Expression of leptin receptor (Ob-R) in human atherosclerotic lesions: potential role in intimal neovascularization

Neovascularization of the adventitial vasa vasorum with extension into the intima of atherosclerotic lesions is frequently observed, but its pathophysiological significance is still subject to debate. Recently, leptin, the product of the Ob gene, was identified. Leptin, via activation of the endothelial receptor (Ob-R), generates a growth signal involving a tyrosine kinase-dependent intracellular pathway and promotes angiogenic processes. We hypothesized that a high concentration of leptin within vasa vasorum and plaque itself, may influence inflammatory and vascular neovascularization coupling with functional upregulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microscopic computerized tomography was utilized for the spatial distribution of vasa vasorum and intimal neovascularization from atherosclerotic human coronary arteries. Atherosclerotic coronary arteries showed a dense plexus of microvessels in the adventitia and plaque itself. Microscopic analysis from human atherosclerotic aortas revealed an increase in the intimal thickness with neovascularization. The immunoreactivity for Ob-R, VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) increased in atherosclerotic plaque, predominantly in the endothelial lining of the intimal neovessel and macrophages/foam cells. Our observation of a prominent colocalization between Ob-R, VEGF and MMP supports this hypothesis and these factors participate in the neovascularization of atherosclerotic lesions. The present study is the first report on vascular tissue and it opens a promising perspective concerning future investigations of leptin-dependent modulation of atherogenesis and vascular neovascularization under pathophysiolgical conditions.

Possibility of wound dressing using poly(L-leucine)/poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(L-leucine) triblock copolymer

ABA-type block copolymers (abbreviated as LEL) composed of poly(L-leucine) (PLL) as the A component and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the B component were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-leucine N-carboxyanhydride initiated by primary amino group located at both ends of PEG chain. A silver sulfadiazine (AgSD)-impregnated wound dressing of sponge type was prepared by the lyophilization method. Morphological structure of this wound dressing by scanning electron microscopy was observed to be composed of a dense skin layer and a porous inner layer. Equilibrium water content of LEL wound dressing increased with an increase in PEG content in the block copolymer due to the hydrophilicity of PEG. AgSD release from AgSD-impregnated wound dressing in PBS buffer (pH = 7.4) was dependent on PEG content in the block copolymer. Release of AgSD was increased in proportion to the PEG content in the copolymer. Antibacterial capacity of AgSD-impregnated wound dressing was examined in agar plate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that the suppression of bacterial proliferation in the wound dressing was dependent upon the PEG content. In cytotoxicity test, cell damage did not occur by the release of AgSD from the LEL sponge matrix of AgSD-medicated wound dressing. In in vivo test, granulous tissue formation and wound contraction for the AgSD- and dehydroepiandrosterone-impregnated LEL-2 wound dressing were faster than for any other groups.

Apoptosis in dilated cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Cardiomyopathy, a popular diagnosis that always obscures more than it reveals, nevertheless has several characteristic histological features. These prominently include widespread focal myocardial fibrosis and associated hypertrophy of surviving cardiac myocyte. In fact, focal noninflammatory degeneration (not necrosis) has been demonstrated as a feature of many forms of cardiac hypertrophy. We hypothesized that this loss of myocardial cells in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) may result from cell death by apoptosis.

METHODS

Endomyocardial biopsy specimens from the right ventricles of six patients who suffered from DCMP were studied, and myocardial specimens from two persons who died in motor vehicle accidents were used as negative controls. For identification of apoptosis, immunohistochemistry with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling was performed. In addition, apoptosis was confirmed morphologically by confocal laser scanning microscopy with propidium iodide.

RESULTS

Apoptosis, that was represented by an apoptotic index ranging from 19.8 to 25.4%, could be extensively seen in myocytes and also rarely in non-myocytes of interstitium and vascular endothelium. Morphologically, there were a lot of nuclei with clumps of condensed chromatin, suggestive of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that myocyte loss in DCMP might be mainly due to the apoptosis of myocytes and interstitial cells, rather than inflammation or cell necrosis.

A monoclonal antibody against hamster tracheal mucin, which recognizes N-acetyl-galactosamine containing carbohydrate chains as an epitope

Airway mucin that is present in airway secretion, plays an important role in host-defense by trapping airborne particles and removing them by mucociliary transport system. For the study of mucin, it is crucially important to have antibodies specific against mucin because other commonly used methods such as histologic stain for the detection of mucin usually suffer from varying levels of nonspecificity. In this study, we produced a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against hamster airway mucin, which is one of the most commonly used animal species for the study of mucin in vitro, and characterized its immunological properties along with the determination of the epitope it recognizes. The MAb, which was named MAb HTA, was IgM isotype and specific against mucin from both in vitro cell culture and in vivo airway secretion. In Western blot, MAb HTA specifically recognized high molecular weight airway mucin, which was also confirmed by the appearance of peak profile of immunological signal only on void volume fraction in Sepharose CL-4B gel filtration chromatography. It also immunoprecipitated high molecular weight hamster airway mucin with the aid of antimouse IgM agarose. In immunohistochemical stain of hamster trachea, it showed strong signal on airway epithelium and also on the mucin secreting goblet cell granules. The immunological signal was greatly increased by the treatment of endotoxin, which has been reported to cause airway secretory cell metaplasia. The MAb HTA recognized carbohydrate chains containing N-acetyl-galactosamine, one of the linking sugars of airway mucin, as an epitope. Treatment of mucin with N-acetyl-galactosaminidase caused great reduction of immunological signal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first to report a MAb that recognizes N-acetylgalactosamine, a linking sugar of airway mucin. The specificity of MAb HTA against airway mucin and the clear demonstration of the epitope it recognizes should greatly aid the pharmacological and biochemical study of mucin in various physiological and pathological situations.

Percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization induces angiogenesis: a histologic and 3-dimensional micro computed tomography study

The purpose of this study was to visualize the spatial patterns and connection of channels created after percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization (PTMR) in normal porcine hearts, and to estimate the relative contributions of transmyocardial and coronary perfusion. Six pigs underwent PTMR creating channels using radiofrequency ablative energy. Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging of channels 1 hr after PTMR showed the direct connection of PTMR channels to the myocardial capillary network and to epicardial coronary vessels. In the heart, examined 28 day after PTMR, there was a fine, extensive, network of microvessels originating from the site of the original PTMR channel, also connecting the left ventricular cavity to myocardial capillaries. Histopathologic examination of the 1-hr specimens showed numerous regions of myocardial hemorrhage and associated inflammatory cell infiltration. In the 28-day specimens, newly developed new vascular network suggested neovascularization within the core of these channel remnants. The immunoreactivity for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were intense within myocardium and neovascular structure surrounding PTMR channel remnants. The vascular connections occur by direct communication with existing myocardial vasculature acutely, and angiogenesis in these channel remnant chronically.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome

Since a decade ago, apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism has been focussed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. ApoE plays a central role as a receptor ligand for the uptake of lipoproteins from the circulation. There was an agreement on apoE polymorphism being one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) by its effects on lipid profiles. However, the effects of apoE have not been noted in all populations and conflicting results in the risk of CAD have been noted. Recently, in situ expression of apoE on the atherosclerotic plaque has been studied. We, therefore, investigated the effects of apoE genotype on patients with acute coronary syndrome, including unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction, in non-diabetic patients. While we could not find significant risk effects of apoE on coronary artery disease and lipid profiles on simple comparison with the normal control group, we could find significantly decreased frequencies of apo epsilon 3 allele in patients with acute coronary syndrome compared with stable angina patients (77.8% vs 88.8%). We suggest that the apoE genotype could be associated with acute coronary events in CAD and further study with in situ biochemical methods will be needed on the effects of apoE polymorphism on plaque stability.

Production and characterization of isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies to bovine brain Rab GDI

Small GTPases of the Rab family play a key role in controlling vesicular transport, and the Rab GDP-dissociation inhibitor (GDI) is a regulatory protein for the Rab proteins. Here we report the production and characterization of isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to Rab GDI. Rab GDI was purified from bovine brain in several steps of column chromatography and was injected into BALB/c mice intraperitoneally. The resulting MAbs specifically recognized a single protein band of 55 kDa, which comigrates with purified bovine Rab GDI. To localize Rab GDI, we processed cells from different sources for indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Interestingly, the MAb stained cytosol and vesicular structures in brain cells, whereas it predominantly stained cytosol in nonbrain cells. Next, we investigated the cross-reactivities of brain Rab GDI from some mammals. The immunoreactive bands on Western blots appeared to be the same in molecular mass, 55 kDa, in all mammalian species tested including human. In summary, we produced a panel of MAbs that are GDI-alpha/1 form-specific and we believe that the MAbs will be valuable tools in elucidating the function of Rab GDI isoforms.

G protein-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by two dopamine D2 receptors

Two isoforms of dopamine D2 receptor, D2L (long) and D2S (short), differ by the insertion of 29 amino acids specific to D2L within the putative third intracellular loop of the receptor, which appears to be important in selectivity for G-protein coupling. We have generated D2L- and D2S-expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was examined in these cells. Both D2L and D2S mediated a rapid and transient activation of MAPK with dominant activation of p42-kDa MAPK. Pertussis toxin treatment completely abrogated stimulation of MAPK mediated by D2L and D2S, demonstrating that both receptors couple to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in this signaling. Stimulation of MAPK mediated by both D2L and D2S receptor was markedly attenuated by coexpression of the C-terminus of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (betaARKct), which selectively inhibits Gbetagamma-mediated signal transduction. Further analysis of D2L- and D2S-mediated MAPK activation demonstrated that D2L-mediated MAPK activation was not significantly affected by PKC depletion or partially affected by genistein. In contrast, D2S-mediated MAPK activation was potentially inhibited by PKC depletion and genistein was capable of completely inhibiting D2S-mediated MAPK activation. Together, these results suggest that D2L- and D2S-mediated MAPK activation is predominantly Gbetagamma subunit-mediated signaling and that protein kinase C and tyrosine phosphorylations are involved in these signaling pathways.

