Fulminant type 1 diabetes patients display high frequencies of IGRP-specific type 1 CD8+ T cells

The role of cellular autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D) remains largely unknown. In this study, we performed an integrated assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells to determine the islet antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses in FT1D and compare the responses among acute-onset T1D (AT1D) and slowly progressive T1D (SP1D). IGRP- and ZnT8-specific IL-6, G-CSF, and TNF-α responses were significantly upregulated in patients with FT1D, while IGRP- and ZnT8-specific IP-10 responses were significantly upregulated in patients with AT1D than in non-diabetics (ND). Furthermore, the frequencies of IGRP-specific type 1 CD8⁺ cytotoxic T (Tc1) cells were significantly higher in the FT1D group than in the ND, SP1D, and AT1D groups. Additionally, IGRP-specific Tc1 cells were more abundant in the FT1D with HLA-A2 group than in the FT1D without A2 group. In conclusion, our study suggests that IGRP-specific CD8⁺ T cells significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of FT1D.

The Effect of Freeze-Drying Pretreatment on the Accuracy of Near Infrared Spectroscopic Food Analysis to Predict the Nutritive Values of Japanese Cooked Foods

The official testing methods for establishing nutritive values are accurate but relatively costly and time-consuming. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is potentially an alternative method that can analyze several components in a few minutes using an exclusively electronic instrument with no need for a laboratory expert. However, the accuracy of commercial NIRS spectroscopic food analyzers is not sufficient for Japanese food labeling, because of interference from moisture contained in the foods. This study aims to assess the effect of a freeze-drying pretreatment on the accuracy of NIRS food analysis. Thirty-four samples, consisting of six food items habitually consumed in Japan and cooked by different cooking methods were treated by milling then freeze-drying. They were analyzed by a commercial NIRS instrument (Calorie Answer^TM) with calibration curves developed based on other freeze-dried samples. The obtained nutritive values (energy, protein, lipid, carbohydrate and moisture) were corrected to the values before freeze-drying using the vaporized moisture content. The same samples before freeze-drying were also analyzed using the official testing methods to assess the analytical accuracy using NIRS after freeze-drying, and further analyzed using the same NIRS with the commercial calibration curves to assess the effect of freeze-drying. The accuracies were better for the freeze-dried samples than for the wet samples. The magnitude of the error in energy and carbohydrate was significantly associated with the retained moisture content in the freeze-dried sample. In conclusion, freeze-drying was an effective pretreatment for improving the accuracy of NIRS analyses of Japanese cooked foods, although it is still time-consuming and needs additional investment.

Distinct Phenotypes of Islet Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cells Among the 3 Subtypes of Type 1 Diabetes

CONTEXT

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is classified into 3 subtypes: acute-onset (AT1D), slowly progressive (SP1D), and fulminant (FT1D). The differences in the type of cellular autoimmunity within each subtype remain largely undetermined.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the type and frequency of islet antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in each subtype of T1D.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty patients with AT1D, 17 with SP1D, 18 with FT1D, and 17 persons without diabetes (ND).

METHODS

We performed an integrated assay to determine cellular immune responses and T-cell repertoires specific for islet antigens. This assay included an ex vivo assay involving a 48-hour stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with antigen peptides and an expansion assay involving intracytoplasmic cytokine analysis.

RESULTS

The results of the ex vivo assay indicated that glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65)-specific interleukin-6 and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) responses and preproinsulin (PPI)-specific IP-10 responses were significantly upregulated in AT1D compared with those of ND. Furthermore, GAD65- and PPI-specific granulocyte colony-stimulating factor responses were significantly upregulated in FT1D. Expansion assay revealed that GAD65- and PPI-specific CD4+ T cells were skewed toward a type 1 helper T (Th1)- cell phenotype in AT1D, whereas GAD65-specific Th2 cells were prevalent in SP1D. GAD65-specific Th1 cells were more abundant in SP1D with human leukocyte antigen-DR9 than in SP1D without DR9. FT1D displayed significantly less type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells specific for all 4 antigens than ND.

CONCLUSIONS

The phenotypes of islet antigen-specific CD4+ T cells differed among the three T1D subtypes. These distinct T-cell phenotypes may be associated with the manner of progressive β-cell destruction.

Policy statement of enteral nutrition for preterm and very low birthweight infants

For preterm and very low birthweight infants, the mother's own milk is the best nutrition. Based on the latest information for mothers who give birth to preterm and very low birthweight infants, medical staff should encourage and assist mothers to pump or express and provide their own milk whenever possible. If the supply of maternal milk is insufficient even though they receive adequate support, or the mother's own milk cannot be given to her infant for any reason, donor human milk should be used. Donors who donate their breast milk need to meet the Guideline of the Japan Human Milk Bank Association. Donor human milk should be provided according to the medical needs of preterm and very low birthweight infants, regardless of their family's financial status. In the future, it will be necessary to create a system to supply an exclusive human milk-based diet (EHMD), consisting of human milk with the addition of a human milk-derived human milk fortifier, to preterm and very low birthweight infants.

