[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1993)]

Bacteria isolated from respiratory tract infections were collected in cooperation with institutions located throughout Japan, since 1981, and the Ikemotor et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of the isolates of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and the relationships between the isolates and backgrounds of the patients and so forth each year. We discuss the results in detail. In 20 institutions around the entire Japan from October 1993 to September 1994, 584 strains of bacteria were isolated mainly from sputa of 473 patients with respiratory tract infections and presumed to be the etiological agents. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 91 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 98 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 122 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 91 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid), 34 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid), 42 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the drug susceptibilities of these strains were measured except the strains which died during transportation. 1. S. aureus S. aureus strain sfor which MICs of methicillin was higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 56.0%, but this frequency of the drug resistant bacteria was lower than the previous year's 61.4%. Arbekacin and vancomycin showed the highest activities against MRSA and MIC80s were 1 microgram/ml. 2. S. pneumoniae Benzylpenicillin among the penicillins showed potent activities against S. pneumoniae. Cefuzonam, cefotaxime and cefmenoxime among the cephems showed excellent antimicrobial activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem; carbapenems, showed the most potent activity, and MIC90 was 0.063 microgram/ml. 3. H. influenzae All the drugs tested were quite active against H. influenzae. Cefotaxime, cefmenoxime, cefuzonam and cefixime among the cephems showed the most potent activities, and MIC90 were 0.063 microgram/ml against H. influenzae. Ofloxacin also showed MIC90 of 0.063 microgram/ml. 4. P. aeruginosa (mucoid) Tobramycin showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), and MIC80 was 1 microgram/ml. Ceftazidime, cefsulodin, imipenem, aztreonam, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin showed potent activities with MIC80s of 2 micrograms/ml. 5. P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) Tobramycin showed the highest activity against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid), and MIC80 was 1 microgram/ml, followed by ciprofloxacin with MIC80 of 2 micrograms/ml. Comparing to activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), all the drugs tested had relatively low activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid). 6. K. pneumoniae. The activities of all drugs except ampicillin and minocycline were high against K. pneumoniae. Cefozopran, imipenem and carumonam showed the highest activities and MIC80s were 0.125 microgram/ml. Flomoxef showed the next highest activities with an MIC80 of 0.25 microgram/ml. 7. M.(B.) catarrhalis Imipenem showed the most potent activity against M.(B.) catarrhalis, with an MIC80 of 0.063 microgram/ml, followed minocycline and ofloxacin with their MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml. We also investigated year to year changes in the background of patients, as well as types of respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiological agents. As for patients background, there were many infectious diseases found among patients a high age bracket, and the patients over age 60 accounted for 61.3% of the diseases. The distribution by respiratory tract infections was as follows: chronic bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia accounted for the greatest numbers of cases with 31.1% and 26.0%, respectively, followed by bronchiectasis with 10.4%. In this year chronic bronchitis under age 29 were 41.7%, thus was much higher than 12.5% in previous year. This marked change was first noted in your research during the recent 5 years. As for frequencies of etiologic bacteria by respiratory tract infections, S. pneumoniae (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1992)]

Bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract infections were collected in cooperation with institutions located throughout Japan since 1981, and Ikemoto et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of the isolates to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and the relationships between the isolates and characteristics of the patients and so forth each year. We discuss the results in detail. In 20 institutions around the entire Japan from October 1992 to September 1993, 690 strains of bacteria were isolated mainly from sputa of 549 patients with lower respiratory tract infections and presumed to be the etiological bacteria. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 101 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 121 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 122 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 92 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid), 32 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid), 52 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 28 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the drug susceptibilities of these strains were measured except the strains which died during transportation. 1. S. aureus S. aureus strains for which MICs of methicillin were higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 61.4% and the frequency of the drug resistant bacteria was higher than the previous year's 58.3%. MICs values indicated that arbekacin was as active as vancomycin against all the strains on S. aureus. 2. S. pneumoniae Benzylpenicillin among the penicillins showed potent activities against S. pneumoniae. Cefuzonam, cefazolin, cefotaxime and cefmenoxime among the cephems showed excellent antimicrobial activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem; carbapenems, showed the most potent activity, and MIC80 was 0.015 microgram/ml. 3. H. influenzae All the drugs tested were potent against H. influenzae. Ampicillin among the penicillins showed MIC80 1 microgram/ml against H. influenzae. Cefotaxime, cefmenoxime, cefuzonam and cefixime showed the most potent activities, and MIC80s were 0.063 microgram/ml. The antimicrobial activity of ofloxacin was equivalent to those of cephems. 4. P. aeruginosa (mucoid) Ciprofloxacin showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), and MIC80 was 1 microgram/ml. Cefsulodin, aztreonam, carumonam and tobramycin showed the next most potent activities with an MIC80s of 2 micrograms/ml. 5. P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) Tobramycin and ciprofloxacin showed the highest activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) with an MIC80s of 2 micrograms/ml. Norfloxacin also showed some activity, and MIC80 was 4 micrograms/ml. Comparing to activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), all the drugs tested showed lower activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid). 6. K. pneumoniae The activities of all drugs except penicillins were high activities against K. pneumoniae. Carumonam showed the most potent activity with an MIC80 of 0.063 microgram/ml, followed by flomoxef, cefixime and cefozopran with their MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml. 7. M.(B.) catarrhalis Imipenem; carbapenems, showed the most potent activity against M.(B.) catarrhalis with an MIC80 0.063 microgram/ml. Minocycline and ofloxacin showed MIC80s 0.125 microgram/ml, respectively. We also investigated year to year changes in the background of patients, as well as types of respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiological bacteria. As for patients backgrounds, there were many infectious diseases found among patients in a high age bracket, and the patients over age 60 accounted for 60.8% of the diseases. The distribution by lower respiratory tract infections was as follows: bacterial pneumonia and chronic bronchitis accounted for the greatest numbers of cases with 30.4%, 29.5%, respectively, followed by bronchiectasis with 12.2%. As for frequencies of etiologic bacteria for respiratory tract infections, H. influenzae: 22.2%, and S. pneumoniae: 15.1% in chronic bronchitis; S. pneumoniae: 2

Nitrogen dioxide exposure increases airway contractile response to histamine by decreasing histamine N-methyltransferase activity in guinea pigs