SHC1, a high pH inducible gene required for growth at alkaline pH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this study, we carried out a large-scale transposon tagging screening to identify genes whose expression is regulated by ambient pH. Of 35,000 transformants, two strains carrying the genes whose expression is strictly dependent on pH of growth medium were identified. One of the genes with 20-fold induction by alkali pH was identified as SHC1 gene in the Yeast Genome Directory and its expression was the highest at alkaline pH and moderately induced by osmotic stress. However, the gene was expressed neither at acidic pH nor by other stress conditions. The haploid mutant with truncated shc1 gene showed growth retardation and an abnormal morphology at alkaline pH. On the other hand, the mutant strain carrying the wild-type SHC1 gene reverted to the mutant phenotype. To confirm that Shc1p is an alkali-inducible protein, a monoclonal antibody to Shc1p was produced. While a 55-kDa protein band appeared on the Western blot of cells grown at alkaline pH, Shc1p was barely detectable on the blots of cells grown in YPD. Our results indicate that yeast cells have an efficient system adapting to large variations in ambient pH and SHC1 is one of the genes required for the growth at alkaline pH.

Involvement of protein kinase C and rho GTPase in the nuclear signalling pathway by transforming growth factor-beta1 in rat-2 fibroblast cells

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signal-transduction cascade from the cell membrane to the nuclear target is poorly characterised. Here we report that treatment with TGF-beta1 induces the levels of endogenous c-fos mRNA in Rat-2 fibroblast cells. In addition, by transient transfection analysis, TGF-beta1 was shown to stimulate c-fos serum response element (SRE)-driven reporter gene activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suggesting that SRE is one of the nuclear targets of TGF-beta1. To understand the signalling cascade by which TGF-beta1 mediates the transactivation of c-fos SRE, cells were either pre-treated with various inhibitors or co-transfected with expression plasmids encoding inhibitory proteins for Rho GTPase together with the SRE-luciferase reporter gene. Our results showed that an inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) or RhoA selectively repressed the stimulation of c-fos SRE by TGF-beta1, implying the possible roles of PKC and RhoA GTPase in TGF-beta1-induced signalling to c-fos SRE.

Engagement of CD99 induces apoptosis through a calcineurin-independent pathway in Ewing's sarcoma cells

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a prominent feature of the development of the immune and nervous systems. In both systems, widespread PCD occurs in primitive progenitor cells during development. In this study, we demonstrated that Ewing's sarcoma (ES) cells, undifferentiated neural precursors, underwent apoptosis upon engagement of CD99 with anti-CD99 monoclonal antibody. Apoptosis via CD99 occurred only in the undifferentiated state of ES cells, but not in differentiated ES cells. CD99-induced apoptosis in ES cells appeared to require de novo synthesis of RNA and protein as well as caspase activation. Cyclosporin A, known to be a potent inhibitor of both calcineurin activation and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, inhibited CD99-mediated apoptosis, whereas FK-506, a specific calcineurin inhibitor, did not, indicating the induction of CD99-mediated apoptosis through a calcineurin-independent pathway. Furthermore, the dying cells displayed the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi m). These results suggest that CD99 engagement induce CsA-inhibitable mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, followed by a reduction of delta psi m and caspase activation, thereby leading to apoptosis. Based on these results, we suggest the possible involvement of CD99 in the apoptotic processes that occur during nervous system development and also its application in immunotherapeutic trials for ES cases.

Generation of cells with Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg phenotype through downregulation of CD99 (Mic2)

Despite the fact that Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells are morphological hallmarks of Hodgkin's disease (HD), the nature of H-RS cells still remains to be resolved. Here we report that downregulation of CD99 (Mic2) leads to the generation of cells with an H-RS phenotype. IM9 and BJAB B-cell lines that were transfected with an antisense CD99 expression construct showed the morphological and immunological characteristics of H-RS cells such as multinuclearity, expression of CD15, decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and CD45RB, and deregulated secretion of cytokines. The reduced expression of CD99 was also confirmed in H-RS cells of patient's lymph nodes and three HD-derived cell lines, L428, KM-H2, and HDLM-2. Moreover, features characteristic of H-RS cells were completely abolished by forced expression of CD99 and by a constitutively active form of Rac, which functions downstream of CD99. We suggest that CD99 molecules play a crucial role in regulating functions and morphology of cells through a Rac-Rho signaling pathway and that the loss of CD99 expression is a significant molecular event to generate H-RS cells.

A cell surface molecule, JL1; a specific target for diagnosis and treatment of leukemias

We previously reported a novel differentiation antigen, which is specifically expressed in stage II double positive (CD4+CD8+) human cortical thymocytes (Park et al, J Exp Med 1993; 178: 1447-1451). This study was designed to investigate the expression pattern of JL1 in various types of leukemic cells from patients and normal hematopoietic cells to evaluate the possibility as a tool for diagnosis and treatment of leukemia. The expression of JL1 antigen was observed in 75.6% of leukemic cases (117 out of 154 leukemic patients tested) on flow cytometric analysis. The percentage of JL1-positive cases of T lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) (92.6%) was higher than that of other types of leukemias (75%). The presence of JL1 antigen was also confirmed by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Since the JL1 antigen is selectively expressed on the surface of human leukemic cells but not on the mature human peripheral blood cells, normal bone marrow cells and various types of normal tissues, JL1 could be an excellent candidate for an immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic tool for hematopoietic malignancies such as leukemia.

