Depression-like behaviors induced by defective PTPRT activity through dysregulated synaptic functions and neurogenesis

PTPRT has been known to regulate synaptic formation and dendritic arborization of hippocampal neurons. PTPRT-/- null and PTPRT-D401A mutant mice displayed enhanced depression-like behaviors compared with wild-type mice. Transient knockdown of PTPRT in the dentate gyrus enhanced the depression-like behaviors of wild-type mice, whereas rescued expression of PTPRT ameliorated the behaviors of PTPRT-null mice. Chronic stress exposure reduced expression of PTPRT in the hippocampus of mice. In PTPRT-deficient mice the expression of GluR2 (also known as GRIA2) was attenuated as a consequence of dysregulated tyrosine phosphorylation, and the long-term potentiation at perforant-dentate gyrus synapses was augmented. The inhibitory synaptic transmission of the dentate gyrus and hippocampal GABA concentration were reduced in PTPRT-deficient mice. In addition, the hippocampal expression of GABA transporter GAT3 (also known as SLC6A11) was decreased, and its tyrosine phosphorylation was increased in PTPRT-deficient mice. PTPRT-deficient mice displayed reduced numbers and neurite length of newborn granule cells in the dentate gyrus and had attenuated neurogenic ability of embryonic hippocampal neural stem cells. In conclusion, our findings show that the physiological roles of PTPRT in hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as synaptic functions, are involved in the pathogenesis of depressive disorder.

0518 Sleep Facilitation by Artificial Carbonated Bathing in Healthy Elderly; EEG, Core, Proximal, and Distal Temperature Evaluations

Introduction

Bathing, especially with hot spring with various mineral compositions, is known to facilitate / improve sleep by warming the body. Artificial carbonated bathing (ACB) is known to keep the body warm too. Previous our study examined that ACB before sleep more specifically affected body temperature and sleep on healthy young subjects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of usual (plain hot water; PH) and artificial carbonated bathing, on sleep using clinical thermometers and EEG in healthy elderly subjects.

Methods

Nine healthy elderly women (average age 71.3 years old) were divided into 2 groups ACB (858 ppm, Awacomachi, Danrei Co.) and PH with a week interval. Subjects soaked in the bath (38 C degree) deep enough their chests touched the water for 10 min. From the time they finished bathing to the next morning, we measured their distal skin temperature (top side of the foot), proximal skin temperature (lower part of the clavicle) and EEG using a single channel portable device (Brain wave sensor, Proassist Co.). Subjects were told to sleep from 23:00-6:00. As the same time, subjects were examined with visual analog scale (VAS) and clinical flicker fusion test (CFF).

Results

There was no significant difference in body temperature (proximal, distal, distal-proximal temperature gradient: DPG) before and during sleep between ACB and PH. The condition of the ACB tended to have less light sleep compared to PH (150min vs 201min, p=0.08), but there was no significant difference in the SWS (44.1min vs 39.1min, ns), EEG delta power analysis, VAS and CFF.

In the previous study, bathing was performed for 15 min at a water temperature of 40 C degree, but this condition was considered to be a high risk for the elderly. The reason why there was no significant difference in body temperature. The effects of ACB were not fully demonstrated due to changes in hot water temperature and bathing time.

Conclusion

The effect of ACB on the body temperature of healthy elderly people could not be confirmed. However, a tendency to reduce light sleep was observed.

Support

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19K11294

Twist2 promotes CD8+ T-cell differentiation by repressing ThPOK expression

CD4/CD8 T-cell lineage differentiation is a key process in immune system development; however, a defined regulator(s) that converts the signal from T-cell receptor and co-receptor complexes into lineage differentiation remains unclear. Here, we show that Twist2 is a critical factor in CD4/CD8 thymocyte differentiation. Twist2 expression is differentially regulated by T-cell receptor signaling, leading to differentiation into the CD4 or CD8 lineage. Forced Twist2 expression perturbed CD4⁺ thymocyte differentiation while enhancing CD8⁺ thymocyte differentiation. Furthermore, Twist2 expression produced mature CD8⁺ thymocytes in B₂m^-/- mice, while its deficiency significantly impaired CD8⁺ cells in MHC class-II^-/- and TCR transgenic mice, favoring CD8 T-cell differentiation. During CD8 lineage differentiation, Twist2 interacted with Runx3 to bind to the silencer region of the ThPOK locus, thereby blocking ThPOK expression. These findings indicate that Twist2 is a part of the transcription factor network controlling CD8 lineage differentiation.

