Cell wall N-glycan of Candida albicans ameliorates early hyper- and late hypo-immunoreactivity in sepsis

Severe infection often causes a septic cytokine storm followed by immune exhaustion/paralysis. Not surprisingly, many pathogens are equipped with various anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Such mechanisms might be leveraged clinically to control septic cytokine storms. Here we show that N-glycan from pathogenic C. albicans ameliorates mouse sepsis through immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. In a sepsis model using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), injection of the N-glycan upregulated serum IL-10, and suppressed pro-inflammatory IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ. The N-glycan also improved the survival of mice challenged by LPS. Analyses of structurally defined N-glycans from several yeast strains revealed that the mannose core is key to the upregulation of IL-10. Knocking out the C-type lectin Dectin-2 abrogated the N-glycan-mediated IL-10 augmentation. Furthermore, C. albicans N-glycan ameliorated immune exhaustion/immune paralysis after acute inflammation. Our results suggest a strategy where the immunosuppressive mechanism of one pathogen can be applied to attenuate a severe inflammation/cytokine storm caused by another pathogen.

Urine diacetylspermine as a novel tumour maker for pancreatobiliary carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (highly specific) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (highly sensitive) have been used as tumour markers for pancreatobiliary cancers. A novel urine tumour marker, diacetylspermine, was compared with the two conventional serum tumour markers in 125 patients with pancreatobiliary diseases.

RESULTS

When the diagnosis of benign or malignant condition was examined, the sensitivity of urine diacetylspermine (75%) was higher than that of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (44%; P=0.048) and the same as that of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (75%). The specificity of urine diacetylspermine (81%) was lower than that of serum CEA (92%) and as high as that of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (80%). The efficiency of urine diacetylspermine (79%) was higher than that of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (74%) and the same as that of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (79%).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that urine diacetylspermine is a marker for pancreatobiliary carcinoma, which is as highly sensitive and specific as serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9.

UDP-sugar transporter implicated in glycosylation and processing of Notch

Glycosylation modifies protein activities in various biological processes. Here, we report the functions of a novel UDP-sugar transporter (UST74C, an alternative name for Fringe connection (Frc)) localized to the Golgi apparatus in cellular signalling of Drosophila. Mutants in the frc gene exhibit phenotypes resembling wingless and Notch mutants. Both Fringe-dependent and Fringe-independent Notch pathways are affected, and both glycosylation and proteolytic maturation of Notch are defective in mutant larvae. The results suggest that changes in nucleotide-sugar levels can differently affect Wingless and two distinct aspects of Notch signalling.

Inhibition of murine prostate tumor growth and activation of immunoregulatory cells with recombinant canarypox viruses

BACKGROUND

Immunization with modified tumor cells carrying recombinant immunomodulatory genes is being explored as cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we examine whether canarypox ALVAC viruses carrying immunostimulatory cytokine genes (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 2, interleukin 12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) can induce antitumor immunity (to rechallenge) in the RM-1 model of a highly aggressive, weakly immunogenic murine prostate cancer.

METHODS

For antitumor activity studies, RM-1 murine prostate cancer cells were infected with the parental ALVAC virus or one or two recombinant ALVAC-cytokine viruses and then injected into male C57BL/6 mice. For rechallenge studies, other mice were first given an injection subcutaneously with irradiated (nonproliferating) recombinant ALVAC-infected RM-1 cells and then (10 days later) with untreated RM-1 cells. For the determination of which immune cells were required for antitumor activity, mice were immunodepleted of CD4, CD8, or natural killer (NK) NK1.1 cells with the corresponding monoclonal antibodies and were then given an injection of ALVAC-cytokine-infected RM-1 cells. For all experiments, tumor outgrowth and animal survival were monitored.

RESULTS

After subcutaneous injection into mice, RM-1 cells infected with one (except ALVAC-interleukin 2) or two ALVAC-cytokine recombinants had statistically significantly greater antitumor activity than RM-1 cells infected with parental ALVAC (P<.001 for all; two-sided test). The antitumor activity of RM-1 cells infected with any two ALVAC-cytokine recombinants was greater than, but not statistically significantly different from, that of RM-1 cells infected with any one ALVAC-cytokine recombinant. NK1.1 cells were necessary for antitumor activity, but tumor-specific CD4(+) regulatory T cells were also induced that inhibited CD8(+) RM-1-specific cytotoxic T cells, resulting in the lack of immunity to a rechallenge by RM-1 cells.

DISCUSSION

Canarypox viruses can transfer immunostimulatory cytokine genes into RM-1 prostate cancer cells. When such cells were injected into mice, the cytokines induced an antitumor response against this highly aggressive, weakly immunogenic tumor. This response, however, did not protect the mouse against a rechallenge with RM-1 cells because suppressor CD4(+) T cells were induced that inhibited tumor-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells.

Substrate recognition by UDP-galactose and CMP-sialic acid transporters. Different sets of transmembrane helices are utilized for the specific recognition of UDP-galactose and CMP-sialic acid

Human UDP-galactose transporter (hUGT1) and CMP-sialic acid transporter (hCST) are related Golgi membrane proteins with 10 transmembrane helices. We have constructed chimeras between these proteins in order to identify submolecular regions responsible for the determination of substrate specificity. To assess the UGT and CST activities, chimeric cDNAs were transiently expressed in either UGT-deficient mutant Lec8 cells or CST-deficient mutant Lec2 cells, and the binding of plant lectins, GS-II or PNA, respectively, to these cells was examined. During the course of analysis of various chimeric transporters, we found that chimeras whose submolecular regions contained helices 1, 8, 9, and 10, and helices 2, 3, and 7 derived from hUGT1 and hCST sequences, respectively, exhibited both UGT and CST activities. The dual substrate specificity for UDP-galactose and CMP-sialic acid of one such representative chimera was directly confirmed by in vitro measurement of the nucleotide sugar transport activity using a heterologous expression system in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These findings indicated that the regions which are critical for determining the substrate specificity of UGT and CST resided in different submolecular sites in the two transporters, and that these different determinants could be present within one protein without interfering with each other's function.

