Endothelin-1 and interleukin-8 in high altitude pulmonary oedema

We present a case of high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) with pulmonary hypertension and polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), which occurred in a 21 year old man. Plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentration in BALF were elevated on admission, and returned to normal level at recovery, when the pulmonary artery pressure and the PMN counts in BALF were normal. In addition, E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in BALF were also slightly increased on admission. These findings suggest that endothelin-1 is a vasoconstrictor which contributes to the pulmonary hypertension in high altitude pulmonary oedema, and that some of the inflammatory mediators play an important role in chemotaxis and accumulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the development of high altitude pulmonary oedema.

Iodine-123-MIBG imaging in pheochromocytoma with cardiomyopathy and pulmonary edema

We encountered a patient with pheochromocytoma associated with a catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy that developed recurrently bilateral and unilateral pulmonary edema. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was made by elevated plasma catecholamine levels and the intense tumor [123I]MIBG uptake and was confirmed at the time of surgery. The patient showed reduced myocardial [123I]MIBG uptake with left ventricular dysfunction, and endomyocardial biopsy findings were consistent with the diagnosis of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. After tumor resection, plasma levels of catecholamine were normalized, and pulmonary edema never recurred, although cardiac dysfunction did not show an improvement on echocardiography. Myocardial and lung [123I]MIBG uptake increased when compared to uptake levels on preoperative scans, but myocardial uptake was still below normal. These findings indicated that over-secreted catecholamines influenced both the heart and lungs. Pheochromocytoma can induce cardiac and lung injuries, and [123I]MIBG scanning may contribute not only to tumor characterization but also to assessing and monitoring the influence of catecholamines on the heart and lungs.

Cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with high altitude pulmonary oedema at moderate altitude in Japan

BACKGROUND

The precise mechanism of high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of cytokines and P-selectin in the development of HAPE which occurred at moderate altitude in Japan.

METHODS

The following cellular and biochemical markers and chemotactic cytokines were measured in the bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid from four patients with HAPE at 2857-3180 m in the Japanese Alps: total proteins, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and the soluble form of P-selectin.

RESULTS

At admission there were significant increases in the levels of total cells, especially macrophages and neutrophils, total protein, albumin and LDH when compared with 13 healthy individuals. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were also considerably increased but returned quickly to the normal ranges or were not detected after recovery. The levels of IL-1 alpha, IL-10, and P-selectin did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that an inflammatory process almost identical with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may occur in HAPE, but that these changes are transient and are not associated with any increase in P-selectin levels in the BAL fluid.

The substrate-binding site in Escherichia coli cyclophilin A preferably recognizes a cis-proline isomer or a highly distorted form of the trans isomer

The three-dimensional structure of Escherichia coli cytosolic cyclophilin A (CyPA) complexed with a tripeptide (succinyl-Ala-Pro-Ala-p-nitroanilide) was refined at 1.8 A resolution by the multiple isomorphous replacement method to a crystallographic R-factor of 17.6%. As in human CyPA, the peptide binding site in E. coli enzyme is in a cleft created on the surface of the upper sheet of two orthogonal beta-sheets. In this cleft, the walls of the hydrophobic pocket are formed by the side-chains of five non-polar residues, Phe48, Met49, Phe107, Leu108, and Try120, with Phe99 at the bottom. When the cis isomer of the tripeptide binds to the enzyme, a cis-proline ring is inserted into the hydrophobic pocket. Since the binding pocket of CyPAs are largely hydrophobic, the cis isomer of a peptide can be bound more firmly than the trans isomer. Distortion of the trans isomer could lead to better binding, but at an energetic cost of the distortion energy. At the periphery of the upper beta-sheet in E. coli CyPA, conformations of loops L1, L3, and L4 and the segment connecting alpha1 and beta3 with deletions or insertions against human CyPA differ significantly from those in human CyPA. The refined model also shows that steric hindrance to attachment of cyclosporin A (CsA) prevents E. coli CyPA forming a complex with CsA. Thus, the extra amino acid residue of E. coli CyPA, polar Gln89, lies along the pathway to the hydrophobic pocket of CyPA and seems to prevent the access hydrophobic part of CsA to the cleft of CyPA.