Determination of Docosahexaenoic Acid and n-3 Fatty Acids in Refined Fish Oils by H-NMR Spectroscopy: IUPAC Interlaboratory Study

A high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for determining the concentration (mg/g) of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the molar proportion (mol%) of DHA, and the molar proportion of total n-3 fatty acids in fish oils was validated by an IUPAC interlaboratory study (the Commission VI-6 on Oils, Fats, and Derivatives WG 3/98). Thirteen laboratories from 5 countries tested 6 pairs of blind duplicate fish oils: a refined tuna oil, 2 extracted tuna oils, an extracted bonito oil, an extracted salmon oil, and an extracted sardine oil ranging from 9 to 30 mol% DHA and from 20 to 35 mol% n-3 fatty acids. Before 1D-proton NMR measurements with 300–500 MHz instruments, oil samples were weighed and diluted with deuterochloroform solution containing ethylene glycol dimethyl ether as internal standard. To achieve precise performance, a detailed procedure for signal area measurement was described in the protocol, and all participants were instructed about the critical importance of following the protocol. Statistical performances with invalid and outlier data removed were as follows: repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 0.91 to 2.62% and reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDR) ranged from 1.73 to 4.27% for DHA concentration (mg/g); RSDr ranged from 0.39 to 2.06%, and RSDR ranged from 0.59 to 3.46% for mol% DHA; RSDr ranged from 0.23 to 0.90% and RSDR ranged from 0.85 to 2.01% for mol% total n-3 fatty acids. The method is expected to be recommended by IUPAC.

A novel HLA-C allele, HLA-C*07:02:01:17N, with an alternative splice site

We describe the identification of alternatively expressed HLA allele C*07:02:01:17N.

Trends in the total numbers of HBV and HCV carriers in Japan from 2000 to 2011

We estimated the total number of undiagnosed HBV and HCV carriers and patients with hepatitis virus-related disease in Japan according to 6 different groups classified by their natural histories during 2011. In 2011, the total number of carriers and patients infected with HBV or HCV was estimated according to 6 groups using government reports and reports from the hepatitis epidemiology research group of The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. In 2011, the total number of hepatitis virus carriers was estimated to be 2 090 128-2 840 128 in which the estimated number of undiagnosed HCV and HBV carriers was 776 826 (HBV: 481 470; HCV: 295 356). The total number of treated patients, as either inpatients or outpatients, was estimated to be 811588 (HBV: 303 366; HCV: 520 600) in 2011. It is presumed that many carriers shirk consultation for many reasons, such as patients' misunderstanding, lack of awareness and forgetfulness of their positive status. The numbers of infected patients who did not seek treatment increased gradually to 501 714-1 251 714 (HBV: 333 791-483 791; HCV: 167 923-767 923) in 2011. Compared to 2000, the number of undiagnosed carriers was significantly reduced in 2011 probably because of the well-organized, effective national hepatitis virus screening system that has been launched by the Japanese government since 2002. Moreover, the increase in the number of untreated persons who are aware of their positive status shows that more effort should be invested in improving the referral system from screening centres to core hospitals.

The B allele with a 5·8 kb deletion in intron 1 of the ABO gene is the major allele in Japanese individuals with Bm and A1 Bm phenotypes

B_m and A₁ B_m phenotypes are the most frequent ABO variants in the Japanese population. The B antigen on B_m red blood cells is only detectable by adsorption and elution tests, and plasma B-transferase activity is usually detected at half or less levels compared with that of common B. Recently, a B allele lacking an erythroid cell-specific transcription enhancer in intron 1 of the ABO gene was identified from individuals with B_m and A₁ B_m phenotypes, which could explain the unique serologic properties of B_m . In the Japanese Red Cross Society, eight Blood Centers tested blood samples from donors throughout Japan and collected blood samples from 888 B_m and 415 A₁ B_m individuals. DNA analysis revealed that 1300 of 1303 (99·77%) individuals had the B allele with a 5·8 kb deletion (c.28 + 5110_10889del), which included the enhancer element.

Investigation of antibody to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in blood samples donated in a SFTS-endemic area in Japan

The risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a concern because person-to-person transmission resulting from contact with SFTSV-contaminated blood has been reported. To obtain information regarding the risk of TTI-SFTSV, antibody testing was performed for blood samples donated in an severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome-endemic area in Japan. No antibody-positive samples were detected among 3990 samples. This finding suggested that there were few cases of SFTSV infection among donors and that the risk of TTI-SFTSV was also estimated low in Japan.

Image-Based Profiling Can Discriminate the Effects of Inhibitors on Signaling Pathways under Differential Ligand Stimulation

A major advantage of image-based phenotypic profiling of compounds is that numerous image features can be sampled and quantitatively evaluated in an unbiased way. However, since this assay is a discovery-oriented screening, it is difficult to determine the optimal experimental setup in advance. In this study, we examined whether variable cellular stimulation affects the efficacy of the image-based profiling of compounds. Seven different epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands were used, and the expression of EGFR signaling molecules was monitored at various time points. Significant quantitative differences in image features were detected among the differentially treated samples. Next, 14 different compounds that affect EGFR signaling were profiled. Nearly half of the compounds were classified into distinct clusters, irrespective of differential ligand stimulation. The results suggest that image-based phenotypic profiling is quite robust in its ability to predict compound interaction with its target. Although this method will have to be validated in other experimental systems, the robustness of image-based compound profiling demonstrated in this work provides a valid basis for further study and its extended application.