To determine the mechanism responsible for nitrogen dioxide (NO2)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, we examined the effects of NO2 exposure on the contractile response to histamine and the level of histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT) activity, a histamine-degrading enzyme, in guinea pig trachea in vitro. Guinea pigs were divided into seven groups. Each group received continuous NO2 exposure (2.0 ppm) for either 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, or 96 h. The remaining group did not receive NO2 exposure (control). HMT activity in trachea was decreased from the control value of 70.3 +/- 7.7 pmol/min/mg protein to 34.6 +/- 6.7 pmol/min/mg protein by 12 h exposures of NO2. However, 24 and 48 h exposures of NO2 did not significantly alter HMT activity. In contrast, HMT activity exceeded the control value by 96 h exposures of NO2 (85.5 +/- 5.1 pmol/min/mg protein). Twelve hour exposures of NO2 shifted the concentration-response curves to histamine to lower concentrations and significantly reduced the median effective concentration (EC50) of histamine (log M) from the control value of -5.16 +/- 0.09 to -6.15 +/- 0.14 (P < 0.01). In contrast, the EC50 concentration of histamine (log M) increased from the control value of -5.20 +/- 0.10 to -4.90 +/- 0.11 by 96 h exposures of NO2 (P < 0.05). However, NO2 exposure did not alter the contractile response to acetylcholine. Morphologically, tracheal epithelial cells had vacuoles after 12 h exposures of NO2, but denudation of the epithelium did not occur during this experiment. In situ hybridization for HMT mRNA demonstrated that the level of HMT mRNA increased dominantly in tracheal epithelial cells after 96 h exposures of NO2. The present results indicated that the decrease in the level of HMT activity in the trachea was closely associated with the increase in the airway contractile response to histamine, suggesting that NO2-induced transient airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine is due to the decreased capacity of histamine catabolism in airway.

Development and applications of new technology for two-dimensional space-time characterization and correlation analysis of ultraweak biophoton information

We describe the spatial distribution and temporal correlation analysis of ultraweak biophoton emission based on photoelectron pulse time series and position measurement techniques. Experimental results on the spatio-temporal variation of biophoton emission from soybean seedlings after physical and chemical stimulation to the root tip are analyzed. Our results suggest the potential usefulness of this technique to quantify the transmission mechanisms of biological signals in the living system by measuring the biophoton emission.

[Familial posterior cortical atrophy with visual agnosia and Bálint's syndrome]

We report a patient of posterior cortical atrophy with progressive visual agnosia, Bálint's syndrome and dementia in which posterior cortical atrophy with similar characteristics on CT and progressive dementia were found in a sister. The patient was a 75-year-old woman who noted the onset of a progressive visual disorder at the age of 70, and whose family first noticed disoriented behavior at around the same period. Ophthalmologic examinations revealed mild cataract but no evidence of peripheral optic nerve or retinal lesions. Neuropsychological examination showed right homonymous hemianopia, visual agnosia, Bálint's syndrome, mild transcortical sensory aphasia, Gerstmann's syndrome, constructional apraxia, mild ideomotor apraxia and memory disorder. MRI showed marked dilatation of both lateral ventricles, especially the posterior horns, and severe atrophy of the occipital lobes, hippocampus, and the parahippocampal gyrus. Assessment of regional cerebral blood flow by IMP-SPECT revealed a generalized decrease in the temporo-parieto-occipital region bilaterally. The patient's sister began to show evidence of progressive dementia at 80 years of age and CT of the brain revealed marked atrophy, predominantly in the occipital lobes, similar to that of the patient. We believe this to be the first report of posterior cortical atrophy with a positive family history, suggesting the possibility of a hereditary syndrome.

Quantitation of heteroplasmy of mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene using PCR-SSCP

We have devised a novel method for quantitative analysis of the MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) tRNA(Leu(UUR)) mutation of mitochondrial DNA using a PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism) method, and compared the results obtained using the PCR-SSCP method with those obtained using other methods including Southern blotting, last one cycle hot PCR, and conventional PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism). The standard curve obtained using the PCR-SSCP method is linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999; it was determined that this method is more accurate than other methods for quantitative analysis. The PCR-SSCP method does not require restriction digestions, thereby avoiding potential problems of partial digestions or heteroduplex formation during PCR. The method is quite simple and should have a broad range of application for quantitation of mutant mtDNAs in various mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. We applied the method for quantitation of mutant mitochondrial DNA carrying a single base substitution in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene in two autopsied cases of MELAS. In both cases, the mutant mtDNA is abundantly present (82-95%) withd little variation among tissues.

Inflammatory involvement of the hypophysis in Tolosa-Hunt syndrome

We report a case of painful ophthalmoplegia (Tolosa-Hunt syndrome), which was complicated with diabetes insipidus (DI) and pituitary-adrenal axis hypofunction. A 42-year-old man hospitalized for left orbital pain and impairment of left cranial nerves III, IV, V, VI, developed diabetes insipidus during the corticosteroid treatment. Neuroimaging studies disclosed a thickened, highly contrast-enhanced pituitary stalk, swollen pituitary gland and widened left cavernous sinus up to the superior orbital fissure, which were accompanied by diabetes insipidus and hypofunction of the pituitary-adrenal axis. These were indicative of an extension of granulomatous inflammation of the cavernous sinus to the pituitary portal system and the gland itself.

The 8,344 mutation in mitochondrial DNA: a comparison between the proportion of mutant DNA and clinico-pathologic findings

Ten patients, two men and eight women with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, had an A-G mutation at nucleotide pair 8,344 in the mitochondrial DNA, the most common genetic defect in myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF). Eight patients had the clinical and pathologic characteristics of MERRF including myoclonus, seizures, cerebellar ataxia and myopathy with ragged-red fibers. Two patients had atypical symptoms such as early onset of fatal cardiac failure and late onset of rapid mental deterioration, respectively. The striking feature in our patients with the 8,344 mutation cardiac involvement and two developed progressive heart failure. In the typical MERRF patients, the proportion of mutant mitochondrial DNA in their skeletal muscles, quantified by a single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, was above 85%. However, there was no significant correlation between clinical severity, histopathological findings and the proportion of mutant mtDNA in muscle biopsy samples, suggesting that non-ragged-red fibers play an important role in the phenotype expression of the mutants.

