcinoma-intestine-pancreas/pancreatic-associated protein (HIP/PAP) gene in the mammary gland of lactating transgenic mice. Secretion into the milk and purification of the HIP/PAP lectin

The human hepatocarcinoma-intestine-pancreas/pancreatic-associated protein (HIP/PAP) gene was previously identified because of its increased expression in primary liver cancers and during the acute phase of pancreatitis. In normal tissues, HIP/PAP is expressed both in endocrine and exocrine cells of the intestine and pancreas. HIP/PAP is a lactose binding C-type lectin which acts as an adhesion molecule for rat hepatocytes. The aim of the work was to study the HIP/PAP secretory pathway and to produce high levels of HIP/PAP in the milk of lactating transgenic mice. In view of its lactose C-type lectin properties, we have studied the consequences of the expression of HIP/PAP on mammary epithelial cells. In homozygous mice, production reached 11.2 mg.mL-1 of milk. High levels of soluble and pure HIP/PAP (18.6 mg) were purified from 29 mL of milk. The purified protein was sequenced and the N-terminal amino acid of the mature HIP/PAP was identified as Glu27, thus localizing the site of cleavage of the signal peptide. The HIP/PAP transgene was only expressed in the mammary gland of lactating transgenic mice. HIP/PAP was detected by immunofluorescence in the whole gland, but labelling was heterogeneous between alveolar clusters, with strongly positive sparse cells. Using immuno electron microscopy, HIP/PAP was observed in all the compartments of the secretory pathway within the mammary epithelial cells. We provide evidence that HIP/PAP is secreted through the Golgi pathway. However, the number of distended Golgi saccules was increased when compared to that found in wild-type mouse mammary cells. These modifications could be related to HIP/PAP C-type lectin specific properties.

HIP/PAP is an adhesive protein expressed in hepatocarcinoma, normal Paneth, and pancreatic cells

Human hepatocarcinoma-intestine-pancreas (HIP) cDNA, isolated from a hepatocellular carcinoma, encodes a C-type lectin. According to published cDNA sequences, HIP protein is identical to human pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP). In these sequences, a putative signal peptide and the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) can be recognized. In the present study, we established transgenic mice to drive the production of soluble recombinant HIP/PAP protein in the milk of lactating animals; using this model, we showed that HIP/PAP protein was secreted after suitable cleavage of the potential signal peptide. Moreover, we also produced HIP/PAP protein by Escherichia coli cultures performed to generate specific antibodies. These antibodies enabled the detection of HIP/PAP protein in normal intestine and pancreas (both in endocrine and exocrine cells), e.g., intestinal neuroendocrine and Paneth cells, pancreatic islets of Langerhans, and acinar cells. HIP/PAP protein was also identified in the cytoplasm of tumoral hepatocytes but not in nontumoral hepatocytes. Finally, HIP/PAP protein activity was tested and we showed that HIP/PAP induced the adhesion of rat hepatocytes and bound strongly to extracellular matrix proteins (laminin-1, fibronectin), less strongly to type I and IV collagen, and not at all to heparan sulfate proteoglycan. In conclusion, these results showed that HIP/PAP protein was matured on secretion. We also demonstrated that HIP/PAP protein was specifically expressed in hepatocarcinoma cells and interacted with rat hepatocytes and the extracellular matrix. Taken overall, these results suggest that HIP/PAP protein may be of potential importance to liver cell differentiation/proliferation.

Structural organization and chromosomal localization of a human gene (HIP/PAP) encoding a C-type lectin overexpressed in primary liver cancer

