[Associations between serum GDF15 and glycolipid metabolism disorder in metabolic associated fatty liver patients]

Objective: To investigate relationships between serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and glycolipid metabolism in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: The current investigation was a cross-sectional study. A total of 333 patients from the Fengxian District Central Hospital were recruited into the study after physical examination from February 2020 to February 2021. There were 107 patients with MAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including 54 males and 53 females with a mean age of (57±11) years. There were 65 patients with simple MAFLD only, including 32 men and 33 women with a mean age of (49±5) years. There were 105 patients with T2DM only, including 53 men and 52 women, with a mean age of (56±10) years. A control group of 56 people without MAFLD or diabetes,28 male, 28 female, mean age (48±6) years, was also included in the study. Serum GDF15 was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. IBM SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between GDF15 and metabolic abnormalities in MAFLD patients. Results: GDF15 progressively increased in the control [385 (296, 484) ng/L], nonobese MAFLD [388 (319, 435) ng/L], obese MAFLD [426 (354, 527) ng/L], T2DM [664 (483, 900) ng/L], and MAFLD+T2DM groups [770 (560, 1 074) ng/L](H=113.82, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in serum GDF15 between the simple MAFLD [406 (339, 524) ng/L] and control group (U=1 505.50, P=0.132). GDF15 was significantly higher in the MAFLD+T2DM group than in the T2DM-only group (U=4 573.50, P=0.019). In logistic regression analysis increased GDF15 was associated with increased risks of simple MAFLD [odds ratio (OR)=2.202], T2DM (OR=29.656), and MAFLD+T2DM(OR=58.197). In patients with MAFLD, serum GDF15 was higher in the FIB4 index>1.45 group [773 (534, 1 162) ng/L] than in the FIB4 index<1.45 group [527 (389, 787) ng/L] (U=1 709.50, P<0.001). Increased GDF15 was associated with an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis (OR=2.388). Conclusion: In patients with simple MAFLD, GDF15 level was not significantly higher than in the control group. In the T2DM-only group and the MAFLD+T2DM group GDF15 was significantly higher than in the control group. Increased serum GDF15 was associated with increased risk and severity of MAFLD complicated with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. High GDF15 increased the risk of advanced fibrosis in MAFLD patients.

[Read-through circular RNA rt-circ-HS promotes hypoxia inducible factor 1α expression and renal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness]

OBJECTIVE

To identify and characterize read-through RNAs and read-through circular RNAs (rt-circ-HS) derived from transcriptional read-through hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and small nuclear RNA activating complex polypeptide 1 (SNAPC1) the two adjacent genes located on chromosome 14q23, in renal carcinoma cells and renal carcinoma tissues, and to study the effects of rt-circ-HS on biological behavior of renal carcinoma cells and on regulation of HIF1α.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing were used to examine expression of read-through RNAs HIF1α-SNAPC1 and rt-circ-HS in different tumor cells. Tissue microarrays of 437 different types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were constructed, and chromogenic in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to investigate expression of rt-circ-HS in different RCC types. Small interference RNA (siRNA) and artificial overexpression plasmids were designed to examine the effects of rt-circ-HS on 786-O and A498 renal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), EdU incorporation and Transwell cell migration and invasion assays. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to exa-mine expression of HIF1α and SNAPC1 RNA and proteins after interference of rt-circ-HS with siRNA, respectively. The binding of rt-circ-HS with microRNA 539 (miR-539), and miR-539 with HIF1α 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), and the effects of these interactions were investigated by dual luciferase reporter gene assays.

RESULTS

We discovered a novel 1 144 nt rt-circ-HS, which was derived from read-through RNA HIF1α-SNAPC1 and consisted of HIF1α exon 2-6 and SNAPC1 exon 2-4. Expression of rt-circ-HS was significantly upregulated in 786-O renal carcinoma cells. ISH showed that the overall positive expression rate of rt-circ-HS in RCC tissue samples was 67.5% (295/437), and the expression was different in different types of RCCs. Mechanistically, rt-circ-HS promoted renal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness by functioning as a competitive endogenous inhibitor of miR-539, which we found to be a potent post-transcriptional suppressor of HIF1α, thus promoting expression of HIF1α.

CONCLUSION

The novel rt-circ-HS is highly expressed in different types of RCCs and acts as a competitive endogenous inhibitor of miR-539 to promote expression of its parental gene HIF1α and thus the proliferation, migration and invasion of renal cancer cells.

[Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in central nervous system: a clinicopathological analysis]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of central nervous system (CNS) mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS). Methods: Nine cases of CNS MCS were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from September 2010 to September 2020. The clinical,imaging,histopathological and immunohistochemical features were reviewed. NCOA2 gene rearrangement was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: There were three male and six female patients, with age range of 1 to 59 years (median 31 years). Six cases were intracranial and three cases were intraspinal, and the tumors showed dural attachment. They were often diagnosed as meningioma basing on preoperative imaging. Microscopically, the tumors showed a characteristic biphasic histologic pattern composed of undifferentiated mesenchymal small cells and well-differentiated hyaline cartilage islands. The small cells area were positive for SOX9 (9/9), CD99 (8/9), and without BRG1 and INI1 deletion. The cartilaginous component expressed SOX9 (9/9) and S-100 protein (8/9). NCOA2 gene break apart signal was identified in five cases (5/5). Eight patients were followed up for 4-124 months. Three patients (3/8) had recurrences within one year and two patients died of the tumor. Conclusions: CNS MCS is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm with a propensity to dural involvement. Preoperative imaging has low diagnostic accuracy. CNS MCS should be differentiated from other CNS small round cell tumors and chondrosarcoma. FISH detection of NCOA2 gene rearrangement will assist the diagnosis of MCS.

[Clinicopathological features of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, and differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the rete testis. Methods: Four adenocarcinoma cases of the rete testis diagnosed at West China Hospital, Chengdu, China (3 cases, including 2 consultation cases) and the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (1 case) between January 2009 and December 2017 were included. Their clinical, morphologic and immunohistochemical features were analyzed using histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Related literature was reviewed to reveal the characteristics of this tumor. Results: The 4 patients' age range was 26-64 years. The maximum diameters of the tumors were 3.0 and 4.5 cm in 2 cases, respectively. On gross examination, adenocarcinomas of the rete testis appeared as a solid, white to gray or tan to yellow mass that raised at the hilum of the testis. Microscopically, all tumors showed multiple histologic patterns, including corded/trabecular (4/4), glandular, nested, sarcomatoid (3/4), solid (2/4), papillary, cribriform, and slit-like (1/4). Three types of adenocarcinoma cells included cuboidal to columnar (4/4), polygonal (4/4) and spindle-shaped (2/4) with pale eosinophilic and clear cytoplasm. The tumor cell nuclei appeared moderately to markedly atypical and pleomorphic, with a various number of mitoses. Transition from benign to malignant rete epithelium was seen in all cases. Eosinophilic hyaloid globules were found in 1 case. On immunohistochemical study, the tumor cells were diffusely, strongly positive for CKpan (4/4), EMA (4/4), Ber-EP4 (3/3) and CAⅨ(2/2), and focally positive for CK7 (4/4), vimentin (4/4), CD10 (4/4), PAX8 (3/3), PAX2 (3/3). The Ki-67 proliferative index was all>50% (4/4). The prognosis was poor. Two of the 3 patients died within 1 year after the surgical resection. Conclusions: Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is a rare malignant tumor with several histologic patterns. Transition from benign to malignant rete epithelium is an important diagnostic clue. Detailed clinical history, tumor growth site and immunohistochemistry are helpful for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