Fatal rhabdomyolysis during mountaineering

We treated two rare cases of acute rhabdomyolysis induced by heat stroke encountered during mountaineering. The clinical findings were complicated by severe acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), respectively. Though heat-related disorders occur frequently in mountain medicine in summer, severe and fatal rhabdomyolysis due to heat stroke is rare. It was also noteworthy that both patients had received treatment with antipsychotic drugs including phenothiazine. Even in a moderate exercise activity such as mountaineering, the possibility of rhabdomyolysis should be considered for all cases of heat stroke, especially those with a history of antipsychotic neuroleptics.

[Two cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome with pulmonary involvement histopathological study of open-lung biopsy specimens]

We report two cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome with pulmonary involvement, in which open lung biopsies were done. The patient in the first case was a 58-year-old woman and the patient in the second case was a 54-year-old woman. Both patients were admitted to our hospital because of dry coughing and exertional dyspnea. Chest X-ray films and CT scans showed interstitial shadows in both cases and multiple bullae in the first case. Pulmonary-function tests showed decreased diffusing capacity, and examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed increased percentages of lymphocytes. Open-lung biopsy specimens showed thickening of the alveolar septa and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration, composed predominantly of lymphocytes, with lymphoid follicles in both cases, and peribronchiolar mononuclear cell infiltration in the first case. Therefore, the histopathological diagnosis was cellular interstitial pneumonia with lymphoid follicles. Both patients were treated with oral corticosteroids. Symptoms were relieved and laboratory findings improved.

Protein disulfide isomerase mutant lacking its isomerase activity accelerates protein folding in the cell

We investigated the effect of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) on in vivo protein folding of human lysozyme (h-LZM) in a specially constructed yeast coexpression system. Coexpression with PDI increased the amounts of intracellular h-LZM with the native conformation, leading to an increase in h-LZM secretion. The results indicated that PDI is a real catalyst of protein folding in the cell. The secretion of h-LZM increased even when both active sites of PDI were disrupted, suggesting that the effect of PDI resulted from a function other than the formation of disulfide bonds. This is the first finding that PDI without isomerase activity accelerates protein folding in vivo.

[Acute lung injury and chemical mediators]

The essential abnormality in acute lung injury is an increase in pulmonary permeability. The mechanisms involved are complex, and may include direct effects on endothelial cells; the actions of neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes; and chemical mediators generated by these cells. Neutrophils are known to be important in acute lung injury, and the mediators they produce, especially protease and oxidants, may be responsible for endothelial cell injury. We studied the roles of neutrophil elastase and oxygen radicals in acute lung injury by Escherichia coli endotoxin in sheep with lung lymph fistulae. The results of these and other studies indicate that these substances are related to the increase in pulmonary permeability during the late phase of injury.

Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding human P5

The cDNA encoding human P5 was cloned and sequenced. The predicted 440-amino-acid (aa) sequence of human P5 contains two thioredoxin-like domains, which are also found in members of the protein disulfide isomerase superfamily. The human and hamster P5 genes reveal 87 and 93% similarity in their nucleotide and deduced aa sequences, respectively.

Molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding a novel protein disulfide isomerase-related protein (PDIR)

We isolated the cDNA of a novel protein disulfide isomerase (PDI)-related protein, designated PDIR, from a human placental cDNA library. Deduced from its nucleotide sequence, PDIR has the three CXXC-like motifs (Cys-Ser-Met-Cys, Cys-Gly-His-Cys and Cys-Pro-His-Cys), which are found in proteins within the PDI superfamily and are responsible for oxidoreductase activity. PDIR has a hydrophobic stretch at its amino terminus, which may serve as a signal sequence, and the putative endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal 'Lys-Glu-Glu-Leu' at its carboxy terminus, indicating that PDIR is an ER resident protein. Northern blots showed that PDIR is preferentially expressed in cells actively secreting proteins and that the expression of PDIR is stress-inducible. These results suggested that PDIR has oxidoreductase activity of disulfide bonds against polypeptides and that it acts as a catalyst of protein folding in the lumen of the ER.

