Clinical significance of ERG rearrangement subtype and its association with increased p53 expression in Japanese and German prostate cancer

This study investigated differences in prevalence of the androgen-regulated transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and ETS transcription factor family member, v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ERG) fusion gene (TMPRSS2-ERG fusions) in clinically localized prostate cancer Japanese and German patients. A total of 105 specimens, including 69 Japanese and 36 German patients, were collected. The status of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and correlations of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion with clinicopathological characteristics and immunohistochemistry were studied. Gene fusions were identified in 20% (14/69) of Japanese and 53% (19/36) of German patients (P < 0.001). The difference in the type of gene fusion between the two ethnic groups was statistically significant (P=0.024). Overexpression of ERG protein was significantly associated with gene fusion. Biochemical recurrence was significantly higher in patients with ERG overexpression than in those without, and not related to TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status. Interestingly, two types of gene fusions (deletion and increase of copy number) were significantly associated with increased p53 expression (P = 0.005). Association of specific gene fusions harboring higher genomic alterations with p53 expression levels suggests that p53 mutation might drive more aggressive arrangements of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in prostate cancer.

KEYWORDS

ERG, p53, prostate cancer, TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.

A simple method for enhancing hybridization efficiency in chromosome and array comparative genomic hybridization

The accuracy of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis is affected by hybridization efficiency. We describe here a simple method for enhancing hybridization efficiency. The hybridization procedure is essentially the same as that of conventional methods. Hybridization solution containing denatured DNA probe mixture was applied to a metaphase chromosome slide or DNA chip slide and covered with a coverslip. In the new method, however, the slide was inverted by turning the coverslip downward prior to hybridization. We termed this method the inverted slide method. To estimate the efficiency of the new method, metaphase chromosome slides and DNA chip slides were treated by both the conventional and inverted slide methods and incubated in a moist chamber at 37°C for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Hybridization signals were approximately 1.5 to 2 times brighter on the slides using the inverted slide method than those using the conventional method after 48 and 72 h of incubation. Furthermore, topographical differences in fluorescence intensity were smaller in slides using the inverted-slide method than in those prepared by the conventional method. The inverted slide method is methodologically very simple and improves the resolution of CGH.

Injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the ventral tegmental area suppresses the increase in arterial pressure during REM sleep in the rat

We have examined the effect of injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on the changes in arterial blood pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) during the transition from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep to REM sleep. The 6-OHDA-treated rats showed suppression of the increase of AP and HR during REM sleep and of theta frequency in the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) during wakefulness (W) and REM sleep. It is suggested that midbrain dopaminergic neurons are involved in the control of AP and HR during REM sleep and in the EEG theta activity.

Establishment of the transformants expressing human cytochrome P450 subtypes in HepG2, and their applications on drug metabolism and toxicology

Transformants with stable expression of a series of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) subtypes in the human hepatic cell line, HepG2, were established. These transformants are designated Hepc/1A1.4, Hepc/1A2.9, Hepc/2A6L.14, Hepc/2B6.68, Hepc/2C8.46, Hepc/2C9.1, Hepc/2C19.12, Hepc/2D6.39, Hepc/2E1.3-8 and Hepc/3A4.2-30, which stably expressed human CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4, respectively. The expression of the CYP subtypes in the transformants was confirmed by both determination of enzyme activities and the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedure. The apparent K(m) values of the expressed CYP subtypes for their specific substrates were close to those of human liver microsomes. In addition to their CYP activities, these transformants retained glucuronide- and sulfate-conjugating activities. Furthermore, the activities of CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 were inhibited by their specific inhibitors. The cytotoxicity of acetaminophen (APAP), cyclophosphamide (CPA) and benz[a]anthracene (BA) were analyzed by CYP-expressing transformants. The cytotoxicity depended on the expression of CYP subtypes and increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results show the metabolic activation of APAP, CPA and BA by the specific CYP subtypes expressed in the transformants and demonstrate the usefulness of these transformants for in vitro metabolic and toxicological studies in human liver.

Exon 3 of tyrosine hydroxylase gene: lack of association with Japanese schizophrenic patients

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine (DA) biosynthesis. Exon 3 of the human TH gene encodes the sequence from Ser31 to Glu104 of type 1 enzyme, which contains the critical parts for regulation of the catalytic activity. The amino acid residues Gly36-Arg37-Arg38 were identified as a key sequence for DA to exert its inhibitory effect on catalytic activity. Therefore, we screened the nucleotide sequences of exon 3 from 201 Japanese patients with schizophrenia to explain the elevation in the synaptic or presynaptic DA concentrations in the schizophrenic brain, based on the hypothesis that any mutation changing the amino acid sequence Gly36-Arg37-Arg38 would result in the elevation of DA synthesis, due to a reduced inhibitory effect of DA on the catalytic activity. However, no mutated sequences of exon 3 and both exon-intron boundaries were detected in any of the patients examined. Polymorphisms generating Val81 and Met81 were compared of the distributions of genotype and allele between the patients and 175 Japanese healthy controls, which did not suggest an association between the polymorphism and schizophrenia. These results indicate that exon 3 of the human TH gene lacks association with schizophrenia in Japanese patients.

Expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I in murine locus ceruleus is enhanced by peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide

Among the enzymes involved in the system for catecholamine biosynthesis, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH) contributes to the system as the first and rate-limiting enzyme for the de novo biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is the cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Therefore, we investigated whether the endotoxemia caused by an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can modulate BH4 production in the norepinephrine nuclei, i.e. the locus ceruleus (LC; A6) and central caudal pons (A5), in C3H/HeN mice and whether such a change in BH4, if any, can result in the modification of norepinephrine production in these nuclei. After a 5-microg i.p. injection of LPS, the protein expression of GCH and TH in both nuclei was examined by immunohistochemistry. The staining intensity of GCH-positive cells increased at 6 h, whereas no significant change in the staining intensity of TH-positive cells was detected. Next, we measured the contents of BH4, norepinephrine, and its metabolites 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and DL-4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid (VMA) in these nuclei after LPS i.p. injection. The BH4 content increased to a statistically significant level at 2 and 4 h after the injection. The contents of MHPG and VMA also showed a time-course similar to that of BH4. These data can be rationalized to indicate that an increased supply of BH4 in the LC increased TH activity and resulted in an increase in norepinephrine production rate at the site. This is the first report that sheds light on BH4 as a molecule that intervenes during endotoxemia to increase norepinephrine production rate in the LC.

The carbohydrate deposits detected by histochemical methods in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampal formation of patients with schizophrenia, Down's syndrome and dementia, and aged person

Post-mortem brain tissue was obtained from 28 patients with brain disorders, of which 15 had clinically diagnosed schizophrenia, 6 Alzheimer type dementia, 5 dementia with tangles and 2 cases of Down's syndrome. The controls were 22 cases from autopsies without brain disorders or with no known episodes of brain disorder. The tissues were stained for the detection of carbohydrate deposits in the hippocampal formation, using lectin, immunohistochemical and conventional staining methods. The staining revealed the existence of spherical deposits in the inner and middle molecular layers of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampal formation which contained fucose, galactose, N-acetyl galactosamine, N-acetyl glucosamine, sialic acid, mannose and chondroitin sulfate. The number of the deposits was higher in patients with brain disorder such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer type dementia, dementia with tangles or Down's syndrome, and in some aged individuals, in comparison to those in younger individuals. No deposits were detected in a few younger or aged individuals. Spherical deposits 3-10 microm in diameter may be an immature form of the corpora amylacea, since they were similar in the histochemical characteristics with lectin, immunohistochemical and conventional staining methods. However, differing staining ability by hematoxylin, periodic acid Schiff's reagent and antibodies against the intracellular degraded proteins such as ubiquitin and tau-protein was observed. The antibodies against ubiquitin and tau-protein showed clear reactivity with the corpora amylacea and no reactivity with spherical deposits, indicating that the corpora amylacea has an intracellular origin and spherical deposits an extracellular matrix origin. The results obtained in this study indicate that not only neuronal degeneration but also unusual glycometabolism in neurons may disturb the neuronal function and cause brain disorders, and that spherical deposits may cause dysfunction of the neuronal network in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus which is closely linked with recognition and memory functions.

Specific localization of the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase I-immunoreactivity in the human brain

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase I (GCH) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme for biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, the cofactor of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Our previous study reported the presence of GCH in several neuronal groups in animal brains using a newly raised anti-GCH antibody. The present study aims at elucidating whether GCH and TH coexist in the same neurons of the human brain with the aid of immunohistochemical dual labeling. GCH-immunoreactivity was observed in the cell bodies and fibers of monoaminergic neurons of the human brain. Neurons which contain both enzymes are seen in the human substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe, and zona incerta. In these regions, almost all the cells also show immunoreactivity for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), the second step enzyme for catecholamine synthesis, indicating that these neurons are catecholaminergic. However, some neurons in the dorsal and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei are stained only for GCH or TH. They appear to constitute an independent cell group in the human brain. The present observation suggests that L-dopa is not produced in the cells immunoreactive for TH but not for GCH, and that TH in these cells which lack GCH may have an unidentified role other than dopa synthesis.

Human midbrain dopamine neurons express serotonin 2A receptor: an immunohistochemical demonstration

We demonstrated intense serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor immunoreactivity in the human ventral tegmental area (VTA) using by a recently raised antibody against 5-HT2A receptor. The substantia nigra (SN) neurons also showed 5-HT2A receptor immunoreactivity. Double immunohistochemistry of 5-HT2A receptor and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) revealed many neurons doubly labeled by 5-HT2A receptor and TH in the VTA and SN. It is suggested that activity of human midbrain dopaminergic neurons might be strongly regulated via 5-HT2A receptors at the level of their originating nuclei.

Cholinergic neurons with monoamine oxidase type B (MAOB)-activity in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus of the mouse

No neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg) show monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in the rat or monkey. However, in our recent study, many LDTg neurons with MAO type B (MAOB)-activity were found in MAOA-deficient mice that were derived from C3H mouse line. In the present study, LDTg neurons with MAOB-activity were found not only in normal C3H mouse but also in BALB/C and C57BL/6 mouse lines: MAO histochemistry revealed LDTg neurons with MAO-activity even after pharmacological suppression of MAOA-activity with clorgyline, a specific MAOA inhibitor, but not after pharmacological suppression of MAOB-activity with deprenyl, a specific MAOB inhibitor. LDTg neurons with MAOB-activity also showed NADPH-diaphorase-activity, a marker of cholinergic neurons.

Tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase do not coexist in neurons in the human anterior cingulate cortex

Immunoreactivity for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), the second step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme, was found immunohistochemically in neurons of the human anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Most of these neurons were located in layers V and VI and subcortical white matter; a small number were occasionally found in layer III. Double immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH: the first step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme) and AADC revealed that no neuronal cell bodies in the ACC were doubly immunostained for TH and AADC, suggesting that these TH-only- or AADC-only-immunoreactive neurons were not dopaminergic. AADC neurons in the human ACC might transform L-DOPA to dopamine, droxidopa to noradrenaline, and/or 5-hydroxytryptophan to serotonin.

Effects of NTE-122, a novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, on cholesterol esterification and high-density lipoprotein-induced cholesterol efflux in macrophages

We investigated the effects of a novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, NTE-122 (trans-1,4-bis[[1-cyclohexyl-3-(4-dimethylamino phenyl)ureido]methyl]cyclohexane), on ACAT activities in macrophages originating from several species and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-induced cholesterol efflux in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated THP-1 cells. NTE-122 inhibited cell-free ACAT activities in human PMA-treated THP-1 cells and mouse J774.1 cells with IC50 values of 0.88 and 360 nM, respectively. NTE-122 competively inhibited the ACAT activity in PMA-treated THP-1 cells. NTE-122 also inhibited cellular ACAT activities in PMA-treated THP-1 cells, rat peritoneal macrophages and J774.1 cells with IC50 values of 3.5, 84 and 6800 nM, respectively. Furthermore, NTE-122 prevented cholesterol accumulation in PMA-treated THP-1 cells incubated with acetylated low density lipoprotein, simultaneously with HDL, while it caused accumulation of a significant amount of free cholesterol in the absence and even in the presence of HDL. NTE-122 also enhanced HDL-induced cholesterol efflux from established foam cells converted from PMA-treated THP-1 cells. These results suggest that NTE-122, capable of inhibiting macrophage ACAT activity in humans more strongly than those in the other species, exhibits anti-atherogenic effects by preventing the foam cell formation and enhancing the foam cell regression in humans.

A comparison of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid between corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy

Many clinical and pathological discussions have been focused on the difficulty of differential diagnosis between corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in recent years. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of tau proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the differentiation of these two diseases. Subjects consisted of 10 patients with CBD (four males and six females with a mean age of 67.9+/-5.8 years), 12 patients with PSP (eight males and four females with a mean age of 62.6+/-5.8 years) and 36 control subjects (CTL) (16 males and 20 females with a mean age of 65.8+/-9.9 years). The CBD group included patients with probable CBD, while all the patients in the PSP group satisfied the diagnostic criteria developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Society for PSP (NINDS-SPSP). CSF tau proteins were measured with the sandwich ELISA method (Innogenetics, Belgium). The CSF tau protein level was 320.1+/-86.5 pg/ml in the CBD group, 151.5+/-52.7 pg/ml in the PSP group and 128.7+/-91.7 pg/ml in the CTL group. Significant differences were noted in tau protein levels between the CBD group and both the PSP group (P<0.001) and the CTL group (P<0.005). We suggested that the measurement of CSF tau proteins may be useful for the differentiation between CBD and PSP.

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunohistochemistry in the adult human hypothalamus

The distribution of cell bodies immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase was studied in the adult human hypothalamus. Many neurons in the posterior (A11) and caudal dorsal hypothalamic areas (A13) as well as in the arcuate (A12) and periventricular (A14) zone were immunoreactive for the two enzymes, suggesting that they were dopaminergic. Numerous tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons, which were not immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, could be seen in the paraventricular, supraoptic and accessory nuclei (A15) as well as in the rostral dorsal hypothalamic area. These were considered to be non-dopaminergic. Conversely, large numbers of small neurons immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase but not for tyrosine hydroxylase, were identified in the premammillary nucleus (D8), zona incerta (D10), lateral hypothalamic area (D11), anterior portion of the dorsomedial nucleus (D12), suprachiasmatic nucleus (D13), medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (D14). In the human hypothalamus, besides dopaminergic cell bodies, there exists a large number of tyrosine hydroxylase-only and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase-only neurons, whose physiological roles remain to be determined.

Cholesterol-lowering effects of NTE-122, a novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, on cholesterol diet-fed rats and rabbits

Pharmacological characterization of NTE-122 (trans-1,4-bis[[1-cyclohexyl-3-(4-dimethylamino phenyl)ureido]methyl]cyclohexane), a novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, was performed with both in vitro and in vivo assay systems. NTE-122 inhibited microsomal ACAT activities of various tissues (liver of rabbit and rat, small intestine of rabbit and rat, and aorta of rabbit) and cultured cells (HepG2 and CaCo-2), with IC50 values from 1.2 to 9.6 nM. The inhibition mode of NTE-122 was competitive for HepG2 ACAT. NTE-122 had no effect on other lipid metabolizing enzymes, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, acyl-CoA synthetase, cholesterol esterase, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, acyl-CoA:sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase up to 10 microM. When NTE-122 was administered to the cholesterol diet-fed rats, serum and liver cholesterol levels were markedly reduced with an ED50 of 0.12 and 0.44 mg/kg/day, respectively. In the cholesterol diet-fed rabbits, NTE-122 significantly lowered plasma and liver cholesterol levels at more than 2 mg/kg/day. These results indicate that NTE-122 is a potent, selective and competitive inhibitor of ACAT, making it a worth while therapeutic agent for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

Do all of human midbrain tyrosine hydroxylase neurons synthesize dopamine?