[Epithelioid glioblastoma with BRAF V600E mutation: a clinicopathological and molecular study]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of the epithelioid glioblastoma (eGBM) with BRAF V600E mutation. Methods: Sixteen cases of eGBM with BRAF V600E mutation diagnosed at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China from 2012 to 2019 were collected. Their clinicopathological and molecular characteristics were analyzed. Results: The range of patients' age was from 7 to 61 years (median 31.5 years). There were 4 males and 12 females, with a male to female ratio of 1∶3. Eleven cases were newly diagnosed eGBM and five cases had a previous history of astrocytomas. Most of the tumors were located in the cerebral hemisphere, often in the frontal lobe, with an average diameter of 4.6 cm (2.0-8.0 cm). The tumors were composed of relatively uniform, closely packed epithelioid cells, some showing discohesion, with distinct cell membrane, eosinophilic cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei, distinct nucleoli and mitotic activity. Palisaded/coagulative necrosis was seen in all cases. Glomerular microvascular proliferation was seen in most of the cases, while mono-or multi-nucleated tumor giant cells were seen in some cases. Focal sarcomatoid area was seen in 2 cases, and focal pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA)-like area was seen in 3 cases. Immunohistochemistry showed variable positivity for GFAP, Olig2 and p53. The median Ki-67 index was 30% (10%-50%). Only one case lost ATRX protein expression. Sanger sequencing identified the BRAF V600E mutation in all sixteen patients. Five cases also had mutations in the TERT gene promoter. No IDH1 (R132) or IDH2 (R172) mutation was detected. Surgical resection of the tumors was performed for all patients, and 3 patients also received adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Follow-up data were available for 15 patients, with a follow-up time of 1-89 months (median 10 months). Among the 15 patients, 7 patients died of disease and another 5 patients had recurrences. The overall survival time of the patients under 35 years of age was significantly longer than that of the patients aged 35 years or older (P=0.014), but their progression-free survival was not statistically different (P=0.232). Conclusions: eGBM with BRAF V600E mutation is more commonly detected in young women than other the populations (i.e. elderly or male). The epithelioid morphology should include rhabdoid meningioma, anaplastic PXA, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, metastatic tumors, and melanoma in its differential diagnosis. PXA-like area is observed in some eGBM cases, suggesting a relationship of these two types of tumor. eGBM is a high-grade malignant tumor and most of the cases show recurrences or deaths in a short-period time. The younger patients have a relatively better prognosis than the older ones.

[Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by all-trans retinoic acid on apoptosis of FLT3-ITD mutated leukemia cells by activating autophagy in FLT3-ITD mutated protein]

Objective: Endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)was used as the research emphasis to further investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis of FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia cells and decreased expression of FLT3-ITD mutated protein induced by all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA). Methods: FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia cell lines(MV4-11 and MOLM13)were treated with ATRA. Flow cytometry was conducted to assess cell apoptosis. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blot were used to detect the expression of ERS-related and autophagy-related genes and protein, respectively. Results: A low-dose ATRA further increased FLT3-ITD cells and ERS levels. ATRA acted on the ERS-related PERK/eif2ɑ signaling pathway and continued to increase the ERS of FLT3-ITD cells, resulting in an upregulation of apoptotic gene CHOP expression. After the treatment with ATRA, FLT3-ITD protein in FLT3-ITD cells was decreased. Of the two main ERS-related protein degradation pathways, ER-associated degradation(ERAD)and ER-activated autophagy(ERAA), the expression of ERAD-related protein ATF6 in FLT3-ITD cells was not significantly changed on ATRA, whereas the expression of ERAA-related proteins Atg7 and Atg5 were significantly increased. Conclusions: ATRA further raises the ERS level of FLT3-ITD cells continuously by activating the ERS-related PERK/eif2ɑ signal pathway and induces FLT3-ITD protein autophagy degradation through ERAA pathway, which induces apoptosis of FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia cells. These results provide preliminary evidence on the use of ATRA in the treatment of refractory leukemia with FLT3-ITD.

[Regulatory relationship between lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-146a-3p in preeclampsia]

Objective: To observe the changes of the expression level of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1OT1 and microRNA (miR)-146a-3p in placenta tissues of preeclampsia (PE) patients, as well as their effect and mechanism on the biological functions of trophoblast cells. Methods: A total of 45 cases of hospitalized PE patients in Hainan General Hospital from July 2017 to July 2018 were selected as the PE group, 55 normal pregnant women during the same period were chosed as the control group. The expression level of KCNQ1OT1 mRNA and miR-146a-3p in the placenta tissues between two groups were detected by using quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR. Pearson's test was furtherly analyzed the correlation between them. Human trophoblast cell line (HTR8/SVneo) were randomly divided into control and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) groups, and then LPS group were divide into four sub-groups,included LPS group, short hairpin RNA (sh)-KCNQ1OT1 (after silencing the expression of KCNQ1OT1), miR-146a-3p inhibitor and sh-KCNQ1OT1+miR-146a-3p inhibitor. The targeting relationship between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-146a-3p were predicted by bioinformatics software and confirmed by luciferase assay. The cell proliferation and invasion capacities were respectively detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay. The expression level of KCNQ1OT1 mRNA and miR-146a-3p were detected by qRT-PCR and the protein expression level of CXC chemokine ligand 12 （CXCL12） and CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) were tested by western blot. Results: (1) The mRNA expression level of KCNQ1OT1 in the placenta of PE group was lower than that of control group (0.23±0.03 vs 0.51±0.04, P<0.05), and the miR-146a-3p expression level was higher than that of the control group (0.49±0.03 vs 0.31±0.03, P<0.05), there were statistical significant differences between the two groups. (2) Luciferase assay showed that there was a targeting relationship between KCNQ1OT1 and mir-146a-3p. Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression level of KCNQ1OT1 in the LPS group were significantly decreased (0.91±0.03 vs 0.35±0.03, P<0.05), and the expression level of miR-146a-3p were significantly increased (0.22±0.03 vs 0.63±0.04, P<0.05). The cell proliferation, invasion and migration capacities and the protein expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 significantly reduced in the LPS group compared with control group (all P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of KCNQ1OT1 (0.23±0.03) in the sh-KCNQ1OT1 group were further decreased, the expression of miR-146a-3p (0.85±0.03) were further increased, and the cell proliferation, invasion and migration capacities and the protein expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 were all further reduced compared with control group，there were significant difference between two groups (all P<0.05). Comparing the miR-146a-3p inhibitor group, and sh-KCNQ1OT1+miR-146a-3p inhibitor group with the sh-KCNQ1OT1 group, respectively, the expression level of KCNQ1OT1 mRNA (0.78±0.04 vs 0.50±0.03) increased, and the expression level of miR-146a-3p (0.42±0.03 vs 0.46±0.03) decreased, the cell proliferation, invasion and migration capacities and the protein expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 were all increased ,there were statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusion: KCNQ1OT1 could target the regulation of miR-146a-3p through CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway in the proliferation, invasion an migration of HTR8/SVneo cells, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE.

