Comparative genome mapping of the ataxia-telangiectasia region in mouse, rat, and Syrian hamster

Chromosomal locations of the Atm (ataxia-telangiectasia (AT)-mutated) and Acat1 (mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase) genes in mouse, rat, and Syrian hamster were determined by direct R-banding FISH. Both genes were colocalized to the C-D band of mouse chromosome 9, the proximal end of q24.1 of rat chromosome 8, and qa4-qa5 of Syrian hamster chromosome 12. The regions in the mouse and rat were homologous to human chromosome 11q. Fine genetic linkage mapping of the mouse AT region was performed using the interspecific backcross mice. Atm, Acat1, and Npat, which is a new gene isolated from the AT region, and 12 flanking microsatellite DNA markers were examined. No recombinations were found among the Atm, Npat, Acat1, and D9Mit6 loci, and these loci were mapped 2.0 cM distal to D9Mit99 and 1.3 cM proximal to D9Mit102. Comparison of the linkage map of mouse chromosome 9 (MMU9) and that of human chromosome 11 (HSA11) indicates that there is a chromosomal rearrangement due to an inversion between Ets1 and Atm-Npat-Acat1 and that the inversion of MMU9 originated from the chromosomal breakage at the boundary between Gria4 and Atm-Npat-Acat1 on HSA11. This type of inversion appeared to be conserved in the three rodent species, mouse, rat, and Syrian hamster, using additional comparative mapping data with the Rck gene.

Mouse-Musashi-1, a neural RNA-binding protein highly enriched in the mammalian CNS stem cell

There is increasing interest in the role of RNA-binding proteins during neural development. Drosophila Musashi is one of the neural RNA-binding proteins essential for neural development and required for asymmetric cell divisions in the Drosophila adult sensory organ development. Here, a novel mammalian neural RNA-binding protein, mouse-Musashi-1, was identified based on the homology to Drosophila Musashi and Xenopus NRP-1. In the developing CNS, mouse-Musashi-1 protein was highly enriched in the CNS stem cell. Single-cell culture experiments indicated that mouse-Musashi-1 expression is associated with neural precursor cells that are capable of generating neurons and glia. In contrast, in fully differentiated neuronal and glial cells mouse-Musashi-1 expression is lost. This expression pattern of mouse-Musashi-1 is complementary to that of another mammalian neural RNA-binding protein, Hu (a mammalian homologue of a Drosophila neuronal RNA-binding protein Elav), that is expressed in postmitotic neurons within the CNS. In vitro studies indicated that mouse-Musashi-1 possesses binding preferences on poly(G) RNA homopolymer, whereas Hu is known to preferentially bind to short A/U-rich regions in RNA. Based on their differential expression patterns and distinct preferential target RNA sequences, we believe that the mouse-Musashi-1 and Hu proteins may play distinct roles in neurogenesis, either through sequential regulatory mechanisms or differential sorting of mRNA populations during asymmetric division of neural precursor cells.

[Quantitative changes in leukotriene B4 release in neutrophilic leukocytes activated by Ca ionophore during pregnancy--normal pregnancy and preeclampsia]

The amount of Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) released from neutrophilic leukocyte activated by calcium ionophore was measured to examine neutrophilic functions regarding the changes during normal pregnancy and differences between normal pregnant women and preeclamptic women. In addition, we examined the arachidonic acid (AA) content and fatty acid composition of neutrophilic phospholipid in normal pregnant women. In a normal pregnancy, the amount of LTB4 released decreased significantly with gestation. In preeclamptic women, the amount of LTB4 released was significantly higher than that in normal pregnant women, but there was no significant difference from non-pregnant women. Normal pregnant women showed a significantly decreased AA content with gestation. Regarding other fatty acids, as to fatty acid composition, there was increased saturated fatty acid and decreased unsaturated fatty acid with gestation. The results suggested that the LTB4 released was inhibited more in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women, and pregnant women also had decreased AA content. In addition, changes in fatty acid compositions showed signs of decreased fluidity of the cell membrane. This phenomenon is thought to be due to a mechanism to inhibiting the activation of neutrophilic leukocytes accompanied by a decrease in the amount of LTB4 released. Conversely, no similar inhibition was observed in preeclamptic women, and the failure of this mechanism seemed to contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

[Comparative study on the assay for IgE antibodies specific for Chamaecyparis obtusa pollen between AlaSTAT and CAP-RAST]

Titers of IgE antibody specific for the pollen of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) were determined by AlaSTAT and CAP-RAST in 221 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. IgE antibody to C. obtusa tested positive by CAP-RAST at a higher rate (80.5%) than by AlaSTAT (52.6%). The results obtained from the two assays were compared with those from intradermal skin test. CAP-RAST had a higher sensitivity than that of AlaSTAT. Because the two methods showed no differences in the determination of IgE antibody specific for Cryptomeria japonica, the above differences between AlaSTAT and CAP-RAST are surmised to be ascribable to the differences of C. obtusa antigen used in the both assays.