Increased expression of UDP-galactose transporter messenger RNA in human colon cancer tissues and its implication in synthesis of Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen and sialyl Lewis A/X determinants

A series of human nucleotide sugar transporters of the Golgi apparatus was recently cloned, including the transporters for UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) and CMP-sialic acid (CMP-SA). We have examined the mRNA expression of these three transporters in human colon cancer tissues by reverse transcription-PCR analysis and compared it with that in nonmalignant colonic mucosa prepared from the same patients. The amount of mRNA for UDP-Gal transporter was significantly increased in colon cancer tissues compared with nonmalignant mucosa tissues (P = 0.035; n = 20). The increase was more prominent in patients with advanced colorectal cancer of Dukes' stages C and D, in which the amount of UDP-Gal transporter mRNA in cancer tissues showed on average about a 3.6-fold increase over the paired nonmalignant mucosa (statistically significant at P = 0.004; n = 14). The mRNA content of the other two transporters showed no significant difference between the paired cancer and normal tissues. When UDP-Gal transporter cDNA was stably transfected to cultured human colon cancer cells, the expression of Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen and of sialyl Lewis A (NeuAcalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->3[Fucalpha1-->4]GlcNAcbeta1-->R) and sialyl Lewis X (NeuAcalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->4[Fucalpha1-->3]GlcNAcbeta1-->R) determinants was significantly induced on transfectant cells, which resulted in markedly enhanced cell adhesion to vascular E-selectin. These findings suggest that the increase of UDP-Gal transporter mRNA is involved in the enhanced expression of cancer-associated carbohydrate determinants such as TF and sialyl Lewis A/X antigens in colon cancers.

Automatic color-temperature compensator with guest-host liquid-crystal filter for video image sensing

A color-temperature compensating system with an electrically controllable liquid-crystal filter and a color sensor mounted on a video camera has been developed for color image sensing. The filter contains two guest-host liquid-crystal devices with dichroic dyes that have strong light absorption for shorter-wavelength light; two devices are necessary because of the spectral difference between the sun and an incandescent lamp as light sources. The filter's absorption is continuously controlled by the voltage applied to the filter. Because the filter is driven according to spectral information about the illumination detected by the color sensor, the color balance of the video image to be sensed can be compensated automatically and rapidly. This is especially useful for video image shooting in which a video camera experiences changes in illumination color temperatures.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the Montsouris technique: experience in initial 5 cases]

PURPOSE

In 1998 Guillonneau et al reported feasible and safe technique for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Herein we review initial 5 cases with using the Montsouris technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January and April 2000, 5 patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Clinical stages were T1c in 2, T2a in 1 and T2b in 2 patients. Preoperative PSA levels and Gleason grades in needle biopsies ranged from 7.9 to 39 ng/ml and from 2 to 6, respectively. Under general anesthesia 5 to 6 trocars were introduced and the patient was placed in the exaggerated Trendelenburg position. In 2 patients bilateral obturator lymph nodes were dissected for frozen pathological examination. Antegrade prostatectomy was performed initiating with the transperitoneal dissection of seminal vesicles. A watertight vesicourethral anastomosis was made with 8 to 10 interrupted sutures.

RESULTS

Operating time and blood loss ranged from 505 to 925 minutes and from 100 to 700 gm, respectively. There were no intraoperative complications and one postoperative complication of prolonged urinary leakage, which was spontaneously closed. In other 4 patients Foley catheters were removed on postoperative day 6 to 10.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy provides better visualization, inducing meticulous surgical procedures and less blood loss. More sophisticated maneuver would be required in dissection between the prostate and the bladder neck.

Molecular characterization of human UDP-glucuronic acid/UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine transporter, a novel nucleotide sugar transporter with dual substrate specificity

A novel human nucleotide sugar transporter (NST) which transports both UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) and UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) has been identified, cloned and characterized. The strategy for the identification of the novel NST involved a search of the expressed sequence tags database for genes related to the human UDP-galactose transporter-related isozyme 1, followed by heterologous expression of a candidate gene (hUGTrel7) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and biochemical analyses. Significantly more UDP-GlcA and UDP-GalNAc were translocated from the reaction medium into the lumen of microsomes prepared from the hUGTrel7-expressing yeast cells than into the control microsomes from cells not expressing hUGTrel7. The possibility that this transporter participates in glucuronidation and/or chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis is discussed.

Future of urologic laparoscopy

Laparoscopy has become increasingly popular in urology, reducing the invasiveness of treatment and shortening the period of convalescence. Adrenalectomy is one of the procedures most widely accepted for urologic laparoscopy. During the twenty-first century, most urologic operations will likely be performed laparoscopically, benefiting from advancements in medical engineering. The development of new tissue approximation methods, tissue retrieval systems, microlaparoscopic instruments, sensor technology, and telerobotics, as well as virtual reality, will contribute to the establishment of safe, easy laparoscopic urologic surgery.

