Reduced motility related protein-1 (MRP-1/CD9) gene expression as a factor of poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

Motility related protein-1 (MRP-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is identical to the CD9 antigen. In previous studies, we showed that various types of cultured tumor cells transfected with MRP-1/CD9 cDNA have low motility and diminished metastatic potential to the lung. More recently we used immunohistochemical procedures, immunoblotting, and reverse transcription-PCR to demonstrate that the level of MRP-1/CD9 expression was inversely related to the clinical stage of a given carcinoma of the breast. In addition, we found that the primary tumors of almost 50% of the patients had higher MRP-1/CD9 levels than their respective metastatic lymph nodes. In consideration of these findings, we have now applied reverse transcription-PCR to determine MRP-1/CD9 gene expression in lung cancer. We analyzed tumor tissues of 109 patients: 49 tumors were stage I; 15 were stage II; and 45 were stage III. We found that 67 patients had MRP-1/CD9-positive tumors, and that gene expression was reduced in the tumors of the remaining 42 individuals. The overall rate of survival was strikingly higher among patients with positive tumors than in those whose tumors had reduced gene expression (62.3 versus 34.9%; P < 0.001). This also pertained to patients with adenocarcinomas of the lung (55.4 versus 26.0%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model indicated that MRP-1/CD9 positivity correlated better with overall survival rate than did other variables, except lymph node status. Our data suggest that low MRP-1/CD9 expression by tumors of the lung may be associated with poor prognosis. It is conceivable that testing for MRP-1/CD9 may identify node-negative lung cancer patients and patients with adenocarcinomas who are at high risk for early disease recurrence.

Effects of interferon-gamma on cell differentiation and cytokine production of a human monoblast cell line, U937

The U937 cell, a human monoblast cell line, has been used as a model to study the function of human monocytes. We investigated the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on superoxide anion (O2-) production, cell surface antigens, and cytokine production of U937 cells. IFN-gamma treatment enhanced O2- production of fMLP or PMA-stimulated U937 cells. IFN-gamma increased the ratio of CD23 and CD11b positive cells. The fluorescence intensity of CD14 and CD25 was enhanced by IFN-gamma treatment. U937 cells produced IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. IFN-gamma treatment enhanced TNF-alpha production, but decreased IL-6 production. These results suggest that IFN-gamma differentiates U937 cells to monocyte-like cells and it regulates the production systems of IL-6 and TNF-alpha separately in U937 cells.

[A comparative study of MAST and CAP RAST with 90 patients with bronchial asthma]

We measured serum IgE antibodies by the MAST and the CAP RAST in 90 patients refered to our asthma clinic and compared their results. Furthermore the patients with CAP positive/MAST negative were investigated by bronchial provocation test with allergen, skin test and CAP RAST inhibition test. Significant correlations were obtained between the results of the MAST and those of the CAP RAST for house dust 2 (r = 0.617), for Dermatophagoides farinae (r = 0.776) and for Japanese cedar (r = 0.609), but not for all 3 mold allergens. CAP positive/MAST negative results were found in 1.4-27.8% and MAST positive/CAP negative results were found in 0-2.7%. The presences of specific IgE antibodies were confirmed by a positive bronchial provocation test with allergen, skin test and CAP RAST inhibition test in CAP positive/MAST negative results. Those results indicate that the CAP RAST is more sensitive than the MAST.