Golgi apparatus and intraneuronal inclusions of anterior horn cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an immunohistochemical study

We applied immunohistochemical techniques to study alterations of the Golgi apparatus, and to determine possible relationships between this complex and the intraneuronal inclusions of lower motor neurons of patients with the sporadic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Spinal cords from normal individuals served as controls. Monoclonal antibodies to the Golgi zone and to Golgi beta-COP protein were used. Immunoreactivity with these antibodies was seen in frozen sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed spinal cord tissue, but not in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. The immunoreaction products were seen as granular structures, diffusely distributed in neurons and glial cells. Although immunostaining of some ALS neurons was reduced, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus was not evident with either antibody. Bunina bodies and skein-like inclusions, characteristically found in spinal anterior horn cells of ALS patients, were not stained by these antibodies to epitopes of the Golgi apparatus, nor were Lewy body-like hyaline inclusions, present in some cases of sporadic ALS and reported to be characteristic to familial ALS with posterior column degeneration. These results suggest that components of the Golgi apparatus are not directly incorporated into intraneuronal inclusions. However, the possibility that abnormal proteinaceous material of the Golgi apparatus may be involved in their genesis cannot be ruled out.

Molecular cloning of endothelial, inducible nitric oxide synthase gene from rat aortic endothelial cell

We have isolated and sequenced clones of an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from cDNA library of interleukin-1 beta-treated rat aortic endothelial cells (EC) completely free from other cell types. The cloned cDNA contains an ORF consisting of 3441 bp, which encodes 1147 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence contains putative binding sites for NADPH, FMN, FAD, calmodulin and heme. By comparison with amino acid sequences of other isoforms, rat EC iNOS is very similar (92% similarity) to mouse macrophage iNOS. There are four AUUUA motifs, potentially responsible for the instability of the mRNA, in 3'non-coding region of rat EC iNOS cDNA. Transient transfection of cultured rat vascular smooth-muscle cells with a full-length rat EC iNOS cDNA/SR alpha 296 construct by electroporation resulted in massive NO production in proportion to the doses of cDNA used. Northern blot analysis using rat EC iNOS cDNA as a probe revealed that cycloheximide treatment led to a marked accumulation of iNOS mRNA in the presence and absence of interleukin-1 beta. No appreciable decay in the cycloheximide-induced iNOS mRNA accumulation was observed, suggesting that blockade of de novo protein synthesis stabilizes mRNA. These results demonstrate that rat EC iNOS is identical (or very similar) to macrophage iNOS, and suggest that the EC iNOS gene is also regulated at the post-transcriptional level.

Production of recombinant human monoclonal antibody using ras-amplified BHK-21 cells in a protein-free medium

A ras oncogene-amplified recombinant BHK-21 cell line (ras-rBHK-IgG) has been established, and was shown to hyperproduce the recombinant IgG chimeric human monoclonal antibody (hMAb) AE6F4, which recognizes lung cancer cells. We found that the ras-rBHK-IgG cell could be easily cultured in a protein-free ERDF medium supplemented with iron(III) nitrate, hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, and non-protein synthetic attachment factor as well as in a serum-free ERDF medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, ethanolamine, and sodium selenite. The productivity of recombinant hMAb from the cells cultured in dishes at high cell densities was higher in protein-free medium than in serum-containing medium. True high density culture of the ras-rBHK-IgG cells was done in protein-free medium using the Tecnomouse, which is a novel hollow fiber bioreactor system. After culture for 30 days in protein-free culture, a total amount of about 14 mg of the recombinant hMAb AE6F4 was obtained, and was shown to be reactive against lung cancer cells in tissues.