Neurologic disorders associated with anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies: A comparison of anti-GAD antibody titers and time-dependent changes between neurologic disease and type I diabetes mellitus

To determine clinical features of neurologic disorders associated with anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (anti-GAD-Ab), we examined titers and time-dependent changes of anti-GAD-Ab. Six patients, stiff person syndrome (2), cerebellar ataxia (1), limbic encephalitis (1), epilepsy (1), brainstem encephalitis (1), were compared with 87 type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients without neurologic disorders. Anti-GAD-Ab titers and index were higher in neurologic disorders than in T1DM, suggesting intrathecal antibody synthesis. Anti-GAD-Ab titers in T1DM decreased over time, whereas they remained high in neurologic disorders. Immunotherapy improved neurological disorders and anti-GAD-Ab titers and index provide clinically meaningful information about their diagnostic accuracy.

Antibody to CMRF35-Like Molecule 2, CD300e A Novel Biomarker Detected in Patients with Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes

Aims/Hypothesis

Fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D) is a distinct subtype of type 1 diabetes and is fatal without immediate diagnosis and treatment. At present, there are no biomarkers for early and predictive detection of FT1D.

Methods

First, we analyzed a total of 6 serum samples from 3 patients with FT1D (1 sample in the acute and 1 in the sub-acute phases from each patient) by seromic analysis. Second, titres of the antibody were measured by ELISA in sera from 30 patients with FT1D (both in the acute and sub-acute phases), 13 patients with FT1D in the chronic phase, 32 patients with autoimmune type 1 (type 1A) diabetes (T1AD), 30 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), 23 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and 31 healthy control subjects (HC).

Results

Seromic analysis revealed 9 antibodies which showed high signals from all 3 patients with FT1D in the acute phase. Among them, the titre of anti-CD300e antibody was significantly higher in FT1D patients in the acute phase than that in T1AD, T2D, AITD patients and HC, as determined by ELISA (P<0.01, respectively). The titre of anti-CD300e antibody was also higher in FT1D in the acute phase than that in the sub-acute phase (P = 0.0018, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The titre of anti-LGALS3 antibody in FT1D patients in the acute phase did not differ from that in patients with FT1D in the sub-acute phase, T1AD, T2D, AITD and HC.

Conclusion/Interpretation

The titre of a novel antibody, anti-CD300e, was high in sera from patients with FT1D. This antibody might be a diagnostic marker and provide new insight into the pathogenesis of FT1D.

Low programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) expression in peripheral CD4(+) T cells in Japanese patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is a co-stimulatory molecule that inhibits T cell proliferation. We aimed to clarify PD-1 expression in CD4(+) T cells and the association between PD-1 expression and the 7785C/T polymorphism of PDCD1, with a focus on the two subtypes of type 1 diabetes, type 1A diabetes (T1AD) and fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D), in the Japanese population. We examined 22 patients with T1AD, 15 with FT1D, 19 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 29 healthy control (HC) subjects. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and real-time PCR were utilized to analyse PD-1 expression quantitatively. Genotyping of 7785C/T in PDCD1 was performed using the TaqMan method in a total of 63 subjects (21 with T1AD, 15 with FT1D and 27 HC). FACS revealed a significant reduction in PD-1 expression in CD4(+) T cells in patients with T1AD (mean: 4.2 vs. 6.0% in FT1D, P=0.0450; vs. 5.8% in T2D, P=0.0098; vs. 6.0% in HC, P=0.0018). PD-1 mRNA expression in CD4(+) T cells was also significantly lower in patients with T1AD than in the HC subjects. Of the 63 subjects, PD-1 expression was significantly lower in individuals with the 7785C/C genotype than in those with the C/T and T/T genotypes (mean: 4.1 vs. 5.9%, P=0.0016). Our results indicate that lower PD-1 expression in CD4(+) T-cells might contribute to the development of T1AD through T cell activation.

Class II HLA genotype in fulminant type 1 diabetes: A nationwide survey with reference to glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies

Aims/Introduction:  Fulminant type 1 diabetes is a subtype of type 1 diabetes characterized by a remarkably abrupt onset of insulin‐deficient hyperglycemia within a few days. The aim of the present study was to clarify characteristic class II HLA genotypes in a large number of patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes to date.

Materials and Methods:  We analyzed the HLA‐DRB1 and DQB1 genotypes, and their haplotypes in 207 patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes and 325 control subjects in the Japanese population.

Results:  The frequencies of the DRB1*04:05‐DQB1*04:01 and DRB1*09:01‐DQB1*03:03 haplotypes were significantly higher, and those of the DRB1*01:01‐DQB1*05:01, DRB1*15:02‐DQB1*06:01 and DRB1*08:03‐DQB1*06:01 haplotypes were significantly lower in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes than in the control subjects. Combination analysis showed that the frequencies of homozygotes with DRB1*04:05‐DQB1*04:01 [odds ratio (OR) 7.0] and DRB1*09:01‐DQB1*03:03 (OR 9.5) were significantly higher in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes. Within a limited portion of patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes with antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADab; n = 25), the frequency of DRB1*09:01‐DQB1*03:03, but not DRB1*04:05‐DQB1*04:01, was significantly higher than in control subjects (44.0% vs 13.7%; Pc < 0.05, OR 5.0).

[Correction to last line of Results, added after online publication 29 July 2011: “OR 5.1” is changed to “OR 5.0”.]

