Formation and evolution of carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu: Direct evidence from returned samples

Samples of the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu were brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. We analyzed 17 Ryugu samples measuring 1 to 8 millimeters. Carbon dioxide-bearing water inclusions are present within a pyrrhotite crystal, indicating that Ryugu's parent asteroid formed in the outer Solar System. The samples contain low abundances of materials that formed at high temperatures, such as chondrules and calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions. The samples are rich in phyllosilicates and carbonates, which formed through aqueous alteration reactions at low temperature, high pH, and water/rock ratios of <1 (by mass). Less altered fragments contain olivine, pyroxene, amorphous silicates, calcite, and phosphide. Numerical simulations, based on the mineralogical and physical properties of the samples, indicate that Ryugu's parent body formed ~2 million years after the beginning of Solar System formation.

Design and Identification of a GPR40 Full Agonist () Possessing a 2-Carbamoylphenyl Piperidine Moiety

GPR40/FFAR1 is a G-protein-coupled receptor expressed in pancreatic β-cells and enteroendocrine cells. GPR40 activation stimulates secretions of insulin and incretin, both of which are the pivotal regulators of glycemic control. Therefore, a GPR40 agonist is an attractive target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Using the reported biaryl derivative 1, we shifted the hydrophobic moiety to the terminal aryl ring and replaced the central aryl ring with piperidine, generating 2-(4,4-dimethylpentyl)phenyl piperidine 4a, which had improved potency for GPR40 and high lipophilicity. We replaced the hydrophobic moiety with N-alkyl-N-aryl benzamides to lower the lipophilicity and restrict the N-alkyl moieties to the presumed lipophilic pocket using the intramolecular π-π stacking of cis-preferential N-alkyl-N-aryl benzamide. Among these, orally available (3S)-3-cyclopropyl-3-(2-((1-(2-((2,2-dimethylpropyl)(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)carbamoyl)-5-methoxyphenyl)piperidin-4-yl)methoxy)pyridin-4-yl)propanoic acid (SCO-267) effectively stimulated insulin secretion and GLP-1 release and ameliorated glucose tolerance in diabetic rats via GPR40 full agonism.

Mucocutaneous inflammation in the Ikaros Family Zinc Finger 1-keratin 5-specific transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

Our genomewide association study documented an association between cold medicine-related Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (CM-SJS/TEN) and Ikaros Family Zinc Finger 1 (IKZF1). Few studies examined biological and pathological functions of IKZF1 in mucosal immunity. We hypothesized that IKZF1 contributes to the mucocutaneous inflammation.

METHODS

Human skin and conjunctival tissues were obtained for immunohistological studies. Primary human conjunctival epithelial cells (PHCjECs) and adult human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa) also used for gene expression analysis. We also generated K5-Ikzf1-EGFP transgenic mice (Ikzf1 Tg) by introducing the Ik1 isoform into cells expressing keratin 5, which is expressed in epithelial tissues such as the epidermis and conjunctiva, and then examined them histologically and investigated gene expression of the epidermis. Moreover, Ikzf1 Tg were induced allergic contact dermatitis.

RESULTS

We found that human epidermis and conjunctival epithelium expressed IKZF1, and in PHCjECs and HEKa, the expression of IKZF1 mRNA was upregulated by stimulation with polyI:C, a TLR3 ligand. In Ikzf1 Tg, we observed dermatitis and mucosal inflammation including the ocular surface. In contact dermatitis model, inflammatory infiltrates in the skin of Ikzf1 Tg were significantly increased compared with wild type. Microarray analysis showed that Lcn2, Adh7, Epgn, Ifi202b, Cdo1, Gpr37, Duoxa1, Tnfrsf4, and Enpp5 genes were significantly upregulated in the epidermis of Ikzf1 Tg compared with wild type.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the hypothesis that Ikaros might participate in mucocutaneous inflammation.

Structure-based design of substituted piperidines as a new class of highly efficacious oral direct Renin inhibitors

A cis-configured 3,5-disubstituted piperidine direct renin inhibitor, (syn,rac)-1, was discovered as a high-throughput screening hit from a target-family tailored library. Optimization of both the prime and the nonprime site residues flanking the central piperidine transition-state surrogate resulted in analogues with improved potency and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, culminating in the identification of the 4-hydroxy-3,5-substituted piperidine 31. This compound showed high in vitro potency toward human renin with excellent off-target selectivity, 60% oral bioavailability in rat, and dose-dependent blood pressure lowering effects in the double-transgenic rat model.

Increased systemic inflammatory interleukin-1ß and interleukin-6 during agitation as predictors of Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTS

Identification of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for its early diagnosis and prevention and a key in advancing our understanding of its pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to determine whether systemic inflammatory interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), and body mass index (BMI) are predictors of AD.

METHODS

We performed a 10-year follow-up study on 133 elderly who were institutionalized in a nursing home. The associations of IL-1ß and IL-6 at both rest and agitation, as well as HT, DM, and BMI at baseline, were analyzed with the incidences of vascular dementia (VD) and AD during a 10-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and Cox regression analyses for the total of 133 subjects showed significantly higher incidences of both VD and AD in subjects with DM or HT at baseline. Resting IL-1ß or IL-6 value, or agitation score, was not significantly associated with the subsequent development of VD or AD. The analyses of 40 subjects who had shown agitation at least once in the previous 3 months demonstrated that IL-1ß and IL-6 values at the agitation stage were significantly associated with AD, but not with VD.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that systemic inflammatory IL-1ß and IL-6 at the agitation stage are risk factors for the development of AD, but not VD. Inflammatory mechanisms for AD seem to be causal and specific to the development of AD.

