Expression of tenascin in lymphocytic autoimmune thyroiditis

AIMS

To study the distribution of tenascin by immunocytochemistry in autoimmune diseases of the thyroid.

METHODS

Thyroids from patients with inflammatory lesions of the thyroid (lymphocytic thyroiditis Hashimoto, Grave's disease, thyroiditis DeQuervain) were studied by immunocytochemistry using antibodies against tenascin, collagen III, and collagen IV.

RESULTS

In autoimmune lymphocytic thyroiditis Hashimoto there was a characteristic corona-like staining pattern of tenascin around all activated lymph follicles with germinal centres. This staining pattern contrasted with the immunoreactions for collagen III and IV, which were not enhanced in the perilymphofollicular interstitium. In cases of thyroiditis DeQuervain the areas of early and ongoing fibrosis showed some diffuse staining for tenascin and for collagen III. Enhanced diffuse immunostaining for collagen IV in the perivascular and interfollicular interstitium was present in cases of Grave's disease. In Grave's disease no characteristic immunoreaction was detectable for tenascin.

CONCLUSIONS

The corona-like expression of tenascin around lymphofollicular infiltrates is distinctive of cases of lymphocytic thyroiditis. A similar staining pattern for tenascin has been reported in lymphoid hyperplasia of the thymus associated with myasthenia gravis, another autoimmunological disorder. There are good arguments that the activation and infiltration of lymph follicles in the thyroid during the course of autoimmune diseases lead to stimulation and activation of the surrounding mesenchyme producing tenascin as part of the extracellular matrix.

Analogues of capsaicin with agonist activity as novel analgesic agents: structure-activity studies. 4. Potent, orally active analgesics

Structural features of three regions of the capsaicin molecule necessary for agonist properties were delineated by a previously reported modular approach. These in vitro agonist effects were shown to correlate with analgesic potency in rodent models. Combination of optimal structural features from each of these regions of the capsaicin molecule have led to highly potent agonists (eg., 1b). Evaluation in vivo established that 1b had analgesic properties but poor oral activity, short duration of action, and excitatory side effects which precluded further development of this compound. Preliminary metabolism studies had shown that the phenol moiety of 1b was rapidly glucuronidated in vivo, providing a possible explanation for the poor pharmacokinetic profile. Subsequent specific modification of the phenol group led to compounds 2a-j, which retained in vitro potency. The in vivo profiles of two representatives of this series, 2a,h, were much improved over the "parent" phenol series, and they are candidates for development as analgesic agents.

Asymmetric interactions between phosphorylation pathways regulating ciliary beat frequency in human nasal respiratory epithelium in vitro

1. The effects of the sequential stimulation of ciliary beat frequency (CBF) via two different phosphorylation cascades (dependent on protein kinase A (PKA) and calmodulin, respectively) were determined using video microscopy applied to a perfused preparation of human nasal respiratory epithelium in vitro. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) (10(-3) M) was used to stimulate PKA and the calcium ionophore 4-Br-A23187 (10(-5) M) was used to stimulate calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation. 2. Perfusion with db-cAMP (10(-3) M) alone showed an early rise in CBF (15.0 +/- 4%, mean +/- S.E.M., P < 0.05) by 10 min which remained elevated for 35 min; in contrast, the highest CBF response to 4-Br-A23187 (10(-5) M) alone was not achieved until 35 min (16.1 +/- 1.8%, P < 0.05). 3. When a db-cAMP stimulus was applied to cells which had been pre-incubated with 4-Br-A23187 for 30 min, a further rise in CBF (maximal at 20 min, 14.3 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) was observed. Reversing the sequence of perfusions, cells pre-incubated with db-cAMP showed no further rise in response to stimulation with 4-Br-A23187. 4. We hypothesized that PKA inhibited the response to the 4-Br-A23187. This notion was supported by the restoration of the CBF response (22.8 +/- 4%, P < 0.05) to 4-Br-A23187 when the cells were pre-incubated with the protein kinase inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (10(-3) M), before the sequential perfusions with db-cAMP and 4-Br-A23187. We conclude that the A23187-dependent pathway, which regulates intrinsic CBF, is inhibited by db-cAMP but not vice versa.