Conclusions:  Our large‐scale study showed the characteristic class II HLA genotypes in fulminant type 1 diabetes, and implicated that genetic contribution to disease susceptibility is distinct between GADab‐positive and GADab‐negative fulminant type 1 diabetes. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00139.x, 2012)

Glycaemic instability correlates with a hyperglucagonaemic response in patients with type 1 diabetes without residual beta-cell function

We investigated the association between arginine-stimulated glucagon secretion (AUCIRG) and several parameters of glycaemic variability in 12 patients with type 1 diabetes without residual beta-cell function. AUCIRG positively correlated with the SD and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions, thus glucagon might contribute to glycaemic instability, independent of endogenous insulin.

Abstract P1-11-13: Triple Negative or HER2 Positive Subtypes of Breast Cancer Groups Are Chemo-Sensitive, but Higher Rate of Brain Metastasis Contributes Poorer Prognosis

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the primary chemosensitivity and prognosis among women with four common breast subtypes, Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 and Triple negative (TN). In this study, we evaluated the response to primary chemotherapy of each subtype, reported the outcome of each subgroup after primary chemotherapy.

Method: We analyzed the outcome and characteristics of patients treated with primary chemotherapy using anthracycline and/or taxanes. Before initiation of chemotherapy, invasive carcinoma was confirmed on initial biopsy specimen obtained and hormone receptor status and HER2/neu status was also determined on this specimen. ER and PgR positivity was recognized at a cut-off of &gt; 10% positive nuclei by immunohistochemistory (IHC). HER2/neu-positive status was defined as either 3+ by IHC or presence of gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization testing. Breast cancer subtypes were defied as follow, TN (ER-, PgR-, HER2-), Luminal A (ER+ and/or PgR+, HER2-), Luminal B (ER+ and/or PgR+, HER2+), HER2 (ER-, PgR-, HER2+).

Result: Between 2000 and 2007, 639 breast cancer patients were treated with primary chemotherapy at Cancer Institute Hospital. Clinical and immunohistochemical data was available on 503 patients. Median observation period was 49.9 months (2.8-122.4). In these cases, 105 cases (20.9%) were defined as TN, 276 cases (54.9%) were defined as Luminal A, 49 cases (9.7%) were defined as Luminal B, 73 cases (14.5%) were defined as HER2, respectively. 138 patients (27.4%) received anthracycline-based regimen, 139 patients (27.6%) received taxane, 227 patients (45.1%) received taxane-anthracycline combination regimen. The pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of each group was 15.2%, 2.0%, 8.2%, 16.4%, in TN, Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2, respectively (P&lt;0.001). The 5-yr disease free survival estimated 69.1%, 74.4%, 62.8%, 70.6% (p=0.140), and the 5-yr overall survival estimated 69.1%, 75.6%, 88.6%, 69.4% in TN, Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2, respectively (p=0.007). Mean survival time from the first recurrence was 21.1 months (95%CI 11.5-30.7), 40.6 months (95%CI 31.6-49.6), 81.8 months (95%CI 59.1-104.5), 30.0 months (95%CI 21.1-38.9), respectively (P&lt;0.001). According to the first recurrence, most frequent visceral metastatic site of TN and HER2 patients was brain (P&lt;0.001), and median time to brain metastasis was

13.2 months (95%CI 8.5-17.9). Surprisingly, three (21.4%) of the patients who had brain metastasis resulted in pCR by primary chemotherapy. Of note, Luminal A patients were more likely to have bone metastasis than other groups at first (p=0.003), and median time to bone metastasis was

16.3 months (95%CI 14.1-18.6).

Conclusions: With primary chemotherapy, pCR rate of TN and HER2 were higher than Luminal groups, but they developed brain metastasis early irrespective of pCR, this might contribute to their worse prognosis. In contrast, Luminal A developed bone metastasis at first, this might result in good prognosis instead of their low pCR rate.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-13.

A case of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus after influenza B infection

A 64-years-old man referred to a hospital because of high-grade fever. He was diagnosed as having influenza B by "POCTEM Influenza A/B", a rapid influenza diagnostic kit which detect some antigens of influenza virus. Six days after medication of oseltamivir phosphate, his flu-symptoms disappeared, but he complained sever thirsty. And after 2days, he suffered from loss of consciousness and was admitted to the hospital. Laboratory data on admission showed diabetes ketoacidosis, slight elevation of HbA1c level despite sever hyperglycemia, and increase of serum amylase concentration. Anti GAD antibody and anti IA-2 antibody were not detected. Urinary C-peptide excretion was undetectable and serum C-peptide levels were also undetectable after glucagon and arginin load, suggesting disappearance of endogeneous insulin secretion. Class II HLA was susceptible to fulminant type1 diabetes. Based on these findings, we diagnosed him with fulminant type1 diabetes. In Japan, only three viruses in three cases have been reported to be the trigger in the development of fulminant type 1 diabetes. They were human herpes virus 6, herpes simplex virus and Coxsackie B3 virus. This is the fourth report of fulminant type 1 diabetes developed after the established diagnosis of viral infection and the first after influenza B virus infection. The fact that fulminant type 1 diabetes developed after the infection of such a common virus suggest that factors within host will play more important roles than virus itself in the etiology of fulminant type 1 diabetes.

