New bioactive marine steroids from the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia viridis

Eight new marine steroids were isolated from the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia viridis Quoy and Gaimard. Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic analysis, chemical conversion, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Steroids 5 and 6 showed growth inhibition activity toward HeLa S3 cells and human diploid cells in vitro.

Purification and characterization of three extracellular protopectinases with polygalacturonase activities from Trichosporon penicillatum

In a culture filtrate of Trichosporan penicillatum B2, which is a gamma-ray irradiation mutant induced from T. penicillatum SNO3, we found three kinds of pectin-releasing enzymes, protopectinases SE1, SE2, and SE3, that have endo-polygalacturonase activity. These enzymes were purified to homogeneity with cation-exchange and size exclusion chromatographies. The major PPase in the culture filtrate was PPase SE1, which accounted for 75% of total activities in the culture filtrate, and the two others were 0.15% (PPase SE2) and 0.007% (PPase SE3). Their molecular masses were approximately 41, 41, and 42 kDa on SDS-PAGE, respectively. They had similar enzymatic properties but different PPase activity and pH- and thermo-stability. Antibody against PPase S, which is produced by strain SNO3, inhibited the activities of PPase SE1, SE2, and SE3. However PPase SE1 was completely inhibited by treatment with the anti-PPase S antibody, but the activities of PPases SE2 and SE3 remained at 20 and 50% of the original activity, respectively.

Mite-specific induction of interleukin-2 receptor on T lymphocytes from children with mite-sensitive asthma: modified immune response with immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of immunotherapy is still controversial. To elucidate the mechanisms of immunotherapy, we studied mite-specific induction of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on T lymphocytes from children with mite-sensitive asthma.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 28 children with mite-sensitive asthma: 13 had never received house dust immunotherapy (nonimmunotherapy group), 15 had been receiving house dust immunotherapy at the time of the study (immunotherapy group). After a 6-day culture with or without Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen, the expression of IL-2Rp55 (CD25) and p75 on CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The nonimmunotherapy group showed significant Df-specific CD25 induction on CD4+ T lymphocytes (delta CD4+ CD25+) but little induction on CD8+ T lymphocytes (delta CD8+ CD25+). delta CD4+ CD25+ was correlated with the severity of the disease. In the immunotherapy group delta CD8+ CD25+ was significantly higher than in the nonimmunotherapy group or in normal subjects and correlated with Df-specific IgG4 and cumulative doses of house dust extract, whereas delta CD4+ CD25+ was similar in the nonimmunotherapy and the immunotherapy groups. IL-2Rp75 was not induced either on CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that house dust immunotherapy may have induced Df-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with mite-sensitive asthma and that the efficacy of immunotherapy may be attributed to the generation of Df-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Mapping of cyclosporin A binding sites in cyclophilin A by using synthetic peptides

In order to map cyclosporin A (CsA) binding sites of cyclophilin (CyP), we synthesized the complete set of overlapping 157 octapeptides corresponding to human CyP A using the multi-pin peptide synthesis system. The pin-coupled synthetic octapeptides were examined in terms of binding ability to CsA by a modification of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significant binding of CsA was detected with 35 synthetic N alpha-acetylated octapeptides possessing the N-terminal amino acids corresponding to the residues in positions 24-26, 42-44, 69-73, 75, 76, 89-91, 102, 116, 124-131, 144-151 and 152 in human CyP A, respectively. Other eight octapeptides showed moderate CsA binding activity. The distinct binding of octapeptides covering the C-terminal region of the CyP A was particularly significant. These data are to be compared with the information provided by X-ray and NMR studies on the CsA binding sites and furnish thus a test of the reported method. The present study also gave added insight into the CsA interaction sites of CyP.

Inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival and degranulation

The effects of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival and degranulation were investigated in vitro to determine whether it is an inhibitory regulator of allergic inflammation. Peripheral blood eosinophils purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and the CD16 negative selection technique were incubated in the presence of eosinophil-activating cytokines (interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon (IFN)-gamma) with and without TFG-beta 1 for 1-3 days. On day 1, eosinophil protein X release was measured by radioimmunoassay. Eosinophil viability on day 3 was determined by staining the cells with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide, and on the same day DNA was extracted and subjected to gel electrophoresis to test for fragmentation. TGF-beta 1 significantly inhibited eosinophil survival enhanced by IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF and IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1 on IL-5-enhanced survival was partially reversed by high concentrations of IL-5 and was completely neutralized with anti-TGF-beta antibody. IL-5 inhibited DNA fragmentation of eosinophils in vitro. TGF-beta reversed the effect of IL-5, indicating that TGF-beta 1 activates the pathway of apoptosis. TGF-beta 1 significantly suppressed eosinophil protein X release induced by IL-5. These results suggest that TGF-beta 1 may play a role in the modulation of allergic inflammation.

[Inhibitory effect of TGF-beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival]

TGF-beta 1 has many biological activities in various cell types and is regarded as a multifunctioning regulator of cell growth. We studied the effect of TGF-beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival in vitro. Eosinophils were purified from patients with mild atopic dermatitis by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and the CD16 negative selection/immunomagnetic beads technique. Eosinophil purity was greater than 95%. The purified eosinophils were incubated in the presence of eosinophil-activating cytokines (IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma) with and without TGF-beta 1 for 3 days. Eosinophil viability was determined by staining the cells with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Without cytokine, most eosinophils died by day 3 in culture, but human recombinant IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF, and IFN-gamma enhanced eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner. To test the effect of TGF-beta 1 on enhanced eosinophil survival, eosinophils were cultured with activating cytokine and TGF-beta 1. TGF-beta 1 inhibited eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1 on IL-5 enhanced survival was partially reversed by high concentrations of IL-5 and was completely neutralized with anti-TGF-beta antibody. Moreover, the apoptosis of eosinophils induced by TGF-beta 1 was determined with the assay of DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis. It is possible that TGF-beta 1 activates the pathway of apoptosis. The results suggest that TGF-beta 1 may play a crucial role in the regulation of allergic inflammation.

The assessment of fracture of the mandibular condyle by use of computerized tomography. Incidence of sagittal split fracture

A survey was carried out to clarify the incidence of sagittal splitting fracture of the mandibular condyle using computerized tomography. There were 33 patients, between 11 and 67 years of age, with displaced or dislocated mandibular condylar process fractures (41 cases), seen at our clinic between 1986 and 1992. The incidence of no displacement was 4.9%; deviation and displacement, 34.1%; dislocation, 46.3%; and complete avulsion, 4.9%. A sagittal splitting fracture of condyle occurred with an incidence of 9.8%. Conservative treatment was effective in the treatment of sagittal splitting fracture. Therefore, classification of fracture of mandibular condyle should include the sagittal split fracture, and investigations should include computerized tomography.

Aragusterol C: a novel halogenated marine steroid from an Okinawan sponge, Xestospongia sp., possessing potent antitumor activity

A novel chlorinated steroid, aragusterol C, was isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge of the genus Xestospongia. The compound strongly inhibited the proliferation of KB cells in vitro, and also showed potent in vivo antitumor activity against L1210 cells in mice. The complete structure of aragusterol C was determined by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Dose-related protective efficacy of immunoglobulins in experimentally induced group B streptococcal infection

This study investigates the dose-dependent effect of administration of commercially available intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) on the survival of newborn rats experimentally infected with group B streptococci (GBS). The opsonic activity of various concentrations of IVIG in vitro was determined by examination of opsonophagocytosis of GBS by peritoneal macrophages and bacterial killing by blood neutrophils. The best survival was observed in newborn rats who received immunoglobulins at doses of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg of bodyweight. The survival of animals that received either 125 mg/kg or 2.5 g/kg of immunoglobulins was no better than that of animals who received no immunoglobulins. The maximal phagocytosis and bacterial killing were observed at in vitro immunoglobulin concentrations ranging from 32 to 250 mg/dL (these in vitro concentrations may correspond roughly to in vivo administration doses ranging from 150 to 1200 mg/kg). These doses are comparable to the doses of IVIG currently administered to neonates. However use of very high doses may be harmful to babies since the high concentration of non-specific immunoglobulins inhibited in vitro phagocytosis and bacterial killing by phagocytes.

