Wnt/β‑catenin signaling is a novel therapeutic target for tumor suppressor CYLD‑silenced glioblastoma cells

Tumor suppressor cylindromatosis (CYLD) dysfunction by its downregulation is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and malignant type of glioma. However, no effective treatment is currently available for patients with CYLD‑downregulated GBM. The aim of the present study was to identify the crucial cell signaling pathways and novel therapeutic targets for CYLD downregulation in GBM cells. CYLD knockdown in GBM cells induced GBM malignant characteristics, such as proliferation, metastasis, and GBM stem‑like cell (GSC) formation. Comprehensive proteomic analysis and RNA sequencing data from the tissues of patients with GBM revealed that Wnt/β‑catenin signaling was significantly activated by CYLD knockdown in patients with GBM. Furthermore, a Wnt/β‑catenin signaling inhibitor suppressed all CYLD knockdown‑induced malignant characteristics of GBM. Taken together, the results of the present study revealed that Wnt/β‑catenin signaling is responsible for CYLD silencing‑induced GBM malignancy; therefore, targeting Wnt/β‑catenin may be effective for the treatment of CYLD‑negative patients with GBM with poor prognosis.

Remimazolam anaphylaxis confirmed by serum tryptase elevation and skin test

Anaphylactic reactions during the induction of general anaesthesia are rare. Anaesthetists should determine the pathogenesis of anaphylaxis in order to establish appropriate treatment and prevent recurrence. Very little clinical information has been published to date about anaphylaxis induced by the recently launched drug remimazolam. A 78-year-old man, scheduled for elective surgery for colon cancer, became profoundly hypotensive and hypoxic shortly following the induction of general anaesthesia with remimazolam, remifentanil and rocuronium. His physiological derangement was successfully managed with adrenaline, vasopressors and intravenous fluid resuscitation. His serum tryptase level was significantly elevated and an intradermal test with diluted remimazolam revealed a positive reaction, confirming the diagnosis of anaphylaxis. We believe this is the first case report of remimazolam-induced anaphylactic shock diagnosed with a serum tryptase elevation and positive skin test.

Ribosomal protein S6 promotes stem-like characters in glioma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a lethal brain tumor developing in the white matter of the adult brain, contains a small population of GBM stem cells (GSCs), which potentially cause chemotherapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. However, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and maintenance of GSCs remain largely unknown. A recent study reported that incorporation of ribosomes and ribosomal proteins into somatic cells promoted lineage trans-differentiation toward multipotency. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying stemness acquisition in GBM cells by focusing on 40S ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6). RPS6 was significantly upregulated in high-grade glioma and localized at perivascular, perinecrotic, and border niches in GBM tissues. siRNA-mediated RPS6 knock-down significantly suppressed the characteristics of GSCs, including their tumorsphere potential and GSC marker expression; STAT3 was downregulated in GBM cells. RPS6 overexpression enhanced the tumorsphere potential of GSCs and these effects were attenuated by STAT3 inhibitor (AG490). Moreover, RPS6 expression was significantly correlated with SOX2 expression in different glioma grades. Immunohistochemistry data herein indicated that RPS6 was predominant in GSC niches, concurrent with the data from IVY GAP databases. Furthermore, RPS6 and other ribosomal proteins were upregulated in GSC-predominant areas in this database. The present results indicate that, in GSC niches, ribosomal proteins play crucial roles in the development and maintenance of GSCs and are clinically associated with chemoradioresistance and GBM recurrence.

Induction of Calcification in MC3T3-E1 Cells by Inorganic Polyphosphate

Relatively large amounts of inorganic polyphosphate [poly(P)] (400 μM) have been found in normal osteoblasts. The effect of poly(P) with an average chain length of 65 phosphate residues on cell calcification was therefore investigated with the use of MC3T3-E1 cells. Expression of both osteopontin and osteocalcin was induced by poly(P) (0.1 ~ 1 mM), and cells treated with poly(P) were strongly stained by alizarin red. In addition, the level of alkaline phosphatase activity induced in poly(P)-treated cells was two-fold higher than that in either orthophosphate-treated or control cells but not higher than that in cells treated with β-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid. In contrast, however, polyphosphatase activities were activated by poly(P) treatment to levels up to six-fold greater than that in controls. MC3T3-E1 cells may utilize poly(P) as a phosphate source for calcification rather than phosphate sources that are mainly produced by ALPase. Poly(P)-dependent induction of polyphosphatase activities may therefore promote calcification in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Inorganic Polyphosphate Induces Osteoblastic Differentiation

Inorganic polyphosphate [Poly(P)] is especially prevalent in osteoblasts. We tested the hypothesis that Poly(P) stimulates osteoblastic differentiation and polyphosphate metabolism for bone formation. The osteoblast-like cell line, MC 3T3-E1, was cultured with Poly(P), and gene expression was evaluated by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain-reaction. Phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were also determined. The role of Poly(P) was assessed in a beagle dog alveolar bone regeneration model. Poly(P) increased osteocalcin, osterix, bone sialoprotein, and tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase gene expression, with a high level of end-polyphosphatase activity, resulting in low-chain-length Poly(P), inorganic pyrophosphate, and inorganic phosphate production. MC3T3-E1 cells differentiated into mature osteoblasts and showed expression of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1, while mouse progressive ankylosis gene expression remained unchanged. Promotion of alveolar bone regeneration was observed in Poly(P)-treated beagle dogs. These findings suggest that Poly(P) induces osteoblastic differentiation and bone mineralization, and acts as a resource for mineralization.