Polymerization of recombinant Hb S-Kempsey (deoxy-R state) and Hb S-Kansas (oxy-T state)

In order to investigate the role of the R (relaxed) to T (tense) structural transition in facilitating polymerization of deoxy-Hb S, we have engineered and expressed two Hb S variants which destabilize either T state (Hb S-Kempsey, alpha 2 beta 2 Val-6,Asn-99) or R state structures (Hb S-Kansas, alpha 2 beta 2 Val-6, Thr-102). Polymerization of deoxy-Hb S-Kempsey, which shows high oxygen affinity and increased dimer dissociation, required about 2- and 6-fold higher hemoglobin concentrations than deoxy-Hb S for polymerization in low and high phosphate concentrations, and its kinetic pattern of polymerization was biphasic. In contrast, oxy- or CO Hb S-Kansas, which shows low oxygen affinity and increased dimer dissociation, polymerized at a slightly higher critical concentration than that required for polymerization of deoxy-Hb S in both low and high phosphate buffers. Polymerization of oxy- and CO Hb S-Kansas was linear and showed no delay time, which is similar to oversaturated oxy- or CO Hb S. These results suggest that nuclei formation, which occurs during the delay time prior to deoxy-Hb S polymerization, does not occur in T state oxy-Hb S-Kansas, even though the critical concentration for polymerization of T state oxy-Hb S-Kansas is similar to that of T state deoxy-Hb S.

Targeted mutation in the Fas gene causes hyperplasia in peripheral lymphoid organs and liver

Fas, a type I membrane protein that transduces an apoptotic signal, is expressed in lymphocytes as well as in various tissues such as the liver, lung and heart. The mouse lymphoproliferation (lpr) mutation is a leaky mutation in Fas. By means of gene targeting, we generated a mouse strain which is completely deficient in Fas. In addition to the massive production of lymphocytes, the Fas-null mice showed substantial liver hyperplasia, which was accompanied by the enlargement of nuclei in hepatocytes. The Fas system seems to play a role in the apoptotic process to maintain homeostasis of the liver as well as the peripheral lymphoid organs.

Effect of azelastine on endotoxin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice

We examined the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the pulmonary inflammatory process in mice, including the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by macrophages, and investigated the mechanism of action of azelastine (AZ) on the release of these two cytokines. Intratracheal instillation of 1.0 microgram/ml LPS into BALB/c mice caused a significant increase in both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in aqueous lung extracts. These changes were modified, under control conditions, by a single dose of 0.05 mg/kg of AZ administered 1 and 11 h after LPS infusion. Intratracheal instillation of LPS also caused a significant increase in bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (Mch). AZ significantly inhibited Mch responsiveness in LPS-infused mice compared with nontreated control mice. Our results suggested that intratracheal instillation of LPS induces the secretion of macrophage cytokines in the airways of mice, accounting, at least partly, for LPS-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Our results also indicate that the attenuating effect of AZ on LPS-induced airway hyperresponsiveness could be explained by its inhibitory effect on macrophage cytokine production.

[A case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis induced by shrimp]

The clinical study and in vitro study used with leukocytes were made of a case of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis induced by shrimp. A 26-year-old man experienced anaphylactic reaction of nasal obstruction, face edema and dyspnea while running 90 minutes after eating shrimp. He experienced similar episodes two years ago in his past history. IgE-RAST was positive for shrimp. Anaphylactic reaction and elevation of plasma histamine levels were verified by exercise challenge test after eating 100 g shrimp. At the same time, we verified the dedine of plasma cAMP levels after eating shrimp. In leukocyte stimulating test used with shrimp antigen, histamine level elevations, which were lower compared with calcium ionophore A23187 (Ca I 10(-6) M) stimulation, were recognized in dose dependent manner in this patient. But in normal subject, histamine level elevations were not recognized. We diagnosed him food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. It was suggested that there was relation between histamine release and decline of cAMP levels of plasma after eating shrimp in this case.

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography of carbonate apatites used for sintering

Gas chromatography was employed to quasi-continuously determine the amount of carbon dioxide that evolved from carbonate apatite specimens during sintering. Assuming that the carbonate in the specimens decomposed to carbon dioxide on a mole-for-mole basis, the determination of the carbon dioxide evolved allowed for the determination of the amount of carbonate that remained in the specimens during different stages of sintering. Previously, this measurement could be carried out only after sintering was completed. Comparison of data obtained from specimens compacted isostatically at 600 MPa for sintering with powder specimens indicated that the amount of carbonate remaining in the sintered apatite mass strongly depended on heating rates, heating temperatures, and holding-time intervals.