Novel scaffold for cathepsin K inhibitors

Pyrrolopyrimidine, a novel scaffold, allows to adjust interactions within the S3 subsite of cathepsin K. The core intermediate 10 facilitated the P3 optimization and identified highly potent and selective cathepsin K inhibitors 11-20.

Association of CD22 gene polymorphism with susceptibility to limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis

Activating and inhibitory signal transducers, CD19 and CD22, have been substantially implicated both in human systemic sclerosis (SSc) and tight-skin mouse, a model for SSc. We previously showed that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in CD19 promoter region was significantly associated with increased CD19 expression level and with susceptibility to SSc. In the present study, we examined whether CD22 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to SSc. CD22 variations were genotyped in 126 Japanese patients with SSc [47 diffuse cutaneous SSc and 79 limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc)] and 93 unrelated healthy controls. At the c.2304C > A SNP coding for a synonymous substitution in exon 13, A/A genotype was observed in six patients with SSc (4.8 %) but none in the controls (P=0.040). All six patients with A/A genotype belonged to the lcSSc subgroup (7.6%, P=0.008 vs controls). Surface expression level of CD22 tended to be lower in B cells from the patients with A/A genotype (n=5) as compared with C/A (n=7) or C/C (n=14) genotype (17% decrease, P=0.0032). Taken together with our previous observation on CD19 polymorphism, intrinsic difference in the expression level of CD19 and CD22 was suggested to play a causative role in a proportion of patients with lcSSc.

Muscle type-specific response of PGC-1 alpha and oxidative enzymes during voluntary wheel running in mouse skeletal muscle

AIM

It is generally accepted that endurance exercise increases the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), which governs the expression of oxidative metabolic enzymes. A previous report demonstrated that the regulation of mitochondrial protein expression in skeletal muscles in response to cold exposure depends on muscle fibre type. Cold exposure and endurance exercise are both metabolic challenges that require adjustments in mitochondrial energy metabolism, we hypothesized that the exercise-induced increase in oxidative enzymes and PGC-1alpha expression is higher in fast-type than in slow-type muscle.

METHODS

Female ICR mice were individually housed in cages equipped with running wheel for 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks. The soleus, plantaris (PLA) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were then prepared from each mouse. The expression levels of PGC-1alpha, mitochondrial proteins and GLUT4 were evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTS

The expression level of PGC-1alpha was increased only in the PLA muscle. Furthermore, the expression levels of all mitochondrial proteins and GLUT4 in the PLA muscle were increased. In the TA muscle, although there was no increase in PGC-1alpha expression, the expression levels of mitochondrial proteins and GLUT4 were increased.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that muscle type-specific responses occur during endurance exercise, and that the increase in PGC-1alpha expression is not the only factor that promotes oxidative capacity as a result of endurance exercise.

Divergent Synthesis ofL-Sugars andL-Iminosugars fromD-Sugars

An efficient divergent synthesis of L-sugars and L-iminosugars from D-sugars is described. The important intermediate, delta-hydroxyalkoxamate, prepared from D-glucono-/galactono-1,5-lactone, was cyclized under Mitsunobu conditions to give the O-cyclized oxime compound and the N-cyclized lactam compound as mixtures. A more detailed investigation revealed that the appropriate protecting groups and solvents controlled the specificity for the O-/N-cyclization of the delta-hydroxyalkoxamate. Suitable protection at the 6-position of delta-hydroxyalkoxamate, derived from D-glucono-1,5-lactone, afforded the corresponding O-alkylation product alone. Thus we succeeded in applying this to the total synthesis of L-iduronic acid. In contrast, with both TBDMS as the protecting group and RCN as the solvent the efficient conversion of D-glucono/galactono-1,5-lactone into the corresponding L-iminosugars (L-idonolactam and L-altronolactam) was achieved.

Contribution of the calcineurin signaling pathway to overload-induced skeletal muscle fiber-type transition

Skeletal muscle is highly adaptable, being capable of undergoing changes in its structural and functional properties in response to physiological stimuli. The fast-to-slow muscle fiber-type transition is evoked by increased motor nerve activity. Recently, the calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway has been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of slow muscle fiber genes. Here we investigated the effect of treatment with a CaN-specific inhibitor, FK506, on skeletal muscle fiber-type transition in functionally overloaded muscles. The overloaded plantaris muscle showed fast-to-slow muscle fiber type transition, i.e., a decrease in myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIb, an increase in MHCIIa+d/x, and new expression of MHCI. In the FK506-administered group, however, overload-induced muscle fiber-type transition was completely prevented. We have demonstrated, therefore, that the CaN signaling pathway is required for fast-to-slow skeletal muscle fiber-type transition. Furthermore, we also confirmed that the protein expression levels of downstream effectors of CaN signaling exhibit a transient increase in the early phase of the overloaded condition.

Genetic variation in hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and its possible association with high altitude adaptation in Sherpas

Hypoxic stress at high altitude requires adaptations in several physiological functions to ensure the optimal oxygenation of all cells. Several lines of evidence suggested that high-altitude native populations such as Sherpas have been genetically adapted to their stressful environment. We investigated the genetic variation in the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha gene in Sherpas as compared with Japanese, native lowlanders, and found a novel dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in intron 13 of the HIF-1alpha gene. GT15 allele was more frequent in Japanese than in Sherpas with statistical significance, while GT14 allele was significantly more frequent in Sherpas as compared with Japanese. A possible genetic variation in the HIF-1alpha gene might function in adaptation to living at high altitude. Because the activity of HIF-1 is regulated by multiple steps including the transcriptional level, the effect of the polymorphism in intron 13 on the cellular hypoxic responses remains to be elucidated.

Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia increases the ability of neutrophils to generate superoxide anion in humans

1. We investigated the effect of intermittent exposure to hypobaric hypoxia on the ability of neutrophils to generate.O2-. 2. Seven male volunteers were exposed intermittently to hypobaric hypoxia, equivalent to an altitude of 4500 m, for 7 successive days. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and after the 2 h course of hypobaric hypoxia on days 1 and 7 and neutrophils were subjected to a chemiluminescence assay for.O2- production. 3. On day 1, 2 h exposure to hypobaric hypoxia induced granulocytosis (P < 0.01), but the ability of neutrophils to generate.O2- was unchanged. 4. On day 7, such granulocytosis was not observed, suggesting acclimatization to hypobaric hypoxia. 5. The ability of neutrophils to generate.O2- was significantly increased on day 7 (P < 0.01), although there was no definite change in the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase subunits in the cells. 6. The results suggest that the ability of neutrophils to generate.O2- may be gradually potentiated by intermittent exposure to hypobaric hypoxia, even after the number of neutrophils in peripheral blood stabilizes.

Hyperstable U1snRNA complementary to the K-ras transcripts induces cell death in pancreatic cancer cells

One of the critical steps that governs the inhibitory effect of antisense RNA on target gene expression is the association of the antisense RNA with the target RNA molecules. However, until now, no systematic method has been available to select the suitable parts of a gene as antisense targets. In this study, we utilised U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) that binds physiologically to the 5' splice site (5'ss) of pre-mRNA, to develop a novel vector system that permits imposed binding of antisense RNA to its target. The 5' free end of U1snRNA was replaced with the antisense sequence against the K-ras gene to generate a hyperstable U1snRNA, whose binding stability to 5'ss of the K-ras transcript is ten-fold higher than that of wild-type U1snRNA. The efficacy of such hyperstable U1snRNA was examined by transducing the expression plasmids into human pancreatic cancer cell lines. This revealed that two of the hyperstable U1snRNAs induced cell death after gene transduction, and significantly reduced the number of G418-resistant colonies to less than 10% of the controls. Furthermore, hyperstable U1snRNA suppressed intraperitoneal dissemination of pancreatic cancer cells in vivo. Hyperstable U1snRNA might be a novel approach to express effective antisense RNA in target cells.

Novel synthesis of L-ribose from D-mannono-1,4-lactone

[reaction: see text] D-Mannono-1,4-lactone was efficiently converted into L-ribose in eight steps. A key step of this synthesis is the cyclization of a gamma-hydroxyalkoxamate under Mitsunobu conditions. It is noteworthy that the O-alkylation product was obtained in 94% yield and that none of the N-alkylation product was detected in this cyclization.

Negative regulation of LPS-stimulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by AP-1 in macrophage cell line J774A.1

The level of NOS II mRNA was markedly increased during 24 h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, but showed no further increase thereafter. On the other hand, the level of NOS II mRNA in J774A.1 cells transfected with an expression vector containing the rat csk cDNA (J.Csk) was significantly increased during 3 h LPS stimulation, but rather decreased thereafter. Although no significant difference was observed in the activation of NF-kappaB by LPS among parental J774A.1, J774A.1 transfected with promoterless vector (J.pBK), and J.Csk cells, activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) were markedly upregulated in the J.Csk cells. Then luciferase reporter vectors containing NOS II promoter with mutations in two AP-1-like sites (U site, -1126 approximately -1120; L site, -524 approximately -518) were transiently transfected in J774A.1 cells. The promoter activity following LPS stimulation for 24 h was significantly increased by mutation at the L site, but not by mutation at the U site, suggesting that NOS II expression is negatively regulated, at least in part, through the AP-1-like L site in response to LPS.

A role for membrane-type serine protease (MT-SP1) in intestinal epithelial turnover

Membrane type-serine protease 1 (MT-SP1) plays potential roles in the process of invasion and metastasis of carcinomas. In the present study, we cloned a rat MT-SP1 cDNA and investigated the intestinal distribution and proteolytic properties of the enzyme. By in situ hybridization we found the prominent expression of the mRNA in the epithelial layer of the small intestinal upper villi and of the colon, where cells are loosely attached to the basement membrane. When MT-SP1 was expressed in Caco-2, a colonic carcinoma cell line, the protein was localized exclusively on the basolateral side. A secreted form of the enzyme produced in COS-1 cells digested fibronectin and laminin. These findings suggest that MT-SP1 participates in the control of intestinal epithelial turnover by regulating the cell-substratum adhesion.

Extinction of expression of the genes encoding haematopoietic cell-restricted transcription factors in T-lymphoma x fibroblast cell hybrids

We previously reported that expression of the T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha and lck genes is extinguished in hybrids between mouse T-lymphoma EL4 cells and mouse fibroblast B82 cells. In the present study, we found that the activities of the TCRalpha minimum enhancer and the lck promoter monitored by the luciferase or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays were markedly inhibited in the hybrids. Expression of the TCF-1, LEF-1, GATA-3, Ikaros, c-myb and Fli-1 genes, which encode the haematopoietic cell-restricted transcription factors that appear to be responsible for the activities of the enhancer and the promoter, was fully extinguished or markedly suppressed in the hybrids. On the other hand, expression of the transcription factor genes observed in both parental cells, such as the AML1 and c-ets-1 genes, and that of the genes encoding ubiquitously expressed transcription factors, such as the E2A, CREB and c-ets-2 genes, was not significantly suppressed in the hybrids. These results suggest that the genes encoding haematopoietic cell-restricted transcription factors are targets for negative regulation in fibroblastic background and that the repression of these genes may consequently lead to suppression of the promoter and/or enhancer activities of several T-cell-specific structural genes in T-lymphoma x fibroblast cell hybrids.