Measuring tooth mobility with a no-contact vibration device

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mechanical parameters obtained from the frequency response at tooth vibration informs of various periodontal tissue conditions. An electromagnetic vibration device was investigated for measuring tooth mobility using mechanical parameters obtained from the frequency response characteristics of an experimental tooth model. This electromagnetic vibration device was able to assess the overall condition of periodontal tissue associated with the alteration of each parameter. In this study, reliability and effects of bottom thicknesses of simulated periodontal ligament relative to mechanical parameters were analysed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Measurement of tooth vibration was performed by an electromagnetic vibration device on experimental tooth models with different bottom thicknesses of simulated periodontal ligament. Using an electromagnetic vibration device, the mechanical parameters resonant frequency, elastic modulus and coefficient of viscosity were calculated from the frequency response characteristics derived from tooth vibration by an electromagnetic force. Variation of those parameters was investigated under four different experimental conditions and the implications of the results were discussed.

RESULTS

An electromagnetic vibration device clearly detected three mechanical parameters in all experimental conditions. The resonant frequency and the elastic modulus decreased with increasing bottom thickness. However, no significant difference in the coefficient of viscosity was observed among the experimental conditions.

CONCLUSION

Assessment of tooth mobility using mechanical parameters of an electromagnetic vibration device reproduced fine details of various simulated periodontal ligament conditions. Variation in the parameters resonant frequency, elastic modulus and coefficient of viscosity might be useful in evaluating changes of components in periodontal tissues.

Inorganic polyphosphate: a possible stimulant of bone formation

Inorganic polyphosphates [Poly(P)] are often distributed in osteoblasts. We undertook the present study to verify the hypothesis that Poly(P) stimulates osteoblasts and facilitates bone formation. The osteoblast-like cell line MC 3T3-E1 was cultured with Poly(P), and gene expression and potential mineralization were evaluated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain-reaction. Alkaline phosphatase activity, von Kossa staining, and resorption pit formation analyses were also determined. The potential role of Poly(P) in bone formation was assessed in a rat alveolar bone regeneration model. Poly(P) induced osteopontin, osteocalcin, collagen 1alpha, and osteoprotegerin expression and increased alkaline phosphatase activity in MC 3T3-E1 cells. Dentin slice pit formation decreased with mouse osteoblast and bone marrow macrophage co-cultivation in the presence of Poly(P). Promotion of alveolar bone regeneration was observed locally in Poly(P)-treated rats. These findings suggest that Poly(P) plays a role in osteoblastic differentiation, activation, and bone mineralization. Thus, local poly(P) delivery may have a therapeutic benefit in periodontal disease.

Genetic analysis of HLA, NA and HPA typing in type 2 diabetes and ASO

We examined the genetic status of human leucocyte antigens (HLA), human platelet alloantigens (HPA) and neutrophil-specific antigens (NA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). To our knowledge, the present study is the first report showing the relationship among three genetic factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus and ASO patients. HLA typing was performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. HPA-typing and NA-typing were by a PCR-sequence-specific primer method. The incidence of HLA-DRB1*1501 was found to be significant in type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic, particularly ASO-positive patients, compared to control subjects. There were no differences in NA1/NA2 between the control and diabetic or non-diabetic ASO groups. However, the frequency of NA2/NA2 in ASO-positive diabetes and non-diabetic ASO patients was significantly higher than controls. The a/b genotype of HPA-5a/5b was significantly lower in type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic ASO-positive patients than in controls. These findings suggest that genetic studies of HLA, NA and HPA could be useful to understand the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and ASO.

Overeruption without root exposure of third molars and periodontal health in the mandible

Bone formation is seen around the third molar even when the tooth is exposed to the oral environment due to overeruption. To determine if overeruption of the third molar with or without root exposure is related to the status of the exposure of other teeth in the mandible, using orthopantomographs, 424 third molars were studied in 371 patients who were over 41 years of age. The rate of overeruption and root exposure in third molars was measured, and its relationship to the number of teeth lost and the rate of root exposure in other teeth in the mandible was analyzed. Tooth loss in the group of third molars with overeruption without root exposure was greater than in that without overeruption or root exposure in men, whereas the relationship was not seen in women. We found that root exposures of other teeth in the group of third molars with overeruption without root exposure were significantly smaller than in those with root exposure in both genders. Third molars with overeruption without root exposure, in which bone formation was easy to observe for radiographic diagnosis, were correlated with periodontal health in the mandible, suggesting a component of precision determination for predicting resistance to periodontitis.

Rapid estimation of lipids in oleaginous fungi and yeasts using Nile red fluorescence

A rapid estimation method of the intracellular lipid content in microorganisms using a fluorescent probe, Nile red, was established by optimization of the Nile red staining and data processing. The protocol was designed to be applicable to a wide range of microorganisms and culture conditions. In the optimized procedure, cells diluted with buffer were stained with 0.24-0.47 microg/ml of Nile red for 5 min, and the fluorescent emission spectra in the wavelength region of 400 to 700 nm excited at 488 nm were acquired before and after the Nile red addition. The fluorescence intensity corresponding to the intracellular lipid amount was determined at the peak of the corrected spectrum. The value showed a linear relation with the lipid content of various oleaginous fungi and yeasts measured by the conventional method. The relative intensities against the unit lipid amounts were almost similar except for one yeast. For the application to mycelia forming various types of pellets, a simple and easy pretreatment of shaking with glass beads for 5-10 min was added to the protocol. The established method was applicable to estimate the lipid content of a wide range of microorganism cultures containing 2-5000 microg-lipid/ml-broth.