Anaerofilum pentosovorans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Anaerofilum agile sp. nov., two new, strictly anaerobic, mesophilic, acidogenic bacteria from anaerobic bioreactors

Strictly anaerobic, gram-positive, nonsporing, thin rod-shaped organisms whose cells were 0.2 to 0.6 by 3 to 6 microns were isolated from a Hoechst Biohochreaktor (strain FaeT [T = type strain]) and from the biofilm population of a fixed-film reactor treating sour whey (strain FT). Strain FT was vigorously motile during early logarithmic growth by means of peritrichously inserted flagella, while strain FaeT was seldom motile and usually possessed no flagella. During the stationary growth phase both strains formed spheroplasts. The temperature optimum was close to 37 degrees C (temperature range for growth, > or = 17 to < 45 degrees C) and the pH optimum was 7.0 to 7.4 (pH range, 6.5 to 8.0) for both strains. The two organisms grew chemoorganotrophically on a number of mono- and disaccharides, including glucose and xylose; yeast extract was required for growth. The principal fermentation products from glucose included lactate, acetate, ethanol, formate, and CO2. Hydrogen was not generated. The G + C contents of the DNAs of strains FaeT and FT were 55 and 54.5 mol%, respectively. The cell wall architecture was typical of gram-positive bacteria; the cells had an extraordinarily thin type A3 alpha' peptidoglycan layer containing muramic acid. Analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA sequences of the two new isolates demonstrated that they represent members of a new genus of bacteria in Clostridium cluster IV of the domain Bacteria and that the misclassified organism Fusobacterium prausnitzii and Clostridium leptum are among their closest relatives. The names Anaerofilum pentosovorans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain, strain Fae [= DSM 7168]) and Anaerofilum agile sp. nov. (type strain, strain F [= DSM 4272]) are proposed.

Isolation and characterization of a new gram-negative, acetone-degrading, nitrate-reducing bacterium from soil, Paracoccus solventivorans sp. nov

An acetone-degrading, nitrate-reducing, coccoid to rod-shaped bacterium, strain L1, was isolated from soil on the site of a natural gas company. Cells of the logarithmic growth phase reacted gram positive, while those of the stationary growth phase were gram negative. Single organisms were 0.4 to 0.5 by 0.9 to 1.5 microns in size, nonmotile, and non-spore forming and had poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate inclusions. The doubling time of strain L1 on acetone-CO2-nitrate at the optimal pH of 7 to 8 and the optimal temperature of 30 to 37 degrees C was 12 h. More than 0.2% NaCl or 10 mM thiosulfate inhibited growth. For oxygen or nitrate respiration, acetone and a few organic chemicals were utilized as carbon sources whereas many others could not be used (for details, see Results). Bicarbonate (or CO2) was essential for growth on acetone but not for growth on acetoacetate. The growth yields for acetone-CO2 and acetoacetate were 28.3 and 27.3 g/mol, respectively. With acetone as the carbon source, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate accounted for up to 40% of the cellular dry weight. The DNA of strain L1 had a G + C content of 68.5 mol% (as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography of nucleotides) or 70 mol% (as determined by the TM method). The sequence of the gene coding for the 16S rRNA led to the classification of strain L1 in the paracoccus group of the alpha subclass of the Proteobacteria. The new isolate is named Paracoccus solventivorans sp. nov. DSM 6637.

Similarities and differences in the structure-activity relationships of capsaicin and resiniferatoxin analogues

Structure-activity relationships in analogues of the irritant natural product capsaicin have previously been rationalized by subdivision of the molecule into three structural regions (A,B, and C). The hypothesis that resiniferatoxin (RTX), which is a high-potency ligand for the same receptor and which has superficial structural similarities with capsaicin, could be analogously subdivided has been investigated. The effects of making parallel changes in the two structural series have been studied in a cellular functional assay which is predictive of analgesic activity. Parallel structural changes in the two series lead to markedly different consequences on biological activity; the 3- and 4-position aryl substituents (corresponding to the capsaicin 'A-region') which are strictly required for activity in capsaicin analogues are not important in RTX analogues. The homovanillyl C-20 ester group in RTX (corresponding to the capsaicin 'B-region') is more potent than the corresponding amide, in contrast to the capsaicin analogues. Structural variations to the diterpene moiety suggest that the functionalized 5-membered diterpene ring of RTX is an important structural determinant for high potency. Modeling studies indicate that the 3D position of the alpha-hydroxy ketone moiety in the 5-membered ring is markedly different in the phorbol (inactive) analogues and RTX (active) series. This difference appears to be due to the influence of the strained ortho ester group in RTX, which acts as a local conformational constraint. The reduced activity of an analogue substituted in this region and the inactivity of a simplified analogue in which this unit is entirely removed support this conclusion.

