Inhibitors of cGMP-dependent protein kinase block senescence induced by inactivation of T antigen in SV40-transformed immortal human fibroblasts

Immortal human fibroblasts isolated following transfection with thermolabile simian virus 40 T antigen lost division potential upon shift up in temperature due to heat inactivation of the antigen. Such cells showed a concomitant change in the distribution of a mortality marker, mortalin, from a juxtanuclear cap like distribution of immortal cells to a uniform cytosolic distribution of mortal cells. We made an attempt to modulate the above inducible system of cellular senescence using various protein kinase inhibitors. Among the indolocarbazole type inhibitors tested, only KT5823, defined as a specific inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, blocked the loss of division potential as determined by cell growth and colony forming ability. This inhibitor also prevented the above change in mortalin distribution due to temperature shift. In addition, the isoquinoline sulfonamide derivatives H8, H9, H88 and H89, all shown to inhibit cGMP-dependent protein kinase, suppressed the senescence. Inhibitors specific to other types of protein kinases, protein phosphatases or tyrosine kinases tested had no effect. Since there was no difference between the effective and non-effective inhibitors in their effects on cell cycle progression, cell cycle arrest by itself cannot account for the above phenomenon. These results suggest that a signaling pathway possibly mediated by cGMP-dependent protein kinase is involved in the induction of cellular senescence.

Scanning tunneling microscopic study of osmium-impregnated collagen

The vapor-phase osmium impregnation method was applied to increase the conductivity of the collagen specimens used in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), since the application of STM to biological materials has been limited by the poor conductivity, irregular sample geometry, and instability of these materials. The impregnation method was applied to collagen fibrils attached to highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, and the STM images obtained were compared with those of routinely processed uncoated specimens. The osmium-impregnated collagen fibrils showed a periodicity of about 67 nm, which was also observed on the negative-stained specimens by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the periodicity of 3.1 nm, which corresponded to the helical cycle of the 3 alpha-chains within collagen, was clearly demonstrated by STM. Moreover, the comparative observations of collagen specimens without osmium impregnation disclosed the left-handed helical structure with a periodicity of 3.1 nm in a single collagen filament.

Extraordinarily high eosinophilia and elevated serum interleukin-5 level observed in a patient infected with Paragonimus westermani

OBJECTIVE

Although eosinophilia is one of the typical clinical features of some helminth infections, the degree of eosinophilia in helminthiasis is usually 10% to 30% with a total white blood cell count of 10,000 to 20,000/mm3. Here we report a case of extraordinarily high eosinophilia (91%; absolute eosinophil count, 84,000/mm3) caused by Paragonimus westermani infection. To determine the mechanisms of eosinophilia, the levels of several eosinophilopoietic cytokines in the patient's sera were measured during the course of treatment.

METHODS

Serum levels of three cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3 (IL-3), and IL-5 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial kits or our own assay system for IL-5.

RESULTS

Although the kinetic changes of IL-5 correlated well with eosinophilia, the serum IL-3 level remained below the detection level throughout the period examined. Although the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor level was twofold to threefold higher than the normal level, its kinetics did not parallel the degree of eosinophilia.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that Paragonimus westermani infection can induce an extraordinarily high level of eosinophilia with an associated increase in IL-5 production. Immunoserologic diagnosis for parasitic diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilia.

Chromosomal localisation of a Y specific growth gene(s)

Although a Y specific growth gene(s) has been postulated in the Yq11 region, the precise location has not been determined. To localise the growth gene(s), we correlated genotype with stature in 13 Japanese and four European non-mosaic adult male patients with a partial Yq deletion. Fourteen patients preserving the region between DYS11 and DYS246 did not have short stature (11 Japanese, 165-180 cm; three Europeans, 165-173 cm) whereas the remaining three patients with the region deleted had short stature (two Japanese, both 159 cm; one European, 157 cm). The results suggest that the region defined by DYS11 at interval 5C and by DYS246 at interval 5D may be the critical region for the Y specific growth gene(s).