[A case of lung metastasis from Meibomian gland carcinoma of eyelid with effective chemotherapy]

A 47-year-old man was admitted to Shinshu University Hospital in 1992 because of cough and chest abnormal shadow. In 1987, he had an operation for Meibomian gland carcinoma of his right lower eyelid, and also received radiotherapy. His chest X-ray film on admission showed tumor shadows in the bilateral upper lung fields. The chest CT scan showed tumors in the right S1 and the left S3. Bronchofiberscopic findings demonstrated stenosis of the right upper bronchus and an endobronchial mass occluding the left B3. A biopsy specimen of the endobronchial mass revealed sebaceous carcinoma, which was identical with that of the resected eyelid tumor. He received two courses of chemotherapy in a combination of CDDP 75 mg/m2 and ADM 50 mg/m2. The tumors on chest X-ray and CT scan became small by the chemotherapy. Bronchofiberscopy after the chemotherapy also revealed that the stenosis of the right upper bronchus improved and the endobronchial mass in the left B3 had disappeared. He died 8 months after initial chemotherapy with a response duration of 7 months.

[Color Doppler flow imaging of two newborns with subclavian steal phenomenon of the interrupted aortic arch (type B)]

Subclavian steal may occur in newborns with interrupted aortic arch (type B) as a result of collateral circulation. Color Doppler flow imaging could detect reversed blood flow images in the diastolic phase at the subclavian artery of two neonates with interrupted aortic arch (type B), indicating subclavian steal phenomenon at the left subclavian artery via the left vertebral artery. The diagnoses were confirmed by retrograde angiography from the radial artery.

Effects of ONO-5046, a specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor, on endotoxin-induced lung injury in sheep

The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (neutrophil) elastase in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in sheep with lung lymph fistula. We studied the effects of ONO-5046, a specific inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, on the lung dysfunction induced by the intravenous infusion of 1 microgram/kg of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Endotoxin alone produced a biphasic response as previously reported. Early (0.5-1 h) after endotoxin, pulmonary arterial pressure increased from 19.5 +/- 0.9 cmH2O at baseline to a peak of 46.8 +/- 2.4 cmH2O (P < 0.05). Pulmonary vascular resistance increased from 3.03 +/- 0.17 cmH2O.l-1.min at baseline to a peak of 9.77 +/- 0.70 cmH2O.l-1.min (P < 0.05). Circulating neutrophils decreased from 7,355 +/- 434/mm3 at baseline to a nadir of 1,762 +/- 32/mm3 (P < 0.05). Thromboxane B2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha concentrations in plasma and lung lymph were significantly increased. Late (3-5 h) after endotoxin, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance returned to baseline levels, but lung lymph flow remained increased from 4.2 +/- 0.3 ml/0.5 h at baseline to 7.3 +/- 0.7 ml/0.5 h (P < 0.05), with a slight increase in lung lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratio, suggesting increased pulmonary vascular permeability. The histopathological features of the lungs during the early period in sheep treated with endotoxin alone revealed a large increase in neutrophils per 100 alveoli and changes of pulmonary edema such as thickening of the interstitium of the lung and alveolar flooding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PDI and glutathione-mediated reduction of the glutathionylated variant of human lysozyme

A mutant human lysozyme, designated as C77A-a, in which glutathione is bound to Cys95, has been shown to mimic an intermediate in the formation of a disulfide bond during folding of human (h)-lysozyme. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), which is believed to catalyze disulfide bond formation and associated protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum, attacked the glutathionylated h-lysozyme C77A-a to dissociate the glutathione molecule. Structural analyses showed that the protein is folded and that the structure around the disulfide bond, buried in a hydrophobic core, between the protein and the bound glutathione is fairly rigid. Thioredoxin, which has higher reducing activity of protein disulfides than PDI, catalyzed the reduction with lower efficiency. These results strongly suggest that PDI can catalyze the disulfide formation in intermediates with compact structure like the native states in the later step of in vivo protein folding.