We previously identified, through differential screening of a human primary liver cancer library, a novel gene (named HIP) the expression of which is markedly increased in 25% of human primary liver cancers. HIP mRNA expression is tissue specific since it is restricted to pancreas and small intestine. HIP protein consists in a signal peptide linked to a carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD), typical of C-type lectins without other binding domains. We have proposed that HIP and related proteins belong to a new family of C-type lectins. Drickamer [Drickamer, K. (1993) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 3,393-400] included this group of proteins in his classification of C-type lectins as the free CRD (group VII) lectins. In the present report we describe the genomic organization and the chromosomal localization of HIP. We have shown that HIP is in fact the pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) and provided a phylogenetic analysis of the free CRD lectins. Furthermore, the analysis of HIP/PAP gene indicates that the HIP/PAP CRD is encoded by four exons, a pattern shared with all members of this group of proteins. This common intron-exon organization indicates an ancient divergence of the free CRD-lectin group from other groups of C-type lectins. We provide evidence for the localization of HIP/PAP on chromosome 2, suggesting previous duplication of HIP/PAP and the related reg I alpha and reg I beta genes from the same ancestral gene. Finally, the sequence of the 5' upstream region of the HIP gene shows several potential regulatory elements which might account for the enhanced expression of the gene during pancreatic inflammation and liver carcinogenesis.

Overexpression of glutamine synthetase in human primary liver cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We have identified several clones specifically expressed during malignant cell proliferation by screening a complementary DNA library constructed from a human primary liver cancer with subtractive probes. One clone was identified as the glutamine synthetase (GS) transcript. Its expression is tightly regulated during development, especially in the hepatic lobule. Because this enzyme is involved in nitrogen homeostasis, it might contribute to tumor development/progression in primary liver cancer.

METHODS

We compared the expression of GS messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in tumorous and nontumorous liver from 34 patients with primary liver cancers, using a combination of Northern blot, dot blot, western blot, and determination of GS enzyme activity.

RESULTS

GS mRNA was higher in tumors versus nontumors in 23 of 34 primary liver cancer samples. GS activity was higher in 6 of 8 selected primary liver cancer samples with high RNA levels. GS protein levels were proportional to enzyme activity. A major GS transcript of 2.8 kilobase was detected by Northern blotting and sequencing. This comprised the minor 1.8-kb transcript and a long 3' untranslated region; the latter contained an AT-rich zone, fully conserved in the chicken, mouse, and rat, which might be important for stability.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show an overexpression of GS in human primary liver cancers and, thus, point to its potential involvement in hepatocyte transformation.

The human HIP gene, overexpressed in primary liver cancer encodes for a C-type carbohydrate binding protein with lactose binding activity

HIP was originally identified as a gene expression in primary liver cancers, and in normal tissues such as pancreas and small intestine. Based on gene data base homologies, the HIP protein should consist of a signal peptide linked to a single carbohydrate recognition domain. To test this hypothesis HIP and the putative carbohydrate recognition domain encoded by the last 138 C-terminal amino acids, were expressed as glutathione-S-transferase proteins (GST-HIP and GST-HIP-142, respectively). Both recombinant proteins were purified by a single affinity purification step from bacterial lysates and their ability to bind saccharides coupled to trisacryl GF 2000M were tested. Our results show that HIP and HIP-142 proteins bind to lactose, moreover the binding requires divalent cations. Thus the HIP protein is a lactose-binding lectin with the characteristics of a C-type carbohydrate recognition domain of 138 amino acids in the C-terminal region.

A novel gene (HIP) activated in human primary liver cancer

Differential screening of a human hepatocellular carcinoma complementary DNA library using subtracted probes allowed us to identify a novel gene named HIP whose expression at the transcriptional level was elevated in liver tumors. The protein potentially encoded by the complementary DNA showed 68.5% identity with the bovine pancreatic thread protein and 49% identity with the human reg protein, which has been proposed as a pancreatic islet cell regenerating factor and is identical to the pancreatic stone or pancreatic thread protein. Sequence analysis suggests that the bovine pancreatic thread protein encoding gene is, in fact, the bovine homologue of the HIP gene. Furthermore, data base searches revealed a significant similarity of the HIP and pancreatic stone protein/pancreatic thread protein/reg sequences with the C-type lectin superfamily. The HIP sequence, like pancreatic stone protein/pancreatic thread protein/reg protein, consists of a single carbohydrate recognition domain linked to a signal peptide which would be involved in secretion of the protein. HIP mRNA was expressed at a high level in the tumors of seven of 29 hepatocellular carcinomas. In contrast, HIP mRNA was not detected in nontumorous adjacent areas or in normal adult and fetal liver, suggesting that HIP could be involved in liver cell proliferation or differentiation. HIP mRNA expression is tissue specific, since it is present in the normal small intestine and pancreas, while it could not be evidenced in colon, brain, kidney, or lung. In summary, our results show the existence of a novel family within the superfamily of C-type lectin which may be involved in liver, pancreatic, and intestinal cell proliferation or differentiation.