K252a modulates the expression of nerve growth factor-dependent capsaicin sensitivity and substance P levels in cultured adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurones

K252a, an inhibitor of trk phosphorylation and nerve growth factor signal transduction in PC12 cells, blocked nerve growth factor-induced responses in cultured adult rat dorsal root ganglion sensory neurones. The nerve growth factor-dependent appearance of capsaicin sensitivity and accumulation of the neuropeptide substance P were inhibited when dorsal root ganglion neurones were grown in the presence of low concentrations (100 nM) of K252a. At higher concentrations (3 microM), however, K252a stimulated the development of capsaicin sensitivity and the accumulation of substance P even in the absence of nerve growth factor. By using a wide dose range, therefore, we showed that K252a could either inhibit or mimic nerve growth factor's actions on sensory neurones. These results may explain the apparent paradox in the literature that some groups show a blocking effect of K252a on nerve growth factor-dependent survival of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurones, whereas other report that K252a can substitute for nerve growth factor or other trophic factors and promote neuronal survival.

Activation and degradation of benzoate, 3-phenylpropionate and crotonate by Syntrophus buswellii strain GA. Evidence for electron-transport phosphorylation during crotonate respiration

A strictly anaerobic, benzoate-degrading bacterium, Syntrophus buswellii strain GA, was able to degrade benzoate or 3-phenylpropionate to acetate, CO2 and H2, if the hydrogen partial pressure was sufficiently low. The hydrogen was removed in syntrophic coculture by Methanospirillum hungatei or by Desulfovibrio sp. through interspecies hydrogen transfer or in pure culture by the use of crotonate as reducible cosubstrate. Alternatively, S. buswellii strain GA could grow in pure culture with crotonate. Activities of seven catabolic enzymes were measured in crude cell extracts of S. buswellii strain GA grown with various substrates and of crotonate-grown S. buswellii strain DSM 2612A. Benzoate, 3-phenylpropionate and crotonate were activated by CoA ligases. Glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase was found to be involved in the degradation of aromatic compounds and enzymes catalysing beta-oxidation were involved in the reaction sequence from crotonyl-CoA to acetate. A c-type cytochrome was present in the cytoplasm, whereas b-type cytochromes were associated with the membranes of both S. buswellii strains grown on crotonate. These indicated the presence of an electron-transport system. A high growth yield of crotonate-grown S. buswellii strain GA might be explained by electron-transport phosphorylation in addition to substrate-level phosphorylation.

-Congenital hypoplasia of the anterior tricuspid leaflet as a cause of high-grade tricuspid valve insufficiency in a 64-year-old patient-

In a 64-year-old man a heart murmur was present since childhood and could be identified 8 years ago as isolated tricuspid regurgitation. Because of progressive dyspnea there was an indication for surgical treatment. Intraoperatively, we found a hypoplastic anterior leaflet, though the other two leaflets were preserved in totally good condition, without any evidence of endocarditis. Tricuspid valve replacement was performed as there was no chance of reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a congenital hypoplastic anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve.

Influence of inflammation or disconnection from peripheral target tissue on the capsaicin sensitivity of rat dorsal root ganglion sensory neurones

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurones from adult rats are known to lose their capsaicin sensitivity in vitro if they are cultured without nerve growth factor (NGF). Here we show similar results following peripheral nerve transection in vivo, which deprives DRG sensory neurones of target-derived NGF. By measuring capsaicin-stimulated 45Ca uptake into DRG neurones which had been briefly cultured, capsaicin sensitivity was shown to decrease in neurones whose axons had been previously severed in vivo. Conversely, during experimental inflammation of the rat paw, there is an increase in the supply of NGF to neurones innervating the inflamed area. In this case, however, no significant increase in capsaicin sensitivity could be demonstrated in briefly cultured neurones which had previously innervated an inflamed limb. This suggests that expression of capsaicin sensitivity in DRG is maximal at levels of NGF found in normal animals.

[Geriatric tumor surgery--change in the patient sample]

The comparison of our surgical tumor patients over 65 years of age treated in 1973-1974 or 1993-1994 showed the following results: increased average age and more patients with a greater unfavorable preoperative risk profile, an increase in colorectal tumors, a decrease in gastric carcinomas, no changes in tumor stages, more frequent sphincter-preserving operations for rectal tumors, an increase in the curative resection rate, lower mortality and shorter hospital stays. A curative resection of a malignant tumor is justified in the majority of elderly patients and should be performed considering the post-operative quality of life.