IL-5, IL-8 and GM-CSF immunostaining of sputum cells in bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis

BACKGROUND

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-5 or IL-8 have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic airway inflammation in bronchial asthma or neutrophilic airway inflammation in chronic bronchitis, respectively, However, GM-CSF and IL-8 have biological activities to either eosinophils or neutrophils.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the contribution of these cytokines to airway inflammation, we compared the cellular differential and immunolocalization of GM-CSF, IL-5 and IL-8 in sputum cells from patients with bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.

METHODS

Cytospins of sputum cells from 12 patients with bronchial asthma and 12 with chronic bronchitis were subjected to cellular differential counting and immuno-cytochemistry with anti-human GM-CSF, IL-5 and IL-8 antibody.

RESULTS

The predominant cells in bronchial asthma were eosinophils and lymphocytes, while those in chronic bronchitis were neutrophils. All cytokines examined were detected in either bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis, although the percentage of GM-CSF and Il-5 positive cells in bronchial asthma (53.4 +/- 6.0 [mean +/- SEM]% and 9.7 +/- 2.8%, respectively) was significantly higher than that in chronic bronchitis (11.4 +/- 2.5%; P < 0.001 and 1.7 +/- 0.3%; P < 0.007, respectively). In contrast, the percentage of IL-8 positive cells in chronic bronchitis (23.8 +/- 7.0%) was significantly higher than that in bronchial asthma (7.& +/- 1.9%; P < 0.04). The cells positive for IL-5 were lymphocytes in bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. The cells positive for GM-CSF in bronchial asthma were predominantly eosinophils, while those in chronic bronchitis were monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. In contrast, neutrophils are mainly positive for IL-8 in chronic bronchitis, while monocytes/macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells are positive for IL-8 in bronchial asthma.

CONCLUSION

The immunochemical comparison of GM-CSF and IL-8 localization in sputum cells between bronchial asthma/chronic bronchitis suggests the differential regulation and roles of these cytokines in eosinophilic vs neutrophilic airway inflammation, resulting in the development of different types of airway inflammation.

In situ expression of the cell adhesion molecules in bronchial tissues from asthmatics with air flow limitation: in vivo evidence of VCAM-1/VLA-4 interaction in selective eosinophil infiltration

Eosinophils play a critical role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma by releasing various mediators. To understand the mechanisms of eosinophil migration to the site of inflammation, we examined the expression of adhesion molecules in the bronchial tissues of asthmatic subjects with air flow limitation. By immunohistochemical analysis, Mac-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4 were strongly positive in eosinophils and mononuclear cells infiltrated in the bronchial mucosa and submucosa. Their number was significantly increased compared with those in control tissue. Immunolocalization for ICAM-1, the ligand of Mac-1 and LFA-1, was detected in the endothelial cells of capillaries and venules, in the mononuclear cells in submucosa, and in the basal layer of the epithelium. Endothelial cells in capillaries and venules were also strongly positive for VCAM-1, the ligand of VLA-4. Immunolocalization for E-selectin was detected in some endothelial cells in capillaries and venules in bronchial submucosa, whereas there were very few positive cells in the bronchial tissues from control subjects. In situ hybridization demonstrated ICAM-1 mRNA expression in the endothelial cells and mononuclear cells in bronchial submucosa. Immunoelectron microscopy for ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin demonstrated de novo synthesis of these molecules and their expression along the luminal cell membrane of endothelial cells. These results suggested that ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were newly synthesized prior to spontaneous asthma attacks, and that their expression, particularly that of VCAM-1, may play a key role in eosinophil infiltration into the airway.

Ulcerative colitis associated with Takayasu's disease

A 25-year-old Japanese woman had both ulcerative colitis and Takayasu's disease and was positive for HLA-A24, BW52, and DR2. She was found to have thickening of the wall of the carotid artery on contrast-enhanced computerized tomography of the neck and chest. Prednisolone, beraprost, and sulfapyridine achieved rapid remission of both diseases.

[A study on the resistance of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus to antimicrobial agents]

The morbidity of the infections caused by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus increased in recent years. In order to know the resistance of MRSA to antimicrobial agents, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents against S. Aureus isolated from inpatients were measured. The presence of beta-lactamase in and the types of coagulase of the strains tested were determined as well. The results showed that MRSA accounted for 50.7% of the strains tested, the incidence of MRSA producing beta-lactamase was 85.1% and the coagulase of MRSA was all of type II. MRSA showed resistance to most of the lactam antibiotics and some of the aminoglycosides. Vancomycin and arbikacin had the highest activity against MRSA; other effective antibiotics were in the following order: amikacin, minocycline, tosulfloxacin and imipenem. It is suggested that serious infections caused by MRSA may be cured by using vancomycin, arbikacin or other antibiotics mentioned above.

[Molecular genetic analysis for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)]

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited disease characterized of acute visual loss predominantly affecting young men. So far twelve mutations in the mitochondrial DNA have been associated in this disease. We reviewed these mutations, and showed methods to detect these mutations which are being used in our laboratory. Seven mutations (nps 3460, 5244, 7444, 11778, 13708, 15257, 15812) can be detected by the the loss of the sites, and 4 mutations (nps 4216, 4917, 11778, 3394) can be detected by the appearance of the restriction sites. Since only two mutations (nps 4160 and 14484) don't affect the restriction sites, we use mismatched primers as a method to detect the mutations by polymerase chain reaction.

[Molecular genetic analysis for myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF)]

Two mutations in tRNA(Lys) gene of mitochondrial DNA were detected as the causes of this disease. We reviewed our previous studies and the recent literatures. We analyzed the mtDNA nucleotide sequence of a MERRF patient, the original case of MERRF described by Fukuhara et al., and identified a point mutation of 8,344 in tRNA(Lys) gene. This mutation detected in all 8 MERRF patients from 6 independent families, and not detected in 15 controls by polymerase chain reaction using a mismatched primer. We also quantitated the degrees of heteroplasmy of the point mutation at nt 8,344 of tRNA(Lys) in various postmortem tissues from two patients with MERRF. The percentages of the mutant mtDNA were similar in both clinically affected and unaffected tissues.