We examined whether all of human midbrain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neurons substantially synthesize dopamine (DA) using dual labeling immunohistochemical technique of TH and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). In the substantia nigra, besides many neurons doubly stained for TH and AADC, neurons stained only for TH and only for AADC (D-neurons [C.B. Jaeger, D.A. Ruggiero, V.R. Albert, T.H. Joh, D.J. Reis, Immunocytochemical localization of aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase, in: A. Björklund, T. Hökfelt (Eds.), Handbook of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Classical Transmitters in the CNS, Vol. 2, Part 1, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984, pp. 387-408.]) were identified. In the ventral tegmental area, dually labeled neurons and TH-only-positive neurons were found. It is indicated that the number of midbrain TH neurons does not reflect the exact number of DA neurons.

Does tyrosinase exist in neuromelanin-pigmented neurons in the human substantia nigra?

It is controversial whether tyrosinase is involved in the neuromelanin-biosynthetic pathway. We examined tyrosinase-immunoreactivity in human substantia nigra neurons which contain neuromelanin pigments, using antibodies against human tyrosinase and human tyrosine hydroxylase. In human melanoma, the antibody to tyrosinase showed intense immunoreactivity while there was no immunoreactivity with antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase. In the human midbrain pigmented neurons, however, we could detect no tyrosinase-immunoreactivity while the neurons were strongly immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase. The present results suggest that tyrosinase is not involved in the main pathway of neuromelanin biosynthesis.

Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase - immunoreactive nerve terminals afferent to the mouse substantia nigra

In the substantia nigra pars compacta, many phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase immunoreactive (PNMT-ir) terminals as well as serotonin-ir terminals were observed for the first time to be very closely situated to the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-ir, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase-ir, and GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH)-ir dopaminergic cells [Nagatsu, I., Arai, R., Sakai, M., Yamawaki, Y., Takeuchi, T., Karasawa, N. and Nagatsu, T., Neurosci. Lett., 224 (1997) 185-188]. Immunohistochemical colocalization of TH with GCH or PNMT in the somata and dendrites of TH-positive neurons in the rostral ventrolateral reticular formation of the medulla oblongata (C1 region, [Hokfelt, T., Fuxe, K., Goldstein, M. and Johansson, O., Brain Res., 66 (1974) 235-251]) was proved by a double-labeling immunofluorescence method with a confocal laser-scanning microscope, indicating that the neurons are adrenergic. These results suggest that dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra receive PNMT-ir, adrenergic afferents from the C1 region of the medulla oblongata.

A dopamine-synthesizing cell group demonstrated in the human basal forebrain by dual labeling immunohistochemical technique of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase

The human basal forebrain has been known to contain many neurons immunoreactive (ir) to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the first dopamine-synthesizing enzyme). We examined whether these neurons might contain aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC; the second step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme) by dual labeling immunohistochemistry and confocal laser-scanning microscopy. Neurons dually-labeled for TH and AADC were found in the anterior olfactory nucleus, olfactory tubercle and the ventral margin of the rostral nucleus accumbens. The examination in the basal forebrain of the macaque monkey also gave substantially the same results. These neurons appear to constitute an independent dopaminergic cell group in the primate basal forebrain.

Dopamine synthesizing enzymes in paraventricular hypothalamic neurons of the human and monkey (Macaca fuscata)

Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that paraventricular hypothalamic neurons immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were not immunopositive for the second step catecholamine synthesizing enzyme L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) in the human and monkey Macaca fuscata. In the latter species, they were not immunoreactive for dopamine. It is most likely that primate paraventricular TH-containing neurons do not synthesize dopamine.

Monoamine oxidase B (MAOB)-containing structures in MAOA-deficient transgenic mice

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)-containing structures were studied for the first time in type A MAO (MAOA)-deficient transgenic mice (Tg8) derived from C3H strain, using MAO enzyme histochemistry. In this mutant line, MAOA activity was not detected in neurons of the locus coeruleus. In contrast, in their dorsal raphe neurons, we noted an intense activity of type B MAO (MAOB). Based on pharmacological MAOA suppression experiments employing a specific inhibitor (clorgyline), we confirmed that the localization of MAOB-positive structures are not different between Tg8 mutant and normal C3H line. Many of MAOB-positive structures which have not been described previously in the rat, cat and primates were described in this study. In the forebrain, MAOB-containing neurons were discriminated in the striatum, septal nuclei, major island of Calleja, diagonal band, medial forebrain bundle, ventral pallidum and amygdaloid nucleus. Stained neurons in the thalamus and hypothalamus were much more extensively distributed in the mouse than the rat. Pontine laterodorsal tegmental neurons showed MAOB activity. The present data suggest that serotonin, a preferential substrate for MAOA, can be oxidized by MAOB in MAOA-deficient Tg8 mice.

