Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for a possible DNA-binding protein 5E5 in the nervous system

Monoclonal antibody 5E5 recognized an intranuclear antigen of neurons in the rat. We isolated 5E5cDNA and determined its nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences. The 5E5cDNA had an open reading frame of 825 amino acids and its amino acid sequence showed no significant homology to any protein or to any DNA binding motif so far known. 5E5 protein had an abundance of basic amino acids, especially arginine, and included a glycine-rich region and a proline cluster. Monoclonal antibody 12H raised against 5E5cDNA fusion protein recognized an intranuclear substance in rat brain sections and a single protein band of about 98 kDa in the brain nuclear extract fraction on immunoblotting. DNA-cellulose column chromatography indicated that 5E5 protein might have DNA-binding ability. Transfection studies indicated that 5E5 protein expressed in COS-1 is localized in cell nuclei. These results suggest that 5E5 protein is a possible DNA-binding protein which is expressed especially in neurons.

Methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic hyperactivity is not accompanied with increase in tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA of the rat midbrain

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA was measured in the midbrain of rats treated repeatedly with methamphetamine (MAP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were daily injected with MAP (5 mg/kg, i.p., once daily) or saline for 14 days. Progressive augmentation was observed in MAP-induced stereotyped behaviors. After one week of abstinence, the rats were decapitated and the brains were prepared for either in situ hybridization using non-radioactive cRNA probes or Northern blot analysis using 32P-labeled cDNA probes. In situ hybridization showed that the signals of TH mRNA were localized to the dopaminergic perikarya in the midbrain and were reduced in MAP-treated animals compared to the controls. Northern blot analysis revealed that the level of TH mRNA in the midbrain of MAP-treated rats was decreased by 37% compared to the controls, which was close to the statistical significance (P = 0.053). These results indicate that the dopaminergic hyperactivity caused by repeated MAP treatment is not associated with enhanced transcription of the TH gene.

Urinary detection of type IV collagen and its increase in glomerulonephritis

Type IV collagen is the major component of the glomerular extracellular matrix. The nature of type IV collagen antigens in the urine from various forms of glomerulonephritis was studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for monoclonal antibodies to the 7S domain and some of the non-7S and non-NC1 domains. The size distribution of antigenic material in urinary samples from a patient with IgA nephropathy was analyzed by gel filtration chromatography. The results demonstrated a single peak at 340 kDa, suggesting the measurement of almost intact type IV collagen molecules. The urinary concentration of type IV collagen in patients with membranous nephropathy and chronic renal failure was significantly increased compared with that of normal controls. Measurement of the urinary concentrations of type IV collagen is useful in the diagnosis of glomerular disease, particularly in cases where invasive methods are contraindicated and clinically membranous nephropathy is suspected.

A synaptic vesicle-associated protein (SVP-38) as an early indicator of delayed neuronal death

Sixteen gerbils were subjected to 5 min of forebrain ischemia. Their brains were processed for immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies against a synaptic vesicle-associated protein 38 (SVP-38) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) after recirculation times of 10 min, and 1, 4, and 7 days. After 10 min recirculation, SVP-38 immunoreactive dots were observed only in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. After 1 day recirculation, SVP-38 immunostaining was diffuse and weak throughout the hippocampus, despite preservation of MAP2 immunoreactivity. After 4 and 7 days recirculation, SVP-38 immunoreactivity had been restored in the whole hippocampus, despite the complete loss of MAP2 immunoreactivity due to delayed neuronal death. Our results demonstrate an immediate and significant change in the immunoreactivity of a synaptic vesicle-associated protein at the beginning of the process of delayed neuronal death. Thus, changes in the immunoreactivity of synaptic vesicle-associated proteins such as SVP-38 appear to be one of the earliest indicators of the onset of neuronal death.

Secretion of Alzheimer beta/A4 protein (1-40) and intracellular retention of beta/A4 protein (1-42) in transfected COS cells

The amyloid beta/A4 protein (beta/A4) of Alzheimer disease is heterogeneous. A beta 1-40 (Asp1 to Val40) is rather soluble, whereas A beta 1-42 (Asp1 to Ala42) is more insoluble and can be the seed of deposition of A beta 1-40. Although beta/A4 itself could not be expressed transiently in COS cells by cDNA transfection, it was expressed after directly adding a signal sequence to its N-terminal end. The expressed A beta 1-40 was secreted, whereas A beta 1-42 was hardly secreted. A beta 1-40 secretion was not inhibited by metabolic inhibitors such as brefeldin A. The normally produced A beta 1-40 could not be retained intracellularly, whereas the abnormally generated A beta 1-42 might be accumulated intracellularly, resulting in cellular toxicity.

[Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) level in the sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue diseases--clinical significances in early onset rheumatoid arthritis]

Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) is a metalloproteinase that degrades articular cartilage matrix in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We measured MMP-3 in the sera from patients with RA and other connective tissue diseases using specific sandwich EIA and studied its clinical significance in early onset RA. MMP-3 level in healthy control (n = 170) was significantly higher in male than in female. The level of MMP-3 in RA was significantly and dramatically higher than in healthy control, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, primary sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, gouty arthritis and traumatic arthritis. Serum MMP-3 significantly correlated with serum BUN or serum creatinine levels in SLE patients but not in RA patients. In early onset RA, serum MMP-3 level was significantly elevated. Furthermore, when the relationship between the serum MMP-3 level and X-ray findings of the joints in RA was studied, it was found that MMP-3 level was elevated even in stage I or II and that there was no statistical differences between stage I or II and stage III or IV, suggesting that serum MMP-3 level is elevated in the early stage of initial inflammatory process when only mild cartilage degradation is seen. These results suggest that measurements of serum MMP-3 is an important tool for establishing diagnosis of early onset RA, and that serum MMP-3 level may be a marker of cartilage destruction and of estimating therapeutic efficacy in early onset RA.

Coordinate regulation of matrix metalloproteases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase expression in human synovial fibroblasts

We examined the common signal transduction mechanisms governing collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases (TIMP-1) gene expression in human synovial fibroblasts for insight into the pathophysiology of arthritis. MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 expression and synthesis were induced in cultured human synoviocytes with recombinant human interleukin 1 beta in the absence or presence of either chemical inhibitors of protein kinase A and C (PKA, PKC), or prostaglandin E2, or cyclic AMP (cAMP) mimetics. We used enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to determine MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 antigen levels in spent culture medium and Northern hybridization to measure steady state mRNA expression levels. Extracellular signals (e.g., IL-1, phorbol myristic acetate) that result in the activation of cytoplasmic PKC augment in tandem the expression and synthesis of MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 in human synovial fibroblasts. In addition, such signals induce nuclear transcription factors (e.g., activator protein 1) that bind to common gene regulatory elements and augment promoter activity of MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 gene promoter constructs. In contrast, signals that activate PKA oppose PKC mediated signals, in that the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 are suppressed. Experimental data suggest that the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and TIMP-1 are coordinated through a series of common cytoplasmic signal transducing pathways, cis regulatory elements, and nuclear trans acting factors.