[A case of sleep apnea syndrome with significant alteration of apnea index by sleep position]

An obese 37-year-old man (130% ideal body weight) was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of excessive daytime sleepiness. During all-night polysomnography, he showed predominantly obstructive sleep apnea and an apnea index (AI) of 57.5, and was diagnosed as having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, AI values calculated separately for the time in the supine position (AI-S) and in the lateral decubitus position (AI-L) were 82.4 and 5.9, respectively. Moreover, duration of apnea, lowest SaO2, and the quality of sleep were improved when sleeping in the lateral compared to the supine position. After weight reduction of 7 kg, AI in total decreased to 33.2, although AI-S was 77.3 and AI-L was 3.8. The improvement of AI in total to be due to a relative increase during sleep in the lateral position. These results suggest that in some OSAS patients, the sleep position should be taken into account in assessing the severity of the disease or in evaluating the effects of therapy. This study also suggests the efficacy of sleep position adjustment in the treatment of OSAS.

Allergen-induced histamine secretion associated with lactate production in mast cells detected by 1H NMR

Allergen-induced histamine secretion in mast cells, obtained from rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, was detected by a 1H NMR semi-selective excitation technique. Lactate production was also detected in association with histamine secretion as observed in mast cells stimulated with other nonimmunological agents, such as compound 48/80, polymyxin B, and melittin. The assignment of the lactate resonance was confirmed using lactate oxidase. Thus, 1H NMR spectroscopy is a useful method to study the activation of mast cells in allergic reaction.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of (glycolato-O,O')diammine platinum(II) in lung lymph in sheep

The pharmacokinetics of (glycolato-O,O')diammine platinum(II) (254-S), especially the distribution and behavior in the lung lymph in sheep, was investigated and compared with that of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP). The blood and lung lymph fluid were collected from the carotid artery and a lung lymph fistula, respectively, in conscious sheep following intravenous infusion of 100 mg/body of 254-S and CDDP for 30 min. The concentrations of these platinum complexes were measured by using atomic absorption spectrometry. We analyzed the data using an anatomically based model including part of the lymphatic circulation. The ultrafilterable platinum of 254-S showed much larger area under the curve (AUC) and transfer rate constants than that of CDDP, even though the mean residence times were the same. The total platinum showed the opposite pharmacokinetic behavior. In anesthetized sheep, when lung tissue samples were obtained by biopsy at the same times as those of blood and lung lymph sampling after infusion of these drugs, 254-S distributed in lung tissue appeared to move more easily into lung lymph than CDDP, which tended to be retained in lung tissue. These differences in pharmacokinetic behavior between 254-S and CDDP seemed to be caused by differences in their strength of protein binding; the association constants of 254-S for plasma and lymph protein were much less than those of CDDP. From these results, 254-S may have favorable therapeutic effects on intrathoracic malignancies such as lung cancer and lymph metastasis.

Transformation of coronary artery aneurysm to obstructive lesion and the role of collateral vessels in myocardial perfusion in patients with Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the transformation of coronary artery aneurysms to obstructive lesions and to assess the role of collateral vessels in patients with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery aneurysms, especially giant aneurysms, are known to become obstructive lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease. However, the process of transformation is not yet clear.

METHODS

Thirty patients (average age 9.9 years) with obstructive lesions secondary to Kawasaki disease underwent repeated coronary artery angiography and thallium myocardial scintigraphy over a mean period of 7.7 years after the acute onset of Kawasaki disease.