Relationship of the hyoid bone and posterior surface of the tongue in prognathism and micrognathia

In order to study relationship of the hyoid bone and posterior surface of the tongue in prognathism and micrognathia, we focused on the effect of the tongue on the upper airway lumen in 16 patients with Angle's Class II and 51 patients with Angle's Class III, and assessed the position of the hyoid, the depth from the posterior surface of the tongue, from the bottom of the vallecula and from hyoid bone to the posterior pharyngeal wall using lateral cephalograms. We were able to assess significant correlations between the posterior surface of the tongue and hyoid position in Angle's Class III. However, we found no association between them in Angle's Class II. This could be an adaptive feature of the genioglossus in response to hyoid localization to serve a compensatory role to prevent respiratory impairment in micrognathia at risk of apnoea.

Production of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by monoxenic growth of labyrinthulids on oil-dispersed agar medium

A novel method is proposed for the production of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) by labyrinthulids. The method comprises a monoxenic culture with Psychlobacter phenylpyruvicus, using agar medium in which oil was dispersed. Soybean oil (SBO) was selected as the optimum material for an oil-dispersed agar medium. The labyrinthulids showed three-dimensional growth and an anastomosing ectoplasmic network in the SBO-dispersed agar medium. The oil plate changed from an opaque culture to a more transparent culture, due to growth of the labyrinthulids. The optimum culture conditions were 25-30 degrees C, an initial pH of 6-10 and artificial seawater with a salt concentration of 50-100%. These conditions are close to those where these strains were isolated. The maximum LCPUFA production (0.59 g/l) and dry cell weight (4.93 g/l) was obtained using strain S3-2 (isolated from Ishigaki Island) with 1.5% SBO at 14 days. This value was about 30 times more than that using glucose instead of SBO. The method proposed is promising in terms of the production of LCPUFA from reproducible oils.

Three-dimensional STEM for observing nanostructures

A new scanning transmission electron microscope has been developed for three-dimensional (3D) observations of nanostructures. Using double spherical fulcra, accurate eucentric rotation was achieved. Cylindrical specimens for 3D-observation were prepared by a microsampling technique using a focused ion beam. Copper via-holes of a semiconductor memory device and ZnO particles were observed by the 3D-STEM from different directions, and 3D-data of the ZnO particles were successfully reconstructed in a topography mode.

P-glycoprotein expression in human major and minor salivary glands

Sodium pump and carbonic anhydrase activity have been described in the salivary glands. However, it remains to be elucidated whether these energy sources are used for secretion, excretion or both. In addition, the differences in the function of excretion and the role of the excretory duct cells are currently unknown in salivary glands. Expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is an ATPase-binding efflux pump, was tested in normal major and minor salivary glands from humans. P-gp was distributed on the basolateral membrane of serous acinar cells in the major salivary glands and the minor salivary glands. In particular, it was found to be present on the basolateral membrane and cytoplasm of acinar demilunar cells in the anterior lingual gland. Intense expression was identified in the basolateral membrane of the striated duct cells of the major salivary glands. P-gp was distinctly positive in the basolateral and/or luminal membranes of the initial part and in the luminal membrane of the terminal part of the excretory duct cells of the major salivary glands, whereas it was positive in the luminal membranes of both the initial part and the terminal part of the excretory duct cells of the minor salivary glands. These disparate distributions between the major and the minor salivary glands suggest different physiological excretions in the striated duct. P-gp may be physiologically involved in an important part of the transporter system, not only in the acinar serous cells and the striated duct cells, but also in the excretory duct cells in the salivary glands.

Alteration of the angle of the coronoid process in prognathism

Muscles and bones may dynamically affect the functions of each other, resulting in changes in the activity of the muscle and/or morphological change in the bones. However, alterations of the morphology of the coronoid process have not been documented in relation to the temporal muscle between the mandible and the cranium. Angles of the coronoid process to the line through the right and the left frontotemporale were measured on posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms in patients with normal occlusions and Class II, division 1 malocclusions, and those with true skeletal Class III malocclusions. Standard deviation of the angle of the coronoid process in patients with Class III malocclusions was greater than those subjects with normal occlusion or Class II, division 1 malocclusions. Differences of angles between the right and the left coronoid process in each patient of either sex were significantly large in true skeletal Class III malocclusions (both P < 0.001). Large variation of angle of the coronoid process was related to prognathism, and this effect may represent adaptation of temporal muscle function to a variety of alterations in mandibular morphology.