[Remnant-like particles-cholesterol (RLP-C) assay and its clinical application to lipid tests in a postprandial as well as fasting state]

It was during the past few years that postprandial hyperlipidemia is believed to be more closely related to a risk for coronary artery disease. However, the high variability in the postprandial triglyceride (TG) levels could have made overlooked such diagnostic value in estimating an individual's risk for coronary artery disease. To minimize the impact of such variability, the remnant lipoproteins, TG-rich lipoproteins, might be measured in cholesterol using remnant-like particles (RLP-C) assay as a more reliable marker. In place of the previous cholesterol reagent (CHOD-Iodine) in RLP-C assay, the RLP-C assay was improved by employing a new cholesterol reagent (POD-EMSE). The correlation between these two assays was high (r = 0.978). The variations in RLP-C levels in healthy normolipidemic subjects was within 7.5mg/dl in a day. In oral-fat loading test, the variations of RLP-C levels in healthy subjects were also within 7.5mg/dl. However, patients with coronary artery disease showed much higher levels (over 7.5mg/dl) of RLP-C during the test. In conclusion the RLP-C assay can be used for the measurement of remnant lipoproteins in serum prepared from the fasting as well as postprandial states for predicting subjects who may be at risk of coronary artery disease.

[Three patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, including one in whom pneumomediastinum recurred]

We encountered three patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. All three (two men and one woman) were previously healthy. They complained of chest pain or dyspnea. On admission, physical examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema. Chest roentgenograms and computed tomograms revealed pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. All other findings were normal. All patients were treated with bed rest and all recovered in 7 to 9 days. Pneumomediastinum recurred in one patient after 20 months.

Up-regulation of high-affinity dehydroepiandrosterone binding activity by dehydroepiandrosterone in activated human T lymphocytes

Although evidence indicates that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) exerts direct physiological effects, its mechanism of action remains unknown. DHEA binding sites were examined using a whole-cell binding assay in a human T lymphoid cell line, PEER, revealing that a single class of high-affinity binding sites for DHEA (dissociation constant = 7.4 +/- 0.53 nmol/L, mean +/- SE, n = 4) was greatly increased when treated with DHEA, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Bound [3H]DHEA was displaced sensitively by DHEA and secondarily by dihydrotestosterone, but not effectively by other steroids, including DHEA sulfate. These results not only indicate the existence of a DHEA receptor, but also suggest that T cells become susceptible to regulation by DHEA during the process of signal-induced activation.

Effect of the microtubule-disrupting drug colchicine on rat cerulein-induced pancreatitis in comparison with the microtubule stabilizer taxol

Effects of colchicine, a microtubule-disrupting agent, on rate exocrine pancreas were examined in comparison with the microtubule stabilizer Taxol for the purpose of analyzing the pathogenesis of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Taxol ameliorated the inhibition of pancreatic secretion, elevation of serum amylase level, pancreatic edema, and histological alterations induced by supramaximal cerulein stimulation. In contrast, colchicine by itself and colchicine followed by cerulein stimulation (maximal and supramaximal) inhibited pancreatic secretion but did not induce the hyperamylasemia, pancreatic edema, or formation of large vacuoles, which characterized cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Electron microscopic studies in the colchicine-treated rats revealed that transport vesicles were accumulated in the supranuclear region and that no large vacuoles were observed in the apical lesion. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed that colchicine inhibited pancreatic secretion and disrupted the arrangement of microtubules. Posttreatment of colchicine did not prevent the development of cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Vinblastine, another microtubule-disrupting drug, as well as colchicine, inhibited pancreatic secretion but did not induce acute pancreatitis. The results obtained in this study suggest that microtubule disorganization at a specific step in the process of intracellular vesicular transport causes cerulein-induced pancreatitis and that this step is more apical than that at which colchicine inhibits secretion in the pancreatic acinar cell.