RESULTS

In the 27 patients who were enrolled in the acute phase of the disease because of coronary artery aneurysms, the later transformation to obstructive lesions was not significantly different between the 61 large and 6 medium-sized aneurysms. Obstructive transformation of aneurysms was more rapid in the right than in the left coronary artery (p < 0.001). From the last coronary angiogram obtained, the obstructive lesions were classified as localized stenosis > 90% in 10 vessels, occlusions in 6 vessels and segmental stenosis in 26 vessels. Both localized and segmental stenosis occurred significantly more often in the left anterior descending and the right coronary artery than in other vessels (p < 0.05). The incidence of collateral vessels was significantly correlated with a younger age at onset of Kawasaki disease, especially in patients with segmental stenosis (p < 0.001). Collateral vessels did not develop in the presence of localized stenosis regardless of the occurrence of myocardial ischemia. All occluded vessels had collateral development regardless of the presence of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of localized stenosis may play an important role in preventing myocardial infarction in the chronic phase of Kawasaki disease.

Asymptomatic myocardial infarction in Kawasaki disease: long-term prognosis

Eight patients with Kawasaki disease who had sustained asymptomatic myocardial infarction 8-15 years ago (mean, 13.1 years) were reexamined by various noninvasive cardiac function tests to assess long-term prognosis. At present, electrocardiograms (ECGs) are normal in six patients. However, all eight patients had a prolonged preejection period (PEP) to left ventricular ejection time (LVET) ratio 30 s after amylnitrate (AN) inhalation. Six patients had perfusion defects by exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy, and two patients developed ST segment depression in treadmill exercise testing. These patients are symptom-free even though their physical activity has not been restricted. Yet they proved to have serious abnormalities suggesting sequelae of myocardial infarction or existing myocardial ischemia. Judging from the results of noninvasive cardiac function tests and recently performed coronary angiography, five of the eight patients require coronary bypass surgery.

Two distinct forms of peptidylprolyl-cis-trans-isomerase are expressed separately in periplasmic and cytoplasmic compartments of Escherichia coli cells

Peptidylprolyl-cis-trans-isomerase (PPIase) is thought to be essential for protein folding in the cell. Two forms, a and b, of PPIase and their corresponding genes were isolated from Escherichia coli cells. Despite their insensitivity to cyclosporin A (CsA), both amino acid sequences were homologous and related to that of pig cyclophilin, a protein that has PPIase activity sensitive to CsA (Takahashi et al., 1989). PPIase a is found to be identical with the E. coli ORF 190 gene product that was sequenced by Kawamukai et al. (1989) and overexpressed by Liu and Walsh (1990). It is translocated into E. coli periplasmic space with the signal sequence. PPIase b lacks a hydrophobic amino acid stretch which could serve as a signal sequence or a transmembrane domain, and it is detected mainly in the bacterial cytoplasm. These findings indicate that proteins with the ability to assist folding of various polypeptides are located on both sides of the inner membrane. Thus, we propose that the folding of some exported proteins may be catalyzed by the periplasmic proline isomerase and, in turn, that some proteins which have isomerized may not be translocated efficiently.

Complementary DNA encoding the human T-cell FK506-binding protein, a peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase distinct from cyclophilin