[Comparison of intraocular pressure reduction in eyes with different intraocular tamponades after pars plana vitrectomy by 20% mannitol]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of 20% mannitol in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with different intraocular tamponades after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Sixty-eight patients were administered with 20% mannitol and IOP was noted at regular intervals after simple PPV with ocular hypertension, including 24 males (26 eyes) and 44 females (46 eyes), aged (45.6±19.3) years. These cases were divided into three groups according to different tamponades: silicon-oil tamponade, 23 eyes; gas tamponade, 30 eyes; balanced salt solution (BSS), 19 eyes. The data were analyzed using the t test, variance and q test. Results: There was a significant decrease in IOP in all patients after using 20% mannitol. The IOP in the group of silicon-oil decreased from (33.25±2.56) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (23.21±1.85) mmHg, with a maximum decrease of 30.10%; the reduction in the group of C(3)F(8) was from (33.25±2.84) mmHg to (12.15±1.12) mmHg, with a maximum decrease of 33.44%. The IOP of the two groups dropped to a minimum both at 75 minutes. In the group of BSS, the IOP decreased from (32.95±2.33) mmHg to (17.50±1.35) mmHg, and the maximum extent of the decrease was 45.82% at 45 minutes. The difference in the IOP among the three groups at 20 min, 30 min, 45 min and 60 min was statistically significant (F=34.02, 112.68, 122.07, 34.83, all P=0.00). There were significant differences between the BSS group and the silicone-oil group (q=6.44, 13.04, 15.00, 17.11, all P=0.00), and between the BSS group and the C(3)F(8) group (q=7.68, 12.56, 12.93, 13.61, all P=0.00). Conclusion: In eyes with different intraocular tamponades, 20% mannitol was useful for short-term IOP reduction after vitrectomy, especially in those with BSS within one hour. But after 75 minutes, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:289-293).

[Application of da Vinci robot's bilateral axillo-breast approach in thyroid surgery of obese patients]

Objective:To discuss the effect of obesity on the operation of thyroid gland surgery and surgical results.Method:The clinical data of 446 patients who underwent robot thyroid surgery through bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) from the General Hospital of Jinan Military region from February 2014 to November 2017 were analyzed retrospectively, and the patients were divided into BMI<25 kg/m²; group, BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group and BMI>30 kg/m²; group according to body mass index (BMI). The operative complications were compared between the three groups of benign and malignant patients, such as operation time, postoperative lead flow, postoperative hospitalization time, tumor size (malignant), lymph node metastasis (malignant), cosmetic satisfaction score, laryngeal nerve injury and parathyroid function decrease. Statistical methods using Variance analysis and χ² test to compare the differences between the two groups of indicators, difference is statistically significant (P<0.05).Result:The difference of operation time, postoperative average hospitalization time and postoperative drainage fluid volume in 3 groups was not statistically significant（P>0.05）. ①Intraoperative and postoperative pathological results were benign: BMI<25 kg/m²; group 69 cases, BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group 48 cases, BMI>30 kg/m²; group 8 cases, temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were 1 case, 0 case and 0 case respectively, temporary parathyroid function decrease 3 cases, 2 cases and 1 case. ②Intraoperative and postoperative pathological results were malignant:BMI<25 kg/m²; group 180 cases, BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group 119 cases,BMI>30 kg/m²; group 22 cases, temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were 2 cases,1 case and 0 case respectively, temporary parathyroid dysfunction in 64 cases,29 cases and 5 cases respectively.③1 patient in BMI<25 kg/m²; group had lymphatic leakage after operation, 1 patient in BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group had subcutaneous tunnel hemorrhage, and 1 patient had lymphatic leakage during operation.Conclusion:For overweight or obese patients, the da Vinci robot thyroid operation is reliable, does not increase the risk of surgical complications, but also has a good cosmetic effect.

[BABA of da Vinci robot thyroid surgery in the standard treatment of thyroid cancer surgery]

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor in endocrine surgery. Surgery is the first choice for most patients with thyroid cancer. Da Vinci robot system as the auxiliary system is the most advanced endoscopic surgery, largely to fill the cavity mirror device cannot bend, complex operation and so on insufficiency, has now become an important way of surgical treatment of thyroid cancer, and its curative effect, high safety, but because of the economic cost is higher, is currently not widespread popularity.

Ambipolar ferromagnetism by electrostatic doping of a manganite

Complex-oxide materials exhibit physical properties that involve the interplay of charge and spin degrees of freedom. However, an ambipolar oxide that is able to exhibit both electron-doped and hole-doped ferromagnetism in the same material has proved elusive. Here we report ambipolar ferromagnetism in LaMnO₃, with electron-hole asymmetry of the ferromagnetic order. Starting from an undoped atomically thin LaMnO₃ film, we electrostatically dope the material with electrons or holes according to the polarity of a voltage applied across an ionic liquid gate. Magnetotransport characterization reveals that an increase of either electron-doping or hole-doping induced ferromagnetic order in this antiferromagnetic compound, and leads to an insulator-to-metal transition with colossal magnetoresistance showing electron-hole asymmetry. These findings are supported by density functional theory calculations, showing that strengthening of the inter-plane ferromagnetic exchange interaction is the origin of the ambipolar ferromagnetism. The result raises the prospect of exploiting ambipolar magnetic functionality in strongly correlated electron systems.

[Job burnout and related influencing factors in community medical staff in Nanchong, China]

Objective: To investigate job burnout and related influencing factors in community medical staff in Nanchong, China. Methods: From June to July, 2015, cluster random sampling was performed to select 181 medical staff members in Nanchong Community Health Service Center as study subjects. The Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory (CMBI) was used to measure the level of job burnout. Results: The overall detection rate of job burnout in community medical staff in Nanchong was 95.0%, and among these staff members with job burnout, 119 (65.7%) had mild job burnout, 44 (24.3%) had moderate job burnout, and 9 (5.0%) had severe job burnout. There were significant differences in the scores of emotional exhaustion and reduced sense of personal accomplishmentbetween the medical staff members with different ages (F=5.820 and 3.180, both P<0.05) . There was a significant difference in the score of emotional exhaustion between the medical staff members with different working years (F=2.909, P<0.05) . There was also a significant difference in the score of reduced sense of personal accomplishment between the medical staff members with different types of work (F=5.797, P<0.05) , and the nurses had the lowest score. Conclusion: The medical staff members in Nanchong have a high incidence rate of job burnout, with the feature of reduced sense of personal accomplishment. An old age, long working years, and nursing occupation are major risk factors for job burnout.

Effect of CT digital image compression on detection of coronary artery calcification

Purpose: To test the effect of digital compression of CT images on the detection of small linear or spotted high attenuation lesions such as coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Material and Methods: Fifty cases with and 50 without CAC were randomly selected from a population that had undergone spiral CT of the thorax for screening lung cancer. CT image data were compressed using JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or wavelet algorithms at ratios of 10:1, 20:1 or 40:1. Five radiologists reviewed the uncompressed and compressed images on a cathode-ray-tube. Observer performance was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results: CT images compressed at a ratio as high as 20:1 were acceptable for primary diagnosis of CAC. There was no significant difference in the detection accuracy for CAC between JPEG and wavelet algorithms at the compression ratios up to 20:1. CT images were more vulnerable to image blurring on the wavelet compression at relatively lower ratios, and "blocking" artifacts occurred on the JPEG compression at relatively higher ratios.