Electron-microscopic study of MAOB-containing structures in the nucleus accumbens shell: using MAOA-deficient transgenic mice

MAOB-containing structures in the nucleus accumbens were ultrastructurally studied for the first time, using MAOA-deficient transgenic mice and MAO enzyme histochemistry. Among the striatal structures, the nucleus accumbens, and in particular its dorsal shell, showed the strongest MAOB activity. MAOB-active cell bodies were embedded in a dense MAOB-active fiber plexus. MAOB-positive terminals formed axo-dendritic synapses which were exclusively of the asymmetric type. It is suggested that dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell is transported into MAOB-positive fibers where it is degraded by MAOB.

Demonstration of L-dopa decarboxylating neurons specific to human striatum

In the human striatum, we immunohistochemically demonstrated many neurons that were immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC; the second step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme) but not for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the first step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme). The number of AADC-positive neurons was especially large in the ventral striatum including the nucleus accumbens. The significance of AADC-positive neurons are discussed in relation to the acting sites of L-dopa and antipsychotic drugs.

Bone mineral density after surgical treatment for Graves' disease

Restoration of bone loss associated with thyrotoxicosis follows normalization of thyroid function. However, the extent of bone loss and restoration remain controversial. To clarify whether bone recovery is complete, we examined lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 14 thyrotoxic premenopausal women with Graves' disease and 31 premenopausal women treated for Graves' disease by subtotal thyroidectomy who had been in remission for at least 3 years. In the remission group, to exclude the influence of subclinical hyperthyroidism, thyrotropin (TSH) levels were followed and subjects with low levels excluded. Thus, all 31 subjects had normal thyroid hormone levels with transiently or persistently elevated TSH levels post-thyroidectomy. Data from the two study groups were compared with those from healthy premenopausal controls matched for age, height and weight. Mean lumbar (anterior-posterior and lateral), femoral neck, and trochanter BMDs were significantly lower in the thyrotoxic group than in controls (p < .05, all four BMDs). Mean lumbar (anterior-posterior), femoral neck and trochanter BMDs were significantly higher in the remission group than in controls (p < 0.05, all three BMDs). At the time of DXA, the 31 remission subjects showed a significant positive correlation between lumbar BMD and TSH (p < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation between femoral neck BMD and free triiodothyronine (FT3) (p < 0.05). These observations suggest: (1) in premenopausal women, bone loss associated with thyrotoxicosis due to Graves' disease is present but is fully restored when remission is reached after subtotal thyroidectomy; (2) subclinical hypothyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy may result in higher BMD than that of controls.

Dopaminergic innervation of the monkey caudal nucleus accumbens

Previous studies have shown that the monkey (Macaca fuscata) caudal nucleus accumbens is neurochemically subdivided into three subdivisions, the medial, dorsolateral, and ventral subdivisions. In this study, dopaminergic innervation of these three subdivisions was studied in detail for the first time by light microscopic immunocytochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against dopamine. The patterns of dopamine fiber distribution were heterogeneous even within each subdivision. The medial subdivision showed extremely dense accumulation of thick dopamine-immunoreactive varicose fibers. Some areas with densely packed cells in Nissl-stained sections corresponded to dopamine-poor areas, while another area with concentrated cells corresponded to a dopamine-rich area. There were also areas with sparse cells that contained a few dopamine-immunoreactive fibers. In the dorsolateral subdivision thick dopamine-immunoreactive varicose fibers were found sparsely among diffuse puncta. The ventral subdivision exhibited similar profiles to those in the dorsolateral one, and there were also many characteristic spiral dopamine-immunoreactive fibers of passage. The present study indicates that the dopaminergic structures of the monkey nucleus accumbens differ according to the subterritories, and are morphologically different from those in the caudate-putamen.

Demonstration of a new dopamine-containing cell group in the primate rostral telencephalon

The presence of dopaminergic neurons in the rostral forebrain has long been uncertain though the existence of tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH)-containing cells has been known in the region. Using an antibody to dopamine (DA), we demonstrated neurons immunoreactive (ir) to DA in the rostroventral striatum of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata). The DA-ir cells were found at the ventral margin of the rostral part of the caudate nucleus, at the ventral margin of the rostral part of the nucleus accumbens, in the olfactory tubercle, and along the lateral margin of the putamen. These cells were intensely stained, small in size, and fusiform or ovoid in shape, and had one or two short processes. DA-ir cells were far smaller in number than TH-ir ones. The primates may possess a unique dopaminergic system in the rostral telencephalon.

The distribution of noradrenaline, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the monkey nucleus accumbens

1. The recent histochemical studies have shown that the primate nucleus accumbens (NAC) can be subdivided into at least three subdivisions, the medial, ventral and dorsolateral subdivisions. 2. The medical subdivision possesses dense peptide- and dopamine-immunoreactive (IR) fibers. 3. In order to further investigate the neurochemical characteristics of the primate NAC, the distribution of structures that contain noradrenaline (NA), serotonin (5-HT) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were examined in the macaque monkey by using transmitter-immunohistochemical methods. 4. Many NA-IR fibers were observed in the dorsal part of the NAC, corresponding to the medial subdivision. Fine varicose 5-HT-IR fibers were evenly distributed in the NAC. GABA-IR cell bodies and puncta were observed throughout the NAC as well as in the caudate nucleus and putamen. 5. The monkey rostral NAC displays a highly homogeneous distribution of all neuropeptides and neurotransmitters studied so far and we propose that this region be termed the rostral subdivision of the NAC.