The recently discovered macrolide FK506 has been demonstrated to have potent immunosuppressive activity at concentrations 100-fold lower than cyclosporin A, a cyclic undecapeptide that is used to prevent rejection after transplantation of bone marrow and organs, such as kidney, heart, and liver. After the recent discovery that the cyclosporin A-binding protein cyclophilin is identical to peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase, a cellular binding protein for FK506 was found to be distinct from cyclophilin but to have the same enzymatic activity. In this study, we isolated a cDNA coding for FK506-binding protein (FKBP) from human peripheral blood T cells by using mixed 20-mer oligonucleotide probes synthesized on the basis of the sequence, Glu-Asp-Gly-Lys-Lys-Phe-Asp, reported for bovine FKBP. The DNA isolated contained an open reading frame encoding 108 amino acid residues. The first 40 residues of the deduced amino acid sequence were identical to those of the reported amino-terminal sequence of bovine FKBP, indicating that the DNA sequence isolated represents the gene coding for FKBP. Computer-assisted analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence indicates that FKBP exhibits no internal homology and does not have significant sequence similarity to any other amino acid sequences of known proteins, including cyclophilin. This result suggests that two catalytically similar proteins, cyclophilin and FKBP, evolved independently. In Northern blot analysis, mRNA species of approximately 1.8 kilobases that hybridized with human FKBP cDNA were detected in poly(A)+ RNAs from brain, lung, liver, and placental cells and leukocytes. Induction of Jurkat leukemic T cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin did not affect the level of FKBP mRNA. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA digested with different restriction enzymes suggests the existence of only a few copies of the DNA sequence encoding FKBP. This is in contrast to the result that as many as 20 copies of the cyclophilin gene and possible pseudogenes may be present in the mammalian genome.

[MR imaging of splenic masses]

It has been reported that MR imaging of the spleen is unsuccessful in detecting focal lesions because there is not a significant difference in relaxation times between most tumors and surrounding normal spleen. We reviewed the MR imaging of 15 patients (5 cysts, 2 abscesses, 1 hemangioma, 5 malignant lymphomas, 2 metastatic tumors). In all cases, the difference in signal intensities between splenic tissue and mass lesions permitted detection of splenic lesions on MR images. But, malignant lesions were less visible than benign lesions.

Primary structure and transcriptional regulation of rat pepsinogen C gene

The entire rat pepsinogen C gene has been isolated from a rat genomic library, using the rat pepsinogen C cDNA as a probe. Southern blot analysis showed that there exists at least two rat pepsinogen C genes. The nucleotide sequences of the coding regions and the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions of one of the rat pepsinogen C genes have been determined. This gene is split into 9 exons interrupted by eight intervening sequences. The 5'-flanking region is similar to that of the human pepsinogen C gene, but only the former has the core sequence of the Sp1 binding site. The amount of transcripts of the rat pepsinogen C genes was found to increase during development, and a similar increase was shown to be induced by injection of hydrocortisone. As a candidate of a factor which regulates the transcription, we found a 25-kDa protein by Southwestern blotting. It binds to a specific site in the 5'-flanking region of the gene only in the presence of Mg2+ ion, and it is present in the nuclear fraction of the gastric mucosa but not of the liver.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase is the cyclosporin A-binding protein cyclophilin

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) catalyses the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and has been shown to accelerate the refolding of several proteins in vitro. Its activity has been detected in yeast, insects and Escherichia coli as well as in mammals, and it is though to be essential for protein folding during protein synthesis in the cell. We purified PPIase from pig kidney and found that its amino-acid sequence is identical to that reported for bovine cyclophilin, a protein known to bind the immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporin A (ref. 5). To investigate the functional relationship between PPIase and cyclophilin we examined the effect of cyclosporin A on PPIase activity and found that it was inhibitory. Thus we propose that the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerizing activity of PPIase may be involved in events, such as those occurring early in T-cell activation, that are suppressed by cyclosporin A.