Increase in synapsin I phosphorylation implicates a presynaptic component in septal kindling

Synaptic plasticity in the CNS is thought to be an important component of learning and memory. Kindling is an animal model of synaptic plasticity in which repetitive local electrical stimulation eventually leads to a generalized motor seizure. Once established, the sensitivity of kindled animals to this epileptic condition is long-lasting. An increase in synaptic efficacy appears to underlie the plastic changes observed in kindling but the molecular mechanisms involved remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that the phosphorylation state of synapsin I, a synaptic vesicle-associated protein which has been implicated in the regulation of neurotransmitter release, is significantly increased in hippocampus and parietal cortex of rats two weeks after the establishment of septal kindling. Furthermore, K(+)-evoked release of L-glutamate is significantly increased in synaptosomes prepared from cerebral cortex of kindled animals. Thus, changes within the presynaptic nerve terminal may contribute, at least in part, to the long-lasting modification in neuronal function induced by kindling.

Partially oxygenated sickled cells: sickle-shaped red cells found in circulating blood of patients with sickle cell disease

A previously uncharacterized type of sickled cell was found in venous blood of patients with sickle cell disease when blood was collected without exposure to air and fixed immediately with 1% glutaraldehyde solution equilibrated with 5% oxygen. These cells were either elongated, resembling irreversibly sickled cells (ISCs), or nonelongated, with a raisin-like shape. Both types assumed a normal discoidal shape upon full oxygenation. Since these cells exist only under partially oxygenated conditions, they are described as partially oxygenated sickled cells (POSCs). POSCs are morphologically distinct from partially deoxygenated sickled cells formed during deoxygenation by having rounded edges, while the latter have sharp edges. Transmission electron microscopy of POSCs revealed various amounts of misaligned Hb S polymers. Investigations in vitro demonstrated the formation of POSC-like cells by partial oxygenation of deoxygenated cells. Since POSCs contain intracellular fibers and sickle readily upon deoxygenation, they may have clinical and pathological significance.

Serum levels of collagenase, stromelysin-1, and TIMP-1. Age- and sex-related differences in normal subjects and relationship to the extent of joint involvement and serum levels of antigenic keratan sulfate in patients with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To measure serum levels of collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in normal subjects and in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and to assess how these correlate with biochemical and clinical indicators of disease activity in OA.

METHODS

Specific immunoassays were used to measure MMPs, TIMP-1, and antigenic keratan sulfate (KS). The total area of cartilage affected by the disease was measured (expressed as an articular index).

RESULTS

In the normal population (n = 118), the serum concentration of MMP-3, but not of MMP-1 or TIMP-1, increased with age and was approximately 2 times higher in males than in females. In the OA patients (n = 33), the serum levels of MMP-3, but not of MMP-1 or TIMP-1, were significantly elevated and correlated strongly with the articular index but poorly with objective and subjective functional capacity scores as well as with serum levels of antigenic KS and systemic parameters of inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These findings illustrate the importance of matching patients and normal controls for age and sex in further studies of MMP-3 and are consistent with the hypothesis that MMP-3 might play an important role in the degradation of joint cartilage in OA. Further, serum levels of MMP-3 may prove useful for monitoring therapy for OA.

[A resected case of esophageal leiomyoma with 15 cm in long diameter, diagnosed by transesophageal ultrasonic endoscopy]

A 28-year-old man whose chest X-ray film showed a mass on the right upper mediastinum was admitted. Preoperative examination, including CT, MRI, esophagogram, did not make it possible to determine clinically from which organ the tumor originated. On diagnosing with transesophageal ultrasonic endoscopy (TUE) the tumor was found to originate in the esophageal submucosa, with no involvement of the mediastinal organ apparent. Esophageal sub-mucosal tumor enucleation was performed. The resected tumor was 15 cm in long diameter and weighed 125 g. We therefore believe that TUE is clinically useful in diagnosing the tumor originating in the esophageal wall or adjoining esophageal wall.

[Assessment of the pleural cavity with ultrasound and pleurography]

High resolution ultrasonography and ultrasonography guided needle aspiration (UGNA) are useful for the evaluation of pleural lesions. We applied the technique of UGNA for pleurography and were able to see the configuration of the pleural surface and space under physiological conditions. Here we show how these newly developed methods of pleurography and ultrasonography can be used to evaluate changes in pleural configuration and pleural involvement of bronchogenic carcinoma. Newly developed pleurography: A catheter was inserted into the narrow pleural space without making a pneumothorax. After infusion of contrast medium (0.5-1 ml/kg), pleural indentation, adhesions, bullous changes, and partial fusion of lobes were clearly visible. This pleurography is especially useful for the diagnosis of tumor invasion into the pleura and chest wall when the tumor is adjacent to the pleura. Detection of latent malignant pleurisy: Small effusions were detected by ultrasonography in 10% of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma who had no pleural effusion on chest roentgenogram. After UGNA, malignant cells were found in 35% in these tiny effusions (4% of the total). To more accurately assess latent malignant pleurisy, we now perform lavage of the pleural space with 50 ml of saline during pleurography before deciding on surgical treatment.

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography for the evaluation of renal artery blood flow following the removal of a neuroblastoma

There have been several reports of acute renal failure following the resection of an abdominal neuroblastoma combined with ipsilateral nephrectomy as well as the atrophy or disappearance of an unresected kidney after tumor resection. Spasms or thrombosis of the renal artery during tumor excision are considered to be the major cause. Since 1989, intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IVDSA) has been used to evaluate the renal artery blood flow immediately following surgery in seven patients with abdominal neuroblastomas. IVDSA was performed using a central venous catheter inserted prior to surgery. In all seven patients, IVDSA provided clear images for the evaluation of renal artery blood flow. In one of the two patients whose kidneys briefly became cyanosed during tumor excision, IVDSA demonstrated an occlusion of the renal artery and prompt measures could be taken to reestablish the blood flow. No complications of IVDSA occurred in any of the seven patients. IVDSA using a central venous catheter was thus considered to be useful for evaluating the renal artery blood flow in patients with a suspected renal artery blood flow disturbance without any risk of complications, and this modality obviated the need for intraarterial angiography.