Silent KEL alleles identified from Japanese individuals with the Ko phenotype

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The rare K_o phenotype lacks all 36 antigens in the Kell blood system. The molecular basis of the K_o phenotype has been investigated, and more than 40 silent KEL alleles are reported by many investigators. The majority of silent alleles are the KEL*02 background. Here, we report molecular genetic analysis of the KEL gene in Japanese individuals with the K_o phenotype.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The K_o phenotype was screened from Japanese blood donors for several years using monoclonal anti-Ku or anti-K14 by an automated blood grouping system PK7300. Kell-related antigens were typed by standard tube tests. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples, and KEL gene was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

We collected 35 K_o blood samples with K-k-, Kp(a-b-), Js(a-b-) and K14-. PCR and sequence analysis revealed that 11 individuals were homozygous for a mutant KEL allele with a c.299G>C (p.Cys100Ser) mutation (rs. 200268316). Three individuals were homozygous for the KEL*02N.24 allele that is c.715G>T (p.Glu239*), and one individual was homozygous for the KEL*02N.40 allele that is c.1474C>T (p.Arg492*). Five individuals were homozygous for novel KEL alleles with single-nucleotide mutations, four individuals had a c.2175delC (p.Pro725 fs*43), and one individual had a c.328delA (p.Arg110 fs*79). The remaining 15 individuals were compound heterozygous, and eight new alleles were identified from them.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified three known and ten new silent KEL alleles from Japanese individuals with the K_o phenotype. The KEL allele with the c.299G>C (p.Cys100Ser) mutation was the most frequent.

Enlargement of the WHO international repository for platelet transfusion-relevant bacteria reference strains

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Interventions to prevent and detect bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) have reduced, but not eliminated the sepsis risk. Standardized bacterial strains are needed to validate detection and pathogen reduction technologies in PCs. Following the establishment of the First International Reference Repository of Platelet Transfusion-Relevant Bacterial Reference Strains (the 'repository'), the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation (ECBS) endorsed further repository expansion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen bacterial strains, including the four repository strains, were distributed from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) to 14 laboratories in 10 countries for enumeration, identification and growth measurement on days 2, 4 and 7 after low spiking levels [10-25 colony-forming units (CFU)/PC bag]. Spore-forming (Bacillus cereusPEI-B-P-07-S, Bacillus thuringiensisPEI-B-P-57-S), Gram-negative (Enterobacter cloacaePEI-B-P-43, Morganella morganiiPEI-B-P-74, PEI-B-P-91, Proteus mirabilisPEI-B-P-55, Pseudomonas fluorescensPEI-B-P-77, Salmonella choleraesuisPEI-B-P-78, Serratia marcescensPEI-B-P-56) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureusPEI-B-P-63, Streptococcus dysgalactiaePEI-B-P-71, Streptococcus bovisPEI-B-P-61) strains were evaluated.

RESULTS

Bacterial viability was conserved after transport to the participating laboratories with one exception (M. morganiiPEI-B-P-74). All other strains showed moderate-to-excellent growth. Bacillus cereus, B. thuringiensis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. fluorescens, S. marcescens, S. aureus and S. dysgalactiae grew to >10⁶ CFU/ml by day 2. Enterobacter cloacae, P. mirabilis, S. epidermidis, S. bovis and S. pyogenes achieved >10⁶ CFU/ml at day 4. Growth of S. choleraesuis was lower and highly variable.

CONCLUSION

The WHO ECBS approved all bacterial strains (except M. morganiiPEI-B-P-74 and S. choleraesuisPEI-B-P-78) for repository enlargement. The strains were stable, suitable for spiking with low CFU numbers, and proliferation was independent of the PC donor.

Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Intraarterial Injection of Adriamycin/Mitomycin C Oil Suspension (ADMOS) Alone or Combined with CIS-Diaminodichloroplatinum (CDDP)

We evaluated the effects of intraarterial injection of Adriamycin/Mitomycin C oil (Lipiodol) suspension (ADMOS) alone and ADMOS + cis-diaminodichloroplatinum (CDDP) in 135 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 59 patients received ADMOS alone and 76 patients received ADMOS + CDDP (ADMOS/CDDP). Tumor size was reduced by over 25% in 13 (34%) of the evaluable 38 patients in the ADMOS-alone group and in 39 (51%) of the 76 evaluable patients in the ADMOS/CDDP group. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels decreased by more than 50% in 10 (59%) of 17 ADMOS-alone patients and in 23 (70%) of 33 ADMOS/CDDP patients whose pretreatment AFP levels were above 0.2 mg/l. The overall one- and 2-year survival rates were 68% and 41%, respectively. No severe complications and no significant changes in laboratory values were observed, except for one patient in the ADMOS/CDDP group who developed a liver abscess. Although the tumor response was significantly better in patients treated by ADMOS/CDDP than in those treated by ADMOS-alone (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in the survival rates between the 2 groups. The intraarterial injection of ADMOS and CDDP was concluded to be effective in treating HCC judging by tumor response.