[Peripheral neuropathy in large granular lymphocytic leukemia]

A 16-year old woman with LGL leukemia developed peripheral neuropathy. She showed virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS)-like signs including high fever, liver dysfunction, huge splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and pancytopenia. The presence of chronic active EB virus infection was proved by marked high titers for IgG and IgA antibodies to the Epstein-Barr viral capsid and early antigens and low titers of antibody to Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens. She showed dysesthesia and paresthesia of bilateral lower extremities with marked swelling and tenderness, and later developed muscular weakness and atrophy with areflexia of lower extremities. Findings of the central nervous system dysfunction were not observed except for the acceleration of jaw jerk. Pleocytosis and increased protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid were found. Pulse therapy of methyl-prednisolone and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (20 g/day for 3 days) were effective for neurological findings. The increased neopterin in the cerebrospinal fluid suggested that peripheral neuropathy was caused by activated macrophages.

Uniform tissue distribution of tRNA(Lys) mutation in mitochondrial DNA in MERRF patients

We documented the presence of a point mutation in the tRNA(Lys) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in various postmortem tissues from two patients with myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF). The percentages of the mutant mtDNA were similar (93 to 99%) in both clinically affected and unaffected tissues, suggesting that preferential clinical involvement of certain tissues in MERRF is based not only on the variation of distribution of the mutant mtDNA, but also on other factors such as differences in the threshold in various CNS regions and organs.

The effect of cytokines on the differentiation of an eosinophilic leukemia cell line (EoL-1) is associated with down regulation of c-myc gene expression

In this study, we measured hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) release as one of the functions of mature eosinophils, and utilized it as a quantitative index. We demonstrated that 1) the human eosinophilic leukemia cell line, EoL-1, did not release H2O2 when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), but after culturing with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) it acquired the ability to release H2O2; 2) the ability to release H2O2 was time dependent and reached a peak after 4 days of culture; 3) administration of TGF-beta or GM-CSF, with TNF and IFN-gamma enhanced the PMA-induced release of H2O2 from EoL-1. To examine the potential relationship between c-myc gene expression and induction of the ability to release H2O2, Northern analysis of c-myc gene expression in EoL-1 cocultured with TNF and IFN-gamma was performed. The results showed that the c-myc gene was spontaneously expressed in EoL-1, and the level of c-myc mRNA was markedly reduced after the cells were cocultured with TNF and IFN-gamma, suggesting that the decrease of the c-myc mRNA level is closely associated with induction of the ability to release H2O2.

Strong correlation between the number of CAG repeats in androgen receptor genes and the clinical onset of features of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy

X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a motor neuron disease associated with androgen insensitivity, is caused by androgen receptor gene mutations with an increased number of tandem CAG repeats in exon 1. We investigated the increased number of CAG repeats in androgen receptor genes of 19 SBMA patients and found that this correlated strongly with the age at onset of muscle weakness. Thus, SBMA is the first genetic disease in which a strong correlation between the degree of genetic abnormality (number of CAG tandem repeats) and clinical phenotypic expression is demonstrable. The results further indicate that androgen gene mutation is directly involved in the degeneration of motor neurons.

Role of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the development of bronchiectasis

To understand the role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the development of bronchiectasis, we investigated by CT the presence of bronchiectasis in two groups of chronic bronchitis patients and in a control group. There were no differences in clinical or laboratory findings between groups A and B. Three observers without any knowledge of these patients reported bronchiectasis on a scale of 0 to 3 and bronchial wall thickness on a scale of 0 to 3 in each lobe of both lungs. Bronchiectasis and wall thickness scores in group A (chronic bronchitis with P aeruginosa infection) were significantly higher than bronchiectasis scores and wall thickness in group B (chronic bronchitis without P aeruginosa infection). Both scores in group B were higher than those in group C (control group). These findings support the idea that chronic P aeruginosa infection plays a role in the development of bronchiectasis.

Functional analysis of alternatively spliced transcripts of the human histidine decarboxylase gene and its expression in human tissues and basophilic leukemia cells

L-Histidine decarboxylase (HisDC) is the enzyme catalyzing the formation of histamine from L-histidine. HisDC activity is expressed specifically in mast cells/basophils, endocrine cells in stomach, and histaminergic neurons in brain. As a first step in the analysis of the regulation of HisDC gene expression, we have cloned the cDNA coding for HisDC from a cDNA library of a human basophilic leukemia cell line, KU-812-F. We identified two types of HisDC cDNA, representing the 2.4-kb and 3.4-kb HisDC mRNA constitutively expressed in these cells. Sequence analysis of these cDNA revealed that the 3.4-kb mRNA contains the insert sequence of 824 bases and suggests that both 2.4-kb and 3.4-kb mRNA may represent the alternatively spliced transcripts of the HisDC gene. Using expression plasmids containing a cDNA for each HisDC mRNA, we analyzed the function of possible HisDC isoforms. We show that only the 2.4-kb mRNA encodes functional HisDC and is expressed in human brain and lung. However, we were unable to detect the 3.4-kb mRNA in these tissues. Thus, the 3.4-kb mRNA may be generated by KU-812-F cell-specific splicing of the HisDC gene transcripts. Furthermore, we demonstrated the increase in the level of 2.4-kb HisDC mRNA and HisDC activity in KU-812-F cells following treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

Human lung mast cells and pulmonary macrophages produce tumor necrosis factor-alpha in sensitized lung tissue after IgE receptor triggering

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. We examined TNF production in human lung fragments after IgE receptor triggering at mRNA and protein levels. IgE receptor triggering was performed by sensitizing lung fragments with monoclonal human IgE and then exposing them to anti-human IgE antibody. Cytotoxic activity against L929 cells appeared in the culture supernatant of lung fragments 2 h after IgE receptor triggering and increased for up to 4 h. This cytotoxic activity was completely neutralized by anti-human TNF antibody. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that 1.8-kb TNF mRNA transcripts in sensitized lung fragments were expressed as early as 1 h after IgE receptor triggering and continued up to 4 h. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed TNF localization in tissue mast cells, alveolar macrophages, tissue macrophages, and bronchial epithelial cells. Double staining with anti-TNF antibody and alcian blue clearly identified that lung mast cells are one of the TNF-positive cell types in the pulmonary tissue. With immunoelectron microscopy, TNF immunoreactivity was detected in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the perinuclear spaces in tissue macrophages, and in the cytosol and the perinuclear spaces in bronchial epithelial cells. In addition, IgE was detected on the cell surface of mast cells, tissue macrophages, and alveolar macrophages. These results suggest that TNF is released from mast cells and pulmonary macrophages through IgE receptor triggering and may play a key role in the allergic reaction in human airway.