Electron-microscopic study of dopaminergic structures in the medial subdivision of the monkey nucleus accumbens

The medial subdivision of the monkey nucleus accumbens (NAC) is rich in dopamine (DA) and peptides. In the present investigation the mode of DA transmission in the medial subdivision was studied morphologically by light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry using a monoclonal antibody raised against dopamine. The medial subdivision showed extremely dense accumulation of thick DA-immunoreactive varicose fibers. Electron-microscopic observation of single sections revealed that DA afferents had a relatively high incidence (33.2%) of asymmetric junctions in this area. Approximately 50% of the targets were dendritic shafts, 44.2% dendritic spines, and 5.1% somata. Some DA axons showed terminal profiles en passant within the synaptic complex, some of which showed synaptic triads. The unique ultrastructural features of DA terminals in the medial NAC indicate the existence of specific styles of DA transmission in the limbic structure.

A 718-kb DNA sequence of the Escherichia coli K-12 genome corresponding to the 12.7-28.0 min region on the linkage map

The 718,122 base pair sequence of the Escherichia coli K-12 genome corresponding to the region from 12.7 to 28.0 minutes on the genetic map is described. This region contains at least 681 potential open reading frames, of which 277 (41%) have been previously identified, 147 (22%) are homologous to other known genes, 139 (20%) are identical or similar to the hypothetical genes registered in databases, and the remaining 118 (17%) do not show a significant similarity to any other gene. In this region, we assigned a cluster of cit genes encoding multienzyme citrate lyase, two clusters of fimbrial genes and a set of lysogenic phage genes encoding integrase, excisionase and repressor in the e14 genetic element. In addition, a new valine tRNA gene, designated valZ, and a family of long directly repeated sequences, LDR-A, -B and -C, were found.

[Progressive ataxic hemiparesis with asymmetric cortical and cerebral peduncular atrophy--report of two cases]

We report two patients, 73- and 70-year-old men, characterized by progressive hemiparesis and homolateral limb ataxia as the main clinical symptoms; magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain revealed asymmetric cerebral cortical and peduncular atrophy; 99mTc-ECD single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of brain showed decreased RI uptake in the cerebral hemisphere correlated with clinical deficits. Brain SPECT of case 1 showed decreased RI uptake in the cortex of the right hemisphere and the left cerebellar hemisphere ("crossed cerebellar diaschisis; CCD"). These findings indicate that ataxia of our patients may depend on the lesions of the corticopontocerebellar tracts, although it is possible that ataxia may be related to lack of spatial orientation associated with parietal lobe lesion. The mechanism of the occurrence of asymmetric cerebral peduncular atrophy would be explained by wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract and other cortically originated fibers associated with the cortical degeneration. From these clinical and radiologic features, it seems likely that our two patients are categorized in the "asymmetric cortical degeneration syndromes", and we propose the term "progressive ataxic hemiparesis" for our patients.

2-Carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide, a synthetic organogermanium compound, as an inducer of contrasuppressor T cells

2-Carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132), a synthesized organogermanium compound with immunomodulating activities, was shown to be an inducer of anti-suppressor T cells in normal mice. The suppressor cell activity of T6S cells, a clone of burn-induced CD8+ IL-4-producing suppressor T cells, was clearly inhibited when a mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell reaction of the clone was conducted with splenic mononuclear cells from mice treated orally with a 100 mg/kg dose of Ge-132. The activity of anit-suppressor cells was demonstrated in spleens of mice 2 days after treatment with Ge-132 and reached its peak on day 3. The anti-suppressor cells induced by the compound were of a contrasuppressor T cell-linage, because they were characterized as CD4+ CD28+ TCRalpha/beta+ Vicia villosa lectin-adherent T cells. These cells produced IFN-gamma but did not produce IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 or IL-10 in their culture fluids. CD4+ anti-suppressor T cells induced by Ge-132 may be different from other subsets of CD4+ T cells because Th1 and Th2 cells generated in our laboratory did not adhere to Vicia villosa lectin-coated petri dishes, and each produced specific cytokines. Th1 cells produced IFN-gamma and IL-2 while Th2 cells produce IL-4 and IL-10 in vitro. These results suggest that Ge-132 may be useful as an inducer of contrasuppressor T cells in immunocompromised individuals bearing suppressor T cells. To eliminate suppressor T cells from immunocompromised hosts may result in improved resistance from various opportunistic infections.

Small amounts of exogenous IL-4 increase the severity of encephalitis induced in mice by the intranasal infection of herpes simplex virus type 1

The effect of murine rIL-4 on the development of herpesvirus encephalitis (HSE) in mice infected intranasally with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was investigated. The mortality rates of mice infected with a 0.5 LD50 dose of HSV-1 were greatly increased after the administration of rIL-4 at doses ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 U/mouse 2 h before and 2, 4 and 6 days after the infection. In contrast, survival rates of mice exposed to a 5 LD50 dose of HSV-1 were clearly increased when these mice were treated with anti-IL-4 mAb. Cervical lymph node (CLN) cells and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells from mice with HSE (HSE mice) produced IL-4 in their culture fluids when they were stimulated in vitro with HSV-1 Ag. Increased amounts of HSV-1 infection in mice resulted in the increased production of IL-4 in the culture fluids of local lymphocytes. However, significant amounts of IL-4 were not produced in serum specimens or in culture fluids of spleen cells from HSE mice. IL-4 production in culture fluids of CLN and CSF cells from HSE mice was clearly reduced after treatment of HSE mice with anti-IL-4 mAb. Furthermore, IL-4 production by CLN and CSF cells was greatly enhanced when the cells were prepared from HSE mice previously treated with rIL-4. The IL-4 was mainly produced from CD4+ T cells. These results demonstrate that small amounts of exogenous IL-4 increase the severity of HSE in HSV-1-infected mice through the increased production of IL-4 from local CD4+ T cells.