STAT3 as a Chemoprevention Target in Carcinogen-Induced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequently fatal disease due, in large part, to a high rate of second primary tumor (SPT) formation. The 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) mouse model of oral carcinogenesis provides a robust system in which to study chemopreventive agents in the context of chemically induced HNSCC tumors. STAT3 is a potent oncogene that is hyperactivated by tyrosine phosphorylation early in HNSCC carcinogenesis and is a rational therapeutic target. We recently reported that loss-of-function of the STAT3 phosphatase PTPRT promotes STAT3 activation in HNSCC tumors and preclinical models and may serve as a predictive biomarker of response to STAT3 inhibitors, including the small-molecule Stattic. We therefore investigated the hypothesis that Ptprt-knockout (KO) mice would be more susceptible to 4-NQO-induced oral carcinogenesis and more sensitive to Stattic-mediated chemoprevention compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Herein, we demonstrate that Ptprt WT and KO mice develop similar spectra of HNSCC disease severity upon 12 weeks of 4-NQO administration, with no apparent effect of Ptprt genotype on carcinogenesis or treatment outcome. Targeting of STAT3 with Stattic resulted in a chemopreventive effect against 4-NQO-induced oral cancer (P = 0.0402). While these results do not support a central role for PTPRT in 4-NQO-induced HNSCC carcinogenesis, further investigation of STAT3 as a chemoprevention target in this cancer is warranted. Cancer Prev Res; 9(8); 657-63. ©2016 AACR.

A variant of Runx2 that differs from the bone isoform in its splicing is expressed in spermatogenic cells

Background. Members of the Runx gene family encode transcription factors that bind to DNA in a sequence-specific manner. Among the three Runx proteins, Runx2 comprises 607 amino acid (aa) residues, is expressed in bone, and plays crucial roles in osteoblast differentiation and bone development. We examined whether the Runx2 gene is also expressed in testes.

Methods. Murine testes from 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 10-week-old male mice of the C57BL/6J strain and W∕W^v strain were used throughout the study. Northern Blot Analyses were performed using extracts form the murine testes. Sequencing of cDNA clones and 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends were performed to determine the full length of the transcripts, which revealed that the testicular Runx2 comprises 106 aa residues coding novel protein. Generating an antiserum using the amino-terminal 15 aa of Runx2 (Met¹ to Gly¹⁵) as an antigen, immunoblot analyses were performed to detect the predicted polypeptide of 106 aa residues with the initiating Met¹. With the affinity-purified anti-Runx2 antibody, immunohistochemical analyses were performed to elucidate the localization of the protein. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses were performed to predict the function of the protein.

Results. A Runx2 transcript was detected in testes and was specifically expressed in germ cells. Determination of the transcript structure indicated that the testicular Runx2 is a splice isoform. The predicted testicular Runx2 polypeptide is composed of only 106 aa residues, lacks a Runt domain, and appears to be a basic protein with a predominantly alpha-helical conformation. Immunoblot analyses with an anti-Runx2 antibody revealed that Met¹ in the deduced open reading frame of Runx2 is used as the initiation codon to express an 11 kDa protein. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the Runx2 polypeptide was located in the nuclei, and was detected in spermatocytes at the stages of late pachytene, diplotene and second meiotic cells as well as in round spermatids. Bioinformatic analyses suggested that the testicular Runx2 is a histone-like protein.

Discussion. A variant of Runx2 that differs from the bone isoform in its splicing is expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids in testes, and encodes a histone-like, nuclear protein of 106 aa residues. Considering its nuclear localization and differentiation stage-dependent expression, Runx2 may function as a chromatin-remodeling factor during spermatogenesis. We thus conclude that a single Runx2 gene can encode two different types of nuclear proteins, a previously defined transcription factor in bone and cartilage and a short testicular variant that lacks a Runt domain.

Evaluation of organ doses in adult and paediatric CT examinations based on Monte Carlo simulations and in-phantom dosimetry

The aim of this study was to validate the computed tomography dose index (CTDI) and organ doses evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations through comparisons with doses evaluated by in-phantom dosimetry. Organ doses were measured with radio-photoluminescence glass dosemeter (RGD) set at various organ positions within adult and 1-y-old anthropomorphic phantoms. For the dose simulations, the X-ray spectrum and bow-tie filter shape of a CT scanner were estimated and 3D voxelised data of the CTDI and anthropomorphic phantoms from the acquired CT images were derived. Organ dose simulations and measurements were performed with chest and abdomen-pelvis CT examination scan parameters. Relative differences between the simulated and measured doses were within 5 % for the volume CTDI and 13 % for organ doses for organs within the scan range in adult and paediatric CT examinations. The simulation results were considered to be in good agreement with the measured doses.

Efficacy of the Mirasol pathogen reduction technology system against severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV)

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tickborne virus in the Bunyaviridae family. This virus has recently been found in China, Japan and Korea. The risk of transfusion-transmitted SFTSV infection (TTI-SFTSV) is a concern because person-to-person transmission resulting from contact with SFTSV-contaminated blood has been reported. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of the Mirasol pathogen reduction technology (PRT) system for inactivating SFTSV in vitro. The Mirasol PRT system achieved a > 4.11 log10 reduction value (LRV) for SFTSV. In conclusion, we showed that the Mirasol PRT system could potentially be used to reduce the risk of TTI-SFTSV.