Delta F508 mutation of cystic fibrosis gene is not found in chronic bronchitis with severe obstruction in Japan

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) in Japan is a chronic bronchitis observed in nonsmoking adults, with severe obstruction and poor prognosis. DPB shares pathologic and clinical characteristics with mild adult cystic fibrosis (CF), except that CF is frequent in whites (Europeans and Americans of European descent) but not in Japanese. Recently, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene was identified, and a 3-base pair deletion (delta F508) was confirmed as a major mutation responsible for CF. We extracted genomic DNA from white blood cells of 17 DPB patients and from paraffin-embedded tissues of 4 DPB patients at autopsy. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were made in exon 10 of the CFTR gene so that a three-base shorter segment of 78 base pairs was amplified from the CFTR gene with the delta F508 mutation; the DNA segment amplified from the normal gene contains an F508 area with 81 base pairs. Every DNA segment amplified from DPB patients showed a normal 81-base pair length, indicating no DNA sample contained the delta F508 mutation. These results based on delta F508 mutation analysis in the CF gene indicate that DPB may represent a disease different from CF.

[Myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers--report of a patient with negative myoclonus]

A 21-year-old woman, who had no particular familial history, was admitted to our hospital because of hand tremor and gait disturbance. On neurological examination, she showed muscle weakness in the proximal extremities. There was an ataxia on heel-to-shin testing. Action and postural myoclonus involving the extremities were also noted. In addition, with dorsiflexion of the hands, asterixis-like movement was manifested. Pyruvate was 1.0 mg/dl and lactate was 24.1 mg/dl in cerebrospinal fluid. Brain CT scan revealed mild cerebellar atrophy. EEG showed synchronous diffuse slow wave. Median nerve SEPs showed a large N20-P25 component (20 microV). Median nerve C-reflex was not evoked. With dorsiflexion of the hands, the asterixis-like movement was induced with brief cessation of surface EMG activity in the forearm muscles, as shown by the accelerometer trace. Biopsy specimens of the biceps brachii muscle revealed numerous ragged-red fibers. By PCR-RFLP method with use of a mismatched primer, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA extracted from peripheral leukocytes. The A to G mutation at nucleotide position 8,344 in a tRNA(Lys) gene of a mitochondrial genome was detected. In this patient, clonazepam was effective on the asterixis-like movements. From existence of positive myoclonus, giant SEPs and efficacy of clonazepam, we considered this movement to be negative myoclonus. Our study indicated the possibility that such an involuntary movement could be induced by certain posture in patients with MERRF.

Simple detection of tRNA(Lys) mutation in myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) by polymerase chain reaction with a mismatched primer

We developed a simple method for the detection of a tRNA(Lys) mutation in myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) by polymerase chain reaction with use of a mismatched primer. Although the tRNA(Lys) mutation does not alter recognition sequences for commercially available restriction enzymes, we have successfully changed two nucleotides flanking the A to G mutation at nucleotide position 8344 in a tRNA(Lys) gene of a mitochondrial genome. As a result, the mutation can be detected as a Nae I restriction fragment length polymorphism. With this method, all eight MERRF patients and an asymptomatic mother of a MERRF patient, from six independent families, had the same tRNA(Lys) mutation. Our method is simple and should also be useful for the quantitation of heteroplasmies.

Quantitation of mitochondrial DNA carrying tRNALys mutation in MERRF patients

An A to G transition at nucleotide position 8,344 in tRNALys of mitochondrial DNA has been recently identified as a causative mutation of myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF). To investigate if the degree of heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA is correlated with the severity of MERRF, we have developed a novel method for quantitation of the mutant mitochondrial DNA by polymerase chain reaction using a mismatched primer. With the method, populations of mutant mtDNAs from 5 cases of MERRF carrying the tRNALys mutation were analyzed. The tight linkage of the severity of symptoms and the degree of heteroplasmies is not necessarily observed for all cases, though there is a tendency that patients with less wild type mtDNAs show severer clinical symptoms and earlier onset.

Distinct clustering of point mutations in mitochondrial DNA among patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and with Parkinson's disease

The total sequence data for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed distinct clustering of point mutations (pms) in mtDNA among one patient with myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF), two patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), two patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and one patient with fatal infantile cardiomyopathy (FICM). Among 33 to 62 pms found in each patients, sequentially diverged five clusters of pms were detected and designated as C-1 to C-5. C-1, consisted of fourteen pms, existed in the MERRF patient, C-1 and C-2 (nine pms) in one PD patient, C-1 to C-3 (seven pms) in another PD patient, C-1 to C-4 (one pm) in one MELAS patient and C-1 to C-5 (three pms) in another MELAS patient and the FICM patient. From these clustering of pms, a phylogenetic tree of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies (ME) was constructed. This tree clearly indicated that the ME and PD patients are members of the same gene family, and the MELAS and FICM patients are each others' closest relative. Each patient's unique pms (14 to 28 pms) were detected and, from their characteristic features, the types of the mutations specific for the disease were classified as mit- + syn- for MERRF, mit- + p- for PD, and syn- + mit- for MELAS. An inverse relation was found between the total number of pms and life span of the MELAS and FICM patients.

[Molecular genetic analysis of neurologic diseases]

With the recent progress in molecular genetics, our understanding of neurologic diseases on molecular basis has improved tremendously. Molecular analyses of gene mutations in hereditary neurologic diseases bring us not only the identification of mutations but also better understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the neurologic diseases. We have identified a missense mutation (444Leu----Pro) in glucocerebrosidase gene of a type 2 Gaucher patient. The mutant glucocerebrosidase carrying 444Pro is unstable and degraded rapidly before the mutant protein is targetted to lysosomes. Detailed analysis on the 444Leu----Pro mutations among three phenotypes (types 1, 2 and 3) of Gaucher disease, it has been demonstrated that patients homozygous for the mutation frequently have the neurologic involvement (types 1 and 2). Very recently we have identified a mutation in tRNA(Lys) gene of mitochondrial genome of patients with myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers. The pathophysiologic mechanism with the tRNA(Lys) mutation is considered to be based on the impaired function of tRNA(Lys).