The effect of inhibitors on the growth of the entomopoxvirus from Amsacta moorei in Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth) cells

Within the family of Poxviridae, the entomopoxviruses are the most distant relatives of the more well-known and intensively studied orthopoxviruses (vaccinia and variola). The growth of the entomopoxvirus from Amsacta moorei (AmEPV) has been characterized in cell culture and compared to that of vaccinia virus (VV), the prototypic orthopoxvirus. The overall characteristics of infected cell cultures were generally similar between the two viruses. One striking difference noted was the apparent absence of proteolytic processing of late AmEPV viral proteins, a hallmark of vertebrate poxvirus infections associated with viral morphogenesis. AmEPV, like VV, was found to be sensitive to all the inhibitors of viral infection tested including phosphonoacetic acid, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, and isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone (IBT), a compound associated with the rather specific inhibition of vertebrate poxviruses. While both VV and AmEPV are inhibited by IBT, the inhibition of AmEPV, unlike that of VV, is not accompanied by either a breakdown of ribosomal RNA or a global inhibition of late viral protein synthesis. Instead, in the presence of IBT, AmEPV enveloped, immature virions form devoid of a well-differentiated core, which unlike mature virions fail to insert into occlusion bodies.

Contribution of interleukin-1 beta to the inflammation-induced increase in nerve growth factor levels and inflammatory hyperalgesia

1. Peripheral inflammation is associated with the local production of neuroactive inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. These may contribute to inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia by directly or indirectly altering the function or chemical phenotype of responsive primary sensory neurones. 2. To investigate this, inflammation was produced by the intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in adult rats. This resulted in a significant elevation in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the inflamed tissue and of the peptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the L4 dorsal root ganglion 48 h post CFA injection. 3. The effects of a steroidal (dexamethasone) and a non-steroidal (indomethacin) anti-inflammatory drug on the levels of NGF and IL-1 beta in inflamed tissue were investigated and compared with alterations in behavioural hyperalgesia and neuropeptide expression in sensory neurones. 4. Systemic dexamethasone (120 micrograms kg-1 per day starting the day before the CFA injection) had no effect on the inflammatory hyperalgesia. When the dose was administered 3 times daily, a reduction in mechanical and to a lesser extent thermal sensitivity occurred. Indomethacin at 2 mg kg-1 daily (i.p.) had no effect on the hyperalgesia and a dose of 4 mg kg-1 daily was required to reduce significantly mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. 5. The increase in NGF produced by the CFA inflammation was prevented by both dexamethasone and indomethacin, but only at the higher dose levels. Dexamethasone at the lower and higher dose regimes diminished the upregulation of IL-1 beta whereas indomethacin had an effect only at the higher dose. 6. The increase in SP and CGRP levels produced by the CFA inflammation was prevented by dexamethasone and indomethacin at the lower and higher dose regimes. 7. Intraplantar injections of IL-1 beta (0.01, 0.1 and 1 ng) produced a brief (6 h) thermal hyperalgesia and an elevation in cutaneous NGF levels which was prevented by pretreatment with human recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) (0.625 microgram, i.v.). The thermal hyperalgesia but not the NGF elevation produced by intraplantar IL-1 beta (1 ng) was prevented by administration of a polyclonal neutralizing anti-NGF serum. 8. IL-1 ra significantly reduced the mechanical hyperalgesia produced by CFA for 6 h after administration as well as the CFA-induced elevation in NGF levels. Anti-NGF pretreatment substantially reduced CFA-induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without reducing the elevation in IL-1 beta. 9. Intraplantar NGF (0.02, 0.2 and 2 microg) injections produced a short lasting thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia but did not change IL-1beta levels in the hindpaw skin.10. Our results demonstrate that IL-1beta contributes to the upregulation of NGF during inflammation and that NGF has a major role in the production of inflammatory pain hypersensitivity.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) differentially regulates the chemosensitivity of adult rat cultured sensory neurons

We have studied the effects of NGF on the chemosensitivity of adult rat DRG neurons over a 1-2 week period in vitro, using voltage-clamp and radioactive ion flux methods. A sustained proton evoked current was reversibly lost in NGF-free medium after 1 week. Proton-evoked efflux of radioactive 86Rb+ ions was also depressed in NGF deprived cultures, although depolarization with 40 mM potassium still evoked a large 86Rb+ efflux. A similar reversible loss of capsaicin sensitivity was noted. The response to GABA and a second, transient proton evoked current were also regulated by NGF, but over a longer time course. In contrast, the sensitivity to ATP was not influenced by the presence or absence of NGF. These data show that NGF regulates some, but not all, chemosensitivities of DRG neurons and that loss of sensitivity occurs at different rates for different agonists. The precise co-regulation of the response to capsaicin and the sustained response to protons provides further evidence that protons activate capsaicin-operated ion channels.