Small amounts of exogenous IL-4 increase the severity of encephalitis induced in mice by the intranasal infection of herpes simplex virus type 1

The effect of murine rIL-4 on the development of herpesvirus encephalitis (HSE) in mice infected intranasally with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was investigated. The mortality rates of mice infected with a 0.5 LD50 dose of HSV-1 were greatly increased after the administration of rIL-4 at doses ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 U/mouse 2 h before and 2, 4 and 6 days after the infection. In contrast, survival rates of mice exposed to a 5 LD50 dose of HSV-1 were clearly increased when these mice were treated with anti-IL-4 mAb. Cervical lymph node (CLN) cells and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells from mice with HSE (HSE mice) produced IL-4 in their culture fluids when they were stimulated in vitro with HSV-1 Ag. Increased amounts of HSV-1 infection in mice resulted in the increased production of IL-4 in the culture fluids of local lymphocytes. However, significant amounts of IL-4 were not produced in serum specimens or in culture fluids of spleen cells from HSE mice. IL-4 production in culture fluids of CLN and CSF cells from HSE mice was clearly reduced after treatment of HSE mice with anti-IL-4 mAb. Furthermore, IL-4 production by CLN and CSF cells was greatly enhanced when the cells were prepared from HSE mice previously treated with rIL-4. The IL-4 was mainly produced from CD4+ T cells. These results demonstrate that small amounts of exogenous IL-4 increase the severity of HSE in HSV-1-infected mice through the increased production of IL-4 from local CD4+ T cells.

CD8+ type-2 T cells enhance the severity of acute herpes virus infection in mice

The role of CD8+ suppressor T cells in acute herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) infection was investigated in mice. CD8+ CD11b+ TCR-gamma/delta + suppressor T cells (HSV-STC) were demonstrated in spleens of mice infected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with HSV. When HSV-STC from mice infected with a 10 LD50 of HSV (donors) were adoptively transferred to mice 3 days after being infected with a 1 LD50 dose of HSV (recipients), the morbidity and mortality of recipients were greatly increased (mean survival time in days (MSD): 9.4 days; mortality, 100%) as compared with controls that received CD4+ T cells or a whole T-cell lysate from donors (MSD, > 19.6 days or > 19.1 days; mortality, 38% or 50%). The morbidity and mortality of mice exposed to a 1 LD50 of HSV were also increased when they were continuously treated with recombinant murine IL-4. However, the survival rate of mice exposed to a 10 LD50 of HSV increased after multiple treatments of these mice with anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody. IL-4-producing cells were detected in a population of HSV-STC, and IL-4 was produced when these cells were cultured in the presence of UV-inactivated HSV in vitro. These results indicate that IL-4 plays an important role in the progression of acute HSV infection and, through the production of IL-4, HSV-STC may increase the severity of the acute-phase infection of HSV in mice.

Distribution of nitric oxide synthase in the central nervous system of Macaca fuscata: subcortical regions

The distribution of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons was studied in the Macaca fuscata by immunohistochemistry using antiserum against nitric oxide synthase. In the macaque lower brainstem, many nitric oxide synthase-containing cell bodies were found in the gigantocellular and parvocellular reticular nuclei, the nucleus of the spinal tract of trigeminal nerve, the cochlear nucleus, the prepositus hypoglossi and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Many nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the laterodorsal-pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus complex of the macaque pontine and midbrain tegmentum. In addition, there were many highly immunoreactive cell bodies in the superficial layers of the inferior and superior colliculi. In the forebrain, numerous cell bodies were observed in the caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, nucleus of the diagonal band, anterior perforated substance and amygdaloid complex. Whereas most of these neurons were labeled highly intense for nitric oxide synthase, there were also many lightly labeled nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia innominata, globus pallidus, ansa peduncularis and lateral hypothalamic nucleus. The present observation indicated some species difference in the distribution of central nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons. Furthermore, the present neuroanatomical evidence that nitric oxide synthase is distributed in a variety of specific neuronal systems, with some differences in the patterns of cytoplasmic localization, further indicates the neural messenger role of nitric oxide in the central nervous system.