The first observation of O2- generation at real time in vivo from non-Kupffer sinusoidal cells in perfused rat liver during acute ethanol intoxication

Infusion of ethanol or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) into the perfused rat liver immediately produces O2- which was detected directly by infusion of a Cypridina luciferin analogue, MCLA as a chemiluminescence reagent. The MCLA photon emission was inhibitable by SOD. Generation of O2- in the liver was further verified by nitroblue tetrazolium, formazan precipitate formation. Ethanol-induced O2- generation was unaffected by gadolinium chloride (GdCl3), an inhibitor of kupffer cells, while PMA induced O2- generation was completely abolished by GdCl3. Since PMA is a known stimulator of phagocytic cells including Kupffer cells, the results indicate, for the first time that ethanol stimulates a non-Kupffer cell population, probably liver sinusoid endothelial cell to produce O2-.

IL-2-induced gene expression of protein-tyrosine phosphatase LC-PTP requires acidic and serine-rich regions within IL-2 receptor beta chain

A protein-tyrosine phosphatase LC-PTP is preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells and is an early response gene in lymphokine stimulated cells. Here, we found the LC-PTP mRNA induction by IL-2 was markedly inhibited by several tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The induction required both the acidic and serine-rich regions of the IL-2 receptor beta chain (IL-2R beta) in mouse IL-3-dependent pro-B BAF-B03 transfectants. This is strikingly different from the induction of c-myc gene expression, which requires the serine-rich region alone. In addition, overexpression of activated-Lck or -Raf kinases resulted in augmented LC-PTP mRNA expression in myeloid cell line 32D transfectants. Considering the previous findings that the acidic region of the IL-2R beta is responsible for association with Lck and activation of Raf kinase, IL-2-induced expression of LC-PTP mRNA may be primarily transduced through a Lck-Raf mediated signaling pathway.

Motility related protein 1 (MRP-1/CD9) expression: inverse correlation with metastases in breast cancer

In our previous studies we showed that motility related protein 1 (MRP-1) is a glycoprotein recognized by mAb M31-15, and that the sequence of MRP-1 is identical to that of CD9, a WBC differentiation antigen. Transfection of MRP-1/CD9 cDNA into cultured nonhematopoietic cells suppresses cell motility. The extent of suppression is directly related to the level of MRP-1/CD9 expression. In addition, the metastatic potential of MRP-1/CD9-transfected melanoma BL6 cells is lower than that of control BL6 cells. To determine whether these experimental results are of relevance with respect to actual human tumors, we investigated MRP-1/CD9 expression in 143 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast. Of 97 patients with MRP-1/CD9-positive tumors, only 36 (37.1%) had lymph node involvement. In contrast, 21 of 39 (53.8%) patients whose tumors had reduced MRP-1/CD9 immunoreactivity and 5 of 7 patients whose primary carcinomas were not stained by the anti-MRP-1/CD9 MAb had lymph node metastases. The comparison of protein expression by 62 primary tumors and their respective metastatic lymph nodes revealed that in almost 50% of the cases, the latter had lower MRP-1/CD9 levels than the former. Moreover, reverse transcriptase-PCR-based analysis disclosed that MRP-1/CD9 gene expression in the metastatic lymph nodes of 17 of 32 patients was strikingly lower than in the primary invasive ductal carcinomas. Gene overexpression was not observed in any of the samples studied. Our data suggest that low MRP-1/CD9 expression may be associated with the metastatic potential of certain human tumors.