ILK (beta1-integrin-linked protein kinase): a novel immunohistochemical marker for Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumour

ILK (beta1-integrin-linked protein kinase) is a recently identified 59-kDa serine/threonine protein kinase that interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of the beta1-integrin containing four ankyrin-like repeats. We have developed a polyclonal antibody against ILK and explored the ILK immunoreactivity in normal human cells and tissues. ILK was mainly expressed in cardiac muscle and skeletal muscles. Surprisingly, ILK expression was observed in Ewing's sarcoma (ES; 100%), primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET; 100%), medulloblastoma (100%), and neuroblastoma (33.3%), whereas other small round cell sarcomas were not stained by the anti-ILK antibody. These results suggest that ILK could be a novel marker for tumours with primitive neural differentiation. Our findings support the notion that ES is a tumour that is closely related to PNET and that both originate from the neuroectoderm. ILK may be a sensitive and specific immunohistochemical marker and useful for the positive identification of ES and PNET in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections.

Engagement of CD99 induces up-regulation of TCR and MHC class I and II molecules on the surface of human thymocytes

CD99 is a cell surface molecule involved in the aggregation of lymphocytes and apoptosis of immature cortical thymocytes. Despite its high level expression on immature cortical thymocytes, the functional roles of this molecule during thymic selection are only now being elucidated. Examination of the effects of CD99 engagement on the expression kinetics of the TCR and MHC class I and II molecules, which are involved primarily in thymic positive selection, revealed a marked up-regulation of these proteins on the surface of immature thymocytes. This increase was the result of accelerated mobilization of molecules stored in cytosolic compartments to the plasma membrane, rather than increased RNA and protein synthesis. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed the changes in subcellular distribution of these molecules. When CD99 was engaged, TCR and MHC class I and II molecules were concentrated at the plasma membrane, particularly at cell-cell contact sites. The TCRlow subpopulation of immature double positive thymocytes was much more responsive to CD99-mediated up-regulation than was the TCRhigh population. These findings suggest that CD99-dependent up-regulation may have possible implication in positive selection during thymocyte ontogeny.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against rat tracheal mucins

The objective of this study was to generate and characterize monoclonal antibodies against rat airway mucins. Therefore, it should serve as a useful tool in studying the regulation of airway mucins using various in vivo rat models that are currently available. As an antigen, we used a high molecular mass mucin preparation purified from the spent media of rat tracheal surface epithelial cells in primary culture. Seven monoclonal hybridomas were obtained, among which mAbRT03 showed the highest immunoreactivity against the mucin. All of the antibodies secreted by these hybridomas recognized carbohydrate epitopes but not sialic acid residues, since their immunoreactivity was completely abolished by treatment of the mucin with 20 mM periodate but not with neuraminidase. Further characterization of mAbRT03 showed that (1) it belongs to the IgM type, (2) it binds to high molecular mass mucins based on Western blot, (3) it could indirectly immunoprecipitate rat airway mucin--and, as we know, this is the first demonstration of immunoprecipitation of airway mucin with anti-mucin antibodies--(4) it binds to the luminal side of tracheal epithelium as well as some goblet cells based on immunohistochemistry, and (5) it also recognizes in vivo airway mucins from rats, but not from human nor hamsters, which have been purified from the airway lavage fluids. This is the first monoclonal antibody against rat airway mucin, which has been developed against purified rat airway mucins. Therefore, mAbRT03 should be able to serve as an invaluable tool in studying the regulation of airway mucins using various intact rat models that are currently available.

Development of a new anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (YG23) which inhibits the formation of colonies of human bone marrow progenitor cells

We have previously reported CD4 expression in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and suggested a role of CD4 in normal hematopoiesis and its possible relationship with the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To investigate whether CD4 expression in bone marrow progenitor cells can explain bone marrow suppression in AIDS, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human CD4 were developed by immunizing Balb/c mice with human thymocytes. Three mAbs completely blocked the binding of Leu3a antibody, a well-known anti-CD4 mAb, to thymocytes, which indicates overlap between the epitopes recognized by these and Leu3a antibodies. Interestingly, one of these mAbs, YG23, significantly inhibited colony formation of human bone marrow progenitor cells treated with GM-CSF. This is the first demonstration that ligation of CD4 by an anti-CD4 mAb suppresses GM-CSF mediated proliferation and differentiation of human hematopoietic progenitor cells by modifying the intracellular signaling pathway through CD4 molecules. Based on these findings, we propose that alteration of CD4 signaling by either cross-linked gp120 or antibodies directed against a certain epitope shared with the YG23 binding site of the CD4 molecule may play a role in bone marrow dysfunction in AIDS patients.

CD99 (MIC2) regulates the LFA-1/ICAM-1-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes, and its gene encodes both positive and negative regulators of cellular adhesion

Despite the fact that integrin-mediated lymphocyte adhesion is a crucial event for an appropriate immune response, little is known about the mechanisms that control the adhesion and deadhesion processes generated by the engagement of CD99 between various types of immune cells. Here we report that the CD99 gene encodes two distinct proteins with opposite functions in the LFA-1/intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)-mediated cell adhesion process. The two forms of the CD99 protein are produced by alternative splicing of the CD99 gene transcript. The major form induced homotypic adhesion of the human B lymphoblastoid cell line IM-9, whereas the minor, truncated form inhibited the adhesion process. Activation of the major form of CD99 with anti-CD99 monoclonal antibodies induced rapid aggregation of IM-9 cells, which was blocked by the addition of mAbs to LFA-1 or intracellular adhesion molecule 1. Overexpression of the minor truncated form of CD99 markedly down-regulated the expression of LFA-1. The two forms of CD99 are differentially expressed in most human cells tested and are highly conserved in monkey. Taken together, these observations suggest that the two forms of CD99 function in vivo in both positive and negative regulation of LFA-1-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes during an immune response.