Estimation of the infectious viral load required for transfusion-transmitted human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection (TT-HTLV-1) and of the effectiveness of leukocyte reduction in preventing TT-HTLV-1

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The risk of transfusion-transmitted human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection (TT-HTLV-1) after prestorage leucocyte reduction (LR) remains unknown, as the proviral load in the blood component that would cause TT-HTLV-1 is undetermined. On the basis of the distribution of HTLV-1 proviral load among HTLV-1-sero-positive blood donors, we attempted to estimate the proviral load for transfusion-related infectivity. We also discuss the effectiveness of LR in preventing TT-HTLV-1.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The HTLV-1 proviral load in 300 HTLV-1-sero-positive blood donors was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The proviral load required for transfusion-related infectivity was estimated using historical TT-HTLV-1 frequency data from a retrospective study on patients who had received blood from HTLV-1-sero-positive blood donors and the distribution pattern of HTLV-1 proviral load among blood donors.

RESULTS

HTLV-1 proviral loads ranged between < 0.01 and 25.0 copies per 100 leucocytes. Historical data showed TT-HTLV-1 frequency to be 80%. Assuming that 80% of the 300 sero-positive samples are infectious, it is estimated that the transfer of ≥ 9 × 10(4) cells containing the HTLV-1 provirus is required to establish TT-HTLV-1.

CONCLUSION

The residual number of HTLV-1-infected cells after LR is substantially lower than the viral load necessary for TT-HTLV-1. LR therefore appears to be effective in minimizing the incidence of TT-HTLV-1.

Putative terminator and/or effector functions of Arf GAPs in the trafficking of clathrin-coated vesicles

The role of ArfGAP1 as a terminator or effector in COPi-vesicle formation has been the subject of ongoing discussions. Here, the discussion on the putative terminator/effector functions has been enlarged to include Arf GAP members involved in the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles. ACAP1, whose role has been studied extensively, enhances the recycling of endocytosed proteins to the plasma membrane. Importantly, this positive role appears to be an overall reflection of both the terminator and effector activities attributed to ACAP1. Other Arf GAP subtypes have also been suggested to possess both terminator and effector activities. Interestingly, while most Arf GAP proteins regulate membrane trafficking by acting as facilitators, a few Arf GAP subtypes act as inhibitors.

PTPRT regulates high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance

Obesity is a risk factor for many human diseases. However, the underlying molecular causes of obesity are not well understood. Here, we report that protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor T (PTPRT) knockout mice are resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Those mice avoid many deleterious side effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity, displaying improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, lower blood glucose and insulin levels. Compared to wild type littermates, PTPRT knockout mice show reduced food intake. Consistently, STAT3 phosphorylation is up-regulated in the hypothalamus of PTPRT knockout mice. These studies implicate PTPRT-modulated STAT3 signaling in the regulation of high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Right portal vein embolization with absolute ethanol in major hepatic resection for hepatobiliary malignancy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative right portal vein embolization (PVE) with absolute ethanol in patients with hepatobiliary malignancies.

METHODS

PVE was performed via a percutaneous transhepatic ipsilateral approach, and the right portal branch was embolized with absolute ethanol. Technical success and complications following PVE, and changes in liver enzyme levels were evaluated. Changes in future liver remnant (FLR) and FLR/total functional liver volume ratio were calculated. Complications following hepatic resection were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients with hepatobiliary malignancies (53 men, 30 women; mean age 68 years) underwent right PVE. Tumour types were hilar cholangiocarcinoma (37), liver metastases (14), gallbladder cancer (13), intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (10) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (9). PVE was performed successfully in all patients. Four patients (5 per cent) developed complications following PVE (liver abscess 2, left portal vein thrombosis 1, pseudoaneurysm 1), but this did not preclude hepatic resection. Liver enzyme levels rose transiently after PVE. The mean FLR and FLR/total functional liver volume increased after PVE (from 366 to 513 cm(3) and from 31 to 43 per cent respectively; both P < 0·001). Changes in the FLR and FLR/total functional liver volume ratio were comparable between patients with HCC and those with other malignancies (42 and 44 per cent, and 12 and 12 per cent, respectively). Sixty-nine of 83 patients underwent hepatic resection at a median of 25 days after PVE, with no postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative right PVE with absolute ethanol is safe and effective for induction of selective hepatic hypertrophy in patients with hepatobiliary malignancy.

JK null alleles identified from Japanese individuals with Jk(a−b−) phenotype

The Kidd blood group system consists of three common phenotypes: Jk(a+b−), Jk(a−b+) and Jk(a+b+), and one rare phenotype, Jk(a−b−). Jka/Jkb polymorphism is associated with c.838G>A (p.Asp280Asn) in exon 9 of the JK (SLC14A1) gene, and the corresponding alleles are named JK*01 and JK*02. The rare phenotype Jk(a−b−) was first found in a Filipina of Spanish and Chinese ancestry, and to date, several JK null alleles responsible for the Jk(a−b−) phenotype have been reported. We report seven novel JK null alleles, 4 with a JK*01 background and 3 with a JK*02 background, identified from Jk(a−b−) Japanese.