Multidrug resistance gene 1 expression in salivary gland adenocarcinomas and oral squamous-cell carcinomas

In combined chemotherapy for head-and-neck cancer (HNC), salivary gland-cell adenocarcinoma (SGA) shows insufficient clinical outcome, and it has been suggested that the sensitivity and/or the mechanism of resistance to anti-cancer drugs are different between SGA and oral squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of our study was to clarify whether P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression is associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) in HNC and the difference in the process of its development between SGA and SCC. In immunohistochemical analysis, P-gp expression was found in the ductal cells of salivary glands but not in oral mucosal epithelium. In cancer tissues, a few SCC cells in 12 of 37 and most cells in all SGAs expressed P-gp. The intensive P-gp expression was significantly found in SGA compared with SCC. In an in vivo chemotherapeutic model using tumor-bearing nude mice, P-gp expression in counterparts was observed in only a few cells of the HSY line, while no P-gp expression was observed in Hepd cells. However, P-gp expression was developed in both HSY and Hepd cell lines after vincristine (VCR) treatment. RT-PCR showed that the mean ratios of mdr1 mRNA expression levels in HSY clones were 3.7-fold higher than those in Hepd clones after VCR treatment, while each cell line exhibited both induction and activated production of P-gp. These results suggest that P-gp-related MDR in SGA is an inherent phenotype caused by both high levels of P-gp induction and activated P-gp production during VCR treatment, while that in SCC is an acquired phenotype chiefly caused by induction of P-gp.

Mice with only rat mtDNA are required as models of mitochondrial diseases

We examined the possibility of generation of mice expressing mitochondrial dysfunction by introduction of exogenous mtDNA from different species using mouse mtDNA-less (rho(0)) cells as mtDNA recipients. For determination of how genetically distant species of mtDNA could replicate in cells with only the mouse nuclear genome, we introduced mtDNA of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) into mouse rho(0) cells, and found that its replication was not sufficient to propagate to following generations, probably due to significant incompatibility between mouse-nuclear and Syrian hamster-mitochondrial genomes. On the other hand, rat mtDNA, which propagated stably and expressed mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse cells, also disappeared rapidly by exogenous introduction of mouse mtDNA, suggesting that mouse mtDNA in mouse cells must be excluded completely before introduction of rat mtDNA for generation of mice with rat mtDNA as mitochondrial disease models.

Hypertension and impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation of arteries from spontaneously hypertensive and L-NAME-treated Wistar rats

Effects of chronic treatment of normotensive Wistar rats with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on blood pressure and on endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aorta, carotid and iliac arteries were studied. The endothelium-dependent relaxation was compared in arteries from normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and genetically hypertensive rats (stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHRSP). Chronic treatment of normotensive Wistar rats with L-NAME caused an elevation of blood pressure. The elevated blood pressure at 15 weeks of age was significantly higher in these animals than that of untreated Wistar rats, but lower than that of SHRSP. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of the arteries induced by acetylcholine (ACh) was almost abolished by chronic treatment with L-NAME. The remaining small relaxation in arteries from L-NAME-treated rats was completely inhibited by application of L-NAME (10(-4) M). In such preparations, higher concentrations of ACh induced a contraction, which was abolished by removal of the endothelium or by an application of indomethacin (10(-5) M). Endothelium-independent relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside was similar between preparations from untreated and L-NAME-treated Wistar rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly impaired in preparations from SHRSP, when compared with that in those from WKY. However, the impairment was less prominent in preparations from SHRSP than in those from L-NAME-treated rats. These results suggest that the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation in the arteries from L-NAME-treated rats is not due to the elevated blood pressure resulting from the chronic treatment, and that impairment of NO synthesis by the endothelium does not play a major role in the initiation of hypertension in SHRSP.

Relationship of third molar development and root angulation

Angled roots are seen in mandibular third molars, which have a high frequency of incomplete impaction. We examined the relationship between incomplete impaction and angled roots. We enrolled orthopantomographs to determine the prevalence of angled roots in 239 men and 222 women aged 21--35 years with bilateral mandibular third molars. Angled roots were more frequent in subjects in whom the third molars had a different status on each side than in those with the same status on both sides (men: P<0.05; women: P<0.01). The incidence of women with angled roots in those with bilateral incomplete impactions was higher than that in those with bilateral eruption (P<0.01). Angled roots among mandibular third molars are related to environmental factors. Angled roots occur more frequently in women with incomplete impaction than in those with full eruption.

A new isolation method for labyrinthulids using a bacterium, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus

A new isolation method for labyrinthulids, marine microbes with spindle-shaped vegetative cells and gliding movement, is presented. The method for isolating labyrinthulids has been found to be more difficult and less reproducible than that for thraustochytrids, classified in the same order. So far serum seawater agar fortified with antibiotics has been proposed to be the best for isolation of labyrinthulids. The method presented here involves placing plant samples on an agar medium on which a marine bacterium, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus, has been grown. The new method, which utilizes fallen mangrove leaves as source material, was more than twice as effective as isolation agar medium without the bacterium. The increased effectiveness appears to derive partly from the bacterial colonies' delaying extension of fungal mycelium. The bacterium was more effective for the isolation of labyrinthulids than either the bacterium Shewanella sp. or the yeast Rhodotorula rubra.

T-cell responses to mitogens in atomic bomb survivors: a decreased capacity to produce interleukin 2 characterizes the T cells of heavily irradiated individuals

Significant decreases in the fraction of lymphocytes that are CD4(+) and increases in serum levels of some classes of immunoglobulin have been reported to occur in atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors and in victims of the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident. To investigate the long-term effects of nuclear radiation on cellular immunity in more detail, we used limiting dilution assays with peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations to analyze the T-cell responses of 251 A-bomb survivors exposed to less than 0.005 Gy and 159 survivors exposed to more than 1.5 Gy. The percentages of CD2-positive cells that were capable of proliferating in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL2) did not differ substantially between distally exposed and more heavily exposed survivors. The heavily exposed survivors appeared to possess fewer T cells that were capable of proliferating in response to concanavalin A (Con A) or of producing interleukin 2. Assuming that CD4 T cells were the ones primarily responsible for producing IL2 in response to Con A, we were able to estimate how many cells in any given CD4 T-cell population were actually producing IL2. The results indicated that peripheral blood samples from heavily exposed survivors contained significantly fewer IL2-producing CD4 T cells than did similar samples from distally exposed survivors, indicating that significant exposure to A-bomb radiation may have a long-lasting negative effect on the capacity of CD4 T-cell populations to produce IL2.