Expression of myeloperoxidase enhances the chemosensitivity of leukemia cells through the generation of reactive oxygen species and the nitration of protein

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a pivotal lineage marker for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), has been also shown to have a prognostic value: a high percentage of MPO-positive blasts correlates to favorable prognosis. To understand the relationship between the expression of MPO in leukemia cells and the response to chemotherapeutic agents, we established MPO-expressing K562 leukemia cell lines and then treated them with cytosine arabinocide (AraC). Cells expressing wild-type MPO, but not mutant MPO that could not mature, died earlier of apoptosis than control K562 cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated more in leukemia cells expressing MPO, and the generation was abrogated by MPO inhibitors or antioxidants. Tyrosine nitration of cellular protein also increased more in MPO-expressing K562 cells than control cells after treatment with AraC. In clinical samples, CD34-positive AML cells from high-MPO cases showed a tendency to be sensitive to AraC in the colony-formation assay, and the generation of ROS and the nitration of protein were observed only when the percentage of MPO-expressing cells was high. These data suggest that MPO enhances the chemosensitivity of AML through the generation of ROS and the nitration of proteins.

Small number of HTLV-1-positive cells frequently remains during complete remission after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that are heterogeneous in origin among cases with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) can provide long-term remission for patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) caused by human retrovirus, human T-lymphocyte virus (HTLV-1). To understand how HTLV-1-positive cells including ATLL cells were suppressed by allo-HSCT, we examined HTLV-1 provirus load and residual ATLL cells in peripheral blood of transplant recipients using PCR-based tests. We found that the copy number of HTLV-1 genome, called provirus, became very small in number after allo-HSCT; however, in most cases, provirus did not disappear even among long-term survivors. Tumor-specific PCR tests demonstrated that most of HTLV-1-positive cells that remained long after transplantation were not primary ATLL cells but donor-derived HTLV-1-positive cells. We also found a case having very low amount of residual disease in peripheral blood even long after transplantation. There was only one recipient in whom we failed to show the presence of HTLV-1 genome and antibody against HTLV-1 even with an extensive search, which strongly suggested the elimination of HTLV-1 after allo-HSCT. These results demonstrated that after allo-HSCT the small amount of residual HTLV-1-positive cells were heterogeneous in origin and that long-term disease control for ATLL could be obtained without the complete elimination of HTLV-1.

Gene transfer of soluble TGF-beta type II receptor inhibits experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy

This study was conducted to investigate a method of gene therapy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) by inhibiting type beta transforming growth factor (TGF-beta). PVR was induced in pigmented rabbits by intravitreal injection of 50 000 rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts after vitrectomy. Subsequently, the eyes received an intravitreal application of adenovirus vector encoding a soluble type II TGF-beta receptor (AdTbeta-ExR, n = 10) or adenoviral vector expressing beta-galactosidase (AdLacZ) (n = 10) or balanced salt solution (BSS) (n = 6). The eyes were examined ophthalmoscopically for 28 days after surgery, and the clinical stage of PVR was evaluated on a scale of zero to five. Histological examinations were performed on the treated eyes on day 28. All control eyes injected with AdLacZ or BSS developed PVR, characterized by retinal detachment and the formation of intravitreal membranes within 7 days. The eyes injected with AdTbeta-ExR also developed features of PVR, but the average severity from day 5 to day 28 was significant lower than in the control eyes (P < 0.05). TGF-beta plays an important role in PVR progression in a PVR model, and prevention of TGF-beta signaling could be therapeutically useful.

Dynamic behavior of microtubules during dynein-dependent nuclear migrations of meiotic prophase in fission yeast

During meiotic prophase in fission yeast, the nucleus migrates back and forth between the two ends of the cell, led by the spindle pole body (SPB). This nuclear oscillation is dependent on astral microtubules radiating from the SPB and a microtubule motor, cytoplasmic dynein. Here we have examined the dynamic behavior of astral microtubules labeled with the green fluorescent protein during meiotic prophase with the use of optical sectioning microscopy. During nuclear migrations, the SPB mostly follows the microtubules that extend toward the cell cortex. SPB migrations start when these microtubules interact with the cortex and stop when they disappear, suggesting that these microtubules drive nuclear migrations. The microtubules that are followed by the SPB often slide along the cortex and are shortened by disassembly at their ends proximal to the cortex. In dynein-mutant cells, where nuclear oscillations are absent, the SPB never migrates by following microtubules, and microtubule assembly/disassembly dynamics is significantly altered. Based on these observations, together with the frequent accumulation of dynein at a cortical site where the directing microtubules interact, we propose a model in which dynein drives nuclear oscillation by mediating cortical microtubule interactions and regulating the dynamics of microtubule disassembly at the cortex.