Fever of unknown origin: a review of 80 patients from the Shin'etsu area of Japan from 1986-1992

In this survey involving 10 hospitals, we analyzed data on 80 Japanese patients from the Shin'etsu area (Nagano-ken and Niigata-ken) who were observed for fever of unknown origin (FUO). Our objectives were to identify the underlying causes and the relevant diagnostic methods. Fourteen of the patients died of the underlying illness. The cause of the FUO was infection in 43 patients, allergic or autoimmune disease in 13, neoplasm in 7, miscellaneous causes in 3, and undetermined in 14. FUO was self-limited in 13 patients and persistent in one patient. Methods successfully used to establish the final diagnosis in 66 patients were: evaluation of the clinical course or response to treatment in 16, serologic tests in 12, bacteriologic studies in 10, biopsy in 9, cytologic examination in 6, conventional radiology in 6, necropsy in 3, endoscopy in 2, and biochemical testing in 2.

Structural elucidation of new phenolic glycolipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

From one clinical isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, two new phenolic glycolipids(PGLs) were obtained as its major PGLs. These were dimycocerosyl esters of 2,4-di-O-methyl-fucopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-2-O-methyl-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->)-phenolphthiocerol A and -phenolphthiotriol A, which were produced by this strain at a ratio of about 5:1. Another clinical isolate of this species was found to produce PGL-tb1 and its analogue, 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-fucopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-2-O-methyl-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->)-phenolphthiotriol A at a ratio of about 1:3. The fact that different strains of M. tuberculosis produce chemically different PGLs as their major PGLs may be related to the diversity of virulence of the clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis.

The stimulatory effects and binding characteristics of PACAP27 in rat dispersed pancreatic acini

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a recently isolated active peptide of the VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) family. Two bioactive forms, PACAP38 and PACAP27, a shorter N-terminal amidated peptide of PACAP38, have been identified. In this study, we explored the action of PACAP27 in rat dispersed pancreatic acini and the characteristics of its binding sites. PACAP27 stimulated amylase secretion and intracellular cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. Adding 0.5 mM IBMX increased the potency of PACAP27 on the amylase secretion, but did not change the efficacy. The biological action of PACAP27 was mediated via intracellular cAMP as is also the case with PACAP38 or VIP. The time course study, however, revealed that PACAP stimulated the initial amylase secretion greater than VIP, suggesting an involvement of mechanisms other than intracellular cAMP. Binding studies using 125I-PACAP27 and 125I-VIP indicated that the binding sites for PACAP27 interacted with PACAP27 and VIP with a similar affinity. These observations suggested the presence of type II PACAP-binding sites in the normal acini of the rat pancreas which may be functionally coupled with acinar enzyme secretion.

A new 5 alpha,8 alpha-epidioxy sterol from the Okinawan marine sponge of the Axinyssa genus

A new sterol (axinysterol) was isolated from the Okinawan marine sponge of the genus Axinyssa. The structure of axinysterol was assigned as 5 alpha,8 alpha-epidioxyergosta- 6,22,25-trien-3 beta-ol based on spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformation.

Galanin analogues: agonist and antagonist

23 galanin-related peptides were synthesized by solid phase technology or conventional solution method. The purity of the products was carefully assessed by routine analytical criteria. Using these synthetic peptides, we have investigated the effects of galanins and structurally modified galanin peptides on glucose-stimulated insulin release using the isolated perfused rat pancreas, gastrin and somatostatin release using the isolated perfused rat stomach, the neurally-evoked muscle contractions in guinea pig ileum and the C-fiber response in the isolated spinal cord of the new born rat. The results suggest that the galanin amino-terminal 1-15 sequence is crucial for its activity in the above four systems. With the goal of developing a specific antagonist of galanin, synthetic galanin (1-15) analogues [D-Thr6,D-Trp8,9]galanin(1-15)ol, and [D-Trp8,9]galanin(1-15)ol were found to be a potent antagonist for inhibitory effect of galanin on glucose-induced insulin release.