The mitogenic activity of hepatocyte growth factor on rat hepatocytes is dependent upon endogenous transforming growth factor-alpha

Both transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induce DNA synthesis in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. Hepatic and circulating levels of HGF have been reported to increase before an increase in TGF-alpha levels in several rat models of liver regeneration. In addition, serum TGF-alpha levels increase after an increase in serum HGF levels in patients with either partial hepatectomy or acute hepatitis. In this study, we investigate the significance of TGF-alpha in hepatocyte proliferation. TGF-alpha contents and DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes increased in response to HGF addition to the culture medium in a dose-related manner. These increases were suppressed by the addition of anti-sense TGF-alpha mRNA oligonucleotide. Furthermore, the addition of anti-TGF-alpha rabbit IgG suppressed the increase in DNA synthesis. When the anti-TGF-alpha antibody was administered to rats after partial hepatectomy, the number of mitotic hepatocytes was reduced in comparison to rats treated with normal rabbit IgG. These results were observed even though hepatic HGF levels were increased equally in rats given either anti-TGF-alpha antibody or normal rabbit IgG. Our results suggest that HGF stimulates TGF-alpha production in rat hepatocytes, and that the mitogenic activity of HGF depends on endogenous TGF-alpha activity.

Platelets expressing P-selectin and platelet-derived microparticles in stored platelet concentrates bind to PSGL-1 on filtrated leukocytes

The levels of interleukin-6 and platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) were measured in the blood of 137 patients with side effects from platelet concentrate (PC) transfusion with leukocyte removal filtration, P-selectin-expressing platelet and PMPs in stored PC before and after the filtration, and filtered leukocytes positive for P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1. The side effects, which were observed in 203 transfusions for 84 patients with hematologic disease and 53 patients with nonhematologic disease with no significant difference between the two groups, included urticaria (75.9%), erythema (18.7%), and fever (17.2%), but no anaphylactic reactions. The levels of interleukin-6 and PMP correlated in both groups, and were significantly higher in the hematologic disease group than in the nonhematologic disease group. The level of PMP, but not interleukin-6, was significantly higher for patients testing positive for allergic reaction than for those testing negative. In the stored PC prior to filtration, the level of interleukin-6 was normal. The level of P-selectin-expressing platelets and PMPs was elevated before filtration, but was significantly lower after filtration. Taken together, the results suggest that PMP is involved in the generation of transfusion reactions, and indicate that both platelets and PMP displaying P-selectin bind to P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 of leukocytes retained by the leukocyte filter.

Nitric oxide enhances expression and shedding of tumor necrosis factor receptor I (p55) in endothelial cells

The biological actions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are mediated by 2 distinct receptors, TNF-RI (p55) and TNF-RII (p75). The extracellular domains of both receptors are shed in soluble form (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII). The soluble receptors are involved in regulating TNF-alpha activities and may have therapeutic potential as TNF-neutralizing agents. However, it remains unclear as to what kind of physiological molecule can regulate TNF receptors. Nitric oxide (NO) mediates a variety of biological and pathophysiological functions. We hypothesized that NO may modulate the expression and shedding of TNF-RI. An NO donor, diethylamine/NO complex (NOC 5), increased sTNF-RI in the supernatants of ECV304, a human umbilical vein cell line, in a dose-dependent manner. TNF-RI mRNA in these cells was upregulated by NOC 5. 8-Br-cGMP and peroxynitrate had no effect on sTNF-RI release. Genistein and herbimycin A, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, inhibited sTNF-RI release. Herbimycin A inhibited the levels of TNF-RI mRNA enhanced by NOC 5, which downregulated the surface expression of TNF-RI, indicating that NO is also involved in the shedding process of TNF-RI. The shedding of TNF-RI was abolished by a synthetic inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, KB-R8301. In conclusion, NO enhanced the release of sTNF-RI from endothelial cells by a cGMP-independent mechanism. Dual pathways suggested for NO-induced sTNF-RI release include (1) enhanced expression of TNF-RI, at least partially, by a tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism and (2) increased shedding of TNF-RI by a type of metalloproteinase.

Apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes induced by Fas ligand: priming for Fas-mediated apoptosis with doxorubicin

Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) is well known for its role in delivering apoptotic signals; however, it is unclear whether FasL can mediate apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that apoptosis via Fas/FasL system may be augmented in damaged cardiomyocytes. To determine whether FasL mediates cardiomyocyte apoptosis, recombinant FasL (rFasL) was added to the culture of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes pretreated with and without doxorubicin. Without doxorubicin, high dose of rFasL caused an increase in TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes and a mild decrease in MTT activities. When cardiomyocytes were pretreated with doxorubicin (0.5 microM), rFasL dramatically augmented TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes in a concentration-dependent manner, which was accompanied with nuclear fragmentations. The rFasL also caused a concentration-dependent reduction in MTT activities in cardiomyocytes. The rFasL-induced caspase-8 activity was greatly facilitated by pretreatment of doxorubicin. TUNEL-positive nuclei with rFasL was inhibited by Fas-Fc, neutralizing agent of rFasL, and Z-IETD-FMK, caspase-8 inhibitor. Fas mRNA transcript by RT-PCR was up-regulated in cardiomyocytes with doxorubicin. We conclude that FasL can induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis particularly when cardiomyocyte becomes susceptible for Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Complete repopulation of mouse mitochondrial DNA-less cells with rat mitochondrial DNA restores mitochondrial translation but not mitochondrial respiratory function

By the fusion of mtDNA-less (rho(0)) cells of Mus musculus domesticus with platelets from different species, mtDNA repopulated cybrids were obtained for finding the mtDNA species that could induce mitochondrial abnormalities. Expression of mitochondrial dysfunction might be expected in these cybrids due to incompatibility between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes from different species. The results showed that mouse rho(0) cells could receive mtDNA from a different mouse species, M. spretus, or even mtDNA from the rat, Rattus norvegicus, and that the introduced rat mtDNA, but not M. spretus mtDNA, caused mitochondrial dysfunction, even though rat mtDNA could restore normal mitochondrial translation in the cybrids. Considering that mitochondrial respiratory complexes consist of nuclear DNA- and mtDNA-coded polypeptides, these observations suggest that the nuclear and mitochondrial interactions required for replication, transcription, and translation of introduced rat mtDNA must be less stringently controlled than those required for formation of normal respiratory complexes. As no procedure for introduction of mutagenized mouse mtDNA into living cells has yet been established, these findings provide important insights into generating mtDNA-knockout mice.

Analysis of blood plasma proteins in patients with Alzheimer's disease by two-dimensional electrophoresis, sequence homology and immunodetection

Blood plasma proteins of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD; senile dementia) and non-AD-type dementia were resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by migration position in the electrophoresis pattern, sequence homology, and immunodetection by using antibodies. For the control experiments, blood plasma proteins of a healthy young individual and non-dementia patients were examined in a manner similar to that of the plasma samples of AD patients. In the plasma sample of the healthy young individual, more than 350 spots of silver-stained proteins were observed and among these spots, 73 spots were identified. Blood plasma proteins of the AD and non-AD-type dementia patients were compared with those of the control and non-dementia patients. In the blood plasma samples of five AD patients, three patients had apolipoprotein E4, and another patient showed apolipoprotein L and complement factor H. For the AD-related proteins apolipoprotein E, tau-1, and presenilin 2, proteins were examined by immunostaining with antibodies, in both AD and non-AD patients. Among the three samples of non-AD-type dementia patients, one was distinguishable by amyloid A proteins, and the other by haptoglobin isoforms.

Analysis of serum ErbB-2 protein and HLA-DRB1 in Japanese patients with lung cancer

We investigated the relationship between ErbB-2 and HLA in order to clarify the clinical and genetic factors related to Japanese patients with lung cancer. Thirty-nine of the 73 lung cancer patients (53.4%) had elevated levels of ErbB-2. Only seven of 23 (30. 4%) patients with small cell carcinoma had elevated ErbB-2 levels. The prevalence of ErbB-2 positivity was highest (23 of 32; 71.8%) in patients with adenocarcinoma, while that in patients with squamous cell carcinoma was 50% (9 of 18). The frequencies of HLA A33, B44, B62, and B75 were lower in the lung cancer patients than in the control group. HLA-DR9 was higher in frequency in lung cancer patients than in the healthy controls (P<0.05), but HLA-DR6 was lower in frequency in lung cancer patients than in controls (P<0.01). DRB1*0901 was significantly higher in frequency in lung cancer patients than in controls (P<0.05). On the other hand, DRB1*0802, DRB1*1302 and the DRB1*14 group (*1401, *1403, *1405, *1406, and *1407) were completely absent in lung cancer patients. The frequencies of HLA B35, B52, B62, DRB1*0404, and DRB1*0406 were higher in the ErbB-2-positive lung cancer patients than in the ErbB-2-negative lung cancer patients. However, these types of HLA were not included in significant frequencies in our group of lung cancers. Our results suggest that some HLA-antigens/alleles participate in the pathogenesis of lung cancer in Japanese patients. In addition, the relationship between HLA-associated genetic factors and ErbB-2 seems to be weak. These findings suggest that ErbB-2 is correlated with prognostic factors for lung cancer independently of HLA-associated genetic factors.

Japanese encephalitis DNA vaccine candidates expressing premembrane and envelope genes induce virus-specific memory B cells and long-lasting antibodies in swine

Swine are an important amplifier of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in the paradomestic environment. In this study, two JE DNA vaccine candidates were evaluated for immunogenicity in swine. Both vaccine plasmids encode a cassette consisting of the signal of premembrane (prM), prM, and envelope (E) coding regions of JE virus. One plasmid, designated pcJEME, is based on a commercial vector (pcDNA3), whereas the other plasmid, designated pNJEME, is based on a vector (pNGVL4a) designed to address some of the safety concerns of DNA vaccine use. No differences were detected in the immunogenicity of these two plasmids in mice or swine. Swine immunized with the DNA vaccines at a dose of 100 to 450 microgram at an interval of 3 weeks developed neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibitory (HAI) antibody titers of 1:40 to 1:160 at 1 week after the second immunization. However, swine administered two doses of a commercial JE vaccine (formalin-inactivated virus preparation; JEVAX-A) developed low (1:10) or undetectable antibody responses after their boost. Interestingly, serum antibody titers elicited by DNA vaccines in swine were higher than those detected in mice. Eight days after boosting with viral antigen (JEVAX-A) to detect an anamnestic response, swine immunized two times with the DNA vaccine showed a >100-fold elevation in HAI titer, indicating a strong recall of antibody response. Swine maintained detectable levels of HAI antibody for at least 245 days after two immunizations with a DNA vaccine. These results indicate that these DNA vaccines are able to induce virus-specific memory B cells and long-lasting antibodies in swine, which were of higher levels than those obtained with a commercial formalin-inactivated JE vaccine.