Production of tumor necrosis factor with IgE receptor triggering from sensitized lung tissue

Mast cells and basophils have been known to play a central role in allergic inflammation through the release of chemical mediators by cross-linkage of IgE receptors. The IgE receptor triggering and calcium ionophore A23187 have also been shown to induce gene expression and production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by rat basophilic leukemia cells. In the present study, we examined whether IgE receptor triggering could induce gene expression and production of TNF in rat lung tissue. The lung tissue released not only histamine but also cytotoxic activity on L929 cells 2 and 4 h after incubation with dinitrophenyl conjugated to ovalbumin (DNP-OVA) following passive sensitization with anti-DNP monoclonal rat IgE antibody, whereas neither DNP-OVA nor anti-DNP IgE antibody could induce the cytotoxic activity when used solely. Calcium ionophore A23187 also could induce both histamine release and cytotoxic activity. These activities induced by IgE receptor triggering, A23187, and lipopolysaccharide were completely neutralized by preincubation with anti-mouse TNF-rabbit serum, but not with normal rabbit serum. Northern blot analysis using cDNA probe of mouse TNF demonstrated expression of TNF gene as early as 2 h after IgE receptor triggering. These data demonstrating that IgE receptor triggering induced gene expression and production of TNF in lung tissue suggest the participation of TNF in the pathogenesis of late asthmatic response through its biologic activities such as the attraction and activation of neutrophils and eosinophils.

Histidine decarboxylase in human basophilic leukemia (KU-812-F) cells. Characterization and induction by phorbol myristate acetate

The human leukemic cell line KU-812-F is known to differentiate into mature basophil-like cells under serum-free culture conditions. In the present study, the activity of histidine decarboxylase (HDC), a histamine-forming enzyme, in KU-812-F cells was found to be high, ranging from 10 to 57 pmol/min/mg protein. The great variation in HDC activity appeared to be due to different percentages and degrees of maturity of basophil-like cells during differentiation of this cell line. The enzyme was inhibited by alpha-fluoromethylhistidine but not by carbidopa, was unable to form dopamine from L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and had a Km value for histidine of 0.27 mM, indicating that it was HDC and not aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. The HDC activity increased 1.8-fold when the cells were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate, which is known to activate protein kinase C, and this increase was blocked by staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C.

[Therapeutic efficacy of miconazole on deep-seated fungal infections in the respiratory tract system]

We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of miconazole (MCZ, Florid-F inj.), a new antifungal agent for parenteral use, in deep-seated fungal infections of respiratory tract system. A daily dose of 400-1,800 mg of MCZ was given intravenously for 12-38 days (mean: 23.4 days) to 7 patients: 2 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis, 1 patient with bronchial aspergillosis, 1 patient with pulmonary candidiasis and 3 patients with candidemia. One additional patient with pulmonary aspergillosis received three instillations of 20 mg of MCZ into the thoracic cavity. The clinical effects were excellent in 1, good in 4 and poor in 3 patients. The efficacy rate was 100% in 5 cases with respiratory fungal infections but 3 cases with candidemia did not respond well to the treatment. Four strains each of Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. were identified as causative organisms. Seven of the 8 strains were eradicated by administration of MCZ. Side effects observed were irritation and heat in a leg in 1 patient, hyperlipoidemia in 2 patients and eosinophilia in 1 patient. The adverse reactions disappeared after the completion of the therapy. From the above results, we conclude that MCZ is one of the most useful antifungal agents for parenteral use as a first choice on deep-seated fungal infections in the respiratory tract.

A common mitochondrial DNA mutation in the t-RNA(Lys) of patients with myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers

Nucleotide sequence analyses of muscle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from a patient with myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) revealed 33 single base substitutions, including 23 in coding regions for mitochondrial polypeptides and 10 in non-coding regions, as compared with the normal human mtDNA sequence. Three substitutions, in COI, ND4, and Cytb, would result in amino acid substitutions, which are conserved among species. Of three patients with MERRF, all had an identical A to G base substitution only at nucleotide position 8344 in the t-RNA(Lys) region. The substitution was not found in 15 controls. Various degrees of the combined enzymic defects in the oxidative phosphorylation system of mitochondria were found in the MERRF patients. The defects could be explained by altered function or processing of the mutant t-RNA(Lys). This mutation in the t-RNA(Lys) is the most probable cause of MERRF.

Effects of interleukin 3, interleukin 4, and fibroblasts on cultures of human lung mast cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids

The effects of T cell factors, including interleukin (IL)-3 and IL-4, and fibroblasts on the growth and differentiation of human lung mast cells (MCs) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were examined. The number of MCs identified by alcian blue-safranin staining was twice that of the control culture without conditioned medium (CM) when BAL cells were cultured for 2 weeks in RPMI 1640 containing 10% fetal calf serum and partially purified CM derived from PHA-stimulated lymphocytes. In the presence of both recombinant (r) IL-3 and rIL-4, the number of MCs was twice as high as the control without increase in the per-cell histamine content after 2 weeks' culture. In umbilical cord blood cultures, IL-3 plus IL-4 augmented basophilic cells about 20-fold more than the control when cultured for 2 weeks. In some cases, the percentage of safranin-positive MCs was about 2-5 fold greater, with 2-7 fold higher histamine content, when cultured for 10 days with CM and fibroblasts derived from human embryonic lung. However, in all BAL experiments, there was no increase in the total number of MCs after culture compared with the initial number of MCs, unlike the umbilical cord blood cultures. These results suggest that T cell factors, including IL-3 and IL-4, and fibroblasts may influence the phenotype and the survival of lung mast cells in BAL, whereas there was no evidence for the presence of MC precursors in BAL fluids.