Anticancer effects of gemcitabine are enhanced by co-administered iRGD peptide in murine pancreatic cancer models that overexpressed neuropilin-1

BACKGROUND

Impaired drug transport is an important factor that reduces the efficacy of anticancer agents against pancreatic cancer. Here, we report a novel combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine (GEM) and internalised-RGD (iRGD) peptide, which enhances tumour-specific drug penetration by binding neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptor.

METHODS

A total of five pancreatic cancer murine models (two cell line-based xenografts (CXs) and three tumour grafts (TGs)) were treated with either GEM (100 mg kg(-1), q3d × 4) alone or GEM plus iRGD peptide (8 μmol kg(-1)). Evaluation of NRP1 expression in xenografts and 48 clinical cancer specimens was performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

We identified a subset of pancreatic cancer models that showed NRP1 overexpression sensitive to iRGD co-administration. Treatment with GEM plus iRGD peptide resulted in a significant tumour reduction compared with GEM monotherapy in CXs, but not remarkable in TGs. Potential targets of iRGD were characterised as cases showing NRP1 overexpression (IHC-2+/3+), and these accounted for 45.8% of the clinical specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Internalised RGD peptide enhances the effects of co-administered drugs in pancreatic cancer models, its efficacy is however only appreciable in those employing cell lines. Therefore, the clinical application needs to be given careful consideration.

Altered trafficking of mutated growth factor receptors and their associated molecules: implication for human cancers

Ligand-stimulated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are phosphorylated/ubiquitinated, endocytosed and transported to the lysosomes via endosomes/multivesicular bodies, resulting in the attenuation of signal transmission. If this physiological mechanism of RTK signal downregulation is perturbed, signal transduction persists and may contribute to cellular transformation. This article presents several such examples. In some cases, endocytosis is impaired, and the activated RTK remains on the plasma membrane. In other cases, the activated RTK is endocytosed into endosomes/multivesicular bodies, but not subsequently sorted to the lysosomes for degradation. The latter cases indicate that even endocytosed RTKs can transmit signals. Transport of RTKs is accomplished via the formation and movement of membrane vesicles. Blockage or delay of endocytosis/trafficking can be caused by genetic alterations in the RTK itself or by mutations in CBL, Arf GAPs, or other components involved in internalization and vesicle transport. A survey of the literature indicates that, in some cases, even RTKs synthesized de novo can initiate signaling at the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi before reaching the plasma membrane. The spectrum of molecules targeted by the signal is likely to be different between cell surface- and endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi-localized RTKs.

c-ABL tyrosine kinase modulates p53-dependent p21 induction and ensuing cell fate decision in response to DNA damage

The c-ABL non-receptor tyrosine kinase and the p53 tumor suppressor protein are pivotal modulators of cellular responses to DNA damage. However, a comprehensive understanding of the role of c-ABL kinase in p53-dependent transcription of p21(CIP1/WAF1) and ensuing cell fate decision is still obscure. Here, we demonstrate that c-ABL tyrosine kinase regulates p53-dependent induction of p21. As a result, it modulates cell fate decision by p53 in response to DNA damage differently according to the extent of DNA damage. When human cancer cells were treated with DNA damaging agent, adriamycin (0.08 μg/ml), p21 was induced following p53 induction. Owing largely to p21, a substantial fraction of cells treated with adriamycin were blocked at the G2 phase of the cell cycle and most cells eventually became senescent. When these cells were simultaneously treated with a c-ABL kinase inhibitor, STI571, or a c-ABL-specific siRNA along with adriamycin, the p53-dependent p21 induction was dramatically diminished, even though p53 is substantially induced. Accordingly, G2-arrest, and cellular senescence largely dependent on p21 were substantially abrogated. On the contrary, when cells were treated with a relatively high dose of adriamycin (0.4 μg/ml) cells became apoptotic, and the simultaneous presence of a c-ABL kinase inhibitor STI571 augmented the extent of apoptosis. We speculate this is due to abrogation of p53-dependent p21 induction, which leads to elimination of anti-apoptotic function of p21. In summary, c-ABL appears to promote senescence or inhibit apoptosis, depending on the extent of DNA damage. These findings suggest that the combined use of ABL kinase inhibitor and DNA damaging drug in chemotherapy against tumors retaining wild type p53 should be carefully designed.

The Arf GAP SMAP2 is necessary for organized vesicle budding from the trans-Golgi network and subsequent acrosome formation in spermiogenesis

SMAP2 is an Arf GAP and modulates clathrin-coated vesicle formation. SMAP2-deficient male mice exhibited globozoospermia due to acrosome deformation. In SMAP2(−/−) spermatids, budding of proacrosomal vesicles from the TGN was distorted and clathrin traffic–related molecules such as CALM and syntaxin2 were mislocated.