A DNA vaccine expressing dengue type 2 virus premembrane and envelope genes induces neutralizing antibody and memory B cells in mice

A dengue DNA vaccine candidate was developed and evaluated for immunogenicity in mice. The vaccine, designated pcD2ME, is a pcDNA3-based plasmid encoding the signal sequence of premembrane (prM), prM and envelope (E) genes of the New Guinea C strain of dengue type 2 virus. CHO-K1 cells transfected with pcD2ME expressed prM and E as determined by immunochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies. BALB/c mice inoculated intramuscularly with 100 microg of pcD2ME two or three times at an interval of 2 weeks developed a low level of neutralizing antibody (1:10 at a 90% plaque reduction). Immunization twice with 10 microg or 1 microg of pcD2ME or three times with 100 microg of pcDNA3 did not induce detectable levels of neutralizing antibody. Mice immunized two or three times with 100 microg of pcD2ME raised neutralizing antibody titers to 1:40 or greater on days 4 and 8 after challenge with 3x10(5) plaque forming units (PFU) of the New Guinea C strain of dengue type 2 virus, showing strong anamnestic responses to the challenge. In contrast, mice immunized two or three times with 100 microg of pcDNA3 developed no detectable neutralizing antibody on days 4 and 8 after challenge. These results indicate that immunization with pcD2ME induces neutralizing antibody and dengue type 2 virus-responsive memory B cells in mice.

Acute intermittent porphyria associated with transient elevation of transaminases during an acute attack

A 44-year-old woman with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) was admitted to Kudanzaka Hospital because of abdominal pain. A cholecystectomy was performed in another hospital without improvement. On admission, her transaminases were elevated to greater than 1,000 mU/ml. After an intravenous drip of mainly glucose, her transaminases returned to normal. Her acute attacks occurred during stress, and she died of respiratory failure after repetitive acute episodes. AIP should be included in a list of the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases, neurosis, and hysteria. This is the first case of AIP accompanied by transient marked elevation of transaminases during an acute attack.

Anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in human heart failure: behavior of interleukin-10 in association with tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), participate in the development and the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF). On the other hand, an anti-inflammatory cytokine may neutralize the proinflammatory cytokines of CHF. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known to suppress the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. IL-10 and the IL-10 receptor system was investigated in comparison with the behavior of TNFalpha in 68 patients with various causes of CHF (mean age: 61 years) and in 31 normal subjects (61 years). The circulating IL-10 level was higher in CHF patients than in normal subjects (p<0.05). The TNFalpha level was higher in CHF patients than in control subjects (p<0.005). The ratio of IL-10 to TNFalpha tended to be higher in control subjects than in patients with CHF (p = 0.09). With lipopolysaccharide treatment, the release of IL-10 was more enhanced from mononuclear leukocyte of patients with CHF than from control subjects (p<0.05). The expression of the IL-10 receptor estimated by flow cytometry of mononuclear leukocytes was higher in the CHF patients than in the normal subjects. The IL-10/IL-10 receptor system was activated, at least partly, to downregulate an excess of TNFalpha in patients with advanced CHF. IL-10 may be an important inherent component of the cytokine network of CHF.

Fatty acid imaging with 123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-9-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid in acute coronary syndrome

123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-9-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid (9-MPA) has recently been developed as a tracer for myocardial fatty acid uptake. The aim of this study, which was performed as part of a phase III clinical trial of 9-MPA, was to test the usefulness of 9-MPA for the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Fifteen patients with ACS who had undergone direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were examined. Myocardial SPECT with 9-MPA and 99mTc-sestamibi and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography were performed within 2 wk after onset. The 9-MPA images were obtained 10 and 60 min after tracer administration, and sestamibi imaging was begun 60 min after the injection. The left ventricle was divided into 9 segments, and 9-MPA and sestamibi uptake were scored from 0 (normal) to 3 (no activity) in each segment. Lower uptake of 9-MPA than of sestamibi was defined as a mismatch. Myocardial segments showing improvement in wall motion during low-dose dobutamine infusion (5-10 microg/kg/ min) were considered viable.