Gene expression and production of tumour necrosis factor by a rat basophilic leukaemia cell line (RBL-2H3) with IgE receptor triggering

This study evaluated the gene expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and the molecular weight of the cytotoxic factor in a subline of a rat basophilic leukaemia cell line, RBL-2H3. After IgE receptor triggering with a specific antigen that was associated with histamine release, cytotoxic activity in the cell lysates and supernatants increased for 2 hr during the culture of RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, calcium ionophore A23187 could induce release of histamine and cytotoxic activity from RBL-2H3 cells. However, compound 48/80, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were unable to induce the release of either histamine or cytotoxic activity from the cells. These data suggested that, at least in part, there was a common pathway in histamine release and production of cytotoxic activity. A protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not affect histamine release, but inhibited the induction of cytotoxic activity. This cytotoxic activity from RBL-2H3 cells was completely neutralized by anti-mouse TNF rabbit serum. With Northern blot analysis, mouse TNF cDNA probe could hybridize with RNA isolated from RBL-2H3 cells. TNF mRNA was induced as early as 1 hr after stimulation with specific antigen and decreased by 4 hr. Moreover, the molecular weight (MW) of the released cytotoxic factor from RBL-2H3 cells triggered with IgE receptors was approximately 17,000 by SDS-PAGE, which was compatible to that of TNF. Thus, it is concluded that the gene expression and production of TNF occurred in RBL-2H3 cells after IgE receptor triggering in association with histamine release, suggesting that TNF produced by basophils and mast cells may play an important role in allergic reaction through its wide range of biological activity.

Production of tumour necrosis factor by mastocytoma P815 cells

P815, a transformed mouse mastocytoma cell line, produced and released cytotoxic factors after stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), but not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), calcium ionophore A23187 and IgE receptor triggering. The cytotoxic activity was reduced 60% by antibodies to mouse tumour necrosis factor (TNF). In addition, we demonstrated that TNF mRNA was already expressed under normal culture conditions and that it increased after stimulation with PMA. Although it was unknown whether factors other than TNF were lymphotoxin or some other unknown factors, it has been suggested that mast cells have cytotoxic activity, and that they contribute to inflammatory response through the release of TNF, which has a wide range of biological activity.

[Detection of Epstein-Barr virus specific IgE antibody]

To confirm the existence and investigate the biological significance of IgE virus-specific antibodies, we studied Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific IgE antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with an anti human IgE monoclonal antibody. We detected EBV-specific IgE antibody in sera not only from patients with the EBV associated diseases of infectious mononucleosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but also from patients with bronchial asthma, collagen disease and healthy volunteers. However, there was no significant difference in the titers of IgE antibody specific for EBV among these groups. No significant relationship between the titers of EBV-specific IgG and IgE antibody, or between the titers of EBV-specific IgE and the total IgE levels in the sera was observed.

Increase in luminal mast cell and epithelial damage may account for increased airway responsiveness after viral infection in dogs

To elucidate the mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by viral infection, we examined histologically and analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid using dogs infected with influenza C and noninfected control dogs. Airway responsiveness was assessed as inhaled acetylcholine concentration required to increase pulmonary resistance by 5 cm H2O/L/s (ACh PC). Airway responsiveness was determined before and 2 wk after virus or vehicle inoculation in infected and control dogs, and BAL and histologic studies were performed after the final challenge. Differential cell numbers and histamine concentration were determined in the BAL fluids of both groups. The ACh PC of control dogs did not change with the vehicle inoculation. However, that of infected dogs decreased two to five times as much as their initial value with viral infection. Histologic studies revealed diffuse epithelial damage in the central airways of infected dogs, but infiltrated cell counts within the airway tissue of both groups were not significantly different. From BAL analysis, mast cell number and the histamine concentration of infected dogs increased significantly compared with those of control dogs (3.1 +/- 0.4 x 10(5) versus 0.9 +/- 0.3 x 10(5) cells/ml and 7.3 +/- 1.7 versus 1.9 +/- 0.5 ng/ml, respectively). Luminal mast cell number and epithelial damage score in each dog was correlated with the increase in airway responsiveness. These findings indicate that airway inflammation in virus-induced hyperreactive dogs is characterized by epithelial damage and luminal increase in mast cells and related mediators, and these changes may be related to the appearance of virus-induced airway hyperreactivity.

[Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) with deleted mitochondrial DNA]

A 19-year-old man with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia with deleted mitochondrial DNA was reported. Neurological examination revealed bilateral external ophthalmoplegia, hearing loss of sensorineural type, short stature, mental retardation, muscle atrophy and weakness in the proximal muscles. Lactate and pyruvate levels were elevated in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Protein concentration was slightly increased in CSF. Electromyogram showed myopathic changes on all the muscles examined. Ragged-red fibers were found in biopsied rectus femoris muscle, stained with modified Gomori trichrome. Scattered cytochrome c oxidase deficient fibers were encountered. The computed tomography of the brain showed mild cerebral and cerebellar atrophy without any abnormal calcification or hypo-lucency. Southern blot analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extracted from the patient's muscle revealed mixed population of mtDNA, consisting of the normal one and partially deleted one. The size of the deletion was about 4.5-kilobase. The region included the sequences coding for at least four subunits of Complex I, one subunit of Complex IV, two subunits of Complex V and five tRNAs. There may be a "hot area" on the mitochondrial genome that is more prone to be deleted than other regions of mtDNA. Southern blot analysis is usefull for the diagnosis of KSS or CPEO.

Modulation of human basophil growth in vitro by xiao-qing-long-tang (syo-seiryu-to), chai-pu-tang (saiboku-to), qing-fei-tang (seihai-to), baicalein and ketotifen

Our previous study showed the inhibitory effect of Qing-Fei-Tang (Q.F.T.) and baicalein on the leukotriene (LT)B4 synthesis of human alveolar macrophages. It has recently been demonstrated that LTs support various cell growth, and basophil and its precursor numbers increase in atopic patients. Therefore, we examined the effect of anti-allergic drugs, including Q.F.T., Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang (X.Q.L.T.), Chai-Pu-Tang (C.P.T.), baicalein and ketotifen which have been used for treatment of bronchial asthma, on human basophil growth in vitro using cord blood mononuclear cells as a basophil precursor source and conditioned medium of T cell leukemia cell line Mo as a growth factor. Two-week cultured basophil numbers identified by alcian blue-safranin staining and those histamine contents assayed fluorometrically were inhibited by Q.F.T. (1.0 mg/ml), X.Q.L.T. (0.01-1.0 mg/ml), C.P.T. (0.01-1.0 mg/ml), baicalein (1-100 microM) or ketotifen (1-100 microM) in a dose-dependent manner while low dose (0.01-0.1 mg/ml) of Q.F.T. showed an enhancing effect on the basophil growth and the histamine content. However, LTB4 or LTC4 failed in restoring the basophil growth reduced by 1 mg/ml of C.P.T. or 100 microM of ketotifen. These results suggest that anti-allergic drugs may modulate basophil growth and differentiation in vitro and/or in vivo and therefore be useful and reasonable for controlling allergic diseases including bronchial asthma.