[Dose intensity in M-VAC chemotherapy with rG-CSF for metastatic transitional urothelial cancer]

The effect of M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatin) chemotherapy supported recombinant human granulocyte stimulating factor (rG-CSF) was studied in 18 patients with metastatic urothelal cancer. The mean age of the patients was 66 years. Of the patients 6 had lung metastasis and 12 had distant lymph node metastasis. In this study recombinant human granulocyte stimulating factor was administered therapeutically at 100 to 250 micrograms subcutaneously after the white blood cell count was less than 3,000/mm. Relative dose-intensity (RDI) was 0.88 +/- 0.11 and 0.72 +/- 0.19 for 11 patients with rG-CSF and 7 without rG-CSF, respectively. The relative dose regardless of the interval of the cycle of M-VAC chemotherapy (%Dose) was 0.95 +/- 0.06 and 0.86 +/- 0.09 for the patients with rG-CSF and those without rG-CSF, respectively. Of seven patients without rG-CSF 3 patients responded (response rate 42%, mean survival period 7.4 months). Of 11 patients treated with rG-CSF 3 patients responded (response rate 72.7%, mean survival period 20.0 months). Although rG-CSF increased the RDI of M-VAC chemotherapy, the correlation of response with RDI was not clearly demonstrated. The therapeutical administrations of rG-CSF fail to improve the mean white blood cell nadir and to prevent the decrease of the platelet and reticulocyte count.

[Systematic diagnosis and treatment method for temporomandibular disorders--new chart for primary diagnosis and treatment]

In this study, the classification of temporomandibular disorders of Japanese Society for Temporomandibular Joint was subdivided into ten types for the purpose of connecting directly with treatment, then a new chart for primary diagnosis and treatment were expressed. Ten types, i.e. type I (masticatory muscle disorders), type II (micro traumatic synovitis), type IIIc- (disk disorders except internal derangement; open lock, eminense click and crepitus), type IIIc+ (internal derangement; disc anterior displacement with reduction), type III L (internal derangement; disc anterior displacement without reduction, type IVo (osteoarthrosis with no TMJ symptoms), type IVp (osteoarthrosis with TMJ pain and no disc disorders), type IVc- (osteoarthrosis with crepitus, eminense click and open lock), type IVc+ (osteoarthrosis with internal derangement; disc anterior displacement with reduction), type IV L (osteoarthrosis with internal derangement; disc anterior displacement without reduction) 605 patients who visited our clinic from January 1994 to June 1994 were classified by the new chart for primary diagnosis; type I: 37 cases, type II: 142 cases, type IIIc-:56 cases, type III c+: 215 cases, type III L: 82 cases, type IVo: 8 cases, type IVp: 11 cases, type IVc-: 10 cases, type IV+: 19 cases, type IVL: 25 cases.

Cleavage at the N-terminal site of Alzheimer amyloid beta/A4 protein is essential for its secretion

To characterize the secretory pathway of Alzheimer amyloid beta/A4 protein (beta/A4), mutated cDNAs of amyloid precursor protein (APP) were expressed transiently in COS cells. Although the expression of C100 (Met671-Asn770) resulted in the secretion of beta/A4-like peptide, the cells expressing the mutated APPs with the longer N-terminal domain beyond beta/A4 sequence secreted little beta/A4-like peptide. The C-terminal domain truncated APPs, with a stop codon at the end of beta/A4 sequence or the predicted membrane spanning domain produced little beta/A4-like peptide. When beta/A4 was expressed with direct addition of the signal sequence, beta/A4-like peptide was found in the cell lysate but little of it was secreted. Hence, the secretion of beta/A4 was started initially by cleavage at the N-terminal site of beta/A4, although cleavage at its C-terminal site was also necessary for its secretion.

Prostaglandins E2 and E1 inhibit cytokine-induced metalloprotease expression in human synovial fibroblasts. Mediation by cyclic-AMP signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Cytokine modulated matrix metalloprotease (MMP, i.e., collagenase and stromelysin) synthesis may be associated etiologically with osteoarthritic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the mode of action by which interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) induced collagenase and stromelysin mRNA expression and synthesis in normal human synoviocytes and to explore mechanisms of suppression of these proteolytic enzymes by prostaglandins (PG).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Collagenase and stromelysin expression and synthesis were induced in cultured human synoviocytes with rhIL-1 beta in the absence or presence of either chemical inhibitors of protein kinase (PK) A and C, PGE2 or PGE1, or cAMP mimetics. We used enzyme immunoassays to determine MMP antigen levels in spent culture medium and Northern hybridization to measure steady-state MMP mRNA expression.

RESULTS

Dose-response experiments revealed that 10 pg/ml of interleukin-1 beta was an effective sub-saturating concentration for the induction of collagenase and stromelysin expression in normal human synovial fibroblasts. The rate of collagenase synthesis and expression peaked at 18 to 24 hours after rhIL-1 beta stimulation, whereas stromelysin output increased steadily within the experimental time frame (72 hours). Protein kinase C inhibitors, H-7 and staurosporine, prevented the rhIL-1 beta induction of MMP mRNA expression and protein synthesis. Pretreatment of synoviocytes with phorbol myristate acetate for 18 hours abrogated the ability of rhIL-1 beta to induce MMP synthesis. Prostaglandins E2 and E1 potently inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion rhIL-1 beta induced MMP synthesis: PGE2, IC50, collagenase, 2.3 ng/ml; stromelysin, 21.2 ng/ml; PGE1, IC50, collagenase, 2.5 ng/ml; stromelysin, 13.4 ng/ml. MMP mRNA steady-state levels were suppressed in a fashion similar to that of the protein synthesis. Forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP, and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine mimicked the effects of the prostaglandins (PGs). [N-(2-methyl-amino)-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide dihydrochloride] (H-8), an inhibitor of PKA activity, could reverse to a large extent, the suppressive effects of the PGs as did cycloheximide when preincubated with PGE2 before rhIL-1 beta activation of synoviocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that IL-1 beta stimulates MMP synthesis by activating PKC but not PKA, and that the synthesis of collagenase and stromelysin is discoordinate on a temporal and quantitative basis. PGs inhibit rhIL-1 beta-induced MMP expression and synthesis by virtue of their ability to increase cAMP intracellular levels and subsequent activation of signal transduction mechanisms involving PKA. Homeostasis may be maintained in acute episodes of joint inflammation through feedback processes involving locally produced eicosanoids.

Detection of stromelysin in synovial fluid and serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Stromelysin levels were measured using a one-step sandwich immunoassay in synovial fluid (SF) obtained from 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (31 samples) and 13 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) (13 samples) and in serum from 81 patients with RA (106 samples), 12 with OA (14 samples), 12 with gouty arthritis (gout) (14 samples), and 8 with osteoporosis (OP) (14 samples) to identify differences in the levels in these diseases as well as correlations with clinical parameters in RA. SF stromelysin levels were significantly higher in RA than in OA, and rose with increasing joint destruction in the former. No significant correlations were found between the SF stromelysin level in RA and various clinical parameters, except for the volume of SF which showed a correlation. Serum levels of stromelysin were highest in RA, gout, OA, and osteoporosis in decreasing order, and in RA were correlated with the Steinbrocker Stage. A significant correlation was also found between the serum stromelysin level and number of swollen joints, and correlations with the Lansbury index, ESR, CRP, WBC and Plt. The stromelysin level in SF was thought to be a useful parameter of local joint involvement and that in serum of the severity of systemic joint inflammation.