Axi-vision camera (real-time distance-mapping camera)

The camera described here makes color TV images that include information about the distance between the camera and the objects in the images. This range information is obtained from two images of the same scene taken under different illumination conditions. The camera does not require scanning, multiple camera units, or complicated computation. Range information for each pixel is acquired fast enough to keep up with the video rate of a TV camera. We describe various operational features and technical specifications such as ranging errors as well as the results of experimental investigations of the dependence on the color and reflectivity of the objects, of the sensitivity to interference from external light, and of the effects of the movement of the objects.

Functional analysis of the individual oligosaccharide chains of sendai virus fusion protein

The roles of N-linked glycosylation in the intracellular transport and fusion activity of the Sendai virus fusion (F) protein were studied. Each of three potential glycosylation motifs (designated g1, g2, and g3) in the F protein was mutated separately or in combination with the other sites. When the mutant F proteins were transiently expressed in COS cells, they showed significant changes in electrophoretic mobility, indicating that all three motifs in the F protein are glycosylated. Glycosylation-defective mutants which lacked the g2-oligosaccharide chain showed decreased immunoreactivity with a monoclonal antibody specific for the native conformation and were inefficiently transported to the cell surface. Such mutants, with the exception of a double mutant lacking g1 and g2-oligosaccharide chains, were also not able to induce syncytia formation when cells expressing them plus the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein were treated with trypsin. Mutations at the other glycosylation sites did not significantly affect the immunoreactivity with the monoclonal antibody or the efficiency of intracellular transport of the F protein. These results indicate that the N-linked oligosaccharide chain attached at g2 is important for efficient intracellular transport and for the fusion activity of the F protein.

Transperitoneal anterior laparoscopic adrenalectomy: the easiest technique

Four laparoscopic methods have been developed to approach the adrenal gland: anterior or lateral transperitoneal approaches, and lateral or posterior retroperitoneal approaches. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods were reviewed during a workshop held by the Japanese Society of Endourology and ESWL in 1997. The transperitoneal anterior approach, when combined with a lateral approach for the left side, is the easiest for small adrenal tumors, and discloses the adrenal vein early in the procedure. For large tumors over 5 cm in diameter, the transperitoneal lateral approach is the most feasible bilaterally. Regardless of the methods of approach, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has already become the standard procedure for adrenal tumors, because it minimizes the operative morbidity and postoperative hospital stay.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy: time trends, morbidity and mortality in Japan

OBJECTIVES

To assess the time trends, morbidity and mortality of contemporary anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in a multi-institutional study in Japan, where RRP has become more popular in the last decade.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1991 and August 1998, 638 patients underwent RRP at seven urological centres in Japan. Major complications (within 30 days of surgery) and the 30-day mortality were reviewed retrospectively. Of the patients, 12.9% were < 60 years old, 56.3% were 60-69 years old and 30.9% were >/= 70 years old (median age 67). Results The number of RRPs increased markedly, by more than sevenfold, from 1991-92 to 1996-97, mainly because there were more patients undergoing RRP in their sixth decade. The contribution of T1c disease increased in absolute and relative terms, from 13.9% in 1991-92 to 37.9% in 1997-98. Over time, the mean blood loss and the allogeneic transfusion rate decreased steadily. There was a trend toward more favourable outcomes for pathological variables (an increased percentage of organ-confined disease, decreased margin positivity and a decreased incidence of positive lymph node metastasis). The most common complications were wound-related (7.5%), or anastomotic leakage (4.1%). Major cardiopulmonary complications occurred in only two patients (0.31%, both pulmonary embolisms). One patient died from cerebral haemorrhage within 30 days of surgery, giving a mortality rate of 0.16%.

CONCLUSION

s This study indicates a trend towards selecting patients most likely to benefit from RRP. Although the procedure is technically demanding, it can have an acceptably low rate of early complications, little mortality and need for allogeneic transfusion. The assessment of morbidity suggests a lower incidence of catastrophic thrombo-embolic and cardiac complications in Japanese patients than in Western men. The present data may be useful in decision-analysis models evaluating the role of therapy for Asian men with early-stage prostate cancer.

[A case of synchronous ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma and ureteral transitional cell carcinoma]

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of right flank pain. Abdominal computed tomographic scan revealed a right hydronephrosis and intrapelvic tumor. Ultrasound revealed a renal mass lesion. Ultrasound guided renal biopsy and laparotomy of intrapelvic tumor was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma and ureteral transitional cell carcinoma.

[Adenocarcinoma of the ileal segment with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder following ileocytoplasty: a case report]

A 67 year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of pollakisuria. She had undergone left nephrectomy and augmentation ileocystoplasty for tuberculous bladder atrophy 40 years previously. She underwent a total cystectomy and tubeless ureterocutaneostomy with a preoperative diagnosis of muscle-invading transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the ileal segment and transitional cell carcinoma of the original bladder. This is the first case report of adenocarcinoma of the ileal segment and transitional cell carcinoma of the original bladder among 22 patients suffering from bladder cancer after ileocystoplasty.