Conclusion: JPEG and wavelet algorithms allow compression of CT images without compromising their diagnostic value at ratios up to 20:1 in detecting small linear or spotted high attenuation lesions such as CAC, and there was no difference between the two algorithms in diagnostic accuracy.

SCC-112 gene is involved in tumor progression and promotes the cell proliferation in G2/M phase

PURPOSE

SCC-112 is a novel cell cycle-related gene and differentially expressed in cancers. Suggesting the complex role of SCC-112 might be existent in cell proliferation and tumor development. The relative research on SCC-112 has been few so far. This study is attempted to explore the role of SCC-112 in tumorigenesis.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

RT-PCR and western blot were performed on seven tumor-normal paired tissues and nine cell lines. Immunohistochemistry was carried out for analyzing the expression of SCC-112 in nasopharyngeal tissues. 293T and three nasopharyngeal cell lines were transfected with expression vector (pCMV-SPORT6-SCC-112) or its siRNA. Cell proliferation was examined by MTT and clone formation experiments. Immunoprecipitation determined the interacted protein of SCC-112, and FACS detected cell cycle parameter on cells treated with synchronized reagent.

RESULTS

SCC-112 ( approximately 150 kDa) is up-regulated in tumor tissue as compared to the corresponding normal tissue and was detected in the tested cell lines. Overexpression of SCC-112 ( approximately 150 kDa) in 293T and three nasopharyngeal cell lines promoted cell proliferation and clone formation while downregulation of SCC-112 ( approximately 150 kDa) in these cells resulted in the opposite. Moreover, SCC-112 was found to interact with p63 and overexpression of SCC-112 up-regulated p63 expression. SCC-112 expression level positively correlated with cells in G2/M phase.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that SCC-112 improve cell proliferation and contributes to tumorigenesis by interacting with p63 and promoting cell cycling. SCC-112 might be an alternative target in tumor biomarking and mechanistic investigation.

Antitumor effect of VNP20009, an attenuated Salmonella, in murine tumor models

VNP20009, a genetically modified strain of Salmonella typhimurium with deletions in the msbB and purI loci, exhibited antitumor activities when given systemically to tumor-bearing mice. VNP20009 inhibited the growth of subcutaneously implanted B16F10 murine melanoma, and the human tumor xenografts Lox, DLD-1, A549, WiDr, HTB177, and MDA-MB-231. A single intravenous injection of VNP20009, at doses ranging from 1 x 10(4) to 3 x 10(6) cfu/mouse, produced tumor growth inhibitions of 57-95%. Tumor volume doubling time, another indicator for tumor growth inhibition, also significantly increased in mice treated with VNP20009. Using mice with immune system deficiencies, we also demonstrated that the antitumor effects of VNP20009 did not depend on the presence of T and B cells. In addition, VNP20009, given intravenously, inhibited the growth of lung metastases in mice. Only live bacteria showed the antitumor effect.

Cu4(CH3C(OH)(PO3)2)2(C4H4N2)(H2O)4: a novel, three-dimensional copper diphosphonate with metamagnetism

A novel, three-dimensional copper diphosphonate Cu4(CH3C(OH)(PO3)2)2(C4H4N2)(H2O)4 (1) incorporating an organic pyrazine ligand has been hydrothermally synthesized, which exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below 4.2 K and metamagnetic behavior.

Prevalence of emphysema in individuals who underwent screening CT for lung cancer in Nagano prefecture of Japan

BACKGROUND

Screening for lung cancer with low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) was carried out in Nagano prefecture in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of emphysema in 7,847 individuals based on the Nagano spiral CT screening and to correlate the prevalence and severity of emphysema with various factors.

METHODS

Spiral CT images with scan parameters of 120 kV, 50 mA, 10-mm collimation and a pitch of 2 obtained at full inspiration were retrospectively evaluated in 7,847 individuals. Emphysema was defined as the presence of low-attenuation areas in the lung parenchyma. Extent of emphysema was graded on a four-level scale and correlated with gender, age and smoking habits.

RESULTS

There were 4,288 males and 3,559 females. Mean age of the subjects was 61 years; 45.8% of the participants were smokers. Overall prevalence of emphysema was 2.9%; the prevalence was significantly higher in males (5.0%) than in females (0.5%); it was also significantly higher in smokers, and increased with age. Emphysema was positively correlated with age, but there was no correlation with smoking indices. Emphysema was mostly mild and localized in the upper lung. The logistic model revealed that gender, age and smoking indices were significant factors for developing emphysema.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall prevalence of emphysema was 2.9%. The prevalence was higher in males and in older people. Smoking was also related to a higher prevalence of emphysema but not to its severity.

Zinc diphosphonates templated by organic amines: syntheses and characterizations of [NH3(CH2)2NH3]Zn(hedpH2)2*2H2O and [NH3(CH2)nNH3(CH2)nNH3]Zn2(hedpH)2*2H2O (n=4,5,6) (hedp=1-hydroxyethylidenediphophonate)

Four new zinc diphosphonate compounds with formulas [NH(3)(CH(2))(2)NH(3)]Zn(hedpH(2))(2).2H(2)O, 1, [NH(3)(CH(2))(n)()NH(3)]Zn(2)(hedpH)(2).2H(2)O, (n = 4, 2; n = 5, 3; n = 6, 4) (hedp = 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 110 degrees C and in the presence of alkylenediamines NH(2)(CH(2))(n)()NH(2) (n = 2, 4, 5, 6). Crystallographic data for 1: monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 24.7422(15), b = 5.2889(2), c = 16.0338(2) A, beta = 117.903(1) degrees, V = 1856.17(18) A(3), Z = 4; 2: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 5.4970(3), b = 12.1041(6), c = 16.2814(12) A, beta = 98.619(5) degrees, V = 1071.07(11) A(3), Z = 2; 3: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 5.5251(2), b = 12.5968(3), c = 16.1705(5) A, beta = 99.182(1) degrees, V = 1111.02(6) A(3), Z = 2; 4: triclinic, space group P-1, a = 5.4785(2), b = 14.1940(5), c = 16.0682(6) A, alpha = 81.982(2) degrees, beta = 89.435(2) degrees, gamma = 79.679(2) degrees, V = 1217.11(8) A(3), Z = 2. In compound 1, two of the phosphonate oxygens are protonated. The metal ions are bridged by the hedpH(2)(2-) groups through three of the remaining four phosphonate oxygens, forming a one-dimensional infinite chain. The protonated ethylenediamines locate between the chains in the lattice. In compounds 2-4, only one phosphonate oxygen is protonated. Compounds 2 and 3 have a similar three-dimensional open-network structure composed of [Zn(2)(hedpH)(2)](n) double chains with strong hydrogen bonding interactions between them, thus generating channels along the [100] direction. The protonated diamines and water molecules reside in the channels. Compound 4 contains two types of [Zn(2)(hedpH)(2)](n) double chains which are held together by strong hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network. The interlayer spaces are occupied by the [NH(3)(CH(2))(6)NH(3)](2+) cations and water molecules. The significant difference between structures 2-4 is also featured by the coordination geometries of the zinc atoms. The geometries of those in 2 can be described as distorted octahedral, and those in 3 as distorted square pyramidal. In 4, two independent zinc atoms are found, each with a distorted octahedral and a tetrahedral geometry, respectively.