Turner syndrome and female sex chromosome aberrations: deduction of the principal factors involved in the development of clinical features

Although clinical features in Turner syndrome have been well defined, underlying genetic factors have not been clarified. To deduce the factors leading to the development of clinical features, we took the following four steps: (1) assessment of clinical features in classic 45,X Turner syndrome; (2) review of clinical features in various female sex chromosome aberrations (karyotype-phenotype correlations); (3) assessment of factors that could lead to Turner features; and (4) correlation of the clinical features with the effects of specific factors. The results indicate that the clinical features in 45,X and in other female sex chromosome aberrations may primarily be determined by: (1) degree of global non-specific developmental defects caused by quantitative alteration of a euchromatic or non-inactivated region; (2) dosage effect of a pseudoautosomal growth gene(s), a Y-specific growth gene(s), and an Xp-Yp homologous lymphogenic gene(s); and (3) degree of chromosome pairing failure in meiocytes that are destined to develop as oocytes in the absence of SRY. 1991; Grumbach and Conte 1992). However, the pertinent factors have not been determined to date. The method to clarify the factors responsible for the development of the Turner phenotype can be broken down into the following steps: (1) assessment of clinical features in classic 45,X Turner syndrome; (2) review of clinical features in various female sex chromosome aberrations (karyotype-phenotype correlations); (3) assessment of factors that could lead to Turner features; and (4) correlation of the clinical features with the effects of specific factors. If the clinical features in 45,X and in other female sex chromosome aberrations are explained by the effects of specific factors, it can be said that such factors contribute to the development of Turner features. In this paper, we take each of the above steps, and propose the principal factors involved in the development of clinical features in Turner syndrome.

A possible mechanism for the hypoxia-hypoglycemia-induced release of excitatory amino acids from cultured hippocampal astrocytes

In order to elucidate the mechanism of release of excitatory amino acid (EAA) induced by hypoxia-hypoglycemia (in vitro ischemia) from cultured hippocampal astrocytes, we compared the EAA release by in vitro ischemia with those by other treatments. The EAA release induced by in vitro ischemia treatment was rapid and reversible. The amount of released aspartate was comparable to that of glutamate, although the endogenous content of aspartate was one sixth that of glutamate. High-K (100 mM) treatment and the addition of 5 mM NaCN induced a rapid EAA release and the glutamate release was much greater than aspartate. Addition of 5 mM iodoacetate, a glycolysis inhibitor, induced a slow EAA release, and the amount of released aspartate was much higher than that of glutamate. On the other hand, the in vitro ischemia treatment and the addition of 5 mM NaCN induced only 20% reduction in ATP content for initial 5 min, whereas the addition of 5 mM iodoacetate induced a marked reduction. Our data suggest that ischemia-induced EAA release from astrocytes is a complex process in which local energy failure, inhibition of glycolysis, and depolarization of the cell membrane are involved.

Immunohistochemical analysis of dendritic/Langerhans cells in thyroid carcinomas

Recent immunohistochemical investigations of thyroid carcinomas have revealed that dense infiltration by dendritic cells (DCs) is correlated with a favorable prognosis. The present study was done to clarify the frequency and characteristics of DC infiltration in thyroid carcinomas, and also cytokines associated with DC maturation and migration. Compared with follicular carcinomas, papillary carcinomas contained significantly higher numbers of DCs, interleukin (IL)-1 alpha- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-positive cells, and cells positive for two TNF-alpha receptors (p60 and p80). The centers of cancer nodules had large numbers of CD1a- and CD1c-positive DCs suggesting that they were Langerhans cells, whereas the periphery of cancer nodules and inflamed surrounding thyroid tissues had numerous CD1b-, L-M2- and X-12-positive DCs suggesting that they were interdigitating cells, as well as many CD1a- and CD1c-positive DCs. Neoplastic cells of papillary carcinomas were more frequently reactive with antibodies against IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha than those of follicular carcinomas, and a good correlation between their immunoreactivity and the frequency of DCs was found. These data suggest that cytokines such as IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha released from carcinoma cells and cells in the cancer stroma may regulate the infiltration and maturation of dendritic/Langerhans cells, and that this process may be better preserved in papillary than in follicular carcinomas.