Identification of a family of insulin-like growth factor II secreted by cultured rat epithelial-like cell line 18,54-SF: application of a monoclonal antibody

Somatomedin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-like polypeptides (designated SMP) were purified from the serum-free conditioned medium of cultured rat epithelial-like cells, 18,54-SF. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) was produced against partially purified SMP. The antibody was immunoglobulin G1 relatively specific for multiplication-stimulating activity III-2 (rat IGF-II), with a Kd value of 5.6 X 10(-9) M. The antibody showed 100% cross-reactivity with human IGF-II and 10% cross-reactivity with human IGF-I, but did not cross-react with insulin. For purification of SMP, therefore, immunoaffinity chromatography on Sepharose coupled with the MAb was used besides a procedure including ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and reverse phase HPLC. The purified SMP (at least five polypeptides) each gave a single peak on reverse phase HPLC and appeared as a single band with an apparent mol wt of 5000-8000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major components of SMP (designated HP1-SMP and HP3-SMP), which were purified about 100-fold from conditioned medium, stimulated DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts in culture and sulfation in chick embryonic cartilage in culture. These polypeptides showed almost the same cross-reactivity as multiplication-stimulating activity III-2 on RIA with the MAb. The partial amino acid sequences of HP1- and HP3-SMP were determined, and these polypeptides were identified with rat IGF-II.

[An adolescent case of myelodysplastic syndrome following aplastic anemia]

A male with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) following aplastic anemia is reported. The patient had been diagnosed as aplastic anemia at 8 years of age, and treated with blood transfusions, anabolic and glucocorticoid steroid hormones. Over a period of subsequent twelve years, he had remission and deterioration. At the age of 21, the patient developed a sudden progression of severe anemia, when his bone marrow showed hyperplasia with prominent dyshematopoiesis and excess of blasts, compatible with MDS by the definition of FAB classification. He received low dose Ara-C therapy, which was ineffective. Nine months later he developed acute monocytic leukemia (M5b) and died. Chromosomal analysis revealed 46, XY at the onset of aplastic anemia, 46, XY, del (6) (q21 q27) at the MDS and 46, XY, -7, +21, 6q-/47, XY, +Y, -7, +21, 6q- at the acute leukemic stage.

Assignment of human pepsinogen C (PGC) gene to chromosome 6

cDNA of rat pepsinogen C (PGC) hybridizes to, among others, a 3.2-kb band in Southern blot analysis of BamHI-cleaved human genomic DNA. This property was employed to localize the human PGC gene. Use of flow-sorted human chromosomes and 12 human x mouse somatic cell hybrid lines demonstrated that the gene is located on chromosome 6.

Semisynthetic beta-lactam antibiotics. IV. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7 beta-[2-(hetero aromatic methoxyimino)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)acetamido]cephalosporins

A series of 7 beta-[2-(hetero aromatic methoxyimino)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)acetamido]- cephalosporins have been synthesized and bacteriologically evaluated. Several substances in this series showed exceptional in vitro activity, especially those with a five-membered hetero aromatic substituent moiety at the 7-position and a quaternary ammonium group as the 3-function of the cephem nucleus. The most active derivative, 7 beta-[2-(imidazol-4-ylmethoxyimino)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)a cetamido]-3-(pyridiniomethyl)ceph-3-em-4-carboxylate (13a) was the most evenly balanced with respect to activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, 13 was stable to various types of beta-lactamases and had high affinities for penicillin binding protein-3 and -1Bs of both Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Primary structure of human pepsinogen C gene

The entire human pepsinogen C gene has been isolated from a cosmid genomic library. The nucleotide sequences of all the exons and the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions of the gene are presented. The organization of the gene is fundamentally compatible with those of other aspartic proteinases, allowing us to conclude that the genes of these aspartic proteinases including pepsinogen C are derived from a common ancestral gene. The predicted 388-residue amino acid sequence of human pepsinogen C consists of a signal sequence of 16-amino acid residues, an activation peptide of 43 residues, and the mature pepsin of 329 residues containing the two active-site aspartic acids. In the light of present notions about eukaryotic gene expression, possible regulatory roles of the oligonucleotide DNA sequences in the promoter region of the gene are discussed.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of cephalosporins with a 1-pyridinium substituent carrying a 5-membered heterocycle at the C-3 position

A series of potent antimicrobial agents have been prepared. These derivatives are cephalosporins carrying a pyridine ring substituted with a heterocycle in the C-3 position. Some of them showed excellent activity not only against Gram-negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa but also against Gram-positive ones. In view of their biological and physico-chemical properties, 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[4-(2 or 5-oxazolyl)-1-pyridinium]methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylate 8f (DQ-2522) and 8g (DQ-2556) were chosen as candidates for further evaluation.