Identification and characterization of a new gene physically linked to the ATM gene

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive disease of unknown etiology associated with cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, and hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation. Although AT has been divided into four complementation groups by its radioresistant-DNA synthesis phenotype, the ATM gene has been isolated as the candidate gene responsible for all AT groups. We identified a new gene, designated NPAT, from the major AT locus on human chromosome 11q22-q23. The gene encoded a 1421-amino-acid protein containing nuclear localization signals and phosphorylation target sites by cyclin-dependent protein kinases associated with E2F. The messenger RNA of NPAT was detected in all human tissues examined, and its genomic sequence was strongly conserved through eukaryotes, suggesting that the NPAT gene may be essential for cell maintenance and may be a member of the housekeeping genes. Analysis of the genomic region of NPAT surprisingly revealed that the gene existed only 0.5 kb apart from the 5' end of the ATM transcript with opposite transcriptional direction. It may be possible to propose the idea that the promoter region could be shared by both housekeeping genes and that each gene could influence the expression of the other.

Effects of specific tachykinin receptor antagonists on citric acid-induced cough and bronchoconstriction in unanesthetized guinea pigs

We compared the effects of a tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, FK888 (N2-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-1-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)carbonyl-L-prolyl]-N-methy l-N -phenylmethyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-L-alaninamide), and a tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, SR48968 ((S)-N-methyl-N[4-(4-acetylamino-4-phenyl piperidino)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)butyl]benzamide]), on citric acid-induced cough and bronchoconstriction in conscious guinea pigs. FK888 and SR48968 inhibited the cough dose dependently. Combination of FK888 and SR48968 showed a small additive effect compared with that of FK888 or SR48968 alone. SR48968 but not FK888 inhibited the bronchoconstriction dose dependently. These results indicate that tachykinin NK1 receptors as well as tachykinin NK2 receptors are involved in the citric acid-induced cough response. The antitussive activity of the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist appeared not to depend on the anti-bronchoconstrictor effects.

[Clinicopathologic study of mitral regurgitation due to abnormal chordae tendineae]

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) due to abnormal chordae tendineae as a primary cause is rare. This clinicopathologic study included four such cases which occurred among 6,500 consecutive autopsies on persons older than 60 years. This paper describes three of these cases. Case 1 was a 76-year-old woman with congestive heart failure, MR and atrial fibrillation. She died of acute myocardial infarction. The heart weighed 360 g. Mitral regurgitation was caused by a thick and long abnormal chorda originating from the posteromedial papillary muscle and protruding into the atrial surface of the middle scallop of the posterior mitral leaflet associated with prolapsed anterior mitral leaflet. Case 2 was an 81-year-old woman with MR and congestive heart failure. She died of acute myocardial infarction. The heart weighed 480 g. There were abnormal chordae tendineae with very few branches at the posterior commissure. Parts of both mitral leaflets on the sides of posterior commissure were also prolapsed. Case 3 was a 91-year-old man with MR and atrial fibrillation. He died of congestive heart failure. The heart weighed 530 g. Abnormal chordae tendineae with reticular structures originated from the anterolateral papillary muscle and protruded into the anterior mitral leaflet, which induced severe MR. These cases had abnormally protruding chordae tendineae, abnormal branching, and abnormal structures of the chordae tendineae, respectively. These abnormal chordae tendineae were considered to be congenital anomalies. Clinically all patients had a holosystolic murmur (Levine III-IV degrees), refractory congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The etiology of the MR in these three patients was suspected to be ruptured chordae tendineae demonstrated on echocardiograms. These patients had heavy hearts (mean 457 g) with enlarged left atria and thickened mitral valves, which corresponded to the appearance of severe MR.

[Determination of free type and complex type prostate-specific antigen (PSA): differences in immunorecognition by Delfia PSA, ACS-PSA and Eiken PA kits]