A 10-year experience of intraoperative radiotherapy for gastric carcinoma and a new surgical method of creating a wider irradiation field for cases of total gastrectomy patients

PURPOSE

To improve the prognosis of gastric cancer, radical surgical resection with extensive lymph node dissection plus intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was tried in our clinic. In addition, a new operative procedure was created to obtain wider irradiation field for total gastrectomy patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 183 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical gastrectomy with or without IORT from August 1983 to July 1992 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 58 patients who underwent radical operation plus IORT. A single dose of 28 to 30 Gy was delivered around the celiac axis with an electron beam of 12 MeV. Group 2, our historical control group, which showed no difference in age, sex and stage, consisted of 120 patients who underwent only radical surgery. In addition, a new method of total gastrectomy with IORT after mobilization of the tail and body of the pancreas was devised to get wider irradiation field for advanced gastric cancer.

RESULTS

Of the Stage II gastric cancer patients, all the 11 patients of group 1 are alive, whereas in group 2, the 4-year and the 8-year survival rates were 60% and 48%, respectively. In Stage III patients, the 8-year survival rate of group 1 was 55% vs. 35% in group 2. As for Stage IV patients, the 5-year survival rate of group 1 was 12% and that of group 2 was 13%.

CONCLUSION

Using this combined treatment modality of radical surgical operation+IORT, improved survival rates were obtained for Stage II and III gastric cancer patients. However, the method was ineffective for more advanced, Stage IV, patients. The wider irradiation field method used for total gastrectomy patients was safe and no complications were encountered.

Refinement of the locus for X-linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctata

Although the locus for X-linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX1) has been mapped to the region between PABX and DXS31 (the critical region is about 3 Mb long), the precise location within the critical region has not been determined. In this paper, we describe a boy with a 46,Y,der(X)t(X;Y)(p22.3;q11)mat karyotype and review the genotype-phenotype correlations in three male patients with the combination of apparent lack of clinical features of CDPX1 and a partial deletion of the critical region. The results suggest that the region defined by the two BssHII sites at 3180 and 3570 kb from the Xp telomere may be the target region for the CDPX1 locus.

Heritable formation of neuroectodermal tumor in transgenic mice carrying the combined E1 region gene of adenovirus type 12 with the deregulated human renin promoter

Adenovirus early 1 (E1) region gene products, including E1A and E1B, are required for transcriptional regulation of viral and cellular promoters in infected and transfected culture cells and for transformation of primary rodent cells. Here, we established a line of transgenic mice carrying the E1 region gene of human adenovirus type 12 under the control of the human renin promoter, in which a neuroectodermal tumor derived from retroperitoneal, olfactory, and/or pelvic regions was heritably developed with varying degrees of incidence and the phenotype was successfully passed through six generations. The transgenes were located in the region E2-E3 bands of chromosome 7 with which no genetic linkage to neuroectodermal tumors was previously demonstrated, and expressed only in the tumors but not in another tissue examined. Notably, in addition to the expression of a neural marker gene N-CAM, the three nuclear oncogenes, c-, L-, and N-myc, were coexpressed in the tumors. These results suggest that E1A and E1B are cooperatively involved in the heritable formation of neuroectodermal tumors associated with co-expression of the three sets of myc family genes.