A conserved protein, Nuf2, is implicated in connecting the centromere to the spindle during chromosome segregation: a link between the kinetochore function and the spindle checkpoint

The centromere is crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes in all eukaryotic cells. We identified a centromeric protein, Nuf2, which is conserved in fission yeast, human, nematode, and budding yeast. Gene disruption of nuf2+ in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe caused defects in chromosome segregation and the spindle checkpoint: the mitotic spindle elongated without segregating the chromosomes, indicating that spindle function was compromised, but that this abnormality did not result in metaphase arrest. Certain nuf2 temperature-sensitive mutations, however, caused metaphase arrest with condensed chromosomes and a short spindle, indicating that, while these mutations caused abnormalities in spindle function, the spindle checkpoint pathway remained intact. Metaphase arrest in these cells was dependent on the spindle checkpoint component Mad2. Interestingly, Nuf2 disappeared from the centromere during meiotic prophase when centromeres lose their connection to the spindle pole body. We propose that Nuf2 acts at the centromere to establish a connection with the spindle for proper chromosome segregation, and that Nuf2 function is also required for the spindle checkpoint.

Successful treatment with a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (IDEC-C2B8, rituximab) for a patient with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma who developed a human anti-chimeric antibody

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has a poor prognosis without cure; the median overall survival ranges only from 3 to 4 years irrespective of conventional therapeutic regimens. IDEC-C2B8 (rituximab), a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the B-cell-specific antigen CD20, induces an evaluable clinical response in patients with MCL with mild toxicities. However, the single agent rituximab cannot cure MCL. Due to its low immunogenicity, an antibody against IDEC-C2B8 (human antichimeric antibody [HACA]) has rarely been produced in vivo. We report a patient with relapsed MCL who was successfully treated with IDEC-C2B8 for over a year although she developed HACA 6 months after the initial administration of IDEC-C2B8 in the phase II clinical trial conducted by Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. We followed the pharmacokinetics of IDEC-C2B8, the serum HACA titer, and the number of B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in relation to clinical response. The HACA became undetectable soon after subsequent administrations of IDEC-C2B8. When the serum level of IDEC-C2B8 was kept elevated, clinical responses were apparently observed and HACA disappeared during this response period. There were no significant clinical toxicities related to the appearance of HACA. The present findings suggested that IDEC-C2B8 is effective and safe even in patients who have developed HACA.

Characterization of fission yeast meiotic mutants based on live observation of meiotic prophase nuclear movement

We characterized four meiotic mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe by live observation of nuclear movement. Nuclei were stained with either the DNA-specific fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342 or jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused with the N-terminal portion of DNA polymerase alpha. We first followed nuclear dynamics in wild-type cells to determine the temporal sequence of meiotic events: nuclear fusion in the conjugated zygote is immediately followed by oscillatory nuclear movements that continue for 146 min; then, after coming to rest, the nucleus remains in the center of the cell for 26 min before the first meiotic division. Next we examined nuclear dynamics in four meiotic mutants: mei1 (also called mat2), mei4, dhc1, and taz1. Mei1 and mei4 both arrest during meiotic prophase; our observations, however, show that the timing of mei1 arrest is quite different from that of mei4: the mei1 mutant arrests after nuclear fusion but before starting the oscillatory nuclear movements, while the mei4 mutant arrests after the nucleus has completed the oscillatory movements but before the first meiotic division. We also show examples of the dynamic phenotypes of dhc1 and taz1, both of which complete meiosis but exhibit impaired nuclear movement and reduced frequencies of homologous recombination: the dhc1 mutant exhibits no nuclear movement after nuclear fusion, while the taz1 mutant exhibits severely impaired nuclear movement after nuclear fusion.

Live fluorescence imaging reveals early recruitment of emerin, LBR, RanBP2, and Nup153 to reforming functional nuclear envelopes

We determined the times when the nuclear membrane, nuclear pore complex (NPC) components, and nuclear import function were recovered during telophase in living HeLa cells. Simultaneous observation of fluorescently-labeled NLS-bearing proteins, lamin B receptor (LBR)-GFP, and Hoechst33342-stained chromosomes revealed that nuclear membranes reassembled around chromosomes by 5 minutes after the onset of anaphase (early telophase) whereas nuclear import function was recovered later, at 8 minutes. GFP-tagged emerin also accumulated on chromosomes 5 minutes after the onset of anaphase. Interestingly, emerin and LBR initially accumulated at distinct, separate locations, but then became uniform 8 minutes after the onset of anaphase, concurrent with the recovery of nuclear import function. We further determined the timing of NPC assembly by immunofluorescence staining of cells fixed at precise times after the onset of anaphase. Taken together, these results showed that emerin, LBR, and several NPC components (RanBP2, Nup153, p62), but not Tpr, reconstitute around chromosomes very early in telophase prior to the recovery of nuclear import activity.

Frequent expression of the c-kit proto-oncogene in canine malignant mammary tumor

The mammary tumor is one of the popular neoplastic diseases in female dogs. In the present study, the expression of canine c-kit proto-oncogene in mammary tumor specimens was investigated to evaluate its potential usefulness as a tumor marker. By comparing the homology among the nucleotide sequences reported for human mouse, rat and feline c-kit c-DNA, a pair of primers was synthesized for the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The RT-PCR product of canine spleen total RNA was shown to have 756 bp in size and to be highly homologous to the corresponding sequences reported for the mammalian species. The expression of c-kit transcript was detected in 11 mammary tumors of different histopathology including adenocarcinomas, benign and malignant mixed tumors. The level of the transcription in adenocarcinomas was significantly higher than those in malignant mixed tumors. Fifteen canine tumor specimens originated from various tissues were also tested for their c-kit transcript. In all of the mastocytoma samples examined, high expression of the mRNA was detected. Of other 12 tumors, only low level of RT-PCR products were detected in 5 samples, whereas no apparent amplification was observed in 7 tumors. These results indicate that the high expression of c-kit transcript is helpful for the diagnosis of canine mammary tumors.