Serum extracellular superoxide dismutase in pediatric patients with various diseases as judged by an ELISA

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) concentration was measured in sera from 141 patients with 20 forms of infantile diseases including IDDM, SLE and epilepsy, 31 healthy children (controls), and 21 healthy young men by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a polyclonal antibody against human lung EC-SOD. Serum from patients with IDDM and fever of unknown origin had a significantly (p<0.05) lower concentration of EC-SOD than control serum. Part of sera from patients with the seven forms of diseases (SLE, viral infections, epilepsy, nephrosis, hyperthyroidism, hepatic disease, and Reye syndrome), on the other hand, had a greatly high concentration of EC-SOD, albeit not statistically significant. This SOD isoenzyme profile appears to be specific to each pediatric disease.

Activation and apoptosis of murine peritoneal macrophages by acute cold stress

Effects of acute cold stress (5 degrees C for 24 h) on the functions of peritoneal macrophages and the mechanisms for controlling host homeostasis were investigated in mice. Phagocytic activity and expression of the cell surface adhesion molecule CD11b/CD18 were markedly increased in peritoneal exudate cells by acute cold stress. These alterations were attributable to an increased number and phenotypical changes of adherent cells from acute cold-stressed mice. On the other hand, a lipopolysaccharide-induced activity of src-family tyrosine kinase Fgr, an expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA, and a bioactivity of IL-1 in the culture supernatants of adherent cells from acute cold-stressed mice were markedly lower than those from control mice. A time course study revealed that the number of adherent cells in peritoneal exudate cells was markedly increased in mice exposed to cold for 24 h but returned to normal numbers when mice were exposed to cold for 72 h. DNA fragmentation and Annexin-V(+) cells were observed in peritoneal exudate cells from acute-cold stressed mice. Thus, cold stress activated macrophages but these macrophages were destined to be eliminated by apoptosis.

Identification of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 ancillary sequence and its function in vascular endothelial growth factor gene induction by hypoxia and nitric oxide

Transcription of hypoxia-inducible genes is regulated by hypoxia response elements (HREs) located in either the promoter or enhancer regions. Analysis of these elements reveals the presence of one or more binding sites for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Hypoxia-inducible genes include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin, and glycolytic enzyme genes. Site-directed mutational analysis of the VEGF gene promoter revealed that an HIF-1 binding site (HBS) and its downstream HIF-1 ancillary sequence (HAS) within the HRE are required as cis-elements for the transcriptional activation of VEGF by either hypoxia or nitric oxide (NO). The core sequences of the HBS and the HAS were determined as TACGTG and CAGGT, respectively. These elements form an imperfect inverted repeat, and the spacing between these motifs is crucial for activity of the promoter. Gel shift assays demonstrate that as yet unknown protein complexes constitutively bind to the HAS regardless of the presence of these stimuli in several cell lines, in contrast with hypoxia- or NO-induced activation of HIF-1 binding to the HBS. A common structure of the HRE, which consists of the HBS and the HAS, is seen among several hypoxia-inducible genes, suggesting the presence of a novel mechanism mediated by the HAS for the regulation of these genes.

Acetaldehyde production by non-pathogenic Neisseria in human oral microflora: implications for carcinogenesis in upper aerodigestive tract

Many epidemiological studies have identified chronic alcohol consumption as a significant risk factor for cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) in human. Although acetaldehyde, the first metabolite from ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), is regarded as a carcinogen, how systemic production of acetaldehyde particularly affects the UAT remains unclear. In our study, we searched for the regional source of acetaldehyde in UAT, especially the involvement of bacteria in the human normal oral microflora. Here we demonstrate that, among the bacterial species identified from the human oral cavity, genus Neisseria had extremely high ADH activity and produced significant amounts of acetaldehyde when cultured with medium containing ethanol in vitro. The ability to produce acetaldehyde was more than 100-fold higher than that produced by any other genera we studied. Furthermore, alcohol ingestion influences the bacterial composition of the oral microflora, resulting in an increased proportion of Neisseria. Although Neisseria present in normal oral microflora is generally non-pathogenic, these findings suggest that this microbe can be a regional source of carcinogenic acetaldehyde and thus potentially play an important role in alcohol-related carcinogenesis in human UAT.

Association of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene polymorphism with multiple oesophageal dysplasia in head and neck cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Multiple occurrences of oesophageal dysplasia are frequently observed in head and neck cancer patients, and closely associated with alcohol consumption. Acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, is thought to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of the upper aerodigestive tract.

AIM

To investigate if genetic polymorphism in alcohol metabolising enzymes (ADH3, alcohol dehydrogenase 3; ALDH2, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) is associated with oesophageal multiple dysplasia in head and neck cancer patients.

METHODS

Thirty one consecutive patients with head and neck cancer were included in the study. Multiple oesophageal dysplasia was detected endoscopically as multiple Lugol voiding lesions (multiple LVL) using the Lugol dye staining method. The ADH3 and ALDH2 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

Among the 31 patients with head and neck cancer, 17 had multiple LVL. Multiple LVL were closely associated with a second primary oesophageal carcinoma in head and neck cancer patients (odds ratio 60.7, 95% CI 5.6-659). Furthermore, the mutant ALDH2 allele was significantly more prevalent in patients with multiple LVL (65% v 29%; p<0.05) whereas no difference was observed in ADH3 polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONS

The mutant ALDH2 allele appears to be a risk indicator for multiple LVL in head and neck cancer patients. Accumulation of acetaldehyde due to low ALDH2 activity may play a critical role in cancerous changes throughout the mucosa in the upper aerodigestive tract.