Alveolar macrophages and eicosanoids but not neutrophils, mediate bronchoconstriction induced by FMLP in the guinea-pig

1. N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), when administered by aerosol to guinea-pigs, induced a dose-dependent bronchoconstriction (BC) with no overt effect on platelet and leukocyte blood counts. Repeated administration of FMLP by aerosol was followed by desensitization. 2. Electron microscopy studies showed that administration of FMLP by aerosol is accompanied by alveolar macrophage activation, accumulation and aggregation in the alveolar lumens. Non-degranulated eosinophils were observed in the lungs and a few platelet micro-aggregates in the pulmonary microvasculature. 3. No significant accumulation of 131I-labelled albumin, 111In-labelled neutrophils or 111Inlabelled platelets was detected in the lungs after the administration of FMLP by aerosol, whereas the intravenous administration was accompanied by an increase of extravascular albumin and significant neutrophil sequestration in the lungs. 4. Aspirin administered intravenously or by aerosol reduced significantly the BC induced by an aerosol of FMLP. By contrast, intravenous indomethacin reduced only BC induced by the sub-maximal dose of FMLP as an aerosol whereas, when administered by inhalation, it inhibited BC induced by FMLP administered either intravenously or by aerosol at all the concentrations tested. 5. FMLP induced a dose-dependent contraction of the guinea-pig trachea, which was not inhibited by indomethacin. 6. The dual cyclo-oxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor compound BW755C suppressed the BC induced by an aerosol of FMLP at all the concentrations used, whereas the histamine H1-antagonist mepyramine was inactive. 7. Leukocyte depletion with vinblastine failed to reduce BC induced by intravenous or an aerosol of FMLP. 8. Our studies indicate that: (a) FMLP administered by aerosol induces dose-dependent BC followed by desensitization, indicating that local mechanisms account for BC; (b) BC induced by i.v. FMLP, but not by its inhalation, is accompanied by albumin extravasation and neutrophil sequestration in the lungs; (c) BC by either i.v. or an aerosol of FMLP is not due to neutrophil activation; (d) inhalation of FMLP induces BC accompanied by accumulation of activated alveolar macrophages, non-degranulated eosinophils and a few platelet microaggregates in the lung; (e) both cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites are involved in the BC induced by an aerosol of FMLP.

Effects on rats of subacute intoxication with deltamethrin via an osmotic pump

To explore the possibility of liver enzyme induction by deltamethrin, subacute intoxication was carried out in rats for 28 days, by administration 7.2 mg.Kg-1.day-1 of deltamethrin i.p. delivered by an osmotic pump inserted in the peritoneal cavity. The body weight curve of the treated rats increased slightly but not significantly compared to the controls. No neurotoxic effect was observed. Blood parameters were unchanged, except for eosinophilia and an increase in the plasma Na+ level. Cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, esterases and the activities of six mixed function oxidases were assayed. No variation was noted. Ultrastructural study of the liver, more specially in midlobular region, showed that deltamethrin increased the number of mitochondria and altered their shape which became irregular. These findings were consistent with morphometric results. Succinate cytochrome c reductase, citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase were essayed, only this last showed a significant enhancement in deltamethrin treated rats.