Retinoids and retinoid-binding protein expression in rat adipocytes

Adipose tissue has been reported to contain relatively high levels of the specific mRNA for retinol-binding protein (RBP) (Makover A., Soprano, D.R., Wyatt, M. L., and Goodman, D.S. (1989) J. Lipid Res. 30, 171-180). Studies were conducted to explore retinoid and retinoid-binding protein storage and metabolism in adipose tissue. In these studies, we measured RBP and cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) mRNA levels and retinoid levels in 6 adipose depots in male rats. Total RNA was isolated from inguinal, dorsal, mesenteric, epididymal, perinephric, and brown adipose tissue, and average RBP and CRBP mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot analysis. The relative levels of RBP mRNA in these 6 anatomically different adipose depots averaged, respectively, 6.3, 6.7, 16, 34, 37, and 21% of the level in a rat liver RNA standard. Retinoid levels in the 6 depots were similar and averaged approximately 6-7 micrograms of retinol eq/g of adipose tissue. Since adipose tissue contains several cell types, the cellular localizations of RBP and CRBP expression and retinoid storage were examined. RNA was prepared from isolated rat adipocytes and stromal-vascular cells. Cellular levels of the mRNAs for RBP, CRBP, apolipoprotein E (apoE), lipoprotein lipase, adipocyte P2, and adipsin were measured by Northern blot analysis. RBP was expressed almost exclusively in the adipocytes and only weakly in the stromal-vascular cells. Both CRBP and apoE mRNA levels were relatively high in the stromal-vascular cell preparations and only very low mRNA levels were found in the adipocytes. Lipoprotein lipase, adipsin, and adipocyte P2 mRNAs were found in substantial levels in both the adipocytes and stromal-vascular cells, but with higher levels present in the adipocytes. Cultured adipocytes synthesized RBP protein and secreted it into the medium. Only adipocytes (not stromal-vascular cells) contained retinol, at levels between 0.65-0.8 micrograms of retinol eq/10(6) cells. These studies demonstrate that adipocytes store retinoid and synthesize and secrete RBP, and suggest that rat adipocytes may be dynamically involved in retinoid storage and metabolism.

[Effect of aging on bone mineral content. Part VII. The evaluation of osteoporosis treatment by the measurement of total body bone mineral content using dual photon absorptiometry]

In order to evaluate the degree of accuracy of measurement of total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) by dual photon absorptiometry (DPA), the TBBMC in four healthy male volunteers were measured serially for 3 to 12 months. In three to six determinations of TBBMC in various stage of radiation source (153-Gd), the coefficients of variation in four subjects were 1.59, 0.74, 1.25 and 1.27%. Thus, the mean CV was 1.22 +/- 0.35% (mean +/- SD). This indicates that the measurement of TBBMC using DPA is an accurate tool for long-term follow up of bone mineral content and up to 1.6% change of TBBMC might be considered to be a significant change in TBBMC. No apparent drift of TBBMC associated with source decay was noticed in the present study. Subsequently, fifteen females with osteoporosis were studied to evaluate the efficacy of certain therapeutic modes. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 10) given 10 to 40 U of elcatonin (eel calcitonin derivative) intramuscularly every week for 3 to 6 months. Group 2 (n = 5) were treated with 0.5 mu/day of oral 1-alpha-OHD3 for 3 to 6 months. The TBBMC of these fifteen patients were followed by DPA (Lunar DP-4). Seven patients out of ten treated with elcatonin (70%) showed significant (up to 1.6% change in TBBMC compared with baseline) increase in TBBMC after 3 to 6 months treatment. The mean percentage change in TBBMC in group 1 was 101.9 +/- 2.7% (mean +/- SD) when the initial TBBMC was taken as 100%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of vitamin D3 metabolites in ovariectomized rats

The effects of two vitamin D3 metabolites, 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, were investigated in ovariectomized rats. The amount of ash in the femur on a defatted dry weight basis was significantly greater in rats treated with 1 microgram/kg 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, or 0.01 or 0.1 microgram/kg 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 than in the controls. The concentration of bone gla protein in serum and amounts in the femur were significantly greater in rats treated with 1 or 10 micrograms/kg 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, but not those given 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 compared with the controls. These results suggest that 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased bone mass probably through the stimulation of bone formation.

Increased circulating levels of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein and decreased bone mass in children on anticonvulsant therapy

In order to investigate the pathophysiology of anticonvulsant-induced osteopenia, circulating levels of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (Bone Gla Protein: BGP) and urinary excretion of BGP were measured in 16 children on chronic anticonvulsant therapy and in 12 control children. Using microdensitometry analysis, osteopenia was found in 25% of the anticonvulsant therapy group, but it was not observed in the control group. Serum BGP and A1-P levels were significantly increased in the anticonvulsant group compared with the control group (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01, respectively), and a positive correlation was found between serum BGP and A1-P levels (P less than 0.05). Urinary excretion of BGP and hydroxyproline showed an increase in the anticonvulsant group, but it was not statistically significant. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in serum levels of vitamin D metabolites, PTH, calcitonin, Ca, or P or in urinary excretion of Ca or P. It is suggested, therefore, that the increased BGP level in children receiving anticonvulsant therapy is a reflection of high bone turnover due to anticonvulsant drug complications.