Effects of restricted food access on diurnal fluctuation of behaviors and biochemical functions in hereditary microphthalmic rats

The characteristics in circadian rhythms of spontaneous locomotor activity, and some metabolic properties were examined in microphthalmic mutant rats of the Donryu strain under ad lib or restricted food access conditions. The growth of microphthalmic rats was retarded compared to that of normal-sighted rats from the same strain. Under a 12:12-h light:dark (LD) cycle with free access to food, normal-sighted rats showed basically nocturnal patterns of the locomotor activity rhythms, but most of microphthalmic rats manifested free-running rhythms and a few of them showed arrhythmic. When food access was restricted only for 6 h in the light period of the LD cycle, the normal and hereditary blind rats generated gradually new patterns of the locomotor activities in which the animals showed to be more active in the light period. Plasma glucose concentration in normal rats showed a peak after food consumption, but microphthalmic mutants exhibited no periodic changes of the glucose levels. Responses of the biochemical parameters of protein and mineral metabolism to restricted food access in the mutants did not differ from those in normal rats. These results suggest that microphthalmic mutant rats show the free-running circadian rhythm of locomotor activity due to a complete lack of their optic nerve and visual input to the circadian clock, but the mutants maintained the ability to shift their circadian phase induced by restricted food access similar to that in control rats, and also that the mutants have almost normal properties of biochemical and physiological functions except for glucose metabolism.

The role of Ets family transcription factor PU.1 in hematopoietic cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis

The PU.1 gene encodes an Ets family transcription factor which controls expression of many B cell- and macrophage-specific genes. Expression of the gene is critical for development of lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages, since PU.1-deficient mice exhibit defects in the development of these cell lineages. The PU.1 gene is identical to the Spi-1 gene isolated from common proviral integration sites in Friend virus-induced murine erythroleukemia (MEL), and deregulated expression of the gene is believed to be an essential step of the disease. We recently demonstrated that overexpression of PU.1 inhibits erythroid differentiation of MEL cells induced with the differentiating agent DMSO. We also noticed unexpectedly that overexpression of PU.1 together with DMSO induces marked growth arrest and apoptosis in MEL cells, supporting the notion that some oncogenes induce growth inhibition and apoptosis rather than cell proliferation and transformation under specific circumstances as shown with the c-myc gene. In this review, the role of PU.1 in hematopoietic cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis is described and the possible molecular mechanisms of PU.1-induced effects in MEL cells are discussed.

The protective effect of cyclosporine A on anti-Fas antibody-induced hepatitis in mice

The effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on anti-Fas antibody-induced hepatitis was studied. The administration of anti-Fas antibody (250 microg/kg) to mice elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity at 3 hr. This anti-Fas antibody-induced elevation of ALT was inhibited by treatment with CsA (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-Fas antibody administration elevated CPP32-like protease activity at 3 hr in mouse liver, and this elevation of CPP32-like activity was inhibited by treatment with CsA. The present results show that CsA treatment inhibits the anti-Fas antibody-induced apoptotic process of hepatitis, at least in part, by affecting a reaction upstream of CPP32-like protease activation.

Increased growth of Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium by germinated barley foodstuff, accompanied by enhanced butyrate production in healthy volunteers

Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) derived from the aleurone and scutellum fractions of germinated barley mainly consists of low-lignified hemicellulose and glutamine-rich protein. GBF improves the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells and defecation, through the bacterial production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), especially butyrate. In this study we investigated the mechanism of production of butyrate by microflora in humans and in vitro. Daily administration of 9 g GBF for 14 successive days significantly increased fecal butyrate content. Fecal Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium were also significantly increased by GBF administration in healthy volunteers. Ten anaerobic micro-organisms selected from intestinal microflora were cultured in vitro in the medium containing GBF as a sole carbon source (GBF medium). After a 3-day incubation, 7 strains (Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, Bacteroides ovatus, Clostridium butyricum, and Eubacterium limosum) lowered the medium pH producing SCFA. Eubacterium grown together with Bifidobacterium in GBF medium efficiently produced butyrate. On the other hand, GBF changed the intestinal microflora and increased probiotics such as Bifidobacterium in the intestinal tract. As a result, butyrate was produced by the mutual action of Eubacterium and Bifidobacterium. This butyrate is considered to enhance the proliferation of colonic epithelial cells.

Suppression of the 5' splice site mutation in the Nagase analbuminemic rat with mutated U1snRNA

Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR) are deficient in serum albumin due to skipping of the albumin exon H caused by a mutation in the intron HI. This mutation deletes nucleotides from +5 to +11 in the 5' splice site region, where it interacts with U1snRNA. To determine whether the mutation can be suppressed by the compensatory base substitution in U1snRNA, we constructed mutated U1snRNA genes with various degrees of complementarity to the mutated 5' splice site. Several mutated U1snRNA genes activated the mutated 5' splice site of the intron HI, when cotransfected with the albumin minigene derived from NAR. In vivo activity of these mutated U1snRNAs correlated well with the predicted thermodynamic stability. Since mutation in the 5' splice site is one of common causes of genetic defects in human (5), these data indicate that NAR is a good model system to examine the possibility of gene therapy using a mutated U1snRNA.