CD99 (MIC2) regulates the LFA-1/ICAM-1-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes, and its gene encodes both positive and negative regulators of cellular adhesion

Despite the fact that integrin-mediated lymphocyte adhesion is a crucial event for an appropriate immune response, little is known about the mechanisms that control the adhesion and deadhesion processes generated by the engagement of CD99 between various types of immune cells. Here we report that the CD99 gene encodes two distinct proteins with opposite functions in the LFA-1/intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)-mediated cell adhesion process. The two forms of the CD99 protein are produced by alternative splicing of the CD99 gene transcript. The major form induced homotypic adhesion of the human B lymphoblastoid cell line IM-9, whereas the minor, truncated form inhibited the adhesion process. Activation of the major form of CD99 with anti-CD99 monoclonal antibodies induced rapid aggregation of IM-9 cells, which was blocked by the addition of mAbs to LFA-1 or intracellular adhesion molecule 1. Overexpression of the minor truncated form of CD99 markedly down-regulated the expression of LFA-1. The two forms of CD99 are differentially expressed in most human cells tested and are highly conserved in monkey. Taken together, these observations suggest that the two forms of CD99 function in vivo in both positive and negative regulation of LFA-1-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes during an immune response.

In vitro and in vivo properties of murine monoclonal antibody for a novel immature thymocyte-differentiated antigen, JL1

JL1 is a novel thymocyte-differentiated antigen strictly confined to stage II immature cortical thymocytes. It is expressed in several types of leukemias and lymphomas. Murine anti-JL1 monoclonal antibody labeled with 131I and 99mTc showed 60-70% of immunoreactivity and 1.4-1.9 x 10(9) L/mol of affinity constant. The incubation of the radiolabeled antibody with Molt-4 cells showed no evidence of modulation or shedding. Localization indices increased from day 3 to day 5 in SCID mice bearing Molt-4 cells.

Thymocytes positively select thymocytes in human system

We previously demonstrated the expression of MHC class II molecules in a significant percentage of human fetal and postnatal thymocytes. These results, at that time, raised the question as to whether the MHC class II molecules on immature thymocytes could actively be involved in the selection of immature T cells. We have developed a human reaggregate culture system to address this issue. Surprisingly, despite the fact that thymic epithelial cells (TECs) have been shown to be a major selecting cell type of positive selection, we were clearly able to see the involvement of MHC class II+ thymocytes during selection process through T-T interaction. In addition, maturation to single positive (SP) cells occurred only in the presence of MHC class II molecules and immature thymocytes were found to be arrested at the double positive (DP) stage of differentiation by blocking of TCR recognition of MHC class II molecules. All these results strongly suggest that human MHC class II+ thymocytes actively participate in the selection of the TCR repertoire, for which TCR recognition of peptide/MHC class II may be an initial determining step.

Distribution of succinic semialdehyde reductase in rat brain

Succinic semialdehyde reductase (SSR) that catalyzes the reduction of succinic semialdehyde (SSA) to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been identified as one of the NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductases. Reduction of SSA to GHB strongly supports the proposal that GHB biosynthesis may be an important step in the GABA shunt. It is pharmacologically significant in anesthesia, evoking the state of sleep, and an increase in brain dopamine level. Monoclonal antibodies against bovine brain succinic semialdehyde reductase were produced. Using the anti-succinic semialdehyde reductase antibodies, we investigated the distribution of brain succinic semialdehyde reductase in rat brain. The brain tissues were sectioned with a basis on the rat brain atlas of Paxinos and were stained by the immunoperoxidase staining method using monoclonal antibodies. In the section of the frontal lobe, immunoreactive cells were observed in the lateral septal area, the ventral pallidum, which belongs to the substantia innominata. We could observe immunoreactive cells in the reticular thalamic nucleus, which is closely related with 'sleeping', the basal nuclei of Meynert, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease, and hypothalamic nuclei. Immunoreactive cells were also shown in raphe nuclei or the reticular formation of the midbrain, cerebellum, and inferior olivary nuclei of the medulla oblongata. Succinic semialdehyde reductase-immunoreactive cells were distributed extensively in rat brain, especially immunoreactive cells were strongly observed in the areas associated with the limbic system and reticular formation.

Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of a human gene homologous to the murine R-PTP-kappa, a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins plays an important role in cellular signaling and many cellular activities. The levels of cellular phosphorylation are reversibly controlled by protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases. The murine R-PTP-kappa, a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase, has recently been cloned (Jiang et al. (1993) Mol. Cell. Biol. 13, 2942-2951). In order to identify the protein tyrosine phosphatases critical to the cellular signal transduction in human keratinocytes, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy was employed, and we have cloned a human homologue of the murine R-PTP-kappa. Here, we report the isolation of a complementary DNA encoding a human R-PTP-kappa. Of the several overlapping cDNA clones, one clone, which we originally termed p55-7, was found to encode a transmembrane protein of 1440 amino acids and was highly conserved with murine R-PTP-kappa with 98% identity at the amino-acid levels. The human R-PTP-kappa gene was localized to chromosome 6 by southern hybridization of DNA from a rodent/human somatic cell mapping panel. Northern blot analysis of RNA from several human tissues revealed, like the murine R-PTP-kappa, the presence of a major mRNA of approx. 7.0 kb and a minor mRNA of approx. 5.3 kb. In contrast to the expression of murine R-PTP-kappa which was highly expressed in liver and kidney, the human R-PTP-kappa was predominantly expressed in spleen, prostate, and ovary. However, the transcripts were detectable at various levels in all examined tissues (thymus, testis, small intestine, and colon) except for PBL (peripheral blood leukocytes). In addition, human R-PTP-kappa displayed a restricted pattern of expression among a series of cell lines, and was apparently expressed in an epidermal cells and cell lines (human normal keratinocytes, HaCaT, and A431), but was not detectable in other cell lines tested after longer exposure.