Thrombopoietin stimulates murine lineage negative, Sca-1+, C-Kit+, CD34- cells: comparative study with stem cell factor or interleukin-3

It has recently been reported that human thrombopoietin (TPO) acts on early hematopoietic progenitor cells. Consequently, we investigated the effects of TPO on murine hematopoietic progenitor cells using lineage negative (Lin-), Sca-1+, c-Kit+ marrow cells from 5-fluorouracil-treated mice. One hundred enriched cells were cultured in suspension with various single cytokines for 5 days. When cultured with the single cytokines as stem cell factor (SCF), TPO, or interleukin (IL)-3, these cells were maintained or had increased by day 5, whereas only a few cells survived in cultures with granulocyte colony stimulating factor, IL-11, or IL-6. We extended the study in serum-free or serum-containing suspension cultures with SCF or TPO. Anti-TPO antibodies did not inhibit the effects of SCF on enriched cells but did inhibit the effects of TPO on those cells. We further examined the effects of TPO, SCF, and IL-3 on other populations of murine hematopoietic progenitor cells. Either TPO or SCF as a single cytokine could maintain murine Lin-, Sca-1+, c-Kit+, CD34- marrow cells, which are the most dormant cells. In addition, IL-3 increased Lin-, Sca-1-, c-Kit+ cells more than did SCF and TPO but did not stimulate Lin-, Sca-1+, c-Kit+, CD34- cells more. These results indicate that TPO as well as SCF may be key regulators in the proliferation of murine hematopoietic early progenitor cells.

Indispensability of transmembrane domains of Golgi UDP-galactose transporter as revealed by analysis of genetic defects in UDP-galactose transporter-deficient murine had-1 mutant cell lines and construction of deletion mutants

UDP-galactose transporter is a membrane protein localized in the Golgi apparatus. It translocates UDP-galactose from the cytosol into the Golgi lumen, thus providing galactosyltransferases with their substrate. We characterized murine UDP-galactose transporter through molecular cloning for the following purposes: (i) to elucidate the molecular bases underlying the genetic defects of murine Had-1 mutants, which are deficient in UDP-galactose transporting activity, and (ii) to obtain information that would help us in planning rational approaches to identify functionally essential regions, based on comparison of primary structures between human and murine UDP-galactose transporters. We identified five nonsense mutations, one missense Gly178Asp mutation, and two aberrant splicing mutations. Although glycine178 is highly conserved among nucleotide-sugar transporters, a Gly178Ala variant was functional. The species-differences between human and murine UDP-galactose transporters were largely confined to the N- and C-terminal regions of the transporters. Substantial deletions in the N- and C-terminal regions did not lead to loss of UDP-galactose transporting activity, indicating that these cytosolic regions are dispensable for the transporting activity. The transporter was fused with green-fluorescent protein at the C-terminal cytosolic tail without impairing the functions of either protein. Our results demonstrate the importance of the transmembrane core region of the UDP-galactose transporter protein.

[Treatment of advanced testicular cancer and toxicity of chemotherapy]

To assess the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy for advanced germ cell tumors, 115 patients with testicular and extragonadal germ cell tumors were reviewed. Five-year survival rates of 19 seminoma patients and 96 non-seminoma patients were 84% and 68%, respectively. According to the analysis using three sets of prognostic criteria, Indiana University Classification, International Germ Cell Consensus Classification and K Classification, the 5-year survival rate of poor-prognosis patients was 42-45%. BEP regimen (bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin) salvaged with VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin) would be the standard therapy for advanced germ cell tumors since high-dose chemotherapy had no advantage on survival over the standard-dose regimen. Early serious toxicities were observed in 18 patients (15.7%), including pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory distress, and sepsis. Poor performance status and prior radiotherapy were risk factors for fatal adverse effects. In terms of late toxicites, out of 76 patients in complete remission for at least one year after cessation of chemotherapy, 31 had numbness of extremities and 29 had tinnitus. Serial semen analyses of 38 patients showed continuous azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia in 22. These data indicated that less toxic therapy was required for good-risk patients to improve the quality of life, while more intensive therapy for poor-risk patients to be cured. Several prognostic criteria should be utilized to properly distinguish good- from poor-risk patients, and decide how to treat each patient.

Expression and activity of chimeric molecules between human UDP-galactose transporter and CMP-sialic acid transporter

Human UDP-galactose transporter (hUGT1) and CMP-sialic acid transporter (hCST) are related Golgi proteins with eight putative transmembrane helices predicted by computer analysis. We constructed chimeric molecules in which segments of various lengths from the C- or N-terminus of hUGT1 were replaced by corresponding portions of hCST. The chimeras were transiently expressed in UGT-deficient mutant Lec8 cells, and their UGT activity was assessed by the binding of GS-II lectin to the transfected cells. The replacement of either the N- or C-terminal cytoplasmic segment by that of hCST did not affect the expression or activity of hUGT1. A chimera in which the eighth helix and the C-terminal tail were replaced also retained the UGT activity, indicating that this helix is not involved in the determination of substrate specificity. In contrast, three types of chimeras, in which the first helix, the first and the second helices, and a segment from the seventh helix to the C-terminus were replaced, respectively, were expressed very infrequently in the transfected cells, and had no UGT activity. They are likely folded incorrectly and degraded by a quality-control system, since the amounts of their mRNAs were normal and the proteins were mainly localized in the ER. The first and the seventh helices are important for the stability of the transporter protein.