The production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by rat basophilic leukemia cells with triggering IgE receptor

We evaluated cytotoxic factor released from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL) sensitized with anti-ovalbumin (OVA) mouse serum after incubation with OVA. The cytotoxic activity of this factor was completely blocked by anti-mouse tumor necrosis factor-alpha (mTNF-alpha) specific antibody. Therefore, we concluded that by triggering the IgE receptor, RBL could produce and release TNF-alpha.

Effects of qing-fei-tang (seihai-to) and baicalein, its main component flavonoid, on lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and leukotriene B4 synthesis of human alveolar macrophages

A traditional Chinese remedy, Qing-Fei-Tang (Seihai-to, T90), has been used for treatment of chronic respiratory diseases with long-lasting cough and sputum, e.g. chronic bronchitis. We examined the effect of T90 and its main component flavonoid, baicalein, on the lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis of human alveolar macrophages (AM). AM were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with various respiratory diseases, including sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. CL were observed by stimulating 1 x 10(5) AM with phorbol myristate acetate in the presence of lucigenin. LTB4 were generated by incubating 1 x 10(6)/ml AM with Ca ionophore A23187 for 30 min and determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. T90 (0.2-2.0 mg/ml) and baicalein (0.1-100 microM) inhibited both CL and LTB4 production of AM in a dose-dependent fashion. These inhibitory effects were not due to cytotoxic effects of the procedure because neither 2 mg/ml T90 nor 100 M baicalein affected the viability of AM nor lactate dehydrogenase release from AM. These results suggest that T90 exerts its effect on inflammatory lung diseases through the anti-inflammatory action, i.e. inhibiting the oxidative and arachidonate metabolism of local inflammatory lung cells.

Morphological characterization of basophilic cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients with bronchial asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A marked increase in the number of basophilic cells (BCs) was found in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from the patients with bronchial asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Histochemical analysis revealed that basophils were the major components of BCs in asthmatic patients, while formalin-insensitive BCs, which are presumed to be connective tissue mast cells, were observed in BAL fluids from IPF patients. In control subjects, almost all of BCs were mucosal mast cells.

Reciprocal regulation of human basophil and eosinophil differentiation by separate T-cell-derived factors

Basophil and eosinophil progenitors are present in human hemopoietic tissues, including cord blood. In the present studies, cord blood cultures demonstrating differentiation of basophils or eosinophils have been maintained for prolonged periods in the presence of conditioned medium from a human T-cell leukemia line (Mo-CM). Peak basophil counts and histamine levels were followed almost invariably by a second peak of eosinophils in vitro. Morphologic examination revealed the consistent presence of cells with mixed basophil-eosinophil granulation. Both basophil and eosinophil growth-stimulating activities were found in Mo-CM, were heat stable and nondialyzable, and could be partially separated from each other by a multistep procedure that included ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Mixing experiments using separated basophil- and eosinophil-stimulating activities revealed that suppression of basophil growth was accompanied by reciprocal enhancement of eosinophil growth, a finding that could be confirmed on analysis of morphology of single colonies from cord blood progenitors in methylcellulose. These studies point to the existence of regulatory growth factors in Mo-CM that stimulate and/or inhibit the growth and differentiation of human basophils and eosinophils from a common, committed progenitor cell.

Human interleukin-3-like activity, basophil and eosinophil growth promoting activities and colony stimulating factor derived from several cell lines

Human IL-3-like activity, colony stimulating factor (CSF) and basophil/eosinophil growth promoting activity (Ba/Eo GPA) in serum-free conditioned media (CM) derived from various cell lines of human origin were examined. Squamous cell carcinoma (Colo-16), osteogenic sarcoma (R97KL4) and human placental (HP) cells produced 10-20% IL-3 activity present in supernatants from a mouse myelomonocytic cell line (WEHI-3BCM) when assayed using a murine IL-3 dependent cell line (32Dcl/H4). The human T-cell leukemic cell line (Mo) and several neuroblastoma cell lines did not produce IL-3-like activity, nor did purified human erythroid potentiating activity (EPA) from Mo contain IL-3. CSF and Ba/Eo GPA were detected in CMs from Mo, HP, Colo-16 but not from R97KL4. No IL-2 activity was detected in any of these CMs. These observations point to the existence of diverse sources of human IL-3-like activity and to the probable distinctiveness of human IL-3, basophil or eosinophil GPA, and EPA. Analogies drawn between human and murine hemopoietic activities need to be made with caution.

Long term growth of factor-producing lymphoid and myeloid cells in serum-free medium

The ability to grow lymphoid and myeloid cells in serum-free culture medium allows researchers to analyze the factors and mechanisms required for hemopoietic cell growth and differentiation without the interference of undefined serum components. Therefore, we used a serum-free medium, RITC 55-9 that consisted of modified Dulbecco's MEM supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA), transferrin (Tf) and insulin (Ins) to culture human T lymphoid (Mo), murine myelomonocytoid (WEHI-3B) and murine interleukin (IL)-3-dependent (32Dcl/H4) cell lines. Mo was maintained in RITC for more than 8 months and had a mean viability of 59% and the same doubling times as in serum-containing medium (SCM). Under these conditions, Mo cells produced hemopoietic colony-stimulating activity that included production of a basophil/eosinophil differentiation factor of similar content to that produced in SCM. WEHI-3B cells grown for more than 12 months in RITC, or for more than 3 months in RITC without Tf and Ins, had a doubling time of 20 h, whereas cells maintained in protein-free RITC showed a 2-fold increase in doubling time then died within 3 months. The IL-3 production by WEHI-3B cells cultured in RITC was higher than the production by cells grown in SCM. When IL-3 was assayed in 32Dcl/H4 cells that had been maintained in RITC for more than 4 months, a lower response to IL-3 was found, an indication that components other than the BSA, Tf and Ins in fetal calf serum are required for optimal cell growth and differentiation.