Red blood cell membrane and density changes under ambient and hypoxic conditions in transgenic mice producing human sickle hemoglobin

Red blood cells (RBC) from patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are characterized by membrane lesions caused by cell sickling and oxidative damage due to denatured hemichromes. We have developed three lines of transgenic human sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) mice, which produce 30, 50, and 80% human beta sickle globin (h beta S), by crossing transgenic progeny with nonthalassemic, heterozygous, or homozygous beta-thalassemic mice, respectively. Transgenic mice that produce Hb A, developed in a similar fashion, were used as controls. RBC from each transgenic line were examined for pathologic changes. RBC from 50 and 80% h beta S mice sickle upon deoxygenation in vitro while RBC from 30% h beta S mice and all Hb A mice do not. Density gradients of RBC from each Hb S line, including those from 30% h beta S that do not sickle, show broad distributions with increased dense fractions, similar to those of patients with SCD. RBC from Hb S lines exhibit elevated membrane-associated denatured hemoglobin (MADH) levels (0.250 +/- 0.080%) when compared to RBC from nontransgenic (0.073 +/- 0.021%) and transgenic Hb A (0.062 +/- 0.033%) mice. Elevated MADH levels in RBC from the 30% h beta S line suggest that membrane changes occur even though these cells do not sickle. These Hb S-dependent pathologic changes suggest that transgenic Hb S lines may be useful for the study of not only RBC sickling in vivo but also membrane oxidative damage and other chronic changes attributed to abnormal properties of both oxygenated and deoxygenated Hb S.

Excess of metalloproteases over tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease may contribute to cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

In an attempt to identify the factor(s) involved in the modulation of the degradative pathway of articular cartilage, we previously reported a possible imbalance between the levels of biologically active forms of metalloproteases and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP) in osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We extended our analysis on the protein level and the synthesis of stromelysin-1, collagenase, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in normal, OA, and RA cartilages, and provided information on the synthesis pattern of these proteins in respect to the action of interleukin-1 (IL-1). These protein concentrations were determined by specific sandwich EIA assays.

RESULTS

This study allowed us to establish that the concentration of stromelysin-1 and collagenase is elevated in both OA and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cartilages when compared with normal, with significantly higher levels of collagenase found in OA (p < 0.0003) and RA (p < 0.0001), and of stromelysin-1 in RA (p < 0.02). In all cases, the level of stromelysin-1 significantly exceeded (a few 100-fold) the collagenase level. The cartilage TIMP-1 level was notably enhanced only in RA, whereas TIMP-2 was increased in both OA and RA cartilage. RA patients with active disease had a higher level of metalloproteases and TIMP than those patients with inactive disease. Moreover, patients taking steroids alone or in combination with methotrexate had a markedly lower metalloprotease level without any changes in the TIMP-1 level. In culture cartilage explants, the synthesis of stromelysin-1 was enhanced in RA cartilage, whereas the level of collagenase was increased both in OA and RA explants. When compared with normal patients, the TIMP-1 synthesis was essentially unchanged in arthritic explants, whereas the level of TIMP-2 was decreased in RA explants when compared to OA. IL-1 induced a statistically significant increased synthesis of metalloproteases with the highest level found in arthritic explants. IL-1 also significantly decreased the TIMP-1 synthesis in OA and RA explants, and the TIMP-2 synthesis in OA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that stromelysin-1 is the predominant metalloprotease synthesized in human articular cartilage and that both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 are present in this tissue. The differential regulation of metalloprotease and TIMP syntheses by IL-1 suggests that this cytokine, during inflammatory conditions, may promote cartilage degradation by creating an imbalance between the level of these enzymes and their inhibitors.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) induced by tumour necrosis factor alpha correlates with metastatic ability in a human osteosarcoma cell line

We have examined the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and metastatic properties of a low metastatic osteosarcoma cell line, osteosarcoma takase (OST), under stimulation by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). In vivo, OST cells exhibited significantly increased colonization in the lungs of nude mice in a dose-dependent manner when they were treated by TNF alpha prior to injection. In vitro, TNF alpha enhanced tumour cell invasion through the reconstituted basement membrane in a transwell chamber up to 2.5-fold. Gelatin zymography and sandwich enzyme immunoassays demonstrated marked production of MMP-9 [92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase (gelatinase B)] but not MMP-2 [72-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase (gelatinase A)], MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) or MMP-7 (matrilysin). Motility of the tumour cells and adhesion to cultured endothelial cells were slightly increased by the TNF alpha treatment up to 1.6-fold and 1.4-fold, respectively, while the growth rate was decreased. These results suggest that upregulation of MMP-9 together with enhanced motility and endothelial adhesion contribute to the increased metastatic ability of OST cells induced by TNF alpha treatment.

Increase of tyrosine hydroxylase and its mRNA in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata by diazepam and picrotoxin

An involvement of GABAA receptors in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) was investigated using immunohistochemistry (IMHC) and nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH). The number of TH-positive cells was increased for both ISH and IMHC 8 h after a single administration of benzodiazepine diazepam, which facilitates GABAA-receptor-mediated transmission and reduces dopamine release in the substantia nigra (SN). Such increase in TH staining was suppressed when a dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole was administered 10 min after diazepam. Co-administration of diazepam with a dopamine antagonist haloperidol did not further elevate, but rather, reduced haloperidol-induced increases in TH labeling. These results suggest that haloperidol and diazepam regulate TH gene expression in the SNr commonly by depressing dopaminergic transmission, and that diazepam activates TH expression in a group of SNr neurons which express this gene after haloperidol treatment. Moreover, a GABAA receptor antagonist, picrotoxin, activated TH gene expression in the SNr, and diazepam antagonized picrotoxin effects. Since picrotoxin increases neuronal activity, additional mechanisms will operate on TH gene expression. In conclusion, GABAergic substances will activate TH gene expression in SNr neurons (1) through decreasing spontaneous somato-dendritic dopamine release in the substantia nigra and/or (2) by increasing the activity of these neurons.