Suppression of rat hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 expression by isopropyl 2-(1,3-dithioetane-2-ylidene)-2-[N-(4-methyl-thiazol-2-yl)carbamoyl] acetate (YH439), an experimental hepatoprotectant: protective role against hepatic injury

The expression of cytochromes P450 2E1, P450 2B and P450 1A was examined in rat hepatic tissue in response to YH439, an experimental hepatoprotective agent. P450 2E1 metabolic activities relatively specific for P450 2E1 were decreased up to 57% of control activities in the hepatic microsomes prepared from rats treated with YH439 for 3 days. Immunoblot analyses showed that P450 2E1 levels were decreased below the limit of detectability in hepatic microsomes prepared from YH439-treated rats. YH439 at doses from 25 to 100 mg/kg completely suppressed isoniazid-inducible P450 2E1 levels as monitored by both metabolic activities and immunoblot analysis. RNA hybridization analysis revealed that P450 2E1 mRNA levels failed to change after YH439 treatment. These results demonstrate the YH439 effectively suppresses P450 2E1 expression in the absence of transcriptional inactivation. YH439 failed to affect P450 2B1/2 expression, whereas this agent enhanced the hepatic P450 1A1/2 levels. The hepatoprotective effects of YH439 were also examined. Animals treated with CCl4 and ethanol for 9 weeks showed hepatic injury as demonstrated by 2.5- and 2-fold increases in serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, respectively. Concomitant YH439 treatment resulted in a significant protective effect against the experimental hepatic injury. The toxicant-induced elevation in hepatic hydroxyproline level was completely blocked by YH439 treatment. These data indicate that YH439 suppresses the expression of P450 2E1 and protects the liver against chemical-induced hepatic injury and that the selective modulation of detoxifying enzymes by YH439 may contribute to the protection of liver from xenobiotic-induced intoxication.

Human brain GABA transaminase is immunologically distinct from those of other mammalian brains

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to bovine brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase were characterized by epitope mapping analysis, and used as probes to compare the epitopes of the enzymes from several mammalian brains including man. From the epitope mapping analysis, three subgroups of mAbs recognizing different peptide fragments were identified. In the immunoblots probed with the mAbs, only one out of the three subgroups of mAbs reacted with a protein band of 50 kDa from human brain; the two other mAbs failed to detect any signal on the blots. In contrast, all of the mAbs did recognize a GABA-T protein band on immunoblots of all other mammalian brains tested. The results suggest that human brain GABA transaminase is immunologically distinct from those of other mammalian brains.

DN4: a novel cell surface molecule on cortical epithelial cells of the human thymus

A novel cell surface molecule, DN4, defined by an mAb raised against human thymic epithelial cells, showed a specificity for epithelial cells of the thymic cortex. This antigen was not expressed at detectable levels on any other types of tissues in the human body except for the thymus and bone marrow. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the reactivity of anti-DN4 mAb was restricted to the thymic cortex, and the antigen-expressing cells were arranged in a reticular network with long processes between thymocytes. The cellular nature of DN4-positive cells was identified as cortical epithelial cells, as DN4 was expressed in a subpopulation of freshly prepared thymic stromal cells which contain a large amount of keratin and expression of DN4 was strictly confined to the cortical area within the thymus on immunohistochemical analysis of frozen tissues. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analysis revealed that a subpopulation of bone marrow cells was also positive for DN4 (20%). The large blasts of normal bone marrow cells were clearly labeled with anti-DN4 mAb, in contrast to small-sized bone marrow cells. This finding suggests that DN4 seems to be transiently expressed in certain blastic stages during the differentiation of bone marrow cells. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled cell lysates from THP-1 and U937 cell lines with anti-DN4 mAb yielded a single chain glycoprotein with an approximate size of 80-85 kd. There was a reduction in apparent molecular weight of approximately 40 kd in the immunoprecipitation of cell lysates after endoglycosidase F treatment. Thus, DN4 seemed to have a considerable amount of carbohydrate group. DN4 appears to be a novel cortical epithelial cell antigen of the human thymus, and although the role of this molecule has not been well established experimentally, the possibility can be suggested that the DN4 molecule might be involved in the positive selection of thymocytes which occurs predominantly in the thymic cortical area.