Spatial light modulators for high-brightness projection displays

We fabricated polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal light valves (PDLCLV's) consisting of a 30-microm-thick hydrogenated amorphous-silicon film and a 10-microm-thick polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal (PDLC) film composed of nematic liquid-crystal (LC) microdroplets surrounded by polymer. The device can modulate high-power reading light, because the PDLC becomes transparent or opalescent independent of the polarization state of the reading light when either sufficient or no writing light is incident on the PDLCLV. This device has a limiting resolution of 50 lp/mm (lp indicates line pairs), a reading light efficiency of 60%, a ratio of intensity of light incident on the PDLC layer to intensity of light radiated from the layer, and an extinction ratio of 130:1. The optically addressed video projection system with three PDLCLV's, LC panels of 1048 x 480 pixels as input image sources, a 1-kW Xe lamp, and a schlieren optical system projected television (TV) pictures of 600 and 450 TV lines in the horizontal and the vertical directions on a screen with a diagonal length of 100 in. The total output flux of this system was 1500 lm.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of the human Golgi UDP-N-acetylglucosamine transporter

We have cloned the human UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) transporter cDNA, which was recognized through a homology search in the expressed sequence tags database (dbEST) based on its similarity to the human UDP-galactose transporter. The chromosomal location of the UDP-GlcNAc transporter gene was assigned to chromosome 1p21 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The transporter was expressed ubiquitously in every tissue so far examined. Expression of the transporter cDNA in CHO-K1 cells in its native and in a C-terminally HA-tagged form indicated that the human UDP-GlcNAc transporter was localized in the Golgi apparatus. The membrane vesicles prepared from yeast cells expressing the cDNA product exhibited UDP-GlcNAc-specific transporting activity. Comparison among UDP-galactose, CMP-sialic acid, and UDP-GlcNAc transporters from several organisms enabled us to identify residues highly conserved among the transporters and residues specific for each group of transporters.

Activated dendritic cells from bone marrow cells of mice receiving cytokine-expressing tumor cells are associated with the enhanced survival of mice bearing syngeneic tumors

Dendritic cells (DCs), which phagocytose antigens and subsequently proliferate and migrate, may be the most powerful antigen-presenting cells that activate naive T cells. To determine their role in the immune response to tumors, we used WEHI-3B murine leukemia cells transduced with adenovirus vectors expressing cytokines. We found that mixtures of irradiated cells expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plus those expressing interleukin-4 (IL-4) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) protected mice against WEHI-3B-induced leukemias. When bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) obtained from mice that had been injected with irradiated, cytokine-expressing tumor cells were injected into tumor-bearing mice, the survival of the latter was significantly prolonged; the longest survival was observed in mice receiving BMMNCs containing an increased number of DCs from animals injected with a mixture of tumor cells expressing GM-CSF with those expressing IL-4. Assay for antileukemic effects in spleen of the latter animals showed specific antitumor cytotoxicity against WEHI-3B, suggesting that DCs from donor mice activate specific T cells in the tumor-bearing recipients. These results suggest that the infusion of syngeneic BMMNCs stimulated with cytokine-expressing tumor cells may be effective in treating certain types of tumors.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe UDP-galactose transporter: identification of its functional form through cDNA cloning and expression in mammalian cells

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe UDP-galactose transporter cDNA (SpUGT cDNA), encoding the product of the gms1+ gene which consists of two exon sequences separated by a 173-bp intron, was cloned by RT-PCR. Its product, a hydrophobic protein of 353 amino acid residues resembling its human counterpart, was expressed in the Golgi membranes of UDP-galactose transporter-deficient Lec8 cells, and complemented the genetic defect of the mutant cells. This indicated that SpUGT cDNA encodes the functional S. pombe UDP-galactose transporter. The product of an ORF found in the second exon, which was previously assumed to be the S. pombe UDP-galactose transporter, thus represents an inactive, truncated form of the SpUGT protein.

Intramolecular Cyclizations of o-Acylbenzyllithiums. Formation of Benzocyclobuten-1-ol Derivatives and Their Thermal Isomerization

The formation of benzocyclobutenol derivatives by intramolecular cyclizations of o-acylbenzyllithiums is described. Treatment of o-(trialkylsilylmethyl)phenyl ketones with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) followed by quenching of the resulting benzylic carbanions with chlorotrialkylsilane resulted in stereoselective formation of the corresponding 1-trialkylsiloxy-2-(trialkylsilyl)benzocyclobutenes in good yields. Subsequently, o-acyl-m-methoxybenzyllithiums were found to work well in cyclization to benzocyclobuten-1-ol derivatives. The reaction of 2-benzoyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyllithium, generated in situ by deprotonation of 6-methyl-2,3,4-trimethoxybenzophenone with LDA, with chlorotrimethylsilane afforded the corresponding 1-(trimethylsiloxy)benzocyclobutene. Cyclization of 2-pivaloyl-3-methoxybenzyllithiums, generated in situ from tert-butyl 2-methyl-6-methoxyphenyl ketones upon deprotonation with LDA, proceeded spontaneously even at -78 degrees C to give the corresponding benzocyclobuten-1-ols. We also describe the results of thermal isomerization of these 1-trimethylsiloxy-2-(trialkylsilyl)benzocyclobutenes.

Presentation of tumor antigens by phagocytic dendritic cell clusters generated from human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells: induction of autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes against leukemic cells in acute myelogenous leukemia patients

The use of antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) is currently proposed for tumor immunotherapy through generation of CTLs to tumor antigens in cancer patients. In this study, DCs were differentiated using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells that had been mobilized into the peripheral blood. To use the phagocytic activity of DCs for processing and presentation of tumor antigens, we established DC clusters containing immature DCs by preserving proliferating cell clusters without mechanical disruption. After an 11-day culture, the developed clusters contained not only typical mature DCs but also immature DCs that showed active phagocytosis of latex particles, suggesting that the clusters consisted of DCs of different maturational stages. These heterogeneous clusters could present an exogenous protein antigen, keyhold limpet hemocyanin, to both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Furthermore, in three acute myelogeneous leukemia patients, clusters pulsed with autologous irradiated leukemic cells could also induce antileukemic CTLs. The mechanical disruption of clusters abrogated the induction of CTLs to leukemic cells as well as to hemocyanin. This observation gives an important information for the use of heterogeneous DC clusters derived from autologous peripheral blood CD34+ cells in the case of immunotherapy for leukemia.