Haloperidol activates tyrosine hydroxylase gene-expression in the rat substantia nigra, pars reticulata

The cellular distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and TH mRNA in the rat substantia nigra (SN) was investigated using immunohistochemistry (IMHC) and non-radioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH), respectively. Number and density of both TH immunoreactive and TH cRNA labeled cells were increased in the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra (SNr) 8 h after single administration of a dopamine antagonist haloperidol. At the same time number and density of TH positive cells remained unchanged in a ventro-medial, dorso-medial or lateral part of the pars compacta (SNc) and in the pars lateralis (SNl) of the substantia nigra. A D2 receptor-specific agonist, quinpirole, was without effect on either ISH or IMHC in any of these areas, including the SNr. These results reveal the existence of a population of TH-negative neurons in the SNr, in which TH gene-expression can be activated through a dopamine receptor-mediated mechanism, leading to detectable levels of both TH and TH mRNA. Furthermore they suggest that TH gene-expression in these neurons normally is inhibited by dopamine released from somata and dendrites in the SNr.

Prophylactic chemotherapy with intravesical instillation of adriamycin and oral administration of 5-fluorouracil after surgery for superficial bladder cancer. The Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group for Adriamycin

The Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group for Adriamycin has conducted a series of clinical trials to investigate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. In the third trial, reported herein, patients with recurrent bladder cancer or multiple primary cancer were selected and randomized to one of four groups using the envelope method after complete resection of the original tumors. Group A was given Adriamycin alone, group B received oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), group C was given Adriamycin and oral 5-FU, and group D served as the control group. Of the 544 patients registered, 331 were evaluable for the purpose of this study. The administration of 5-FU (group B) failed to prevent the recurrence of bladder tumors. Although group C (both Adriamycin and 5-FU) did not fare better than group A (Adriamycin only), Adriamycin was effective in preventing the recurrence of tumors, especially in high-risk patients with recurrent and multiple tumors. The risk of recurrence was reduced to 0.21 (95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.44) relative to the control group. There was no indication of a synergistic effect between 5-FU and Adriamycin. As side effects, cystitis syndrome was observed in 23%-30% of the patients in the Adriamycin groups and mild myelosuppression was observed in the 5-FU groups.

A randomized trial of early intravesical instillation of epirubicin in superficial bladder cancer. The Nagoya University Urological Oncology Group

A total of 135 patients with superficial bladder cancer diagnosed as totally resectable were entered into a randomized multicenter trial to investigate the efficacy of early intravesical epirubicin instillation after resection in comparison with transurethral resection (TUR) alone. Epirubicin (40 mg/40 ml saline) was given within 24 h of TUR and once during the 1st week, weekly for 4 weeks and then monthly for 11 months. In all, 122 patients (90.4%) were eligible and 119 (88.1%) were evaluable. The interval to initial recurrence was significantly longer (P = 0.02) in the epirubicin group (36 months; 95% confidence interval, 32-40 months) than in the group receiving TUR alone (28 months; 95% confidence interval, 24-32 months). The recurrence rate per year in the epirubicin group was less than that in the TUR-alone group (0.13 versus 0.29 annual recurrences). Disease progression was observed in only one patient in the epirubicin-instillation group. The main toxicity encountered was bladder irritation (13.8%). These results demonstrate that early intravesical epirubicin instillation is efficacious in preventing local recurrence.

Results of adjuvant chemotherapy for invasive urothelial cancer with lymph-node metastasis

From 1980 to 1991, 59 patients with advanced urothelial cancer (pathological stage, > pT3) underwent radical operations. Of these 59 patients, 33 had nodal involvement. This study focused on those 33 patients with nodal involvement. The primary site was the urinary bladder in 20 patients and the upper urinary tract (renal pelvis and/or ureter) in 13. In all, 13 patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with an M-VAC or M-VEC [methotrexate (M), vinblastine, doxorubicin (ADM) or epirubicin, and cisplatin (CDDP)] regimen, and another 8 patients were treated with other insufficient chemotherapies [CDDP + ADM or CDDP + ADM + etoposide (VP-16)]. A group of 12 patients did not receive any additional treatment. Most of the patients in the M-VAC and M-VEC groups received more than 2 cycles of the regimen (median, 3.2 cycles; range, 1-9 cycles). The overall 5-year survival rate of the M-VAC and M-VEC group was 31%, whereas the rate was 0 for the other insufficient-chemotherapy groups and the no-chemotherapy group. Of the 13 patients in the M-VAC group, 4 (31%) patients were alive without disease progression and 9 (69%) were dead due to progressive disease. In the other groups, only 1 patient was alive without progression. Our results suggest that adjuvant M-VAC or M-VEC chemotherapy may extend the median survival of patients with advanced urothelial cancer, but it failed to reduce the rate of cancer death.

The toxic effect of Alzheimer amyloid protein precursor overexpressed in the neuroblastoma cell line NB-1 on neurite outgrowth

The neuroblastoma cell line NB-1 is induced to start neurite outgrowth by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP). To study the function of Alzheimer amyloid protein precursor (APP), a stable cell line overexpressing APP was established by cDNA transfection. The APP cDNA was driven by the cytomegalovirus early gene promoter. The transformant underwent degeneration as well as neurite outgrowth in the presence of Bt2cAMP, which also increased the amount of APP mRNA and protein. The expressed APP was mainly processed in the secretory pathway and few amyloidogenic fragments were observed. Hence, not only the beta/A4 protein but also the overexpressed APP itself might be neurotoxic.

Prognostic significance of selected lifestyle factors in urinary bladder cancer

To examine the prognostic significance of lifestyle factors in urinary bladder cancer, we conducted a follow-up study of 258 incident bladder cancer patients, who were originally recruited in a case-control study in metropolitan Nagoya. Information on individual survivals was obtained from the computer data-file of the tumor registry of the Nagoya Bladder Cancer Research Group. Univariate analyses revealed significant associations of 5-year survivorship with educational attainment, marital status, drinking habits and consumption of green tea in males, and age at first consultation, histological type and grade of tumor, stage and distant metastasis in both sexes. After adjustment for age, stage, histology (histological type and grade) and distant metastasis by means of a proportional hazards model, drinking of alcoholic beverages was significantly associated with the prognosis of bladder cancer in males. Its adjusted hazard ratio was 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.79), favoring patients who had taken alcoholic beverages. In detailed analysis, ex-drinkers and all levels of current drinkers demonstrated hazard ratios smaller than unity, although no clear dose-response relationship was detected. No prognostic significance was found for such lifestyle factors as smoking habit, uses of artificial sweeteners and hairdye, and consumption of coffee, black tea, matcha (powdered green tea) and cola.

A facile enzymatic synthesis of cellooligosaccharide derivatives using beta-lactosyl fluoride

A convenient method for the preparation of cellooligosaccharide derivatives has been developed that uses beta-lactosyl fluoride as the glycosyl donor. The reaction consists of the following enzymatic processes; (1) a cellulase-catalyzed regio- and stereo-selective lactosylation of a beta-cellobioside as the glycosyl acceptor, utilizing the transglycosylating ability of an enzyme-substrate complex formed from beta-lactosyl fluoride and cellulase; (2) beta-D-galactosidase-catalyzed regioselective cleavage of the terminal D-galactose unit from the lactosylated product, giving rise to a beta-cellotrioside derivative. A cellotetraoside derivative has successfully been prepared in a stereo- and regio-selective manner by repeating these enzymatic reactions and using the resulting beta-cellotrioside as starting material.