Establishment of human osteoblastic cells derived from periosteum in culture

We isolated osteoblastic cells derived from human periosteum and established them in culture. Their growth depended on the presence of ascorbic acid, and the doubling time was 40 to 60 h. The requirement for ascorbic acid was used to high production of collagen. These cells produced mainly type I collagen and only small amounts of type III collagen determined by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The total collagen yield was about 10 mg from 2 X 10(7) cells. The cells could be continuously cultured in alpha-minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for 18 to 40 population doubling levels, depending on the age of the donated periosteum. These cells have the ability to calcify when incubated with 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate-Na2. Calcification as viewed by the naked eye appeared from Day 15 after treatment. Treatment with the active formed vitamin D3, 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced calcification significantly and stimulated osteocalcin production. By electron microscopy, cells with many projections on their surfaces showed well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and actinlike fibers, and larger numbers of lysosomes, mitochondria, and secretion granules. Many matrix vesicles, in which minerals were initially localized, and well-banded collagen fibrils were seen in the intercellular spaces. These observations demonstrate typical osteoblastic morphology. The above results indicate that cultured cells from human periostem are osteoblastic cells that have the capacity to differentiate into osteocytes and to deposit calcified minerals in response to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.

[Effects of bifemelane on central dopaminergic and cholinergic systems in rats]

The study served to examine the effects of bifemelane on central dopaminergic-cholinergic neuronal mechanisms in rats. Bifemelane (5-20 mg/kg) evoked yawning responses, the frequency being low. Bifemelane (10 mg/kg) as well as bromocriptine (2.5 mg/kg) potentiated physostigmine (0.2 mg/kg)-, bromocriptine (2.5 mg/kg)- or apomorphine (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg)-induced yawning but completely inhibited pilocarpine-induced yawning. Pretreatment with sulpiride (20 mg/kg) and a low dose of haloperidol (0.02 mg/kg) reversed the stimulatory effect of bifemelane on physostigmine-induced yawning and the inhibitory effect of the drug on pilocarpine-induced yawning, whereas atropine (5 mg/kg) diminished these yawning responses. SK&38393 (2.0 mg/kg), a dopamine D-1 receptor agonist, markedly potentiated bifemelane- and bromocriptine-induced yawning but inhibited physostigmine-induced yawning, and did not affect pilocarpine-induced yawning. The increased yawning responses were blocked by atropine and a low dose of haloperidol. Bifemelane (10 mg/kg) and bromocriptine (2.5 mg/kg) tended to increase apomorphine (5 mg/kg)-induced oral stereotypy, such as licking and biting, but the increase was not significant. These results suggest that the effects of bifemelane on central dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons may be similar to those of bromocriptine.

Circulating levels and bone contents of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein are decreased in streptozocin-induced diabetes. Possible marker for diabetic osteopenia

To investigate the pathophysiology of diabetic osteopenia, circulating levels and bone contents of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP) were measured in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats . Plasma calcium and total protein were significantly decreased (P less than .01) in the diabetic group, and the plasma level of BGP in diabetic rats was 19.6 +/- 2.8 (mean +/- SE) ng/ml, which is significantly lower than the value of 89.2 +/- 14.0 ng/ml in control rats (P less than .01). Bone contents of calcium and hydroxyproline per femur were significantly decreased in the diabetic group (P less than .01), and the ratios of bone calcium to hydroxyproline were not different. Bone BGP content per femur in the diabetic group was 669 +/- 58 micrograms, which was also significantly lower compared with 1241 +/- 126 micrograms in control rats (P less than .01). The decreased bone content of BGP is consistent with the hypothesis that BGP synthesis is impaired in insulin-deficient diabetes. Because a relationship between plasma levels of BGP and bone turnover has been established, the low plasma BGP value suggests there is a decrease in bone turnover in diabetic rats. Therefore, we postulate that the low bone turnover is one of the pathological features of diabetic osteopenia and is at least partly responsible for the occurrence of this complication in diabetes mellitus.