Characterization of T-cell receptor beta chain mRNA expression in IFN-alpha-responsive chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has shown promise in the treatment of chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). IFN-alpha has also been found to indirectly up-regulate the expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens, and to directly increase the activity of lymphocytes against tumour cells. To elucidate whether IFN-alpha induces anti-leukaemic activity of the autologous T cells in CML patients, we analysed the accumulation of T-cell receptor (TCR) in each Vbeta family using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by single-strand conformation (SSCP) analysis. We found the predominant expression of the Vbeta 10, 12, and 14 families in the peripheral blood (PB) of CML patients, in contrast to healthy donors. Especially, in IFN-alpha-responsive patients, we observed an enhancement of the accumulation of the Vbeta 9 and 20 families, suggesting that T cells enhanced by IFN-alpha may react with a discrete set of antigens on the surface of malignant cells. These findings may demonstrate that CML cells possess the heterogenous antigens and the clonal expansion of Vbeta 9+ and Vbeta 20+ T cells may be a prognostic indicator of the immune responsiveness to IFN-alpha.

Coexpression of alpha1,2 galactosyltransferase and UDP-galactose transporter efficiently galactosylates N- and O-glycans in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have studied in vivo neo-galactosylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and analyzed the critical factors involved in this system. Two heterologous genes, gma12(+) encoding alpha1, 2-galactosyltransferase (alpha1,2 GalT) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe and UGT2 encoding UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal) transporter from human, were functionally expressed to examine the intracellular conditions required for galactosylation. Detection by fluorescence labeled alpha-galactose specific lectin revealed that 50% of the cells incorporated galactose to cell surface mannoproteins only when the gma12(+) and hUGT2 genes were coexpressed in galactose media. Integration of both genes in the Delta mnn1 background cells increased galactosylation to 80% of the cells. Correlation between cell surface galactosylation and UDP-galactose transport activity indicated that an exogenous supply of UDP-Gal transporter rather than alpha1,2 GalT played a key role for efficient galactosylation in S.cerevisiae. In addition, this heterologous system enabled us to study the in vivo function of S. pombe alpha1,2 GalT to prove that it transfers galactose to both N - and O -linked oligosaccharides. Structural analysis indicated that this enzyme transfers galactose to O -mannosyl residue attached to polypeptides and produces Galalpha1,2-Man1-O-Ser/Thr structure. Thus, we have successfully generated a system for efficient galactose incorporation which is originally absent in S. cerevisiae, suggesting further possibilities for in vivo glycan remodeling toward therapeutically useful galactose containing heterologous proteins in S. cerevisiae.

Chemical modification of an arginine residue in the ATP-binding site of Ca2+ -transporting ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum by phenylglyoxal

Phenylglyoxal (PGO) was used as a reagent for chemical modification of the ATP-binding site of Ca2+ -transporting ATPase of rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR-ATPase). When 1 mM PGO was reacted with SR-ATPase at 30 degrees C at pH 8.5, PGO was bound to the ATPase molecule in two-to-one stoichiometry with concomitant loss of activity of the ATPase to form the phosphorylated intermediate (E-P). ATP and ADP prevented the binding of PGO and thereby protected the enzyme from inactivation. The SR membranes were labeled with [14C]PGO and then digested with pepsin to identify the attachment site of PGO. A 14C-labeled peptide (402Ile-Arg*-Ser-Gly-Gln406) was purified to homogeneity by C18-reversed phase HPLC (Arg* denotes the binding site of [14C]PGO). These results indicate that Arg403 is located in the ATP binding site of the SR-ATPase.

[Synchronous multifocal development of invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract in a patient with renal failure receiving long-term hemodialysis: a case report]

We report a case of transitional cell carcinoma in a patient with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis for 22 years. A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital. Under diagnosis of invasive bladder cancer and left renal pelvic tumor, removal of the whole urinary tract, e.g., bilateral nephroureterectomy and total cystourethrectomy was performed. Transitional cell carcinoma was found in bilateral renal pelvis, left ureter, bladder and prostate in the resected specimen. Thirteen months after the operation, multiple lung metastases and pathologic bone fracture of the 4th lumber vertebra were found. Chemotherapy (3 courses of modified CISCA, consisting of cisplatin, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide) was performed, but the died of systemic metastases of cancer and bleeding due to perforation of multiple gastric ulcers.

Induction of antitumor cytotoxic activity using CD34+ cord blood cell-derived and irradiated tumor cell-primed dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most powerful antigen-presenting cells in the immune system. They can activate immunologically naive T cells and improve the efficacy of immunotherapy against tumors. In the present study we investigated whether CD34+ cord blood cell-derived DCs are capable of inducing antitumor cytotoxic cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), NK cells, and monocytes. Cord blood T cells stimulated by DCs pulsed with irradiated K562 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I+ cells were highly effective in eliciting a selective killing response against K562 class I+ cells. This killing activity was almost completely abrogated by antibodies to CD8 or MHC class I, but not to CD4. This suggests that tumor cell-pulsed DCs generated from CD34+ cord blood cells are able to induce tumor specific CTLs against corresponding tumor cells from cord blood T cells, and that these CTLs are CD8+ T cells which may recognize tumor cells via MHC class I molecules. This observation has potentially important implications for the use of DCs in clinical immunotherapy in cord blood transplantation.