Salmonella-based tumor-targeted cancer therapy: tumor amplified protein expression therapy (TAPET) for diagnostic imaging

In preclinical studies, genetically engineered Salmonella have the ability to localize, selectively accumulate, and persist within transplantable murine tumors, spontaneous murine tumors and human tumor xenographs, and can express therapeutic proteins at high levels. These strains of engineered non-virulent Salmonella typhimurium display the capacity to accumulate and grow selectively in a variety of tumor types and to inhibit the growth of primary and metastatic tumors following intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice. One strain of the bacteria (VNP20009) which has endogenous antitumor activity is currently in Phase I clinical trials. The bacteria are highly attenuated and genetically stable. The combination of the lipid mutation and the purine auxotrophy attenuate the virulence of the bacteria by greater than 10000-fold and enhance the specificity of the bacteria for tumor tissue. These bacteria have been found to be safe in mice, pigs and monkeys when administered intravenously. Second-generation Salmonella vectors will be developed to include transgenes that will express therapeutic agents and reporter transgenes for non-invasive imaging. We have performed a preliminary study to demonstrate localization of [(14)C]FIAU in tumored mice pretreated with Salmonella expressing HSV1-TK. The [(14)C]FIAU radioactivity and bacterial count data strongly support a Salmonella(TK)-dependent [(14)C]FIAU accumulation of at least 30-fold higher in tumor tissue compared to muscle tissue. These data warrant further investigation on the use of genetically engineered Salmonella as a systemically administered tumor-specific agents for tumor therapy and delivery of diagnostic imaging markers.

Evaluation of the acute and subchronic toxic effects in mice, rats, and monkeys of the genetically engineered and Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase gene-incorporated Salmonella strain, TAPET-CD, being developed as an antitumor agent

TAPET-CD, a genetically engineered Salmonella strain with chromosomal-incorporated cytosine deaminase (CD) gene, has been shown to selectively accumulate tumors, suppress tumor growth, and convert 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC, an antifungal agent) to the antitumor agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in animals. The current studies investigated the safety of TAPET-CD, and TAPET-CD/5-FC combination, in animals. In C57BL/6 mice (n = 10 females/dose), the maximum nonlethal dose of TAPET-CD (intravenous [IV] bolus) was 1 x 10(6) colony-forming units (cfu)/mouse, or > 10,000 x that of wild-type Salmonella. In Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4/sex/group), after treatment with 4 weekly cycles of TAPET-CD (an IV injection/cycle at 1 x 10(5), 3 x 10(5), 1 x 10(6), 3 x 10(6), or 1 x 10(7) cfu/rat on day 1) and 5-FC (per os twice daily [PO b.i.d.], 250 mg/kg on days 2-7/cycle), clinical signs and mortality were evaluated daily, body weight and clinical pathology weekly, and gross necropsy on day 29. No treatment-related toxicity, although occasional and mild clinical signs (e.g., dehydration), increased hepatic enzyme/function values and white blood cells, splenic enlargement, and bilateral red discoloration of the kidneys, were observed. In cynolmogus monkeys, Experiment 1 involved treatment with TAPET-CD (IV injection at 1 x 10(9) cfu/monkey). Clinical signs and mortality were evaluated daily, body weight weekly, and gross necropsy on days 2, 7, and 31 (1/sex/time point). Experiment 2 involved treatment with TAPET-CD (IV injection at 1 x 10(9) and 1 x 10(10) cfu/monkey in Groups 1 to 3 and Groups 4 to 6, respectively) on day 1 and 5-FC (PO b.i.d. at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg in Groups 1 to 3, and 500, 1500, and 0 mg/kg in Groups 4 to 6, respectively) on days 4 to 17 (n = 1/sex/group). Clinical signs and mortality were evaluated daily; body weight and clinical pathology on days 1, 2, 4, 14, and 18; body temperature on days 1, 4, and 18; ophthalmic examinations on days 3 and 17; and gross necropsy and histopathology on day 18. Experiment 1 indicated that TAPET-CD at 1 x 10(9) or 1 x 10(10) cfu/monkey was well tolerated, with only occasional mild clinical signs (i.e., emesis, vomiting, inappetance, loose/infrequent/absence of stool), increases in hepatic enzyme/function values, and splenic enlargement. Experiment 2 indicated that TAPET-CD/5-FC combination had a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 1 x 10(10) cfu/monkey for TAPET-CD and 500 mg/kg for 5-FC in monkeys. Supra-MTDs induced renal toxicity. In conclusion, TAPET-CD had a good safety profile (reflected by the extremely large amount of TAPET-CD needed to induce mortality or toxicity) in mice, rats, and monkeys. More adverse events were observed with TAPET-CD/5-FC combination when compared to TAPET-CD and these events were similar to the reported effects of 5-FU, suggesting the involvement of 5-FU.

Tumor amplified protein expression therapy: Salmonella as a tumor-selective protein delivery vector

Attenuated strains of Salmonella typhimurium, VNP20009 and YS7212, when injected systemically to tumor-bearing mice, accumulated preferentially in tumors at levels at least 200-fold and, more commonly, 1000-fold greater than in other normal tissues. This selectivity occurred in subcutaneously implanted murine tumors, including B16F10 melanoma, M27 lung carcinoma, and colon 38 carcinoma. The preferential accumulation was also manifested in animals bearing human tumor xenografts, including Lox, C8186, DLD1, SW620, HCT116, HTB177, DU145, MDA-MB-231, and Caki. Four to five days after a single IV injection of 1 x 10(6) colony-forming unit (cfu)/mouse, we routinely detected VNP20009 proliferation and accumulation at levels ranging from 1 x 10(8) to 2 x 10(9) cfu/g tumor. The amount of VNP20009 accumulated in the liver ranged from 3 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(6) cfu/g. The distribution of Salmonella in tumors was homogenous; YS7212 could be detected from the periphery to the interior portion of the tumors. Using mice with various immunodeficiencies, we also discovered the same preferential accumulation of Salmonella in tumors implanted in these mice. The use of Salmonella as a protein delivery vector was shown by IV administration of the bacteria expressing either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or cytosine deaminase (CD) into tumor-bearing mice. GFP and CD were detected in tumors, but not in livers, taken from mice inoculated with Salmonella carrying these genes. Bacteria accumulation and CD expression persisted in the tumors for up to 14 days after a single bolus IV administration of bacteria to tumor-bearing mice.

Anion-directed crystallization of coordination polymers: syntheses and characterization of Cu(4)(2-pzc)(4)(H(2)O)(8)(Mo(8)O(26)).2H(2)O and Cu(3)(2-pzc)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(V(10)O(28)H(4)).6.5H(2)O (2-pzc = 2-pyrazinecarboxylate)

Two new copper 2-pyrazinecarboxylate (2-pzc) coordination polymers incorporating [Mo(8)O(26)](4-) and [V(10)O(28)H(4)](2-) anions were synthesized and structurally characterized: Cu(4)(2-pzc)(4))(H(2)O)(8)(Mo(8)O(26)).2H(2)O (1) and Cu(3)(2-pzc)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(V(10)O(28)H(4)).6.5H(2)O (2). Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 11.1547(5) A, b = 13.4149(6) A, c = 15.9633(7) A, beta = 90.816(1) degrees; 2, triclinic, space group P1, a = 10.5896(10) A, b = 10.7921(10) A, c = 13.5168(13) A, alpha = 104.689(2) degrees, beta = 99.103(2) degrees, gamma = 113.419(2) degrees. Compound 1 contains [Cu(2-pzc)(H(2)O)(2)] chains charge-balanced by [Mo(8)O(26)](4-) anions. In compound 2, layers of [Cu(3)(2-pzc)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] form cavities that are filled with [V(10)O(28)H(4)](2-) anions. The magnetic properties of both compounds are described.