A novel T-cell differentiation antigen expressed in immature human thymocytes and neuroglial cells

We report a novel human thymocyte differentiation antigen ICT-1 with a molecular weight of 49 kDa that is noncovalently associated with another 12-kDa protein. The ICT-1 antigen is expressed in 50-70% of total thymocytes, but not in resting or PHA-activated peripheral blood T-cells and bone marrow cells. The thymocytes expressing ICT-1 antigen appear after the 18th week of gestation during fetal development. Since the distribution pattern of the ICT-1 antigen within thymus partly overlaps with that of the CD1 antigens, we investigated whether ICT-1 was one of the CD1 antigen family. However, the failure of anti-ICT-1 antibody to react with mouse L cells transfected with cDNA of CD1a, -b, and -c and the different histologic distribution patterns from that of CD1d strongly suggest that the anti-ICT-1 antibody recognizes an antigen distinct from CD1. Furthermore, ICT-1 is also expressed in human neuroglial cells such as oligodendroglioma, glioblastoma multiforme, Ewing's sarcoma, and cerebellar astrocyte. Hence we believe that the ICT-1 antigen may be a novel thymus-leukemia (TL) antigen or a nonclassical MHC class I antigen.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to bovine brain succinic semialdehyde reductase

Monoclonal antibodies against bovine brain succinic semialdehyde reductase were produced and characterized. A total of nine monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of the enzyme were obtained, of which two inhibited the enzyme activity and three stained cytosol of rat spinal cord neurons as observed by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. When unfractionated total proteins of bovine brain homogenate were separated by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotted, the antibodies specifically recognized a single protein band of 34 kDa, which comigrates with purified bovine succinic semialdehyde reductase. Using the antisuccinic semialdehyde reductase antibodies as probes, we investigated the cross-reactivities of brain succinic semialdehyde reductases from some mammalian and an avian species. The immunoreactive bands on western blots appeared to be the same in molecular mass--34 kDa--in all animal species tested, including humans. The result indicates that brain succinic semialdehyde reductase is distinct from other aldehyde reductases and that mammalian brains contain only one succinic semialdehyde reductase. Moreover, the enzymes among the species are immunologically very similar, although some properties of the enzymes reported previously were different from one another.

Large-scale analysis of gene expression, protein localization, and gene disruption in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have developed a large-scale screen to identify genes expressed at different times during the life cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and to determine the subcellular locations of many of the encoded gene products. Diploid yeast strains containing random lacZ insertions throughout the genome have been constructed by transformation with a mutagenized genomic library. Twenty-eight hundred transformants containing fusion genes expressed during vegetative growth and 55 transformants containing meiotically induced fusion genes have been identified. Based on the frequency of transformed strains producing beta-galactosidase, we estimate that 80-86% of the yeast genome (excluding the rDNA) contains open reading frames expressed in vegetative cells and that there are 93-135 meiotically induced genes. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis of 2373 strains carrying fusion genes expressed in vegetative cells has identified 245 fusion proteins that localize to discrete locations in the cell, including the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasmic dots, spindle pole body, and microtubules. The DNA sequence adjacent to the lacZ gene has been determined for 91 vegetative fusion genes whose products have been localized and for 43 meiotically induced fusions. Although most fusions represent genes unidentified previously, many correspond to known genes, including some whose expression has not been studied previously and whose products have not been localized. For example, Sec21-beta-gal fusion proteins yield a Golgi-like staining pattern, Ty1-beta-gal fusion proteins localize to cytoplasmic dots, and the meiosis-specific Mek1/Mre4-beta-gal and Spo11-beta-gal fusion proteins reside in the nucleus. The phenotypes in haploid cells have been analyzed for 59 strains containing chromosomal fusion genes expressed during vegetative growth; 9 strains fail to form colonies indicating that the disrupted genes are essential. Fifteen additional strains display slow growth or are impaired for growth on specific media or in the presence of inhibitors. Of 39 meiotically induced fusion genes examined, 14 disruptions confer defects in spore formation or spore viability in homozygous diploids. Our results will allow researchers who identify a yeast gene to determine immediately whether that gene is expressed at a specific time during the life cycle and whether its gene product localizes to a specific subcellular location.

Application of scanning electron microscopy in assessing the prevalence of some Setaria species in Korean cattle

The numbers of individual Setaria species in the peritoneal cavities of Korean cattle were estimated. The worms were tentatively identified under light microscopy, and then precisely classified by SEM on the basis of unique features at the anterior and posterior ends of the adult worms. The positive rate of Setaria species was 34.2% out of 1,074 Korean cattle surveyed; that of S. digitata was 25.1%, S. marshalli 2.9% and both species 6.2%, respectively. Out of a total of 1,254 worms collected, 66.8% were female and 19.1% were male S. digitata; 9.2% were female and 5.0% were male S. marshalli, respectively. The average length of S. marshalli was somewhat longer than that of S. digitata. S. marshalli was documented for the first time in Korea.

Kinetics and mechanism of an NADPH-dependent succinic semialdehyde reductase from bovine brain

An NADPH-dependent succinic semialdehyde reductase has been purified from bovine brain by several chromatographic procedures. The preparation appeared homogeneous on SDS/PAGE. The enzyme is a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 28 kDa. A number of properties of the bovine brain enzyme, such as substrate specificity, specific activity, molecular mass, optimum pH, amino acid composition, and kinetic parameters, have been determined and compared with those reported for preparations from other sources. The results indicate that the enzyme isolated from bovine brain in the present study is different from those reported for preparations from other sources. The inhibition kinetic patterns obtained when the products of the reaction or substrate analogs are used as inhibitor of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme are consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism involving the formation of an intermediate ternary complex and in which NADPH is the first substrate to bind the enzyme.