The trans-Golgi network (TGN) functions as a hub organelle in the exocytosis of clathrin-coated membrane vesicles, and SMAP2 is an Arf GTPase-activating protein that binds to both clathrin and the clathrin assembly protein (CALM). In the present study, SMAP2 is detected on the TGN in the pachytene spermatocyte to the round spermatid stages of spermatogenesis. Gene targeting reveals that SMAP2-deficient male mice are healthy and survive to adulthood but are infertile and exhibit globozoospermia. In SMAP2-deficient spermatids, the diameter of proacrosomal vesicles budding from TGN increases, TGN structures are distorted, acrosome formation is severely impaired, and reorganization of the nucleus does not proceed properly. CALM functions to regulate vesicle sizes, and this study shows that CALM is not recruited to the TGN in the absence of SMAP2. Furthermore, syntaxin2, a component of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, is not properly concentrated at the site of acrosome formation. Thus this study reveals a link between SMAP2 and CALM/syntaxin2 in clathrin-coated vesicle formation from the TGN and subsequent acrosome formation. SMAP2-deficient mice provide a model for globozoospermia in humans.

Two novel null HLA-A alleles with identical exon 4 nonsense mutations: HLA-A*24:183N and A*02:356N

HLA-A*24:183N, A*02:356N, and A*02:15N share the same stop codon at the same position in exon 4.

Development and characterization of cDNA resources for the common marmoset: one of the experimental primate models

The common marmoset is a new world monkey, which has become a valuable experimental animal for biomedical research. This study developed cDNA libraries for the common marmoset from five different tissues. A total of 290 426 high-quality EST sequences were obtained, where 251 587 sequences (86.5%) had homology (1E⁻¹⁰⁰) with the Refseqs of six different primate species, including human and marmoset. In parallel, 270 673 sequences (93.2%) were aligned to the human genome. When 247 090 sequences were assembled into 17 232 contigs, most of the sequences (218 857 or 15 089 contigs) were located in exonic regions, indicating that these genes are expressed in human and marmoset. The other 5578 sequences (or 808 contigs) mapping to the human genome were not located in exonic regions, suggesting that they are not expressed in human. Furthermore, a different set of 118 potential coding sequences were not similar to any Refseqs in any species, and, thus, may represent unknown genes. The cDNA libraries developed in this study are available through RIKEN Bio Resource Center. A Web server for the marmoset cDNAs is available at http://marmoset.nig.ac.jp/index.html, where each marmoset EST sequence has been annotated by reference to the human genome. These new libraries will be a useful genetic resource to facilitate research in the common marmoset.

Smap1 deficiency perturbs receptor trafficking and predisposes mice to myelodysplasia

The formation of clathrin-coated vesicles is essential for intracellular membrane trafficking between subcellular compartments and is triggered by the ARF family of small GTPases. We previously identified SMAP1 as an ARF6 GTPase-activating protein that functions in clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Because abnormalities in clathrin-dependent trafficking are often associated with oncogenesis, we targeted Smap1 in mice to examine its physiological and pathological significance. Smap1-deficent mice exhibited healthy growth, but their erythroblasts showed enhanced transferrin endocytosis. In mast cells cultured in SCF, Smap1 deficiency did not affect the internalization of c-KIT but impaired the sorting of internalized c-KIT from multivesicular bodies to lysosomes, resulting in intracellular accumulation of undegraded c-KIT that was accompanied by enhanced activation of ERK and increased cell growth. Interestingly, approximately 50% of aged Smap1-deficient mice developed anemia associated with morphologically dysplastic cells of erythroid-myeloid lineage, which are hematological abnormalities similar to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in humans. Furthermore, some Smap1-deficient mice developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) of various subtypes. Collectively, to our knowledge these results provide the first evidence in a mouse model that the deregulation of clathrin-dependent membrane trafficking may be involved in the development of MDS and subsequent AML.

Abstract A52: Tyrosine kinase activity of c-Abl is essential for p53 dependent transactivation of p21Waf1/Cip1

c-Abl non-receptor tyrosine kinase is a pivotal upstream positive modulator in cellular response to DNA damage, which attributes to the activation of p53 tumor suppressor protein, hence the expression of the p53 target proteins promoting growth arrest and apoptosis. Nevertheless, the comprehensive function of c-Abl in the activation of p53 mediated by phosphorylation and acetylation is still largely elusive. Thus, in an attempt to determine the significance of tyrosine kinase activity of c-Abl in p53 activation, we examined the extent of p53 activation by exposing cells to Adriamycin (ADR). Under the presence of Abl kinase inhibitor, STI571, p53 dependent transactivation of p21 and Ser15/20 phosphorylation of p53 were markedly impaired. Furthermore, overexpression of the wild type c-Abl in ADR treated cells led to marked increase in p21 expression, whereas that of tyrosine kinase deficient c-Abl led to striking decrease. When U2OS cells were treated with increasing (0, 5, 10 & 15 μM) concentration of STI571, p21 expression gradually diminished with increasing concentration of STI571. In response to DNA damage Atm activates c-Abl, which in turn tyrosine phosphorylates and activates Atm making a positive feedback loop between Atm and c-Abl. We speculate the kinase activity of c-Abl is prerequisite to potentiate Atm activity by this feedback loop resulting in the augmented activation of p53. Preliminary experiments revealed that c-Abl abrogated deacetylation of p53 and Histone protein at p53 target genes promoter mediated by Histone deacetylases (HDACs). Detailed descriptions and significance of these observations will be discussed at the meeting.