RESULTS

The 9-MPA images were of high quality for all patients. Myocardial uptake of 9-MPA was lower in ischemic myocardium than in nonischemic myocardium (58.2%+/-14.2% versus 91.9%+/-6.5%, P<0.0001). Clearance of 9-MPA from ischemic myocardium was slower than that from nonischemic myocardium (10.2%+/-11.7% versus 19.1%+/-5.9%, P<0.01). A mismatch was seen in 10 of 15 patients, and 18 of 20 (90%) mismatched segments were defined as viable by dobutamine echocardiography. Conversely, 18 of 20 (90%) matched segments did not show any improvement in function during dobutamine stimulation (P<0.0001). Uptake of 9-MPA in nonviable segments was lower than that in dysfunctional but viable segments (P<0.05), and 9-MPA clearance from nonviable segments was slower than that from viable segments (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The imaging characteristics of 9-MPA for SPECT are excellent, allowing noninvasive assessment of myocardial fatty acid uptake. Myocardial imaging with 9-MPA may reveal impaired fatty acid uptake in dysfunctional but viable myocardium and thus provide useful information for clinical decision making in ACS.

Decreased proportion of CD4 T cells in the blood of atomic bomb survivors with myocardial infarction

Epidemiological studies of the atomic bomb survivors have suggested dose-related increases in mortality from diseases other than cancer. Cardiovascular disease is one such noncancer disease for which increases in both mortality and incidence have been found to be associated with radiation dose. Immunological studies have revealed long-term impairment of T-cell-mediated immunity, especially involving deficiencies of CD4 helper T cells, in atomic bomb survivors. In the present study, we investigated whether decreases in CD4 T cells were associated with myocardial infarction in atomic bomb survivors. Of 1,006 survivors examined to determine the proportion of CD4 T cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes, 18 persons had a history of myocardial infarction. The proportion of CD4 T cells was significantly decreased with increased radiation dose [corrected]. Further, the prevalence of myocardial infarction was significantly greater in individuals with a lower proportion of CD4 T cells. These results suggest that myocardial infarction in atomic bomb survivors may be associated with defects in CD4 helper T cells.

Genetic analysis of HLA- and HPA-typing in idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura patients treated with cepharanthin

We performed genetic analysis of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and human platelet antigen (HPA) in 45 patients with cepharanthin-treated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. HLA-typing was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and HPA-typing by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer method. There were 14 responders and 31 nonresponders. Responders included many patients who had already been treated with prednisolone. HLA-DRB1*0901 was significantly more common in responders than in nonresponders. In contrast, HLA-DRB1*0410 and DQB1*0401 were significantly more common in nonresponders. The a/b genotype of HPA-2a/2a (Ko(b)/Ko(b)) was significantly increased in responders. In contrast, HPA-2a/2b (Ko(b)/Ko(a)) and HPA-3a/3b (Bak(a)/Bak(b)) were significantly more common in nonresponders. These findings suggest that genetic studies of HLA and HPA can predict the response of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura to cepharanthin.

The anamnestic neutralizing antibody response is critical for protection of mice from challenge following vaccination with a plasmid encoding the Japanese encephalitis virus premembrane and envelope genes

For Japanese encephalitis (JE), we previously reported that recombinant vaccine-induced protection from disease does not prevent challenge virus replication in mice. Moreover, DNA vaccines for JE can provide protection from high challenge doses in the absence of detectable prechallenge neutralizing antibodies. In the present study, we evaluated the role of postchallenge immune responses in determining the outcome of JE virus infection, using mice immunized with a plasmid, pcDNA3JEME, encoding the JE virus premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) coding regions. In the first experiment, 10 mice were vaccinated once (five animals) or twice (remainder) with 100 micrograms of pcDNA3JEME. All of these mice showed low (6 of 10) or undetectable (4 of 10) levels of neutralizing antibodies. Interestingly, eight of these animals showed a rapid rise in neutralizing antibody following challenge with 10,000 50% lethal doses of JE virus and survived for 21 days, whereas only one of the two remaining animals survived. No unimmunized animals exhibited a rise of neutralizing antibody or survived challenge. Levels of JE virus-specific immunoglobulin M class antibodies were elevated following challenge in half of the unimmunized mice and in the single pcDNA3JEME-immunized mouse that died. In the second experiment, JE virus-specific primary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity was detected in BALB/c mice immunized once with 100 micrograms of pcDNA3JEME 4 days after challenge, indicating a strong postchallenge recall of CTLs. In the third experiment, evaluation of induction of CTLs and antibody activity by plasmids containing portions of the prM/E cassette demonstrated that induction of CTL responses alone were not sufficient to prevent death. Finally, we showed that antibody obtained from pcDNA3JEME-immunized mice 4 days following challenge could partially protect recipient mice from lethal challenge. Taken together, these results indicate that neutralizing antibody produced following challenge provides the critical protective component in pcDNA3JEME-vaccinated mice.

Root resorption of mandibular second molar teeth associated with the presence of the third molars

Although pressure resorption of second molars is associated with impacted and/or erupting third molars, the relationship between pressure resorption and age is unclear. In order to investigate this relationship, 3883 dental radiographs were studied in 3174 individuals of various ages. The incidence of superimposition of the second molar on the third molar was not elevated in any subgroup except that of women of 16-40 years of age. There were no age or sex differences for the incidence of second molar root resorption. In older individuals, root resorption associated with a completely impacted third molar was more frequent than with a partially impacted third molar, and root resorption at the apex was mainly seen in individuals over 50 years of age. There was a higher incidence of superimposition and root resorption in men than women. Apical root resorption may be seen long after the formation of completely impacted third molars in both genders.

Elevated circulating levels and cardiac secretion of soluble Fas ligand in patients with congestive heart failure

The circulating levels of soluble Fas ligand was increased in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. This study also indicates that the failing heart may contribute to the increased concentration of soluble Fas ligand in patients with congestive heart failure.