Functional expression of human golgi CMP-sialic acid transporter in the Golgi complex of a transporter-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant

We recently described the cloning of putative human CMP-sialic acid transporter (hCST) cDNA [Ishida, N. et al. (1996) J. Biochem. 120, 1074-1078]. The hCST cDNA coded for a hydrophobic protein with an amino acid sequence showing a high degree of similarity (92% identity) to that of murine CMP-sialic acid transporter. In this report, we demonstrate that hCST corrects the CMP-sialic acid transporter-deficient phenotype of CHO-derived Lec2 cells, as judged from the recovery of WGA-sensitivity by transformants, and the recovery of CMP-sialic acid transporting ability by microsomal vesicles prepared from them. A peptide antibody against the C-terminus of the hCST protein detected the cDNA products expressed in the microsomes of the transformants. The subcellular localization of the hCST protein in the Golgi membrane was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy, using the hCST-specific antibody. These results clearly indicate that hCST cDNA encodes the human CMP-sialic acid transporter protein. Plasma membrane-selective permeabilization combined with immunofluorescence microscopy provided strong evidence that the C-terminus of the human CMP-Sia transporter is exposed to the cytosol on the outer surface of the Golgi membrane.

Development of a sensitive and accurate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that can replace HPLC analysis for the determination of N1,N12-diacetylspermine in human urine

N1,N12-Diacetylspermine (DiAcSpm)-specific antibodies were raised in rabbits, using N-acetylspermine coupled to mercaptosuccinylated BSA via N-(4-maleimidobutyryloxy)-succinimide as an antigen. Highly DiAcSpm-specific antibodies were enriched from crude sera through a series of affinity-based fractionations. A competitive ELISA system, intended for measuring DiAcSpm in solution, was constructed using this antibody preparation, with N-acetylspermine coupled to a synthetic peptide via N-(8-maleimidocapryloxy)-succinimide as a solid phase antigen. The Ki value for DiAcSpm with this competitive ELISA system was 33 nM, and the cross-reactivity with DiAcSpm, AcSpm, DiAcSpd, N1-AcSpd, and N8-AcSpd was 100, 0.29, 0.20, 0.033, and 0.055%, respectively. This procedure can be applied to the determination of DiAcSpm in human urine samples, giving highly reproducible results. The coefficients of variation obtained were 6.7 and 4.2% for within-run and between-run precision, respectively. The correlation coefficient between DiAcSpm concentrations in urine estimated by ELISA and those by HPLC analysis was calculated to be 0. 99, and the regression equation was expressed as y = 1.04x + 0.026 microM.

Functional expression of the human UDP-galactose transporters in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We describe the functional expression of the putative human Golgi UDP-galactose transporters (hUGT1 and hUGT2) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both hUGT1 and hUGT2 were expressed under the control of the yeast constitutive GAPDH promoter. The expression level of hUGT1 seemed to be considerably lower than that of hUGT2, although hUGT1 has an amino acid sequence identical to that of hUGT2 except for 5 amino acid residues at the C-terminus. The hUGT product was expressed in the membranes of Golgi and other organellar compartments. The membrane vesicles prepared from the hUGT1- or the hUGT2-expressing yeast cells exhibited UDP-galactose specific transport activity. The apparent Km values of the yeast-expressed hUGT1 and hUGT2 for UDP-galactose were 1.2 and 2 microM, respectively, which were comparable with the Km obtained with mammalian Golgi vesicles. Transport was dependent on temperature and integrity of vesicles, and was inhibited by UMP, as observed with mammalian Golgi vesicles. Our results demonstrate that the previously described hUGT1 and hUGT2 encode the UDP-galactose transporters, rather than regulatory proteins. The development of a convenient yeast expression system should facilitate analysis of the structure-function relationships of the UDP-galactose transporters.

Nucleotide sugar transporters: elucidation of their molecular identity and its implication for future studies

Nucleotide sugar transporters are mainly located in the Golgi membranes and carry nucleotide sugars, that are produced outside the Golgi apparatus, into the organelle, where they serve as substrates for the elongation of carbohydrate chains by glycosyltransferases. They are thus indispensable for cellular glycoconjugate synthesis and, moreover, may have regulatory roles in producing the structural variety of cellular glycoconjugates. Their occurrence has long been well recognized, but studies on the molecular bases of their strict substrate specificities and modes of action have been hampered by the lack of information on their precise molecular structures. Complementary DNAs encoding several of these transporters were cloned recently, which represented a substantial step forward as to the above mentioned issues. The products of these cDNAs are mutually related hydrophobic proteins consisting of 320-400 amino acid residues with multiple putative transmembrane helix domains, and are located in the Golgi apparatus. This review briefly summarizes the present status of the field of nucleotide sugar transporter research, and also presents an outlook of the study in this field.

Diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of N1,N8-diacetylspermidine and N1,N12-diacetylspermine in urine as novel markers of malignancy

Recently, we found N1,N8-diacetylspermidine (Ac2Spd) and N1,N12-diacetylspermine (Ac2Spm) in human urine, and noted that their amount increased significantly in patients with urogenital malignancies. Previous findings that simultaneous reference to these diacetylpolyamines is useful in distinguishing cancer patients from healthy persons were confirmed by more recent analytical data on urine samples from several cancer patients. Further examination revealed that urinary Ac2Spm and Ac2Spd tended to decrease when cancer patients were treated and entered partial remission. In cases where the Ac2Spm and Ac2Spd levels were normal or near-normal after treatments, the prognosis of the patients was generally good. In contrast, when their level remained far above the normal limits after apparently effective treatment, the prognosis of the patients was poor. When a patient is in remission for more than 3 years, urinary levels of both Ac2Spm and Ac2Spd are stabilized and stay below the normal limits, with rare exceptions. The recurrence of a cancer as well as the complication of a second one during the period of follow-up examination was accompanied by elevation of urinary diacetylpolyamines. These observations indicate that urinary Ac2Spm and Ac2Spd are useful as prognostic indicators after treatment and during follow-up examination of cancer patients.