Effect of sympathectomy on inotropic responsiveness to alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation in developing mouse myocardia

Effects of postnatal sympathectomy on inotropic responsiveness to alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation were examined in mouse myocardia to determine whether the developmental conversion of alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic responses from positive to negative is triggered by sympathetic innervation. Sympathectomy was performed chemically by consecutively administering 6-hydroxydopamine for 14 days after birth and confirmed by the absence of inotropic responses to tyramine. In newborn myocardia, phenylephrine, in the presence of propranolol, produced concentration-dependent positive inotropic responses. Three weeks after birth, phenylephrine, in the presence of propranolol, produced concentration-dependent negative inotropic responses, both in control and in sympathectomized myocardia; no difference was observed between the two groups of mice in the maximum decrease in contractile force produced by phenylephrine. The sensitivity (pD2 value) to phenylephrine was significantly higher in sympathectomized myocardia. In conclusion, sympathetic innervation of the mouse ventricular myocardium is not required for the developmental conversion of the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic response from positive to negative.

Induction by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methylation, of Le(y) antigen, apoptosis and differentiation in human lung cancer cells

We recently developed a monoclonal antibody directed to carbohydrate antigen Le(y), BM-1/JIMRO, and found that expression of Le(y) antigen defined by BM-1/JIMRO was associated with the process of apoptosis, but not with cell proliferation or necrosis. In the present experiments, we examined with BM-1/JIMRO the effects of various differentiation inducers on the growth and expression of Le(y) antigen in human lung cancer A549 cells. We found that a specific inhibitor of methylation of DNA, 5-aza-2' deoxycytidine (ADC), could markedly induce expression of Le(y) antigen in association with induction of apoptosis and differentiation in the A549 cells. These results suggest that hypomethylation of DNA is involved in the molecular mechanisms of induction of Le(y) antigen, apoptosis and differentiation in the cells.

Characterization and gene cloning of 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1,3-beta-D-Glucan synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was solubilized and purified up to 700-fold by product entrapment. The specific activity of the partially purified enzyme was around 4 mumol glucose incorporated.min-1.mg protein-1. In SDS/PAGE, enrichment of a 200-kDa protein was clearly observed in parallel with the increase in specific activity. mAbs that could immunoprecipitate the 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase activity were isolated, and some of them also recognized this 200-kDa protein in the Western blot. Internal amino acid sequences of this 200-kDa protein were determined after lysyl endopeptidase digestion. With the information of these amino acid sequences, we cloned two genes, GSC1 and GSC2 (glucan synthase of S. cerevisiae 1 and 2), which are very similar to each other (88% at the amino acid level); hydropathy profiles of both proteins suggest that these genes encode integral membrane proteins which can be assumed to have approximately 16 transmembrane domains. Disruption of each gene was not lethal, but disruption of both genes was lethal. The 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase activities of membrane and partially purified enzyme of gsc1::URA3 cells were significantly lower than those of the wild-type and gsc2::LEU2 cells.

Hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis with spinal epidural granulomatous lesion

A 67-year-old woman with a one-year history of tinnitus and headache had multiple cranial nerve palsies of V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and spastic paraparesis. She also had a secretory otitis media. Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hypertrophy of the dura of the posterior fossa and spinal epidural mass which extended from C7 to T10. A biopsy of the epidural mass showed chronic granulomatous change. These lesions were completely cured with administration of antibiotics. We believe this case of double-lesion of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis and spinal epidural granulomatous lesion originated from a bacterial infection secondary to the secretory otitis media.

[RANTES expression on human bronchial epithelial cells]

Viral infection induces airway inflammation. It is possible that bronchial epithelium derived chemokine contributes to the migration and accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airway viral infection. We infected bronchial epithelial cells with influenza virus and analysed mRNA expression and production of RANTES. The expression of mRNA and the production of RANTES were detected in infected cells using RT-PCR method and ELISA.