Plasma lipase, C-peptide reactivity and human pancreatic polypeptide responses after ingestion of elemental diet in patients with chronic pancreatitis

Plasma lipase, C-peptide reactivity (CPR) and human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) responses after ingestion of elemental diet were studied in 27 patients with chronic pancreatitis. These subjects were classified into 3 groups according to ERP findings; minimum or mild (MIP, n = 17), moderate (MOP, n = 6) and advanced (ADP, n = 4). Basal plasma lipase levels in the MIP and MOP patients were significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.05). Plasma CPR response (sigma delta CPR) in MIP cases were significantly higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). Also, plasma HPP (response (sigma delta HPP) in MIP cases were significantly higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). Plasma CPR and HPP responses correlated with the severity of chronic pancreatitis. Fourteen of the 17 MIP patients (82%) showed higher levels of basal lipase or sigma delta HPP in comparison to the respective normal ranges. This study suggested that the ED test may be more sensitive for detection of mild chronic pancreatitis and that it may be useful for evaluating exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions in various stages of chronic pancreatitis.

Masticatory function in a patient with mandibular midline cleft

Bone grafting of a midline cleft is required to allow reasonable masticatory function. However, changes in the rhythm of mastication have not been investigated before and after such bone grafting procedures. We performed bone grafting in a patient with multiple craniofacial anomalies including a midline mandibular cleft. The patient showed a marked improvement in the rhythm of mastication after repair of the midline mandibular defect. Bone grafting proved to be an effective method for securing stable occlusion with better mandibular movement.

Tactile-evoked response of sensory fibers in buccal and submandibular regions of the rat

Evoked neural responses to tactile stimulation were recorded electrophysiologically from the mechanoreceptive afferent fibers innervating the buccal and submandibular regions of Wistar rats anesthetized with sodium thiopental. Miniature probes 200 microns in diameter were used, and data analysis was performed on the mechanosensitivity of responses to tactile stimulation in the areas innervated by the mental, mylohyoid, auriculotemporal, and cervical nerves. Mechano-sensitivity of each area showed a characteristic distribution of slowly adapting (SA), rapidly adapting (RA), C-fiber (CF), and hair follicle (HF) units in individual receptive fields. The density of the SA units was high in the areas innervated by the mylohyoid and auriculotemporal nerves. The CF units were concentrated in the small dome in the area of the mylohyoid nerve and the auriculotemporal nerve, as shown by a significant response to the dynamic features of stimulation. Estimation of the current needed for tactile acuity suggests an important role of the SA fibers in the areas innervated by the auriculotemporal, mylohyoid, and cervical nerves.

A new glycolipid from Mycobacterium avium--Mycobacterium intracellulare complex

From a nonpolar lipid fraction of Mycobacterium avium--Mycobacterium intracellulare complex cell mass, a new glycolipid was obtained, which was shown to be 5-mycoloyl-beta-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->2)-5-mycoloyl-alpha-ar abinofuranosyl- (1-->1')-glycerol. When examined by TLC, all the 12 strains of this species tested, including clinical isolates, were found to contain this glycolipid. But the glycolipid was not detected in Mycobacterium bovis BCG or Mycobacterium tubrculosis H37Rv.

Muscle spindles in the mylohyoid muscle of rats

The mylohyoid muscle has several functions in relation to respiration, deglutition, and phonation, but these functions are not fully understood. The interaction of the mylohyoid nerve and muscle in 25 rats was studied by neurophysiologic and histologic methods. Stretching of the muscle elicited electrical responses from the branch of the mylohyoid nerve innervating the mylohyoid muscle, and stretch-sensitive receptors were demonstrated histologically in the mylohyoid muscle. This study indicates that the mylohyoid muscle plays an active role in functions such as swallowing, breathing, and phonation.

[Structure-function studies of galanin]

Galanin is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system and exerts a variety of physiological effects. This review briefly describes the chemical structure, tissue distribution, physiological effects, receptors and structure-function relationships of galanin. It is worth noting that the inhibitory effect of newly synthesized galanin (1-15)-ol on guinea pig ileum contractions was of the same magnitude as that of galanin. This observation gives us an important clue as to the discovery of antagonists of galanin for neural systems.