Citation Format: S. M. Nashir Udden, Masanobu Satake, Shuntaro Ikawa. Tyrosine kinase activity of c-Abl is essential for p53 dependent transactivation of p21Waf1/Cip1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A52.

Spectrophotometric determination of nitrate and nitrite in water and some fruit samples using column preconcentration

A sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous assay of nitrate and nitrite in water and some fruit samples is presented. The method is based on nitrite determination using the diazotization-coupling reaction by column preconcentration and on the reduction of nitrate to nitrite using the Cd-Cu reductor column. Nitrite is diazotized with sulfanilamide (SAM) in the pH range 2.0-5.0, sulfamethizole (SM) in pH 1.8-5.6 and sulfadimidine (SD) in pH 1.8-4.0 in a hydrochloric acid medium to form water-soluble colourless diazonium cations. These cations were coupled with sodium 1-naphthol-4-sulfonate (NS) in the pH range 9.0-12.0 for the SAM-NS system, pH 8.6-12.0 for the SM-NS system and pH 9.4-12.0 for the SD-NS system to be retained on naphthalene-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium (TDBA)-iodide (I) adsorbent packed in a column. The solid mass is dissolved out from the column with 5 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF) and the absorbance is measured by a spectrophotometer at 543 nm for SAM-NS, 537 nm for SM-NS and 530 nm for SD-NS. The calibration graph was linear over 30-600 ng NO(2)-N and 22-450 ng NO(3)-N in 15 ml of final aqueous solution (i.e. 2-40 ng NO(2)-N ml(-1) and 1.5-30 ng NO(3)-N ml(-1) in aqueous sample) for three systems. The detection limits were 1.4 ng NO(2)-N ml(-1) and 1.1 ng NO(3)-N ml(-1) for SAM-NS, 1.2 ng NO(2)-N ml(-1) and 0.89 ng NO(3)-N ml(-1) for SM-NS, 1.0 ng NO(2)-N ml(-1) and 0.75 ng NO(3)-N ml(-1) for SD-NS, respectively. The concentration factor is eight for SAM-NS and SM-NS, and 12 for SD-NS. Interferences from various foreign ions have been examined and the method was successfully applied to the determination of low levels of nitrate and nitrite in water and some fruit samples.

Double expression of CD34 and CD117 on bone marrow progenitors is a hallmark of the development of functional mast cell of Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset)

Mast cells (MCs) are developed from hematopoietic progenitor cells and play an important role in inflammation. Study of the kinetics of development and accumulation of primate MC in vivo is crucial for the control of human inflammatory diseases, as evolution of the immune system is quite rapid and inflammation including MC response is considered to be different between mouse and human. In the present study, we examined the development of MC from hematopoietic progenitors of Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset), an experimental animal of nonhuman primates. Bone marrow cells were fractionated for the expression of CD34 and CD117 by cell sorting. MCs were developed in vitro or by transplanting the cells to NOD/SCID/IL-2γc knockout (NOG) mice. In vitro culture of CD34(+)CD117(+) (double positive, DP) cells with stem cell factor could generate high-affinity Fc epsilon receptor (FcεR)-expressing CD117(+) cells with typical granules. The developed MC released β-hexosaminidase and produced leukotriene C(4) after the stimulation of FcεRI. Transplantation of DP cells gave rise to a marked expansion of CD34(-)CD45(+)CD117(+)FcεR(+) cells in NOG mice. They expressed transcripts encoding chymase 1 and tryptase β. Differentiation of CD34(-)CD117(+) cells to MCs was relatively limited compared with the DP cells, similarly to human MCs. These results suggest that this marmoset system provides a good model for human MC development.

Runx1 deficiency in CD4+ T cells causes fatal autoimmune inflammatory lung disease due to spontaneous hyperactivation of cells

The Runx1 transcription factor is abundantly expressed in naive T cells but rapidly downregulated in activated T cells, suggesting that it plays an important role in a naive stage. In the current study, Runx1(-/-)Bcl2(tg) mice harboring Runx1-deleted CD4(+) T cells developed a fatal autoimmune lung disease. CD4(+) T cells from these mice were spontaneously activated, preferentially homed to the lung, and expressed various cytokines, including IL-17 and IL-21. Among these, the deregulation of IL-21 transcription was likely to be associated with Runx binding sites located in an IL-21 intron. IL-17 produced in Runx1-deleted cells mobilized innate immune responses, such as those promoted by neutrophils and monocytes, whereas IL-21 triggered humoral responses, such as plasma cells. Thus, at an initial stage, peribronchovascular regions in the lung were infiltrated by CD4(+) lymphocytes, whereas at a terminal stage, interstitial regions were massively occupied by immune cells, and alveolar spaces were filled with granular exudates that resembled pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in humans. Mice suffered from respiratory failure, as well as systemic inflammatory responses. Our data indicate that Runx1 plays an essential role in repressing the transcription of cytokine genes in naive CD4(+) T cells and, thereby, maintains cell quiescence.