Ligand binding domain of the human endothelin-B subtype receptor

We have employed both protein chemical and molecular biological approaches to determine the ligand binding domain of the endothelin-B subtype (ETB) receptor. The human ETB receptor purified from human placenta by using affinity chromatography was cross-linked with 125I-labeled endothelin-1 (ET-1) and then incubated in the presence of trypsin or thermolysin under nondenaturing conditions. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the radiolabeled polypeptide encompassed approximately 115 amino acid residues starting from Ile85 of the human ETB receptor. This was confirmed by experiments in which the binding activity of endothelin-1 to various chimeric endothelin receptors was monitored in the presence and absence of competitive endothelin receptor antagonists such as BQ-123 and bosentan. The region from Ile138 to Ile197 (60 amino acid residues) of the ETB receptor was found to interact with both antagonists. Therefore, this sequence was determined to be the ligand binding domain. In addition, we found that part of the N-terminal domain in close proximity to the first transmembrane region was required for the ligand binding activity of the ETB receptor, and the 12 amino acid residues from Ser390 to Leu401 at the proximal cytoplasmic tail are perhaps necessary to maintain the ligand binding site in active form. The cysteine rich region from residue 400 to residue 403 in the C-terminus of the ETB receptor is involved in coupling of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein for ET-1-induced signal transduction.

Hepatocyte growth factor as a hematopoietic regulator

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was originally isolated as a mitogen for adult hepatocytes, but this cytokine is now regarded as a multi-functional factor. In the present study, we show that the mouse liver in the middle and/or late stage of the fetal life expresses both HGF and c-met (its receptor) messages. HGF and c-met mRNA are coexpressed not only in the adherent layers of fetal liver long-term cultures (FL-LTCs) and adult bone marrow long-term cultures (BM-LTCs), but also in the stromal cell lines MS-5 and PA-6. Addition of human HGF (2 and 20 ng/mL) to the LTCs enhances (1) nonadherent cell counts (ninefold in FL-LTCs and sixfold in BM-LTCs), (2) nonadherent colony-forming unit-in culture (CFU-C) counts (eightfold in FL-LTCs and fivefold in BM-LTC), and (3) cobblestone colony counts. However, HGF slightly inhibits the proliferation of stromal cells. No direct effect of HGF on freshly isolated BM and/or FL cells is found in the CFU-C assay. However, an approximately 1.5-fold synergistic increase in CFU-C counts is noted when the BM or FL cells are cocultured with HGF in the presence of interleukin-3. These findings strongly suggest that HGF plays a crucial role as a hematopoietic regulator in the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors.

[The effect of flumazenil in reversing midazolam, flunitrazepam or diazepam]

In 31 adult patients who had undergone spinal or epidural anesthesia, we evaluated the effect of flumazenil in reversing midazolam, flunitrazepam or diazepam. The patients received midazolam 5 mg, flunitrazepam 1 mg or diazepam 5 mg 15 min after the spinal or epidural anesthesia. After the completion of operation, flumazenil (0.2 mg-1.0 mg) was administered until the patient became awake. Blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate before and after administration of flumazenil showed no statistically significant changes in these groups. There were no significant differences in necessary amount of flumazenil among these groups. The time necessary for the patient to be awake in midazolam group was significantly shorter than that in flunitrazepam or diazepam group. Half of the patients in flunitrazepam and diazepam groups slept again after leaving the operating room, but they presented no clinical problems. In conclusion, we consider that flumazenil does not affect circulation and respiration, so it seems to be safe and effective for reversing benzodiazepins in clinical situation.

[MR imaging of temporomandibular joint (TMJ): mandibular fracture and traumatic disk injury]

Using an 1.5 Tesla superconducting MR unit and surface coil, 12 mandibular fracture patients were evaluated for TMJ disk change. Sagittal and coronal images of the TMJ with a slice thickness of 2mm were obtained with FISP 2D or 3D. TR = 30 msec, TE = 12 msec, and flip angle = 40 degrees were applied. Among 12 patients, FISP 3D revealed increased signal intensity of the disk in 70% of cases. Traumatic fluid collection at or adjacent to the TMJ showed high intensity. The disk was displaced anteromedially regardless of the site of fracture.