Eosinophil recruitment into guinea pig lungs after PAF-acether and allergen administration. Modulation by prostacyclin, platelet depletion, and selective antagonists

Intravenous administration of PAF-acether to the guinea pig induces bronchoconstriction, hypotension, intravascular platelet aggregation, endothelial disruption, and platelet and neutrophil diapedesis. These effects are followed within 1 h by an eosinophilic infiltration into the bronchial walls, which was also noted after the administration of antigen to passively sensitized guinea pigs. Bronchoconstriction and eosinophil infiltration are 2 major features of asthma, and selective bronchial eosinophilia characterizes late asthmatic reactions. We compared the histologic effects of PAF-acether 6 and 24 h after its intravenous injection with those of experimental passive anaphylactic shock, which is used as a model for asthma. Six hours after PAF-acether or antigen (ovalbumin) administration, a marked lung eosinophil infiltration, particularly in the bronchial walls, was noted, together with mucous plugs containing eosinophils in the bronchial lumen. Epithelial desquamation was followed after 24 h by mucous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium. These effects were not observed when the inactive metabolite lyso-PAF was used. Our results agree fully with the suggestion that the eosinophil mediates the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma and releases materials toxic for the respiratory epithelium. Two PAF-acether antagonists (BN 52021 and WEB 2086) prevented the eosinophil infiltration triggered by PAF-acether and by antigen. When PAF-acether or ovalbumin were injected into guinea pigs after antiplatelet serum or prostacyclin, the eosinophil infiltration was significantly reduced, suggesting that platelets or another adenylate cyclase-sensitive cell are important for the subsequent PAF-acether-induced eosinophil infiltration. Our results support an essential role for PAF-acether in an experimental model of allergic asthma.

An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay for the quantitation of the terminal complement complex from cell membranes or in activated human sera

A sensitive and simple enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to measure the terminal complement complex (TCC) in solution. Commercially available antibodies to the native complement (C) components C5 and C9 were used in a double antibody sandwich technique sensitive enough to detect 0.3 microgram/ml of purified TCC. The TCC was not detected in normal human serum (NHS) nor was it generated when sera from patients with a genetic deficiency of functional C5, C7, C8 beta or C9 were activated with cobra venom factor (CVF). If the C8 beta deficient serum was reconstituted with the C8 beta chain and incubated with CVF, TCC were formed and detected by the assay. In in vitro experiments, the TCC was detected in NHS activated by either the classical or alternative pathway even when there was no measurable consumption of C5, C8 or C9. In addition, adaptation of a detergent extraction procedure permitted the quantitation by the assay, of TCC which were generated on sensitized sheep erythrocyte membranes. Experiments to test sample handling conditions showed no generation of TCC in NHS after four freeze/thaw cycles and spontaneous formation only if NHS had been incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h. The TCC in zymosan-activated NHS were stable at 37 degrees C for 1 week. Patients with C activation associated diseases such as SLE and rheumatoid arthritis had increased levels of TCC that correlated with positive clinical tests for inflammation, even though C levels were normal when measured by routine techniques. These results suggest that this ELISA will provide a valuable tool for studying the role of C in the pathogenesis of C-mediated diseases and in examining the mechanism of tissue injury in in vitro experimental systems.

[Ultrastructural study of the human bladder trigone]

To assess the ultrastructural appearance of the trigonal epithelium in the young human female, 12 biopsies in the trigonal area have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. The trigonal epithelium is of the stratified squamous nonkeratinizing type and is composed of about twenty cellular layers undergoing a progressive involution from the basal layer toward the surface. In the basal and intermediate layers, Langerhans cells were found, which contain Birbeck granules. As in the urothelium, the intercellular spaces are very distended between the junctional desmosomes. That the trigone has the same embryological origin as the vagina is discussed. It explains the reactivity of the trigonal epithelium to estrogens. Urocytogram is a practical application of these facts.

Necrotising fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus

A case of necrotising fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is described. The need for early recognition and aggressive surgical treatment are highlighted, and the necrotising infections due to V vulnificus described in the published work are reviewed.

[Presence of filamentary secretory granules in the mucous cells of human bronchial glands]

Secretory granules containing 6-8 nm fine filaments are described in mucous cells of human bronchial glands. In contrast with the strongly marked classical mucous granules, filamentary granules exhibit weak positivity with Thiéry's method providing an easy characterization. Exocytosis in glandular lumen are often observed. These undescribed filaments may probably represent an usual component of fibrillar matrix in bronchial mucus.