Germinated barley foodstuff increases fecal volume and butyrate production at relatively low doses and relieves constipation in humans

Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), derived from the aleurone layer, scutellum and germ of germinated barley, contains a large quantity of fermentable dietary fibers, especially hemicellulose. GBF was given to 9 healthy volunteers in a dose of 9 g of GBF per day for 10 consecutive days, and subsequently 18 g of GBF for another 10 days. As a control, no GBF was given for 3 days before administration of GBF (control period). Fecal weight, water content and short chain fatty acid content were measured before and during the last 3 days of each experimental period. Feeding of GBF significantly increased the fecal butyrate content as well as fecal weight at both dose-levels (9 and 18 g/day), compared with those during the control period. Daily administration of 9 g GBF induced the maximum level of defecation in humans. Relatively mild but chronic constipated volunteers (n = 16) were administered 9 g of GBF daily for 14 days. In this experiment, the condition of defecation (frequency, volume) was estimated by a questionnaire survey. GBF significantly improved defecation within a short period without severe adverse effects. No major abnormalities in laboratory findings were found in hematologic and urinary analyses. In conclusion, daily administration of 9 g GBF was effective for improving defecation in healthy but constipated humans. GBF is a highly safe and effective foodstuff for improving defecation.

Germinated barley foodstuff improves constipation induced by loperamide in rats

The effects of germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) derived from the aleurone and scutellum fractions of germinated barley low-lignified hemicellulose were examined in Sprague-Dawley rats with constipation induced by loperamide by addition to the diet (2 mg/kg body weight). Bowel movements were higher in the GBF-fed rats than in the cellulose-fed rats used as a control. Fecal water content was also higher in the GBF-fed rats. The concentration of short chain fatty acids in cecal content, especially butyrate, was significantly higher in the GBF-fed rats than in the cellulose-fed rats. These findings suggested that GBF helps normalize defecation not only in diarrhea but also constipation.

Evidence for monoclonal expansion of epithelial cells in ovarian endometrial cysts

Ovarian endometrial cysts, one of the typical manifestations of endometriosis, are generated by the retention of cyclic hemorrhages and are classified as tumor-like lesions rather than neoplasms. Clonality analysis provides important information about the histogenesis and progression of neoplastic diseases. As it is generally accepted that most neoplasms are monoclonal in origin, however, the clonality of endometrial cysts remains uncertain. Using the human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA) as an X-linked polymorphic marker, we examined the clonal status of epithelial cells in endometrial cysts. We separated 21 fresh epithelial cell samples from 11 endometrial cysts and found that all were monoclonal in the methylation pattern of the HUMARA alleles. Moreover, in each of the five cysts from which epithelial cells were sampled from multiple and distant areas, the methylation patterns of all samples from a single cyst were identical. These data indicate that endometrial cysts are monoclonal in origin and suggest their neoplastic potentiality.

Augmentation of ouabain sensitivity of rat liver Na/K-ATPase by in vivo adenovirus-mediated expression of the Na/K-ATPase alpha2 subunit

These are the first experiments to study the effect of in vivo expression of the Na/K-ATPase alpha2 subunit which serves as a receptor for cardiac glycosides. The alpha2 subunit is not normally expressed in rat liver, so hepatocytes which lack endogenous alpha2 protein are a logical first target to study the effects of alpha2 expression on membrane Na/K-ATPase activity. At 3 days after alpha2 adenovirus vector infusion, Wistar rat livers contained alpha2 DNA, alpha2 mRNA, and alpha2 protein. Rat liver membrane ouabain binding activity and the sensitivity of Na/K-ATPase activity to ouabain significantly increased. Total membrane Na/K-ATPase was regulated at a constant level while expressed alpha2 activity represented 10% of the total active Na/K-ATPase sites in alpha2 transduced rat liver. These studies are the first to establish a paradigm in which an endogenous drug receptor is expressed to alter cellular pharmacologic sensitivity.

Complete correction of hyperbilirubinemia in the Gunn rat model of Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I following transient in vivo adenovirus-mediated expression of human bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

Recombinant adenoviral vectors are useful for the in vivo expression of genes in hepatocytes. Adenoviral vectors deleted in E1a, E1b, and E3b were constructed and used to study in vivo expression of the major human bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoform (HUG Br1) under the transcriptional control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter-enhancer (H5.010CMV hugBr1). As a control, a recombinant adenoviral vector containing the beta-galactosidase reporter gene driven by the CMV promoter-enhancer was employed (H5. 010CMVlacZ). Recombinant virus was expanded following exposure to E1 transcomplementing (293) cells and concentrated to t titer of approximately 10(13) particles per milliliter. A rat model for Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I deficient in HUG Br1 (ie the Gunn rat) was injected with 5 X 10(9) plaque-forming units (p.f.u.) via the portal vein of either H5.010CMVhugBr1 or H5. 010CMVlacZ. Rats from each set were killed at 3 days, 11 days and 22 days after infusion. Liver total cellular DNA, RNA and protein were analyzed for the transgene and the transgene product at the specified times. Analysis of livers by Southern blot hybridization demonstrates sequence-specific hybridization to adenoviral vector DNA, and Northern blot hybridization demonstrates sequence-specific hybridization to transgene-derived RNA. DNA levels peak at approximately one copy number at 3 days and decline over 22 days. RNA and Western blot analyses demonstrate overexpression of message and protein at 3 days, declining over 22 days. In virto functional assay for bilirubin glucuronosyl-transferase activity demonstrates overexpression of bilirubin UDP-glucurosyltransferase function. In situ hybridization of frozen sections to detect expressed mRNA using beta-galactosidasederived 35S-labeled riboprobes demonstrates adenovirus-derived transgene expression in hepatocytes. Significant drops in serum bilirubin levels were noted following expression of HUG Br1 but not beta-galactosidase. The drop in serum bilirubin correlates with the appearance of bilirubin glucuronides in bile. In summary, recombinant adenoviral vectors were used to demonstrate in vivo complementation of the genetic defect in Gunn rat livers with the HUG Br1 cDNA leading to a resolution of hyperbilirubinemia lasting approximately 7 weeks. These studies suggest that delivery of the HUG Br1 cDNA might provide a reasonable therapeutic benefit for Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I patients, as safe and efficacious gene delivery systems are developed.