Calbindin-D 28k immunoreactivity in the cerebellum of spinocerebellar degeneration

We studied immunoreactivity for calbindin-D 28k (CaBP), an intracellular calcium-binding protein, in the cerebellum of control subjects and of patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) including sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy and familial cortical cerebellar atrophy. In the cerebellum, CaBP immunoreactivity was seen exclusively in the Purkinje cell in both SCD and control groups. However, the number of CaBP-immunoreactive Purkinje cells was significantly reduced in SCD. CaBP immunohistochemistry also disclosed abnormal morphological changes of Purkinje cells, which was not visualized on conventional strains or not clearly demonstrated on immunohistochemistry for neurofilaments. Moreover, reduced CaBP immunoreactivity was observed even in some remaining Purkinje cells of SCD suggesting that loss of CaBP precedes neuronal loss of Purkinje cell. We conclude that CaBP is a useful marker for Purkinje cell degeneration, and that reduced CaBP expression might have some association with the mechanism of the Purkinje cell degeneration in SCD.

Electron microscopic study on the regenerating epithelium of the chronic gastric ulcer

Specimens from 31 cases of human gastric ulcers and 3 ulcer scars obtained at surgery were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A layer of simple cuboidal epithelial cells arising at the margin of the gastric ulcer migrated toward the ulcer base. Two types of regenerating epithelium (RE) were found: gastric and intestinal cell types. The gastric cell type RE originated from the gastric epithelium and was composed of immature cells which later matured to form primitive gastric glands. The intestinal cell type RE migrated from the intestinal metaplasia bordering the ulcer and contained immature cells which developed into absorptive and goblet cells forming primitive crypts and villi. In both types of RE, the basal lamina was frequently lacking. Moreover, degeneration and necrosis were often seen, especially in severe inflammatory focus. Profiles of Helicobacter pylori were observed in the gastric lumen, on the gastric type RE in about one third of the cases, but they were never found on the intestinal type RE.

Three-dimensional configuration of crypts of different types of colorectal adenomas

The three-dimensional configuration of isolated crypts of normal human colonic mucosa and colorectal adenomas was examined by scanning electron microscopy. For isolation of the crypts, the digestion method with HC1 was used for formalin fixed tissues, and the separation method with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) following ultrasonication was applied to fresh tissues. In a comparative study, the NaOH cell-maceration method, which visualized the sub-basal laminal collagen sheath, was applied. The isolated crypts from the normal colon were visualized as a single straight tubule resembling a test tube. Most isolated crypts of the tubular adenomas were visualized as elongated fan-like structures with several protuberances and a few short branchings. Their average length was more than twice that of the normal colonic mucosa crypts. Most crypts of the villous adenomas were visualized as slender tubules without protuberances and short branchings, and their average length was three times that of the tubular adenoma crypts. Most crypts of the tubulovillous adenomas were long and triangular with several longitudinal folds and protuberances, and the average length was about three times that of the tubular adenoma crypts.

Activation of the nuclear oncogenes N-myc and c-jun in carcinoid [correction of cartinoid] tumors of transgenic mice carrying the human adenovirus type 12 E1 region gene

The adenovirus (Ad) E1 region genes, E1A and E1B, are well known cooperatively to transform primary rodent cells and activate a number of cellular promoters, including nuclear oncogenes such as N-myc and c-jun, in transfected cell lines. However, there is still less information available on the in vivo mechanism(s) by which the E1 region gene, when chromosomally integrated in the living animals, exerts its effect on nuclear oncogene activation coupled with transformation. To investigate such in vivo activity of E1A we have used a series of microinjection experiments into fertilized eggs to generate three transgenic mice carrying the Ad12-type E1A/E1B genes under the control of the human renin gene. This transgene caused an early onset of bowel cartinoid tumors that express neural cell adhesion molecules, but do not metastasize to any region. Northern blot analysis revealed that the transgenes were considerably expressed in the tumors, but not in other tissues at detectable levels. Interestingly, the levels of N-myc and c-jun mRNAs in the cartinoid tumors were elevated 19- and 8-fold, respectively, as compared with those found in the control intestine. In contrast, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I mRNA level was not altered between the tumor and control intestines, suggesting that this unchanged expression may reflect the loss of tumor metastasis. These findings provide the first in vivo evidence that the expression of the Ad12 E1 region gene induces cartinoid tumors associated with the activation of the nuclear oncogenes N-myc and c-jun.