[Clinical observation on gastrointestinal protective effect of Composite Salviae injection in patients undergoing cardio-pulmonary bypass heart surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the gastrointestinal protective effect of Composite Salviae Injection (CSI) in patients undergoing cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) heart surgery.

METHODS

Eighteen patients, who were scheduled to cardiac surgery (either atrial or ventrical septal repairing) undergoing CPB were randomized equally into two groups. Before CPB, the CSI group was treated with CSI 0.5 ml/kg by intravenous dripping and the control group was treated with normal saline in equal volume. The intragastric mucosa pH value (pHi) of patients was monitored by tensiometer.

RESULTS

As compared with the pre-CPB value, pHi lowered significantly during, 1 h and 2 hrs after CPB in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while in the CSI group, pHi lowered significantly only during CPB (P < 0.05), but with insignificant change at 1 h and 2 hrs after CPB. Comparison between the two groups showed that pHi value in the CSI group was higher significantly than that in the control group at all respective monitoring period (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CSI has gastrointestinal protective effect in patients undergoing CPB cardiosurgery to some extent.

[Determination of vanillymandelic acid in urine by high performance liquid chromatography]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for determining vanillylmandelic acid(VMA) in urine.

METHODS

The analytical column was packed with Nova-Pak C18. Flow rate was 0.9 ml.min-1. The mobile phase was 40 mmol.L-1 NaH2PO4 buffer. The VMA of 30 healthy people in 24 hour urine were tested by the internal standard method and with electrochemical detector.

RESULT

The linear range was from 5 mumol.L-1 to 200 mumol.L-1. The mean analytical recovery rate was 99.1%. The mean within-day coefficient of variation(CV) was 5.8%, and the mean day-to-day CV was 7.7%. The detection limit was 0.28 mumol.L-1. The VMA of 24 hour urine was 18.13 +/- 6.17 mumol in healthy people.

CONCLUSIONS

The method is suitable for routine determination of VMA in urine.

Biodistribution and genetic stability of the novel antitumor agent VNP20009, a genetically modified strain of Salmonella typhimurium

VNP20009 is a genetically modified strain of Salmonella typhimurium possessing an excellent safety profile, including genetically stable attenuated virulence (a deletion in the purI gene), reduction of septic shock potential (a deletion in the msbB gene), and antibiotic susceptibility. VNP20009 is genetically stable after multiple generations in vitro and in vivo. In mice, VNP20009 is rapidly cleared from the blood from a peak level of 1x104 cfu/mL to undetectable levels in 24 h. In tumor-bearing mice, VNP20009 accumulates preferentially in tumors over livers at a ratio of 1000&rcolon;1. In nonhuman primates, VNP20009 was also rapidly cleared from the blood, from a peak level of 1.0x106 cfu/mL to undetectable levels in 24 h. VNP20009 was detected in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow of monkeys; the amount decreased over time, and VNP20009 was cleared from all organs by day 41; no VNP20009 could be detected in the urine or feces of the monkeys. VNP20009 is genetically stable after many generations of growth (>140) both in vitro and in vivo.

Effect of CT digital image compression on detection of coronary artery calcification

PURPOSE

To test the effect of digital compression of CT images on the detection of small linear or spotted high attenuation lesions such as coronary artery calcification (CAC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty cases with and 50 without CAC were randomly selected from a population that had undergone spiral CT of the thorax for screening lung cancer. CT image data were compressed using JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or wavelet algorithms at ratios of 10:1, 20:1 or 40:1. Five radiologists reviewed the uncompressed and compressed images on a cathode-ray-tube. Observer performance was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

CT images compressed at a ratio as high as 20:1 were acceptable for primary diagnosis of CAC. There was no significant difference in the detection accuracy for CAC between JPEG and wavelet algorithms at the compression ratios up to 20:1. CT images were more vulnerable to image blurring on the wavelet compression at relatively lower ratios, and "blocking" artifacts occurred on the JPEG compression at relatively higher ratios.

CONCLUSION

JPEG and wavelet algorithms allow compression of CT images without compromising their diagnostic value at ratios up to 20:1 in detecting small linear or spotted high attenuation lesions such as CAC, and there was no difference between the two algorithms in diagnostic accuracy.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a water soluble phosphate prodrug of 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP)

With the aim of improving its biological and pharmaceutical profiles, two water soluble phosphate prodrugs of 3-AP, 3a and 3b were prepared. The detailed synthesis and the preliminary evaluation of these prodrugs are described.

The involvement of interleukin (IL)-15 in regulating the differentiation of granulated metrial gland cells in mouse pregnant uterus

Previous studies have suggested that granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells, which differentiate in situ in the mouse pregnant uterus into natural killer (NK)-like cells. Similar to NK cells, GMG cells express an abundant level of cytolytic mediators such as perforin. The factor(s) regulating the differentiation of GMG cells remain(s) to be identified, although cytokines previously implicated in the stimulation/activation of NK cells (e.g., IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-12) can be considered as potential candidates. Recently, IL-15, a novel cytokine, which displays biological activities similar to IL-2, has also been shown to be capable of activating NK cells. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, we have demonstrated in the present study that IL-15 and its cognate receptor, but not the other cytokines, are expressed in the mouse pregnant uterus, with a time course concomitant with those of cytolytic mediators in differentiated GMG cells. Moreover, IL-15, though not IL-2, is capable of inducing the expression of perforin and granzymes in pregnant uterine tissues explanted in vitro. Data obtained from in situ hybridization study have suggested that the macrophages present in the pregnant uterus may be responsible for the production of IL-15. These results suggest that IL-15 is involved in regulating the differentiation of GMG cells during mouse pregnancy.

Interleukin-10 inhibits tumor metastasis through an NK cell-dependent mechanism

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a recently described pleiotropic cytokine secreted mainly by type 2 helper T cells. Previous studies have shown that IL-10 suppresses cytokine expression by natural killer (NK) and type 1 T cells, thus down-regulating cell-mediated immunity and stimulating humoral responses. We here report that injected IL-10 protein is an efficient inhibitor of tumor metastasis in experimental (B16-F10) and spontaneous (M27 and Lox human melanoma) metastasis models in vivo at doses that do not have toxic effects on normal or cancer cells. Histological characterization after IL-10 treatment confirmed the absence of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and macrophages at the sites of tumor growth, but abundant NK cells were localized at these sites. This unexpected finding was confirmed by showing that IL-10 inhibits most B16-F10 and Lox metastases in mice deficient in T or B cells (SCID and nu/nu mice), but not in those deficient in NK cells (beige mice or NK cell-depleted mice). However, IL-10 downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and/or recruitment of additional effector cells may also be involved in the anti-tumor effect at higher local concentrations of IL-10, since transfected B16 tumor cells expressing high amounts of IL-10 were rejected by normal, nu/nu, or SCID mice at the primary tumor stage, and there was still a 33% inhibition of tumor metastasis in beige mice.