[Clinical studies of renal pelvic and ureteral tumors: an analysis of 611 registered cases and progress of treatment]

A review of 611 cases of renal pelvic or ureter tumor registered in Tokai Urological Tumor Registry for the past 10 years from 1980 and comparison of results between the first and latter half was made. The number of renal pelvis tumor was 347 and that of ureter tumors was 264. Clinical stages and pathological grades of the tumor were as follows; Ta, 11.9; T1, 31.8; T2, 14.4; T3, 24.3; T4, 17.6% and G1, 10.5; G2, 49.3; G3, 33.0%. Higher stages and grades were observed in the recent 5 years. Of 409 cases (66.9% in total cases) treated by total nephroureterectomy, 28.3% of the first and 49.0% of the latter half were treated adjunctively by chemotherapy. Five years relative survival rates of these two groups were 49.4 and 47.3%, respectively, suggesting no improved results. A new treatment strategy such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy or lymphadenectomy is expected to improve the prognosis.

Molecular cloning of a developmentally regulated brain protein, chicken drebrin A and its expression by alternative splicing of the drebrin gene

Drebrins are developmentally regulated proteins found in the chicken brain and are classified into three forms, E1, E2 and A. Previously we isolated two cDNAs corresponding to the embryonic drebrin mRNAs from a chick embryo cDNA library. They differed in that an internal 129-nucleotide sequence, designated ins1, was inserted in the cDNA encoding drebrin E2 and was deleted in the other cDNA encoding drebrin E1. To search for the cDNA clone encoding drebrin A, a cDNA library of 1-day-old chick brains was screened using embryonic drebrin cDNA fragments as probes. Consequently, a novel cDNA was isolated, the sequence of which was entirely identical with that of drebrin E2 except for the insertion of a 138-nucleotide sequence, designated ins2, in the 5' direction immediately upstream from ins1. Since the translation product of the entire coding region was similar to that of drebrin A, this cDNA should correspond to the mRNA for drebrin A. Sequencing analysis of three drebrin cDNAs clearly indicated that the heterogeneity of chicken drebrins was caused by the insertion or deletion of the two sequences, ins1 and ins2. The amino-terminal half region including ins2 and two short sequences in the carboxyl-terminal region of the predicted drebrin A were highly evolutionarily conserved. Cloning and sequencing of the drebrin gene revealed that ins1 and ins2 were independently encoded by separate exons and three drebrin isoforms were thought to arise by alternative splicing from a single drebrin gene. The difference in the time course of expression and tissue distribution of each drebrin suggests that the machinery of alternative splicing site selection of the drebrin gene is regulated in a developmental stage-dependent and tissue-specific manner.

Increased levels of calbindin-D in serum and urine from patients treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Calbindin-D 28 kDa. is a vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein that is found mainly in the distal renal tubules and central nervous tissue in humans. Calbindin-D was measured in the serum and urine before, and immediately, 2 hours or 24 hours after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) in 83 consecutive patients. ESWL was performed with the Siemens Lithostar device in 61 patients and with the Dornier MPL9000 lithotriptor in 22. The serum 28 kDa. calbindin-D level was undetectable (less than 20 pg./ml.) in many samples, whereas urinary 28 kDa. calbindin-D could be detected in every sample. The serum 28 kDa. calbindin-D level was usually elevated after ESWL and the concentration in patients treated with the MPL9000 device was greater than in those treated with the Lithostar instrument. Urinary 28 kDa. calbindin-D levels were elevated significantly immediately and at 2 hours after ESWL, and they decreased to the baseline level within 24 hours after ESWL in the Lithostar group but remained consistently significantly elevated after ESWL in the MPL9000 group. This fact may be because the MPL9000 lithotriptor produces a stronger shock wave than does the Lithostar device during ESWL. These results suggest that 28 kDa. calbindin-D is released from damaged distal renal tubule cells into the serum and urine during ESWL and that 28 kDa. calbindin-D is a specific marker for renal damage by ESWL. To our knowledge this is the first clinical study using a sensitive enzyme immunoassay for human 28 kDa. calbindin-D to estimate renal damage during ESWL.

[Autopsy results of an elderly case of Parkinson's disease and aorto-esophageal fistula who died of a massive hematemesis during prolonged bed rest]

An 81-year-old female patient with an 8-year history of Parkinson's disease was hospitalized because of aspiration pneumonia. The clinical course of her pneumonia was prolonged because of dysphagia with a short period of remission, and she required a long period of bed rest. She received supportive nutrition via a nasogastric tube and many peroral medications that consisted of 3 anti-Parkinsonian drugs and 5 anti-bacterial or anti-tussive agents. Six months after admission, she vomited fresh blood through the nasogastric tube, then went into hypovolemic shock. Hemodynamic stability was temporarily achieved by blood transfusion. Gastroduodenal endoscopic examination could not reveal the exact bleeding site because of massive blood clots. Five days later, the patient died of a massive hematemesis. Autopsy revealed 2 chronic longitudinal ulcers, each 1.7 x 0.4 cm in size, in the upper portion of the esophagus. One of them had developed a fistula to the aorta. Neither esophageal carcinoma nor a foreign body was detected around the fistula. Atherosclerosis of the aorta was mild and the perforation channel was covered with the esophageal epithelium. The fistula was assumed to be a product of local esophageal injury due to drug retention.

Effects of dietary proteins on linoleic acid desaturation and membrane fluidity in rat liver microsomes

The effect of dietary protein, casein (CAS) and soybean protein (SOY), on linoleic acid desaturation in liver microsomes was studied in rats. The activity of delta 6 desaturase in total and rough endoplasmic reticula (ER and RER) was significantly higher in the CAS group than in the SOY group. In ER and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, when incorporated into the membrane, was decreased in the SOY group and accompanied by a reduction in the cholesterol/phospholipid (CHOL/PL) ratio, consistent with an increase in membrane fluidity. In a separate study, the effect of varying dietary proteins, CAS, milk whey protein, egg albumin, SOY, potato protein and wheat gluten, on the relationship between the delta 6 desaturase activity and microsomal membrane fluidity was also examined. The results indicated that the dietary protein-dependent change in the liver microsomal CHOL/PL ratio affected membrane fluidity, and subsequently the activity of delta 6 desaturase in liver microsomes. However, since dietary protein influenced the delta 6 desaturase activity in RER without influencing membrane fluidity, it is possible that some regulation might have taken place at the level of enzyme synthesis.