Guanidine neurotoxins are released with the digestive fluid of crabs (Crustacea, Brachyura)

During agonistic interactions intertidal crabs, when exposed to air, produce a foam made of digestive secretions, sea water and air bubbles. They also may release their digestive secretions in water when disturbed. Crabs belonging to the families Majidae, Xanthidae and Portunidae from Atlantic and Pacific areas, not related with human poisoning, possess substances in their digestive secretion which are neurotoxic to mice, block action potentials in nerve preparations, and are reversible on washing. After purification in Bio-gel P-2 chromatography and HPLC analysis, the spontaneously regurgitated secretion, the digestive secretion collected by stomach cannulation of crabs, and the water aquarium replete of intertidal crabs kept overnight show the presence of guanidine neurotoxins.

Genetic complementation of the immortal phenotype in group D cell lines by introduction of chromosome 7

Human immortal cell lines have been classified into at least four (A-D) genetic complementation groups by cell-cell hybrid analysis, i.e., a hybrid derived from different groups becomes mortal. Recently we have demonstrated that introduction of human chromosome 7 suppresses indefinite division potential in the non-tumorigenic human immortalized fibroblast lines KMST-6 and SUSM-1, both assigned to complementation group D. By extending our microcell-mediated chromosome transfer, we found that chromosome 7 also suppresses division potential in the human hepatoma line HepG2 (again, assigned to group D). Chromosome 7 was thus shown to suppress indefinite growth in the above group D cell lines irrespective of their cell types, or whether they are tumorigenic or not. Since chromosome 7 had no such effect on representative cell lines derived from complementation group A, B or C, these results indicate that the senescence gene(s) commonly mutated in the group D cell lines is located on chromosome 7.

Corneal epithelium in keratoconus

Specular microscopy was employed to study the corneal epithelium of 20 keratoconus patients (17 male, 3 female, average age 23.9 +/- 6.6 years). The patients were divided into three groups based on the severity of the keratoconus; early, intermediate, and advanced. Initially, epithelial changes were limited to enlargement of the superficial cells. As the disease progressed, elongated cells became prominent. Irregularly configurated and nucleated epithelial cells were observed in all cases. Morphomeric analysis showed that the mean area of the corneal epithelial cells was 906 +/- 203 microns 2 in the early stage, 1,416 +/- 521 microns 2 in the intermediate stage, and 1,641 +/- 372 microns 2 in the advanced stage. The shape factor was 0.32 +/- 0.05, 0.76 +/- 0.22, and 0.81 +/- 0.17, respectively. Controls were chronic wearers of hard contact lenses without corneal pathology. Analysis of their epithelium revealed no abnormalities. This finding suggests that the epithelial changes observed in keratoconus are not due to the wearing of contact lenses, but rather to the disease itself.

A novel peridinin-chlorophyll a protein (PCP) from the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium cohorticula: a high pigment content and plural spectral forms of peridinin and chlorophyll a

A new type of peridinin-chlorophyll a protein (PCP) was isolated from the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium cohorticula. Unlike previous studies. PCP was obtained as a single component in the presence of a protease inhibitor. The monomer had a molecular mass of 37 kDa with 12 peridinin molecules associated with 2 chl a molecules. This pigment content was much higher than that reported previously. We observed a partial amino acid sequence of the N-terminus that is novel among photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes. Magnetic circular dichroism clearly indicated that chl a in PCP had monomeric features. Multiple spectral components were suggested for both chl a and peridinin. Based on the high pigment content, the optical properties were compared with those for a reported PCP containing 4 chl a and 1 peridinin.

Endoscopic criteria of early squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchus

BACKGROUND

Early lung cancer, not extending beyond the bronchial cartilaginous layer without regional lymph node involvement is considered curable by endoscopic laser therapy or limited surgery. The endoscopic criteria for early squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchus, however, have not yet been determined.

METHODS

For 44 resected lesions of roentgenographically occult bronchogenic squamous cell carcinomas, the relationship between endoscopic findings and the degree of histologic extent of tumor was examined.