[Iatrogenic osteoporsis: six case reports]

Iatrogenic osteoporosis is a very common secondary osteoporosis is found in patients treated with large dosage of glucocorticosteroid of long duration. Six cases listed in this article including 2 cases of bronchial asthma, 2 cases of bronchial asthma, 2 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 1 case of skin disease and 1 case of callagenosis (three male patients and three female patients). The age is from 27-46. The duration of treatment of primary disease with glucocorticosteroid is 1 to 3.5 years, with the average of 1.56 years. With the exception of one case treated with Dexamethasone one of 0.75g daily, the other 5 cases are treated with predinisone of 5-30mg daily. After they treated with hormone every other day and added Calcium and vitamin D and followed up 1 year, the mineral contents in the bone of all 6 patients are increased and the biochemistry indexes are improved.

Separate metabolic pathways leading to DNA fragmentation and apoptotic chromatin condensation

Apoptosis is the predominant form of cell death observed in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions such as cancer involution, insect metamorphosis, the development of the immune and nervous systems, and embryogenesis. The typical nuclear changes taking place in apoptotic cells include extensive condensation of chromatin and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation into units of 200 base pairs. However, the mechanisms responsible for both chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation have yet to be elucidated. In this study, micrococcal nuclease and the divalent cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+, were applied to isolated nuclei in an attempt to reconstitute in vitro the digestion of genomic DNA associated with apoptosis. Micrococcal nuclease was found to induce a typical pattern of DNA fragmentation, but did not give rise to chromatin condensation, whereas Ca2+/Mg2+ induced both chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation in isolated mouse liver nuclei. When the endonuclease inhibitor ZnCl2 was used, the DNA fragmentation induced by Ca2+/Mg2+ in nuclei could be completely inhibited, but chromatin condensation still occurred. For comparison, intact liver cells were treated with valinomycin, a potassium ionophore, which gave rise to an atypical cell death, with chromatin condensation appearing without DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest that endonuclease activation in apoptosis is neither necessary nor sufficient to induce chromatin condensation, and that DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation may be triggered through separate pathways during apoptosis.

Distribution of perforin-containing cells in normal and pregnant mice

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells elaborate a cytolytic protein named perforin or cytolysin. It was widely held that, in vivo, high quantities of perforin are not present in resting lymphocytes and are usually produced only by activated lymphocytes found under pathological conditions. Until now, only one tissue was known to synthesize abundant quantities of perforin under nonpathological conditions, the uterus during pregnancy. To investigate the possibility that perforin might also be synthesized by other tissues, several tissues besides the uterus from pregnant and normal mice were tested by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase for the presence of perforin. The tissues studied were the ears, brain, nasal epithelium, tongue, salivary gland, larynx, thymus, stomach, liver, spleen, small intestine, and lymph nodes; two cell populations with different sizes and levels of perforin expression were found. Large cells, displaying the NK cell phenotype and expressing high levels of perforin, were detected not only in the uterus but also in the salivary gland and lungs of pregnant mice. Small cells, expressing low levels of perforin, were detected mainly in the stomach and small intestine, and they were expressed in both pregnant and normal mice. Taken together, these results imply that perforin-containing cells exist in vivo under nonpathological conditions, and that the immune system is endowed with heretofore unknown mechanisms for stimulating the activation of NK cells in a limited number of tissues during pregnancy.

Perforin-expressing cells during spontaneous abortion

The metrial gland of pregnant rodents contains an abundant population of natural killer (NK)-like cells called granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells. Since GMG cells express the cytolytic protein, perforin, and since cells with NK activity have been implicated in spontaneous abortions, we have studied the distribution of perforin-containing cells in the uterus of mice undergoing normal pregnancy (Swiss mice) and spontaneous abortions (CBA/J x DBA/2 mice). The distribution of perforin-positive GMG cells was essentially the same near healthy and aborting conceptuses, suggesting that GMG cells are not involved in most cases of spontaneous abortion in this abortion model. Small perforin-positive cells were observed near the aborting conceptus in about 5% of the cases. However, it is not known whether their presence was the result or the cause of abortion.

Expression of cytolytic mediators by synovial fluid lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

To understand the role of cytolytic lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, we investigated the expression of lymphocyte cytotoxicity mediators, perforin, and serine esterases, in lymphocytes derived from the synovial fluid of 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Previous work has shown that CD8+ lymphocytes that possess markers of activation appear to be present in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). By means of in situ hybridization techniques and immunohistochemical analysis, the authors show that perforin and two serine esterases (serine esterase 1/Hanukah factor/granzyme A, and serine esterase 2/granzyme B) are expressed by subpopulations of CD8+ and CD56+ lymphocytes obtained from synovial fluid. The presence of these cytotoxic mediators suggests a possible mechanism for tissue damage, and provides evidence implicating cytolytic lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of RA.

Electron microscopic identification of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunoreactive neurons in the medial olfactory placode and basal forebrain of embryonic mice

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone is a decapeptide found in the brain and nose of all vertebrates that have been examined by immunocytochemical procedures with antiserum to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. It regulates the release of both luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary gland and promotes mating behavior. After about 11 days of embryogenesis in mice, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunoreactive cells are detected by immunocytochemical procedures in the medial olfactory placode, in the primordium of the vomeronasal organ. As they leave the olfactory placode, they run under the epithelial layer of the nasal septum associated with vomeronasal and terminalis nerves. Clustered, they stream toward the primordium of the olfactory bulb, passing along its ventromedial surface. Eventually, the largest numbers reach the septal and preoptic areas of the brain. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry showed that luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunoreactive product is accumulated just outside the nuclear envelope and in the lumen of rough endoplasmic reticulum adjacent to the cell nucleus of cells in and adjacent to the olfactory placode. As luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunoreactive neurons migrate, they assume a fusiform shape and the immunoreaction product extends from the area around the nucleus throughout the cytoplasm, notably in processes which extend toward the direction of migration. Before and during migration, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone was not detected in the Golgi apparatus or neurosecretory granules. It is inferred that as far as ultrastructural evidence is concerned, these neurons do not have a secretory function before they attain their target organs.

LHRH neurons: functions and development

Examination of the properties of developing LHRH neurons, by in situ hybridization procedures or LHRH immunocytochemistry, showed that these cells (1) are unique among neuroendocrine cells in their origin from the epithelium of the medial olfactory pit, and (2) express LHRH mRNA. LHRH neurons, visualized by either method, tended to be clustered when seen along the migration route in the nasal mesenchyme. Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is present on the central processes of the olfactory, vomeronasal and terminalis nerves, which form the scaffold along which LHRH neurons migrate into the brain. Injection of a small amount (1 microliter) of antiserum to NCAM into the olfactory pits of 10-day-old embryonic mice, while not sufficient to break up the NCAM scaffolding, appeared to decrease the number of LHRH-immunoreactive cells in the epithelium of the medial olfactory pit, and retarded their migration in the nasal mesenchyme. This suggest that NCAM is important for LHRH cell migration. Never found actually colocalized with LHRH in the same neurons, NCAM nevertheless may be required for the migration of LHRH-expressing cells.