The effects of glucose on plasma amino acids and pyruvate during upper abdominal surgery

To assess the potential benefits of perioperative glucose administration, the plasma concentrations of insulin, free fatty acids, ketone bodies, amino acids, lactate, and pyruvate were measured in 20 patients undergoing partial gastrectomy. Ten patients received intravenous glucose at 10 g/h during the operation, and the other 10 patients, as control, received no glucose. Plasma glucose, insulin activity, pyruvate and alanine concentrations in the glucose-receiving group increased significantly during the operation in comparison with the control group. In contrast, in the glucose-receiving group the plasma ketone bodies and branched-chain amino acids, especially leucine and isoleucine, decreased significantly during surgery. These results suggest that administration of glucose stimulated insulin secretion and resulted in accumulation of the substrates such as pyruvate and alanine which were utilized readily in the body. Glucose administration is useful in suppressing catabolism during upper abdominal surgery.

Clinico-pathological studies on a transitional type between extrahepatic biliary atresia and paucity of the interlobular bile ducts

Among the neonatal and infantile cases of obstructive jaundice seen at Niigata and Yamagata University Hospitals between 1976 and 1990, extrahepatic bile ducts were visualized in 19 cases by either preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) or intraoperative cholangiography. Neonatal hepatitis was diagnosed in 3 of these cases by clear images of the bile duct system extending from the common bile duct to the intrahepatic bile duct. In 7 cases, the common bile duct was able to be seen, while the common hepatic duct was only slightly visualized. Four of these 7 cases were consistent with paucity of the interlobular bile ducts (PILBD) based on hepatic histology, while the remaining 3 showed fibrosis, bile ductular proliferation, and many bile plugs in the bile ductuli of the portal areas, concurrent with histological changes in extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA), not PILBD. In 9 cases, only the common bile duct was visualized while the common hepatic duct was not seen, 7 of these 9 cases being consistent with type III-a1 EHBA. In 2 cases, neither fibrosis nor proliferation of the bile ductuli was observed in the portal areas, and portal areas without any bile ductuli were also seen, in accordance with findings for PILBD. Three cases which showed similar hepatic histological findings to EHBA despite the presence of patent extrahepatic bile ducts, and 2 cases which had obstructed extrahepatic bile ducts and hepatic histological findings similar to PILBD, were thought to be of a transitional type between EHBA and PILBD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

S100a0 protein as a marker for tissue damage related to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

We assayed serum and urine S100a0 protein levels in patients with renal stones (n = 21) or ureteral stones (n = 18), before and after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to evaluate tissue injury. Serum S100a0 protein levels increased significantly immediately after, and at 2 and 24 h after ESWL in patients with renal stones, and at 2 and 24 h after ESWL in patients with ureteral stones. Significant increases in urine S100a0 protein levels were observed immediately and 2 h after ESWL in both groups of patients. The patients receiving a higher number of shock waves had a more pronounced increase in serum S100a0 protein especially in the case of more than 3,500 shock waves. Because S100a0 protein exists at relatively high concentrations in the proximal renal tubules and skeletal muscles, serum and urine S100a0 protein levels appear to be useful markers of tissue injury, including damage in the kidney and skeletal muscles, in the early post-ESWL phase.

[Application of ultrasonography in chest diseases--usefulness of ultrasonography and physiologic evaluation of low pressure vascular system]

Air and bones, which limit echo penetration to the lesion, are the major components of the thorax. Recently, however, there have been many reports concerning the valid application of ultrasonography for evaluation of chest diseases. In this paper, we report the usefulness of ultrasonography to analyze thoracic lesions based on our experience. Generally, ultrasonography is a method providing high resolution and real-time images. Using these characteristics, we tried to obtain physiological information concerning the hemodynamics of the right heart system. We addressed the results of our studies using ultrasonography as follows; 1) relationship between ventilatory change of IVC and central venous pressure, 2) estimation of pulmonary arterial pressure by measuring the size of the pulmonary artery, 3) dynamic changes of SVC configuration.

[The role of neuronal cytoskeleton associated proteins in neuronal network formation]

There have been many studies to determine extrinsic factors that may regulate the neuronal migration and growth of axons and dendrites. However, the intracellular mechanism, especially the regulation of cytoskeleton, has not been clarified. It has been reported that actin filament crosslinking protein, MAR-CKS, play roles in cell motility through cytoskeletal rearrangement accompanied by rapid, PKC-dependent phosphorylation. Recently, we have demonstrated that neuron-specific actin binding protein, drebrin, changed the stability and distribution of microfilaments within the fibroblast and formed highly-branched dendrite-like cell processes from their cell perimeters. It has also been reported that overexpression of microtubule associated protein, tau, in a fibroblast induced long axon-like cellular processes. This review will focus on dynamic regulations of the microfilament by drebrin and those of the microtubules by MAP2 and tau. Since all kinds of cytoskeletons are related to each other, the binding ability of neurofilament H to microtubules and that of MAP2 to neurofilaments were also discussed.

[Clinical evaluation of usefulness of cefixime (200 mg administered once daily) in the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis]

A comparative study of cefixime (CFIX), a new oral cephem antibiotic, was carried out at the Department of Urology, Nagoya University Hospital and its four affiliated hospitals to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of two dosage regimens of CFIX, given either in twice daily doses (BID group) or once daily dose (UID group), in the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis. Forty six female patients (BID group) were administered the daily dose of 200 mg in two divided doses for 3 days, 30 female patients (UID group) were administered 200 mg once daily for 3 days. The clinical efficacy was evaluated in 33 cases from the BID group and in 22 cases from the UID group, respectively, according to the criteria recommended by the Japan UTI Committee. In the BID group, the clinical efficacy was evaluated as excellent in 18 cases, moderate in 13 and poor in 2, with an overall clinical effectiveness rate of 94%. In the UID group, it was evaluated as excellent in 9 cases, moderate in 12 and poor in 1, with an overall clinical effectiveness rate of 96%. Safety was monitored in 71 patients, and only one case of stomatitis was seen in the UID group. This findings suggest that 200 mg once daily dosing regimen of cefixime is as effective as 100 mg twice daily dosing regimen in treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis, and is well tolerated in terms of safety.

A one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysin-1) using monoclonal antibodies

A one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3; stromelysin-1) was developed. The assay system used two simultaneous immunoreactions using a solid phase monoclonal antibody and a horseradish peroxidase-labeled monoclonal antibody (Fab'). The sensitivity of the assay system was 20 micrograms/l and linearity was obtained between 31 and 500 micrograms/l. The EIA system was capable of measuring both precursor and active forms of MMP-3 as well as the forms of MMP-3 complexed with tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. MMP-3 levels as measured by this assay are significantly higher in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to those of healthy subjects and patients with osteoarthritis. Immunoblot analyses showed that in the sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, MMP-3 is present in the 59- and 57-kDa precursor forms.