To study immunorecognition of free type and complex type prostate-specific antigen (PSA) by current commercial PSA assays, sera from 3 patients with stage D2 prostate cancer were separated by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography and determined by Delfia PSA, ACS-PSA and Eiken PA kits. Two antibodies used in the 3 kits are 2 monoclonal, 1 monoclonal and 1 polyclonal and 2 polyclonal antibodies, respectively. Following chromatography, two PSA peaks were obtained in all patients. One was about 100 kDa and the other about 30 kDa. The former was considered to be the complex type PSA (complex with alpha-1 antichymotrypsin) and the latter to be free type PSA. As to free type PSA, the ACS-PSA kit and Eiken PA kit quantitated PSA values approximately 5.1 and 2.5 times higher than the Delfia PSA kit. For complex type PSA, the quantity determined by ACS-PSA kit was approximately 1.3 times higher than that determined by the Delfia PSA kit, while the quantity determined by the Eiken PA kit was about one third of that determined by Delfia PSA kit. The ratio of complex type PSA to total PSA (free type PSA + complex type PSA) was 74.8 +/- 14.9% (mean +/- SD) when determined by Delfia PSA kit, 59.3 +/- 18.4% by ACS-PSA kit and 52.9 +/- 13.8% by Eiken PA kit. The range of this ratio determined by ACS-PSA kit was from 47.3% to 80.5% in the 3 patients. These findings suggest that there are qualitative differences in immunorecognition of free type PSA and complex type PSA among current commercial PSA assays and that there are quantitative differences in the ratio of the 2 forms of PSA in serum among prostatic cancer patients. The measurement and follow-up of both free type and complex type PSA might be important for diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

[Nephron sparing surgery for synchronous and asynchronous bilateral renal cell cancer. A procedure using intraoperative ultrasonography, argon beam coagulator and fibrin glue]

BACKGROUND

Bilateral renal cell cancer (RCC) is an imperative indication of nephron sparing surgery (NSS). In the present study, we examined a new modality for NSS; intraoperative ultrasonography, argon beam coagulator (ABC) and fibrin glue.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed NSS against 7 kidneys in 5 patients, including 3 with synchronous and 2 with asynchronous tumors. Radical nephrectomy was performed on the contralateral kidney in 2 patients including one with asynchronous and the other with synchronous RCC.

RESULTS

To examine satellite lesions and exact tumor extent within the kidney, intraoperative ultrasound scan was performed for all cases. Intraoperative ultrasound scan was shown to be useful for the above mentioned purposes because of its high resolving power. After clamping of the renal artery and surface cooling, dissection of the kidney was done by knife holder or by ultrasonic aspirator. Hemostasis was made by figure eight sutures with chromic catgut or poliglecaprone 25 monofilament, followed by coagulation using ABC, and with fibrin glue. Duration of arterial clamp ranged 20 approximately 78 min under surface cooling. Major complication did not occur except urinary fistula in one case caused by inadequate placement of a double J ureteral catheter. Postoperative renal functions were well preserved and any additional therapy for daily life was not needed in each patient.

CONCLUSION

For performing NSS, the use of intraoperative ultrasound scan, ultrasonic aspirator, ABC and fibrin glue seemed to be useful, encouraging us to widespread its indication.

Molecular cloning of human eotaxin, an eosinophil-selective CC chemokine, and identification of a specific eosinophil eotaxin receptor, CC chemokine receptor 3

The CC chemokine eotaxin is a selective chemoattractant for guinea pig eosinophils, first purified from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a guinea pig model of allergic airway inflammation. We have now isolated the gene and cDNA for a human counterpart of eotaxin. The gene maps to chromosome 17 and is expressed constitutively at high levels in small intestine and colon, and at lower levels in various other tissues. The deduced mature protein sequence is 66% identical to human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and 60% identical to guinea pig eotaxin. Recombinant human eotaxin produced in insect cells induced a calcium flux response in normal human eosinophils, but not in neutrophils or monocytes. The response could not be desensitized by pretreatment of eosinophils with other CC chemokines, suggesting a unique receptor. In this regard, we show that human eotaxin is a potent and highly specific agonist for CC chemokine receptor 3, a G protein-coupled receptor selectively expressed in human eosinophils. Thus eotaxin and CC chemokine receptor 3 may be host factors highly specialized for eosinophil recruitment in inflammation, and may be good targets for the development of selective drugs for inflammatory diseases where eosinophils contribute to pathogenesis, such as asthma.

Constitutive expression of various chemokine genes in human T-cell lines infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1: role of the viral transactivator Tax

We examined the genetic expression of 2 CXC chemokines (IL-8, IP-10), 5 CC chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-lalpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, 1309) and 1 C chemokine (SCM-1/lymphotactin/ATAC) in various human T-cell lines. By Northern blot analysis, HTLV-1-positive T-cell lines were found to express a number of chemokine genes at variable levels and in different combinations. However, none of the chemokine genes was expressed in HTLV-1-negative T-cell lines. We further confirmed secretion of 3 chemokines (IL-8, MIP-1alpha and RANTES) by some HTLV-1-positive T-cell lines. To examine the role of the HTLV-1-encoded transactivator Tax in the induction of these chemokine genes, we used JPX-9 and JPX-M, which were stably transformed with tax and non-functional tax, respectively, under the control of a metallothionein promoter. Induction of tax in JPX-9 with Cd2+ was accompanied by rapid induction of IL-8, IP-10, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, 1309 and SCM-1 as determined by reverse transcription PCR. No such induction was seen in JPX-M. We thus suggest that Tax is, at least in part, responsible for constitutive expression of certain chemokine genes in HTLV-1-infected T cells. Aberrant production of various chemokines by HTLV-1- infected T cells may impact on the pathophysiology of HTLV-1-associated diseases.