Neurochemical heterogeneity of the primate nucleus accumbens

In order to further investigate the neurochemical anatomy of the primate nucleus accumbens (NAC), the distributions of the neuropeptides leucine-enkephalin (Leu-ENK), neurotensin (NT), and substance P (SP) and of haloperidol-induced c-fos expression were investigated in the macaque monkey using immunohistochemical methods. To define the boundaries of the NAC, dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was performed. In addition, to formulate the distinction between subdivisions of the nucleus accumbens, immunohistochemistry for calbindin-D28 (CBD) and SP was employed. In general, the medial part of NAC, which consisted of small to medium-sized cells, was low for CBD immunoreactivity and moderate to high for SP immunoreactivities, while the dorsolateral part, which was composed of small cells, showed the opposite pattern of immunostaining for CBD and SP. Many Leu-ENK-immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the dorsal NAC at its middle and caudal levels. There were moderate densities of Leu-ENK-positive fibers throughout the medial part of the NAC. At the dorsolateral margin of the NAC, Leu-ENK-positive fibers formed patches. Most NT-positive perikarya were found in the dorsolateral subdivision. SP-positive perikarya were scarce in the NAC. Dense distribution of NT- and SP-containing fibers or puncta were observed in the mediodorsal part (medial subdivision), where a dense field of DA-immunoreactive fibers was observed. The ventral part (ventral subdivision) contained moderate numbers of NT- and SP-immunoreactive fibers. Haloperidol-induced c-fos expression was very extensive in the medial half of NAC, particularly in the mediodorsal region, which overlapped with the DA- and peptide-rich region. The present study indicates that the NAC of the primate can be subdivided into at least three subterritories, the dorsolateral, medial and ventral subdivision, by neuropeptide histochemistry as well as by the response of its constituent neurons to haloperidol.

The antiviral effect of keishi-ni-eppi-ichi-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on influenza A2(H2N2) virus infection in mice

The antiviral effect of Keishi-ni-eppi-ichi-to (TJS-064), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was investigated in mice infected with influenza A2(H2N2) virus. When mice exposed to a 5 LD50 dose of the virus were treated orally with a 70 mg/kg dose of TJS-064 1 day before and 1 day and 4 days after the infection, 100% survived over a 25-day experimental period. At the end of this period all the control mice, treated with saline alone, had died; their mean survival time in days (MSD) was 11.2 days. When mice infected with a 10 LD50 dose of the virus were treated with TJS-064, the MSD was > 17.4 days and there was a 50% survival rate, while the control group had a MSD of 8.7 days and a 0% survival rate. No significant antiviral effect of TJS-064 was observed when the agent was administered orally to mice infected with a 100 LD50 or larger dose of influenza virus. Pulmonary consolidations, virus titers in lung tissues and HAI titers in sera of infected mice treated with TJS-064 were all significantly lower than those of infected mice treated with saline. Interferon activities were detected in sera of mice treated with the agent at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally. Since viricidal and viristatic activities of the agent against influenza virus were not demonstrated, the antiviral effects of TJS-064 may be expressed through the host's antiviral functions including interferon production.

Protective effect of shigyaku-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on the infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in mice

The antiviral activity of Shigyaku-to (TJS-109), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was investigated in mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). TJS-109 is a combination of the medicinal plant extracts from Zingiberis siccatum rhizoma, Aconiti tuber and Glycyrrhizae radix in a specific proportion. Mice infected with a 10 LD50 dose of HSV-1 were treated with TJS-109 orally at doses of 1.25 to 20 mg/kg 2 days before, and 1 and 4 days after the infection. The treated groups had 80% (1.25 mg/kg), 40% (5 mg/kg) and 23% (20 mg/kg) mortality rates 25 days after the infection as compared with a 100% mortality rate in control mice treated with saline. When HSV-1 infected mice (recipients) received CD8+ T cell fractions derived from spleens of mice treated with TJS-109 (donors), 70% of recipients survived, as compared with 0% survivors in the groups of mice treated with saline, B cell fractions, CD4+ T cell fractions or macrophage-enriched fractions prepared from the same donors. TJS-109 did not show any virucidal activities against HSV-1 or any virostatic activities on the growth of HSV-1 in Vero cells. These results suggest that TJS-109 protected mice exposed to lethal amounts of HSV-1 through the activation of CD8+ T cells.

[A long-term follow-up study of patients with goitrous Hashimoto's disease--prognosis and its predictive factors]

To clarify the clinical course and prognosis in patients with Hashimoto's disease, thyroid function was examined in 199 patients (166 females, 33 males) about every six months for an average of 10.5 years in females and 7.5 years in males. The diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease was based on the presence of diffuse goiter, positive thyroid autoantibodies (antimicrosomal antibodies greater than or equal to 400 and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies greater than or equal to 100) and/or the typical histological findings of Hashimoto's disease in aspiration biopsy. Initially, 76 patients (38%) were euthyroid, and 123 patients (62%) were subclinical hypothyroid or overt hypothyroid. At the end of follow-up, 113 patients (57%) were euthyroid and 86 patients (43%) were permanently hypothyroid. Only 12 patients (6%) in the initially euthyroid state developed permanent hypothyroidism during the follow-up period. Transient thyroid dysfunction occurred in 35 (46%) of 76 patients who were initially euthyroid. Forty-nine (40%) of 123 patients who initially had subclinical or overt hypothyroidism were in the euthyroid state at the end of follow-up. In these recovered patients, the T3/T4 ratio and the level of T3 was higher than in non-recovered patients. The best predictive factors of final permanent hypothyroidism at the initial examination were 1) the titer of antithyroglobulin antibodies greater than or equal to 6400, 2) the titer of antimicrosomal antibodies greater than or equal to 25600, 3) age above 50 years, 4) a stony-hard goiter. Female patients who initially show three of the above predictive factors and males who show two have a high possibility of being permanently hypothyroid after 10 years. The prognosis is poorer in male than in female patients.