Suppression of Lck protooncogene expression in murine somatic cell hybrids between T lymphoma cells and fibroblasts

Somatic cell hybrids were obtained by cell fusions between Lck-positive EL4 mouse T lymphoma cells and Lck-negative B82 mouse fibroblasts of S194 mouse plasmacytoma cells to examine negative control of lck gene expression in the resulting hybrids. Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody against the Lck protein showed a marked decrease in p56lck expression in B82 x EL4 (BEL) hybrids. In contrast to BEL hybrids, the level of p56lck was not changed significantly in S194 x EL4 (SEL) hybrids and was approximately one-half of that seen in EL4 cells. Diminished expression of the Lck protein in BEL hybrids paralleled downregulation of lck mRNA, which was exclusively transcribed from the distal promoter in EL4 cells. It is unlikely that the suppression was simply a consequence of chromosome segregation critical for lck gene expression, since BEL hybrids retained the EL4-derived lck gene and most of the chromosomes from both parental cells. The results from treatment of BEL hybrids with actinomycin D or cycloheximide suggested that suppression of lck gene expression in the hybrids might not be due to posttranscriptional control. DNA methylation status in the lck distal promoter and the coding regions did not appear to correlate with the expression of the gene. Our results suggest that negative control of lck gene expression differs between fibroblasts and B cells, in that lck gene expression in T cells can be shut down by transfer of a putative repressor factor or factors in fibroblasts but not in B cells.

Sequence analysis of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core gene suggests the core protein as an appropriate target for HCV vaccine strategies

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major healthproblem with a prevalence of 1% in the United States population, and a significant percentage of infected patients progress to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Interferon therapy has demonstrated that the immune system can be modulated to alter the acute course of the disease, but long-term treatments remain elusive. Prevention of hepatitis C infection is therefore an important strategy to mitigate the impact of this disease. Initial attempts at vaccination have focused on recombinant envelope vaccines, which have shown an ability to protect against very low titre challenges of HCV in chimps. The need for vaccines capable of protecting against higher titre challenges has led to the search for alternative vaccine strategies. The most highly conserved structural protein in the HCV genome is the core protein, and vaccine strategies targeting the core protein have been proposed to increase vaccine efficacy. The variability of HCV core sequences and genotypes in the Ann Arbor patient population are not known, and the present study was undertaken to assess the theoretical feasibility of developing a HCV core vaccine by excluding promiscuous core (C) gene variability as a mechanism of vaccine failure. Results of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence analysis from 13 of 14 patients studied reveal a 93% nucleotide and 96.4% amino acid core sequence homology in the C gene regions studied. Genotype analysis revealed four of 14 to be type 1a and nine of 14 to be type 1b with one infection not being sufficiently characterized to determine genotype. These results demonstrate a sufficiently high degree of conservation of HCV core sequences in our patient population to permit design of a vaccine directed against core protein.

Differential expression of the T cell receptor/CD3 genes and their lymphoid-specific transcription factor genes in murine T cell x fibroblast and T cell x B cell hybrids

We generated cell hybrids between mouse T cell lymphoma EL4 cells and mouse fibroblast B82 cells (BELIII and BELIV) to examine the expression of T cell receptor (TcR)/CD3 genes and their lymphoid-specific transcription factor genes, which are normally detected in EL4 cells. In BELIII and BELIV, expression of the TcR alpha, TcR beta and CD3 delta genes was extinguished, whereas expression of the CD3 epsilon gene was still detected. Expression of the (lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1) LEF-1 gene was extinguished and that of the GATA-3 gene was hardly detected in BELIII and BELIV. Ets-1 gene expression, observed not only in EL4 cells but also in B82 cells, was considerably reduced in BELIII and BELIV. A much higher level of PEBP2 alpha A gene expression was observed in B82 cells than in EL4 cells and was preserved in BELIII and BELIV. To examine whether reduced expression of these genes is also found in T cell x B cell hybrids, we generated an additional cell hybrid between EL4 cells and mouse plasmacytoma S194 cells (SELIII). Marked differences were observed in the expression of the TcR alpha, CD3 delta, LEF-1 and PEBP2 alpha A genes in BEL and SEL hybrids. Expression of the TcR alpha, CD3 delta and LEF-1 genes, which was extinguished in BELIII and BELIV, was detected in SELIII. PEBP2 alpha A gene expression, not detected in S194 cells, was considerably reduced in SELIII. Almost the sum of the chromosomes from the parental cells were retained by, and the presence of every gene was proven, in each cell hybrid. These results suggest that suppression of the expression of lymphoid-specific transcription factor genes may precede that of the TcR/CD3 genes in the cell hybrids, and that the presence of a different trans-acting negative regulatory mechanism(s) suppresses the expression of T cell specific genes in fibroblasts and B cells.

Laminin-rich extracellular matrix maintains high level of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 in rat hepatocyte culture

Laminin-rich extracellular matrix, EHS-gel, has been demonstrated to keep a high level of liver-specific gene expression in cultured rat hepatocytes. To obtain information about the effect of EHS-gel on liver-specific functions, gene expression of liver-enriched transcription factors in rat hepatocytes was investigated. The apolipoprotein A-I and albumin mRNA levels were higher in hepatocytes cultured on EHS-gel than in those cultured on type I collagen (TIC). The levels of mRNA for HNF-4, C/EBP alpha and C/EBP beta were also higher on EHS-gel than on TIC. The level of HNF-4 mRNA in hepatocytes on EHS-gel was almost comparable to that in liver. The HNF-3 alpha mRNA level was lower on EHS-gel than on TIC. C/EBP beta mRNA was induced by dexamethasone in both EHS-gel and TIC. The induction of C/EBP alpha and HNF-4 by dexamethasone was observed only on TIC. These data suggest that EHS-gel leads hepatocytes to keep the phenotypic expression through high expression of liver-enriched transcription factors, such as HNF-4.