Semisynthetic beta-lactam antibiotics. III. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(substituted carbamoylmethoxyimino)acetamido]cephalosporins

Syntheses of cephalosporins modified with a 7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(substituted carbamoylmethoxyimino)acetamido] group at the C-7 position and with various hetero aromatics at the C-3 position are described. The effects of substituents on the carbamoyl group in the 7-side chain were investigated in order to improve antibacterial activity. Some of these compounds exhibited high antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as good resistance to beta-lactamase.

Close linkage of human chromosomal pepsinogen A genes

We have obtained a clone containing two pepsinogen A genes in a single insert by screening a recombinant cosmid library for human genomic DNA. Restriction endonuclease mappings of this cloned DNA showed that these two genes are very similar, but distinct in structure, and that they are closely linked to one another in the human chromosome DNA. The close arrangement of the genes with very similar structures could facilitate the homologous recombination or the unequal crossing-over which accounts for high frequency of haplotype variation in copy number of pepsinogen A genes as reported by Taggart et al.

Properties and application to immunoassay of monoclonal antibodies to neuron-specific gamma gamma enolase

Two monoclonal antibodies to human and bovine neuron-specific gamma gamma enolase have been produced in the isolated hybrid cell lines, which were obtained by fusion between gamma gamma-immunized mouse spleen cells and mouse myeloma cells (P3-NS-1/1-Ag4-1), followed by a screening procedure with an enzyme immunoassay. The monoclonal antibody to human gamma gamma enolase (E1-G3) and that to bovine gamma gamma enolase (B1-D6) consisted of gamma 2a/kappa and gamma l/kappa immunoglobulin chains, respectively. Both antibodies could bind with the respective antigen with a molar ratio of about 1:1, and were found to be specific for the gamma subunit of enolase, showing reactivities with human gamma gamma and alpha gamma, rat gamma gamma and alpha gamma, and bovine gamma gamma enolases. However, the antibodies did not cross-react with the alpha or beta subunit of human and rat enolase isozymes. Both antibodies could partially inhibit the activity of gamma gamma and alpha gamma enolases. E1-G3 antibody inhibited gamma gamma and alpha gamma enolase activity by 70 and 30%, respectively, and B1-D6 antibody, by 90 and 40%, respectively. Both antibodies had no effect on the activity of alpha alpha and beta beta enolases of human and rat origins. The applicability of E1-G3 and B1-D6 antibodies to the sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay for neuron-specific enolase (enolase gamma subunit) was examined, and it was found that the assay system using E1-G3 and B1-D6 as the labeled antibodies were sufficiently sensitive for the assay of serum neuron-specific enolase concentrations.

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody to human nervous system-specific gamma gamma enolase

A mouse hybrid cell line producing an antibody to human nervous system-specific gamma gamma enolase has been isolated by fusions between gamma gamma-immunized mouse spleen cells and mouse myeloma cells (P3-NS-1/1-Ag4-1), followed by a screening procedure with an enzyme immunoassay. This particular cell line (E1-G3) has secreted the antibody bearing gamma 2a/kappa immunoglobulin chains. Specificity of the E1-G3 antibody was tested by immunoprecipitation of enolase activities with anti-mouse IgG, and by use of enzyme immunoassay systems for enolase isozymes which consisted of polyclonal rabbit antibodies. The E1-G3 antibody was found to be specific for the gamma subunit of enolase, showing reactivities with human gamma gamma and alpha gamma enolases, and also with rat gamma gamma enolase. However, the monoclonal antibody did not cross-react with the alpha or beta subunit of human enolase.