[Retroperitoneal fibrosis with involvement up to the mediastinal space]

A 60-year-old man presented with sudden palpitations in September 1993, and was admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The patient was suspected of having collagen disease, because of a positive test for antinuclear antibodies and a high sedimentation rate. He was referred to lou hospital. Chest radiographic findings were suggestive of cardiomegaly and cardiac murmurs were audible, which indicated the presence of heart disease. A chest Ct scan revealed a lesion surrounding the intramediastinal large vessels and the heart from the level of the confluence of the left brachiocephalic vein and the superior vena cava. Suspicion of a mediastinal tumor led the patient to be admitted to the respiratory department. Percutaneous needle biopsy with a Trucut needle revealed non-specific chronic inflammation. An abdominal CT scan showed that the lesion surrounding the descending aorta traversed the diaphragm, reached the renal pelvis along both renal arteries, and caused narrowing of the ureter and left hydronephrosis. Based on these findings, retroperitoneal fibrosis was diagnosed. Treatment with steroids caused the lesion to shrink.

[Evaluation of non-uniform attenuation correction using simultaneous transmission and emission computed tomography--basic analysis with myocardial phantom]

Simultaneous transmission emission protocol (STEP), developed for the non-uniform attenuation correction of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was evaluated using the cardiac phantom prepared with and without a myocardial wall defect. Emission computed tomography (ECT) of the cardiac phantom using 201Tl was acquired. Transmission data (TCT) were taken using a line source of 99mTc. Myocardial images with STEP method were superior in the homogeneity of intramyocardial radioactivity and spatial resolution to the conventional SPECT images. This is an excellent method because of the accurate matching position between TCT and ECT images and shortening the examination time by simultaneous data acquisition. It would be clinically useful for diagnosing various myocardial diseases.

Impairment of the brain beta-adrenergic system during experimental endotoxemia

Brain dysfunction is observed clinically in patients suffering from prolonged endotoxic shock. However, the etiology of brain dysfunction during sepsis is not clear. Certain researchers have reported that the decrease in brain catecholamines concentration during septic shock might be etiologically important in brain dysfunction. Therefore, we hypothesized that the beta-adrenergic receptor system undergoes a change during septic shock, and plays a role in the pathogenesis of septic encephalopathy. In this study, we examined two models of septic shock in rats, each of which has a different time course for the shock state. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control--0.9% saline vehicle, (2) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) i.v.-- Escherichia coli endotoxin 1.0 mg/ml i.v. bolus, (3) Sham-operated, and (4) Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. The rats were killed by decapitation at 3, 12, or 24 hr after the treatments, and the brains were removed and subdivided into three areas: the forebrain, cerebellum, and brain stem. In the LPS i.v. group, the brain tissue norepinephrine (NE) concentration had decreased in the forebrain and brain stem and the tissue epinephrine (E) concentration had decreased in the brain stem by 3 hr after treatment. In the CLP group, the brain tissue NE concentration had decreased in the forebrain, cerebellum, and brain stem (P < 0.05), and the tissue E concentration had decreased in the forebrain and brain stem by 24 hr after treatment (P < 0.05). An alteration in beta-adrenergic receptor density in the forebrain was observed at 24 hr in the CLP group (control, 237.0 +/- 14.0 fmole/mg protein; LPS i.v., 233.2 +/- 3.0 fmole/mg protein; sham-operated, 236.0 +/- 3.0 fmole/mg protein; CLP, 177.0 +/- 4.2 fmole/mg protein). These alterations in transmitter concentrations and beta-adrenergic density in the forebrain may be an important factor in septic encephalopathy.