Role of intron I in expression of the human factor IX gene

The first intron (intron I) of the human factor IX gene, which has been previously suggested of having an expression-augmenting activity, was systematically studied for its potential enhancer activity. When tested with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression vector with a minimal factor IX promoter, subregions of intron I showed only marginal enhancing activities (1.7-1.9-fold enhancement at the highest). Smaller subregions encompassing nucleotides 5660-6350 of the intron sequence even showed some weak negative regulatory activities (approximately 50% suppression at the highest), while a cytomegalovirus enhancer sequence, which was used as the positive control, had a 7-fold enhancement. A set of three factor IX minigene expression vectors with the same factor IX promoter were then constructed: p-416FIXc which contained the factor IX cDNA, p-416FIXm1 which contained the factor IX cDNA with a largely truncated intron I, and p-416FIXm2 which contained the factor IX cDNA with the intron I sequence further truncated. The p-416FIXm1 and p-416FIXm2 constructs showed 7-9-fold higher expression activities than p-416FIXc. The elevated factor IX antigen levels agreed well with the grossly elevated factor IX clotting activity and mRNA levels. These results indicate that the expression enhancing activity of intron I is not due to specific enhancer elements present in the intron subsequences, but is due to functional splicing sequences present in the precursor mRNAs produced from the minigene constructs containing intron I. By being efficiently assembled into spliceosome complexes, transcripts with splicing sequences may be better protected in the nucleus from random degradations than those without such sequences.

High efficiency prokaryotic expression and purification of a portion of the hepatitis C core protein and analysis of the immune response to recombinant protein in BALB/c mice

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) produces chronic persistent liver infection in 1-2% of the U.S. population and is the leading cause of end stage liver disease in patients presenting for liver transplantation at our center. Efforts to cure persistent HCV infection are frequently unsuccessful, so the development of a HCV vaccine is a high priority. HCV envelope proteins are hypervariable so production of a recombinant surface antigen vaccine such as is available for hepatitis B is not likely to confer widespread, high level protective immunity. As the most highly conserved structural protein in the HCV genome, the core protein is one reasonable target for vaccine production. Presented here are data on the manufacture of recombinant core protein containing partial carboxy terminus deletions in an effort to increase the efficiency of core expression. The maltose binding protein (MBP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein prokaryotic expression systems were used to study two different constructs, expressing the first 140 and 163 amino acids of the core region. Deletion of the 23 amino acids (aa) from aa141-163 led to a marked increase in the efficiency of protein production from < 1 to 3-4 mg/liter for both systems studied. Protein purification was accomplished using affinity chromatography (MBP) or inclusion body isolation (GST) as determined by SDS-PAGE gels and immunotransblot with HCV core protein-specific monoclonal antibody. Finally, the immune response to recombinant protein was assessed in BALB/c mice using a MBP HCV core fusion protein and an ELISA developed using GST HCV core protein as a target. In all mice of this strain, serum anti-HCV core antibody titer increased to 10(-4), two logs above background, following immunization in conjunction with Freund's complete adjuvant. These results represent an encouraging first step toward production of a core protein vaccine. Recombinant core protein is a useful tool to study the immune response to core protein and may be useful to further study the epidemiology and biology of the HCV virus.

[Clinical study of autologous blood transfusion in pregnant women]

The effect of autologous blood donation during the third trimester of pregnancy on the maternal circulation, the properties of blood collected in a phosplatebuffered citrate anticoagulant solution, and the clinical outcome of autologous blood donation and transfusion for pregnant women were investigated in this study. Thirty-four pregnant women with placenta previa or previous cesarean delivery underwent phlebotomies in an autologous transfusion program. Three hundred ml of blood was collected under the observation of fetal heart rate patterns and uterine contractions from 3 weeks prior to the planned date of cesarean section and a total of 900 ml of blood was stored. Electronic fetal monitoring tracings were all normal and changes in blood pressure and pulse rates were minimal during the blood donation. The decrease in hemoglobin after the removal of 900 ml of blood was only 0.6g/dl on average during the 3 weeks, since the concentration of erythropoietin in serum and the counts of reticlocyte increased in a few days after blood removal. But there were no significant changes in TAT levels in serum. Twelve out of 34 pregnant women received the autologous blood transfusion during or after cesarean delivery and the homologous transfusions were avoided. The results of this study suggested that autologous blood transfusion for pregnant women with a high incidence of blood loss at delivery, such as placenta previa or previous cesarean delivery was safe and advantageous in avoiding homologous blood transfusion.

Cell type specific patterns of mRNA splicing in hepatoma cells transfected with the mutated albumin minigene of Nagase analbuminemic rats

We constructed an SV40-derived expression vector containing a mutated albumin minigene of Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR), and introduced it into cultured cells. Transient expression of the minigene mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Three kinds of aberrant mRNAs were expressed by the non-hepatic cells COS-1, and the undifferentiated human hepatoma cells HLE, transfected with the minigene. Their predominant mRNA lacked exon H (delta H), while mRNAs lacking exons H and I, or exons G and H were less abundant. This pattern of the mRNAs was similar to that of albumin mRNAs in the liver of old NAR. In contrast, a differentiated type of human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, expressed only delta H mRNA, like young NAR. These findings indicate that the expression system of the mutated minigene in cultured hepatoma cells is useful for understanding two-exon-skipping of albumin pre-mRNA of NAR.