Perforin-expressing granulated metrial gland cells in murine deciduoma

It has previously been shown that granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells of the pregnant uterus express abundant quantities of the lymphocyte pore-forming protein, perforin. No perforin was present before implantation of the embryo, but large numbers of perforin-producing GMG cells were observed after implantation, which coincides with decidualization of the uterus. The possible source of the activation factors responsible for perforin gene induction in GMG cells was studied here with the pseudopregnancy model, in which cervical stimulation of mice during estrus leads to a series of hormonal changes resembling those seen in pregnancy, but in the absence of an embryo. Subsequent stimulation of the uterus of pseudopregnant mice with oil causes the stimulated portion of the endometrium to differentiate into decidual tissue. Perforin-containing GMG cells were in fact present in the deciduomata, but not in adjacent nondecidualized tissues of the same mice. These results suggest that maternal factors associated with decidual tissue are responsible for the local expression of perforin in GMG cells.

Ionophore-induced apoptosis: role of DNA fragmentation and calcium fluxes

Two ionophores specific for K+, valinomycin and beauvericin, induce a type of cell death very similar to apoptosis due to tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha). Both ionophores cause cytolysis accompanied by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation of the dying cell into units of 200 base pairs. Morphologically, the cell death appears to consist of a mixture of nuclear apoptotic changes and cytoplasmic necrotic changes. As in the case for TNF alpha-mediated death, metabolic inhibitors have no effect on the course of cell death, but DNA fragmentation and cytolysis are decreased by the endonuclease inhibitor, zinc. Beauvericin and valinomycin trigger an increase in the cytoplasmic calcium concentration, most likely due to release of calcium from intracellular stores, and chelation of cytoplasmic calcium with quin-2 inhibits DNA fragmentation. Thus, these ionophores set off apoptosis through a calcium-activatable endonuclease, suggesting that other nonphysiological toxins might also cause apoptosis through their ability to indirectly elevate the cytoplasmic calcium concentration, without the need to invoke specific surface receptors.

Subcellular localization of perforin and serine esterase in lymphokine-activated killer cells and cytotoxic T cells by immunogold labeling

CTL, NK cells, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells are cytolytic lymphocytes known to produce a pore-forming protein, named perforin or cytolysin, that lyses target cells by forming large pores on the plasma membrane of the target cell. Other proteins besides perforin are found in the cytoplasmic granules of effector lymphocytes, and these include a family of serine esterases. Ultrastructural immunogold labeling studies with antibodies against perforin and a serine esterase (MTSP-1, also known as granzyme A and SE-1) show that all the granules of LAK cells and a CTL cell line contain perforin and serine esterase. For both LAK cells and CTL, perforin has been located mostly in the fine granular matrix of the granules, whereas gold particles corresponding to serine esterase have been found in both the matrix and the cap regions of the granules. Results from double immunogold labeling indicate that perforin and serine esterase colocalize to the same granules.

Subcellular localization of perforin and serine esterase in lymphokine-activated killer cells and cytotoxic T cells by immunogold labeling

CTL, NK cells, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells are cytolytic lymphocytes known to produce a pore-forming protein, named perforin or cytolysin, that lyses target cells by forming large pores on the plasma membrane of the target cell. Other proteins besides perforin are found in the cytoplasmic granules of effector lymphocytes, and these include a family of serine esterases. Ultrastructural immunogold labeling studies with antibodies against perforin and a serine esterase (MTSP-1, also known as granzyme A and SE-1) show that all the granules of LAK cells and a CTL cell line contain perforin and serine esterase. For both LAK cells and CTL, perforin has been located mostly in the fine granular matrix of the granules, whereas gold particles corresponding to serine esterase have been found in both the matrix and the cap regions of the granules. Results from double immunogold labeling indicate that perforin and serine esterase colocalize to the same granules.

Expression of lymphocyte perforin in the mouse uterus during pregnancy

In situ hybridization and immunofluorescence were used to study the expression of a lymphocyte pore-forming protein (perforin) in the uterus of pregnant mice. Cells expressing perforin mRNA were detected as early as gestation day 5, whereas perforin protein was detected one or two days later. Although the number of cells expressing both perforin mRNA and perforin protein varied subsequently with time, they were consistently observed from the day of implantation until parturition. The highest levels of mRNA expression were observed sometime during midgestation. The high abundance of this cytolytic protein in the metrial gland during pregnancy and the time course of its expression thus suggest that GMG perforin expression is tightly regulated, probably hormonally, by the uterus, and that GMG cell perforin plays an important role in the normal completion of pregnancy.

The distribution of perforin in normal tissues

We describe the production of monoclonal antibodies to murine and human forms of the lymphocyte pore-forming protein (perforin, PFP, or cytolysin), a major granule-localized cytolytic mediator of CTL and NK cells. Antibodies were raised against both murine perforin purified from a CTL line, and human perforin expressed in bacteria as a fusion protein with the Escherichia coli TrpE protein. Antibodies raised against either immunogen inhibited the hemolytic activity of murine perforin, and thus may enable us to identify the pore-forming or self-associative domain of perforin. One mAb, MP1, was used to study the distribution of perforin in murine tissues under physiological conditions. We found that perforin was expressed in the granular metrial gland (GMG) cells of the pregnant murine uterus, but not in other tissues examined. These results further support the view that perforin is induced only in activated cytolytic lymphocytes, and raise the question whether perforin-containing GMG cells represent an effector of a maternal immune response to the fetus.

Cytolytic and ion channel-forming properties of the N terminus of lymphocyte perforin

Perforin lyses cells by binding to the target cell membrane, where it polymerizes into large nonspecific pores. It is shown here that the first 34 amino acids of the N-terminal region of either human or murine perforin are soluble in aqueous medium and spontaneously insert into membranes. The N-terminal peptides lyse liposomes and nucleated cells, and they form ion channels in planar bilayers, some of which are comparable to those previously described for perforin. The lytic activity of the N-terminal domains does not require calcium, is independent of the lipid headgroup composition, and can be inhibited by heparin. Tumor cells incubated with the N-terminal peptides undergo the same morphological changes as those induced by native perforin. None of the peptides corresponding to the putative membrane-spanning domains from the central region of perforin is cytolytic. Taken together, these results suggest that the N-terminal region is an important part of the pore-forming domain of perforin.

Mouse granulated metrial gland cells originate by local activation of uterine natural killer lymphocytes

Natural killer (NK) lymphocytes were identified in the mouse uterus by immunostaining their surface membrane marker, LGL-1. The cells were present in large numbers from before mating through Day 14 of pregnancy. Double immunostaining indicated that uterine NK cells began to contain the pore-forming protein, perforin, on Day 6 of pregnancy in mesometrial decidua. Perforin is a probable mediator of cellular cytotoxicity found in lymphokine-activated NK and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Activation of NK cells to produce perforin continued in mesometrial decidua on Days 8 and 10 of pregnancy and in the peripheral portion of metrial glands (MGs) on Days 12 and 14 of pregnancy, where cells at 3 stages of activation were simultaneously present: small cells with bright surface membrane staining of LGL-1 but no perforin (nonactivated), larger cells with intermediate staining of both markers (partially activated), and large cells with bright staining of perforin but no LGL-1 (fully activated). These observations indicate that activation of uterine NK cells involves loss of membrane LGL-1 as perforin accumulates in the cytoplasm, that the zone of activation shifts from mesometrial decidua to the MG on about Day 11 of pregnancy, and that nonactivated NK cells probably enter activation zones continuously during this period. Resting NK cells may enter activation zones by proliferation and/or migration from other regions of the uterus, rather than from blood, because depletion of circulating NK cells during pregnancy by treatment with NK-1.1 or asialo GM1 antibodies had no effect or only a small effect on the numbers of LGL-1-or perforin-positive cells seen in the uterus later in pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)