RESULTS

The lesions were divided into three types: polypoid or nodular (PN), flatly spreading (FS), and mixed. Thirty-three lesions arising from the central bronchus included 7, 19, and 7 of the PN, FS, and mixed types, respectively. In the central lesions, the degree of transmural invasion and the greatest dimension correlated, but the degree of intramural invasion of PN-type lesions was higher than that of the FS type. The PN-type lesions smaller than 10 mm and the FS type smaller than 15 mm in greatest dimension were found within the cartilaginous layer without regional lymph node involvement. All lesions of the mixed type were larger than 20 mm. Three of the lesions larger than 20 mm had regional lymph node involvement. All 11 lesions originating in the peripheral bronchus were of the FS type, and a lesion of only 5 mm in greatest dimension had extracartilaginous invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

The endoscopic criteria of early squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchus may be applied to central PN lesions smaller than 10 mm and central FS lesions less than 15 mm in greatest dimension. Any lesions of mixed type should be excluded from the criteria.

Neuroectodermal tumors expressing c-, L-, and N-myc in transgenic mice that carry the E1A/E1B gene of human adenovirus type 12

Adenovirus early 1 (E1) region gene products, including E1A and E1B, are required for transformation of primary cultured rodent cells. In order to investigate in vivo action of the E1 region, we established a line of transgenic mice carrying the oncogenic E1A and E1B genes of human adenovirus type 12 under control of the human angiotensinogen promoter. Histopathological analyses indicated that transgenic mice heritably develop neuroectodermal tumors arising from the pelvic region with varying degrees of incidence. The transgene was expressed in the neuroectodermal tumors as well as in TNT-1 cells, a cell line established from the tumors, where the human angiotensinogen promoter was constitutively active. The high level expression of c-, L-, and N-myc without gene amplification was notable in the original tumors and TNT-1 cells, but not in another tissue examined. The co-expression of the three sets of myc family genes in both the original tumors and the established cell line provided the possibility that the target cells for transformation may belong to a specific cell type that expresses all these oncogenes during development.

Comparative DNA analysis by image cytometry and flow cytometry in non-small cell lung cancer

To determine whether image cytometry (ICM) is advantageous for clinical DNA analyses of tumor cells, nuclear DNA contents measured by ICM were compared with those by flow cytometry (FCM), using 46 samples of non-small cell lung cancers. ICM was performed on smear specimens of fresh materials (f-ICM) and cell suspensions obtained from paraffin-embedded tumors (p-ICM). The same cell suspensions were also analyzed by FCM (p-FCM). Aneuploid rates/coefficient of variation (CV) of f-ICM, p-ICM, and p-FCM were 76.1/4.90, 71.7/5.01 and 60.9/5.31%, respectively. There was a high correlation in the DNA indices between p-ICM and p-FCM (r = 0.80). In the comparative DNA analysis, there were seven discordant samples. Six of them were estimated as aneuploid by p-ICM, but they were miscounted as diploid or undefinable (impossible) by p-FCM. This was caused by measuring condensed nuclei or debris. All "impossible" samples in p-FCM were squamous cell carcinoma with necrosis. In cell cycle analysis, the S and S+G2/M phase fractions in diploid samples were higher in p-ICM than those in p-FCM (P < 0.005), because the G0/G1 phase (2N) fraction presented by FCM was composed of cancer and non-malignant cells in diploid cancers. In ICM, they can be separately measured by means of morphological selection. These findings indicated that ICM is superior to FCM, especially for the practical DNA measurement of a few cancer cells and in the evaluation of the proliferation rates.

Empyema and mediastinitis complicating retropharyngeal abscess

A 21 year old man with a retropharyngeal abscess complained of right sided chest pain, and chest radiography and thoracocentesis revealed an empyema. A computed tomographic scan of the chest showed a posterior mediastinal abscess communicating with the right pleural cavity. Emergency thoracotomy was performed and the mediastinal abscess and empyema were drained.