Lysosomal membrane proteins of Amoeba proteus, as studied with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against lysosomal membrane proteins of amoebae and used to follow lysosome-phagosome fusion after induced phagocytosis. The specificity of antibodies was checked by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and localization of the antigen in subcellular fractions. The antibody-recognized proteins started to appear on the membranes of phagolysosomes about 5 min after phagocytosis as detected by indirect immunofluorescence, and the intensity of fluorescence increased for up to 1 h. Results of injection experiments in which purified antibodies had been injected into living cells and probed by indirect fluorescence indicated that the antigens were located on the cytoplasmic side of the lysosomal membranes. Lysosomes fuse with phagosomes on the one hand but not with non-fusible vesicles such as symbiosomes on the other. The results support the view that a membrane component(s) of non-fusible vesicles somehow prevents lysosomes from fusing with them.

Role of spectrin in Amoeba proteus, as studied by microinjection of anti-spectrin monoclonal antibodies

Spectrin is a major protein accounting for about 5% of whole-cell proteins in Amoeba proteus, and the precipitation of spectrin by intracellular injection of purified anti-spectrin monoclonal antibodies has a profound effect on cell morphology, motility, and movement-related cell activities in amoebae. Thus, amoebae injected with anti-spectrin antibodies show drastic changes in their shape and movement, suggesting that amoeba spectrin plays an important structural role, unlike nonerythroid spectrins in other cells. However, precipitation of spectrin does not affect the distribution of F-actin in amoebae.

Elevated levels of stress proteins associated with bacterial symbiosis in Amoeba proteus and soybean root nodule cells

Obligatory bacterial endosymbionts of Amoeba proteus and symbiotic Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteroids in soybean-root nodules contained large amounts of 67-kDa and 65-kDa proteins, respectively, antigenically related to groEL of E. coli and the 58-kDa heat-shock protein of Tetrahymena. Monoclonal antibodies against the 67-kDa protein recognized groEL analogs from several different organisms. The quantity of the stress protein in symbiotic B. japonicum bacteroids was augmented seven times that in the free-living counterparts. The increase in these proteins in endosymbionts, as determined by immunoblot techniques, indicated that intracellular symbiosis is a stress condition even when the symbiotic relationship is considered to be mutually beneficial. Mitochondria and chloroplasts may also be under a stressed condition like endosymbionts in view of the presence of heat-shock proteins in these cell organelles.

A spectrin-like protein present on membranes of Amoeba proteus as studied with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies against a spectrin-like membrane-associated protein of xD amoebae. (Amoeba proteus) were used to determine the distribution of the protein and some of its characteristics. A total of 34 monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of the protein were obtained, of which seven stained cell membranes by indirect immunofluorescence. The spectrin-like protein had two subtypes of 225 and 220 kDa and several monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with human erythrocyte spectrin when checked by indirect immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting. Some of the antibodies also cross-reacted with antigens in HeLa cells and chick embryo fibroblasts. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against Drosophila and human erythrocyte spectrins cross-reacted with the spectrin-like protein from amoebae. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that the protein is a spectrin. The protein was found on most cellular membranes of amoebae, including the plasma, nuclear, and phagosomal membranes, as well as symbiosome membranes.

Hyperkalemia by beta-fluoroethylacetate: a report of 2 cases

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Neonatal ethanol exposure: effects on adult behavior and brain growth parameters

Neonatal rats were reared using an artificial feeding technique from postnatal day 4 through 18. On postnatal day 4 through 7, some animals were given ethanol in their milk formula with the remaining animals serving as controls. The ethanol was given in amounts that have been shown to induce microcephaly when animals are examined at 18 days after birth. In this study, on postnatal day 18, all animals were weaned and allowed ad lib food and water until they were sacrificed at 60 days of age. When the animals were 30 days old, they were tested on a battery of behavioral tasks (nose poke, passive avoidance, and open field). No differences were found between the ethanol exposed animals and their controls on passive avoidance or nose poke activity. Ethanol-exposed female animals showed increased activity compared to their controls in the open field. There were no differences in open field activity between the ethanol exposed males and their controls. An examination of brain growth parameters (wet weights, DNA, cholesterol and protein content) showed no difference between the brains of ethanol-exposed males compared to controls at 60 days of age, regardless of brain parameter or brain area studied (forebrain, cerebellum or brainstem). The brains of ethanol-exposed females, however, had considerably less catch-up growth, with the ethanol effect on the cerebellum being very similar to that observed at 18 days of age. The results imply that sex and the time of ethanol exposure may interact to determine the ability of the brain to develop following a neonatal alcohol insult.

C1q deficiency associated with urticarial-like lesions and cutaneous vasculitis

We describe a 46 year old women with a seven year history of urticarial-like symptoms and cutaneous vasculitis with marked deficiency of C1q in the presence of normal levels of C1r and C1s and high titers of low molecular weight (7S) C1q precipitins. Hemolytic C1 activity, which was greatly reduced, was restored upon the addition of purified C1q. The other complement components were present in moderately reduced or normal levels. This patient bears resemblance to several other persons previously described with urticarial-like lesions in association with selective deficiency of C1q. The similarity of the clinical features, pathologic diagnosis, C1q levels disproportionately deficient in relation to other complement components and low molecular weight C1q precipitins support the conclusion that these are causally related in a symptom complex. The underlying basis is yet to be defined.