Surgical correction of foot deformities after stroke

Of 104 patients with corrective surgery for foot deformities subsequent to a cerebrovascular accident from 1980 until 1983, 53 patients returned for clinical examination and 22 patients were evaluated by questionnaire and telephone interview. The average follow-up period was 6.4 years. The operative techniques were tenotomy of the toe flexors for hammer-toe deformity, lengthening of the aponeurosis of the gastrocnemius for equinus deformity, and transfer of the anterior tibial tendon or the posterior tibial tendon or the long toe flexors for varus deformity. In 74% of patients, correction was maintained; 79% did not use an orthosis; 51% could bathe unassisted; and 76% were satisfied with the results. The ability to walk was related to the degree of paralysis, the age of the patient at surgery, and the walking speed at discharge.

Significance of serum type-IV collagen levels in various liver diseases. Measurement with a one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies with specificity for pepsin-solubilized type-IV collagen

Serum type-IV collagen levels determined with a one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using monoclonal antibodies with specificity for pepsin-solubilized type-IV collagen were compared with histologic changes in liver biopsy specimens from 107 patients with various liver diseases. Serum type-IV collagen levels were increased in the groups with liver diseases compared with controls. The serum type-IV collagen levels in the group with alcoholic cirrhosis showed significantly higher values than the other groups (P less than 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between the serum type-IV collagen level and the degree of fibrosis or cell infiltration in 107 patients. Immunolocalization of type-IV collagen was observed around blood vessels and bile ducts increased in number in the portal tracts, with cell infiltration and fibrosis, increased around vessels in fibrous septa, and sinusoidal walls of areas with cell infiltration or necrosis in hepatic lobules, and along the boundary between fibrous septa and hepatocytes. The present data indicate that serum type-IV collagen may be a sensitive marker for active fibrosis and that the elevation of serum type-IV collagen level primarily reflects the enhancement of type-IV collagen synthesis and deposition in the liver tissue at the stage of active fibrosis in liver disease.

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for a neuronal cell membrane antigen, HPC-1

A monoclonal antibody (mAb), HPC-1, labels the plasma membrane of the amacrine cell soma and inner plexiform layer in rat retina and other central neurons. HPC-1 antigen recognizes several proteins of about 35 kDa. In this study, an HPC-1 positive cDNA, HPC-113, was isolated from a lambda gt11 cDNA library of the rat hippocampus. HPC-113 had the 894-base pair nucleotide sequence in an open reading frame and the calculated molecular mass of the deduced amino acid sequence (298 residues) was 33,989 Da, implying that HPC-113 contains almost the full-length coding region of HPC-1 antigen is an integrated membrane protein revealing the characteristic alpha-helical structure with periodical heptad repeats usually seen in proteins with coiled-coil structures. Although the entire amino acid sequence did not show significant homology to any proteins so far known, a few local sequences in the possible extracellular domain of the HPC-1 antigen molecule had notable homology to some partial sequences in the laminin B1 chain. These sequences of laminin are included in the portion which has neurite outgrowth and/or survival promoting activity. The HPC-1 gene was transcribed in nerve tissues much more predominantly than in non-neuronal tissues. Thus, HPC-1 antigen(s) was confined to be a newly identified neuronal cell membrane protein(s) localized in a subpopulation of neurons.

Immunocytochemical localization of synaptic vesicle-specific protein in Lewy body-containing neurons in Parkinson's disease

We carried out an immunocytochemical examination of the brainstem and sympathetic ganglia of 5 autopsied patients with Parkinson's disease, using monoclonal antibodies against microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and synaptic vesicle-specific 38 kDa protein (SVP38). Lewy bodies (LBs) in the nerve cell somata were often immunoreactive for MAP2. Immunoreactivity of SVP38 in the somata of nerve cells was rarely demonstrated in the peripheral portion of the LBs. On the other hand, SVP38-immunoreactive (IR) LB-containing nerve cell processes were frequently found in the brainstem and sympathetic ganglia, considerably outnumbering MAP2-IR LB-containing nerve cell processes. These findings suggested that SVP38 is stored in LB-containing nerve cell processes and indicate that the majority of these processes are axons.

Retinoic acid-induced neural tube defects with multiple canals in the chick: immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies

When retinoic acid was injected into chicken yolks before incubation, various types of neural tube defect (NTD) were induced in 38-46% of the embryos after 48-96 h of incubation. The cranial NTD consisted of a delay in closing of the neural plate in 48-h embryos and some remained as disorganized, hyperplastic masses in older embryos. In spinal NTD of 48-h embryos the posterior neuropore remained widely open. In older embryos with a closed posterior neuropore, the neural tube appeared dissociated or disorganized locally at the trunk level. The tissue consisted of a dorsally-situated, neural-plate-like structure and a ventrally-located cell mass containing multiple canals. Although the location was different, this arrangement was similar to the overlap zone which appears between primary and secondary neurulation in normal development. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies which selectively stained various components of chick tissue. Considering the similarity in neural tube formation between chick and human, this experimental NTD may provide clues to understanding the etiology of human myelomeningocele.

Effect of acetylcholine on the highly stenotic coronary artery: difference between the constrictor response of the infarct-related coronary artery and that of the noninfarct-related artery

To examine the constrictor response of the infarct-related stenotic coronary artery in comparison with that of noninfarct-related stenotic arteries, acetylcholine in maximal doses of 100 micrograms for the left and 50 micrograms for the right coronary artery was injected into the 16 infarct-related coronary arteries of 16 patients with previous myocardial infarction (group 1) and into 19 stenotic coronary arteries of 16 patients with stable angina without myocardial infarction (group 2). Acetylcholine's effects on lumen diameter and area were quantitatively analyzed at the stenotic segment and its proximal segment without significant stenosis. Acetylcholine decreased lumen diameter and area at the stenotic segments from 0.72 +/- 0.18 to 0.18 +/- 0.33 mm and from 0.45 +/- 0.22 to 0.10 +/- 0.22 mm2, respectively, in group 1 (both p less than 0.01) and from 0.75 +/- 0.22 to 0.49 +/- 0.30 mm and 0.48 +/- 0.29 to 0.26 +/- 0.23 mm2, respectively, in group 2 (both p less than 0.01). Acetylcholine decreased the diameter and area at the proximal segment from 2.71 +/- 0.75 to 2.38 +/- 0.6 mm and from 6.18 +/- 3.4 to 4.71 +/- 2.23 mm2, respectively, in group 1 (both p less than 0.01) and from 2.31 +/- 0.67 to 1.95 +/- 0.59 mm and from 4.5 +/- 2.97 to 3.22 +/- 1.96 mm2, respectively, in group 2 (both p less than 0.01). The changes in diameter and area at the stenotic segment in group 1 were significantly greater than those in group 2 (both p less than 0.01); there were no significant differences between groups in the changes at the proximal segment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)