Regulatory effect of calcium-regulating hormones on the synthesis and/or secretion of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein in chick embryonic calvaria in vitro

Regulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2-D3), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25-(OH)2-D3), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) on BGP synthesis and/or secretion were studied using chick embryonic calvaria in vitro. BGP contents in calvaria and culture medium were determined by radioimmunoassay using antiserum to purified chick BGP. After 72 h culture, 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-10)-10(-7) M) increased the BGP content in culture medium significantly, and the effect was maximum at 10(-8)M, while the BGP content in calvaria was not changed by 1,25-(OH)2-D3. 24,25-(OH)2-D3 increased the BGP content both in medium at 10(-6) M-10(-5) M after 24 h culture and in calvaria at 5 X 10(-7)-10(-5) M after 48 h culture. PTH increased BGP contents both in calvaria after 72 h culture and medium at 1 U/ml after 24 h culture, while it decreased them at 5-10 U/ml after 24 h culture. CT (0.5-10 U/ml) had no effect on BGP contents in calvaria and medium. 1,25-(OH)2-D3-induced increase of BGP in culture medium was observed from 24 to 72 h of culture and then reached a plateau at 120 h of culture. 1,25-(OH)2-D3-induced increase in the BGP level in medium after 72 h culture was 3-4 times the control value. On the other hand, the BGP content in calvaria was not affected by 1,25-(OH)2-D3 until 72 h of culture and then significantly increased at 120 h. The addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-8) M), 24,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-6) M), and 1 U PTH (and 1 U CT added to those hormones) into culture medium of chick embryonic calvaria significantly increased BGP contents in calvaria and medium at 72 h after culture. The effect of three hormones was not synergistic, but had a tendency to be greater than that of a single addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, 24,25-(OH)2-D3 or PTH. Further addition of 1 U CT into culture medium did not affect the combined effects of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, 24,25-(OH)2-D3 and PTH except for the calcium content in calvaria. The addition of individual calcium-regulating hormones into culture medium of chick embryonic calvaria did not affect the calcium and phosphorus contents in calvaria, but the calcium content in calvaria was significantly increased by the addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, 24,25-(OH)2-D3 and PTH to the culture medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid containing protein in the perinatal period

We measured bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (Al-P) in paired maternal and cord sera, and urinary gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (gamma-Gla) in neonates. The circulating BGP was 41.21 +/- 2.47 ng/ml and 7.44 +/- 0.87 ng/ml in the cord (n = 15) and the maternal (n = 14) sera, respectively. The urinary gamma-Gla in the neonates was 147.68 +/- 10.75 mumol/g creatinine (n = 15). The cord serum BGP was significantly higher than the normal adult level. The maternal serum BGP was at the same level as in other adults. It is conceivable that the fetus may produce BGP during gestation, as the cord serum BGP level was significantly higher than the maternal level and there was no correlation between the cord and maternal serum BGP concentrations. The reason for the elevated circulating BGP level in the cord serum is not known, but increased bone turnover may be a factor. The cord serum BGP may include not only carboxylated but also non-gamma-carboxylated GP because of fetal vitamin K deficiency.

The effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the changes of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein in bone and serum of developing chick

The effects of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol(1,25-(OH)2-D3) injection into developing chick embryos on bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP) levels in bone and serum were observed in relation to those on calcium metabolism using chick embryos and chicks aged from 13 days' incubation to 7 days of age. Chick BGP was determined by radioimmunoassay using antiserum to purified chick BGP. The injection of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 into the developing chick embryos of 13 days' incubation resulted in the increases of bone BGP levels at hatching and at 2 days of age. However, the distribution of bone BGP at hatching was not influenced by 1,25-(OH)2-D3. On the other hand, serum BGP levels were significantly increased by 1,25-(OH)2-D3 at 14, 15, 18 days' incubation and at 2 days of age. The early changes of serum BGP levels after 1,25-(OH)2-D3 treatment were correlated with the increases of serum calcium concentrations and the decreases of inorganic phosphorus concentrations. These results suggest that 1,25-(OH)2-D3 may directly or indirectly mediate BGP synthesis or secretion associated with calcium metabolism.

[Morphological study on biopsied skin materials of Lafora disease]

Skin biopsy of a patient with Lafora disease was performed. The specimen showed numerous PAS-positive materials in the eccrine glands as proposed by Carpenter and Karpati. The patient was a 25-year-old man, and his two brothers and sister were diagnosed as Lafora disease by clinical and autopsy findings. The patient has shown typical clinical course of Lafora disease. Light microscopic findings of the skin revealed 5-7 microns oval or round PAS-positive materials in most of the glandular cells in eccrine glands. Several histochemical stainings were applied to the specimens so that the storage materials in the glandular cells were considered as glucose-polymer (polyglucosan). Electronmicroscopic observation showed the materials adjacent to the nucleus without limiting membrane. The materials were composed of numerous glycogen-like particles associated with a small number of fine filaments and vesicles. It have been not clarified why these materials are present in the sweat glands in Lafora disease. Recently skin biopsies have been underwent in patients of storage disease involving the central nervous system. Especially it is much useful for diagnosis of the disease with no reliable enzymatic assays. Pathogenesis of Lafora disease is still unknown. Therefore, skin biopsy might be convenient to differentiate from other types of myoclonus epilepsy.

The changes of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein in bone and serum of developing chick

The changes of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP) levels in bone and serum were studied in relation to those in calcium metabolism using chick embryos and chicks aged from 13 days' incubation to 8 weeks old. Chick BGP was determined by radioimmunoassay using antiserum to purified chick BGP. BGP levels in bone and serum increased significantly at hatching and then decreased until 3-5 days of age. Thereafter, BGP levels in bone and serum increased gradually until 8 weeks of age. These changes of BGP levels were well correlated with those of serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and bone calcium content. The molecular size of increased serum BGP at hatching was not different from that of bone BGP. These results suggest that BGP plays a role in hatching and bone formation during chick development.