Reactions of Vinyl Sulfoxides with Magnesium Amides. One-Pot Synthesis of Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical beta-(Dialkylamino) Dithioacetals

Vinyl sulfoxides (PhSOCR(1)=CHR(2): R(1) = H, Me, or Ph; R(2) = H or Me) were treated with (dialkylamino)magnesium reagents, generated in situ from the reaction of EtMgBr with secondary amines (R(3)R(4)NH: R(3) = Et, i-Pr, or Bn; R(4) = Me, Et, or i-Pr) in refluxing Et(2)O for 1 h, and stirring at room-temperature overnight gave the corresponding symmetrical beta-(dialkylamino) dithioacetals [(PhS)(2)CR(1)CHR(2)NR(3)R(4)] in 24-84% yields. When the (diethylamino)magnesium reagent was treated with appropriate thiols (RSH; R = p-ClC(6)H(4) or Bn) prior to the interaction with phenyl vinyl sulfoxide, the corresponding unsymmetrical beta-(diethylamino) dithioacetals [(PhS)(RS)CHCH(2)NEt(2)] were produced in 63-67% yields.

[Poxvirus vectors for gene transfer]

A promising approach to cancer immunotherapy is immunization with modified tumor cells carrying cytokine or immunomodulatory genes. Cytokine genes (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 2, interferon gamma) and costimulatory molecule, B7-1, were incorporated into canarypox virus, ALVAC, which does not replicate in infected mammalian cells, and highly attenuated vaccinia virus, NYVAC. We examined the effect of local cytokine production on the growth of the mouse prostate tumor, RM-1, and the mouse bladder tumor, MBT-2. The vectors expressed the high levels of cytokines and B7-1 and the tumor growth of infected cells was significantly inhibited. The mice immunized with irradiated MBT-2 cells infected with ALVAC-interleukin 2 were protected against the subsequent challenge of parental tumor cells. We conclude that poxvirus vectors are useful for gene delivery in immunotherapy studies because of their infection efficiency, their capability of high gene product expression, their safety, and their case of handling.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: experience in 100 patients

Between July 1992 and October 1996, 100 transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed on 99 patients at our hospital and affiliated hospitals. The clinical diagnoses were primary aldosteronism (41 patients), Cushing's syndrome (15), pre-Cushing's syndrome (6), pheochromocytoma (7; 8 adrenal glands), adrenal cancer (2), nonfunctioning adenoma (22), myelolipoma (3), and complicated adrenal cyst (3). Ninety-seven glands were removed laparoscopically. The mean operative time was 240 +/- 76 (SD) minutes and the mean blood loss 68 +/- 80 mL for the series. The mean blood was 77 +/- 113 mL when the three operations that were converted to open surgery are included. The mean times for the return to a normal diet and unassisted ambulation were 1.3 +/- 0.6 and 1.4 +/- 0.8 days, respectively. The mean duration of the use of analgesics was 1.5 +/- 1.3 days, including the day of surgery. In contrast, in the latest 10 open adrenalectomies done at Kyoto University Hospital, the mean operative time was 186 +/- 53 minutes and the mean blood loss 220 +/- 170 mL. The mean times for return to a normal diet and for unassisted ambulation and the mean duration of the use of analgesics were 1.9 +/- 0.3, 2.9 +/- 1.1, and 2.9 +/- 1.7 days, respectively. Thirty-six operations, excluding one converted to open surgery, performed at Kyoto University Hospital were selected to look at the learning curve for transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy and evaluated for operative time and blood loss. The mean operative time and mean blood loss in the first 10 procedures performed at Kyoto University Hospital were 256 +/- 63 minutes and 89 +/- 57 mL; however, these values were reduced to 177 +/- 39 minutes and 48 +/- 32 mL in the next 10 procedures at the same hospital. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy via the transperitoneal anterior approach can be equivalent to open adrenalectomy in efficiency with a shorter convalescence.

Expression of the human UDP-galactose transporter in the Golgi membranes of murine Had-1 cells that lack the endogenous transporter

In our previous study, we demonstrated that UDP-galactose transporter cDNAs (hUGT1 and hUGT2) were able to complement the genetic defect of murine Had-1 cells that were deficient in the UDP-galactose transporter, and that the microsomal vesicles isolated from Had-1-transformants, which were obtained through transfection with these cDNAs, had recovered the ability to uptake UDP-galactose [Ishida, N. et al. (1996) J. Biochem. 120, 1074-1078]. In this report, we describe the preparation of peptide antibodies that recognize the hUGT isozymes, and the detection of hUGT proteins expressed in the transformants. The occurrence of the endogenous hUGT1 protein in HeLa cells was also detected. Using the hUGT1-specific antibodies, the subcellular localization of hUGT1 in the Golgi membrane was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation. These studies led us to develop a simple procedure, based on Percoll density gradient centrifugation, for preparing functional Golgi vesicles from the hUGT1-transformed Had-1 cells, that will facilitate future biochemical analyses of the UDP-galactose transporter for the elucidation of its structure-function relationship.