Suppressive effect of iodine on DMBA-induced breast tumor growth in the rat

Concerning the suppressive effect of inorganic iodine on the growth of 7,12-dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast tumor in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, we previously reported that although iodine itself had a suppressive effect on the tumor growth, its effect was not as strong as that of MPA (medroxy-progesterone acetate). However, the combined medication of iodine at a low concentration + MPA showed a stronger effect than MPA alone. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate this mechanism of action by determining the uptake of the administered iodine into breast tumor tissue. Breast tumors were induced with DMBA in female SD rats, and these animals were treated with MPA + inorganic iodine at various concentrations for 4 weeks to determine tumor growth and tumor iodine content. In the comparison of tissue iodine content in growth-suppressive tumors with that in nonsuppressive tumors, the former showed a much higher iodine content. This suggests that direct uptake of inorganic iodine by breast tumors led to the suppression of tumor growth.

[Two cases of generalized disseminated atypical mycobacterium showing multiple accumulations on bone scintigraphy]

For determining the spread of multiple bone lesions in generalized disseminated atypical mycobacteriosis a rare disease, bone scintigraphy was found useful in our two patients. They were both female, and the pathogenic microbe was M. avium intracellulare complex. The disease appeared to have been induced by defatigation. The depression of cellular immunocompetence was also suspected to be responsible. Bone scintigraphy disclosed multiple abnormal accumulations systematically. The Definitive diagnosis in these cases was established by biopsy. In differential diagnosis of this disease by bone scintigraphy, bone metastasis of a malignant tumor was considered of primary importance. Although antitubercular chemotherapy resulted in improvement of subjective symptoms and inflammation, abnormal accumulation persisted. There was necessity for taking notice that in the decision of the treatment effect of this disease, improvement of abnormal accumulations on bone scintigraphy was delayed that of inflammatory reaction.

The physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of fragmented keratin as a new drug carrier

Two types of fragmented keratin were prepared from buffalo horn and hoof using savinase and Na2S, and their physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties were examined in mice. The number-average molecular weight of enzymatically fragmented keratin (E-FK), chemically fragmented keratin (C-FK), and fragmented gelatin (FG) were 8000, 33,000, and 6600, respectively. The systematic acute toxicity of FKs was significantly low. Moreover, the immunogenicity of FKs was significantly lower than that of superoxide dismutase. FKs and FG were partially hydrolyzed by trypsin. FKs were digested easily by alpha-chymotrypsin, but FG underwent less hydrolysis under the same conditions. FKs were bound to plasma proteins, including albumin, and also to some proteins in liver and kidney homogenates. In plasma, E-FK was hydrolyzed slowly, but in liver and kidney homogenates it showed slightly faster hydrolysis. In contrast, FG was not hydrolyzed in any of the media used here. After intravenous administration of FKs and FG to mice, these molecules were rapidly eliminated from the plasma. E-FK and C-FK were taken up into the kidneys (CLuptake, kidney; 10,400, 11,600 microliters/h/g), and then gradually excreted in urine. FG was excreted rapidly into urine (CLurine; 6360 microliters/h). Interestingly, C-FK was also taken up into the liver (CLliver; 4820 microliters/h). These results indicated that fragmented keratins are biodegradable materials and might be used as new types of liver- and kidney-specific targeting carriers.

Incidentally discovered adrenocortical adenomas are not fully nonfunctioning: immunohistochemical and dispersed adrenocortical cell study

To clarify the precise function of incidentally discovered adrenocortical adenoma, immunohistochemical and dispersed adrenal cell studies were performed. We have recently seen five patients with so-called nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma. Diurnal variation in plasma cortisol and suppression of plasma cortisol and urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in response to dexamethasone administration revealed adrenocortical function within normal limits in all cases, and no signs or symptoms of adrenal steroid hormone excess were evident. Since a high uptake of iodomethylnorcholesterol was recognized in each adrenal mass, it was supposed that these adrenal tumors produced steroid hormone to a certain extent, and each patient received unilateral adrenalectomy. P450c17, a key enzyme involved in cortisol production, was expressed in the tumor region in all cases in an immunohistochemical study. Upon in vitro steroidogenesis with dispersed adrenal cells in two cases, all steroid hormones measured except for aldosterone (progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone, 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione) were produced in a culture medium. The results indicated that these tumors possessed the capacity for cortisol production, which was in agreement with the results of an iodomethyl-norcholesterol scintigraphy. All patients with mild hypertension or diabetes mellitus had no signs or symptoms of steroid hormone excess, but they could potentially develop a steroid excess syndrome such as Cushing's syndrome in the future.