Compensatory Enlargement of the Liver after Proton Beam Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Charged particle therapy (CPT) has been applied as a safe and effective treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although most HCC patients have cirrhosis, favorable treatment outcome has been achieved with CPT preserving liver function. After proton beam therapy (PBT) for patients with HCC, the liver volume in the non-irradiated area is often enlarged. Here, we evaluated whether enlargement of the non-irradiated liver affects preserving hepatic function and prognosis in HCC patients treated with PBT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Among consecutive patients with HCC treated with PBT between April 2011 and July 2017, we retrospectively identified patients who fulfilled the following criteria: (i) receiving PBT to the right hepatic lobe, (ii) the left lateral segment was not irradiated, (iii) no local treatment was performed for liver within 12 months after PBT, and (iv) the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score was evaluable at 12 months after PBT. The left lateral segment was defined as the non-irradiated region and measured by contrast-enhanced CT just before and 3 months after PBT. ALBI scores just before and 12 months after PBT were compared to evaluate changes of hepatic function. Overall survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in survival between subgroups were examined using the log-rank test. The ALBI scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

We identified 40 patients (male/female = 32/8). The median age at the start date of PBT was 72 (range, 54-87) years. The prescribed dose was 66.0-76.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) delivered in 10-38 fractions. The median follow-up was 61 (range, 12-126) months. The 5-year overall survival rates were 79.0% (95% CI: 60.4-100.0%) in the larger enlargement group (n = 16, enlarged volume of non-irradiated region 3 months after PBT ≥75 cm3) and 53.7% (95% CI: 36.0-79.9%) in the smaller enlargement group (n = 24, as above, <75 cm3), respectively (p = 0.21). The median ALBI scores just before and 12 months after PBT were -3.14 (95% CI: -3.22- (-2.53)) and -2.74 (95% CI: -3.07- (-2.42)) in the larger enlargement group (p = 0.09), and -2.91 (95% CI: -3.15- (-2.40)) and -2.59 (95% CI: -2.74- (-2.12)) in the smaller enlargement group (p = 0.006), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that larger enlargement of the non-irradiated liver after PBT is related to well-preserved liver function at 1 year and modestly associated with a favorable prognosis.

Clinical effectiveness of efinaconazole 10% solution for treatment of onychomycosis with longitudinal spikes

Onychomycosis with longitudinal spikes in the nail plate has been reported to be refractory to oral drugs as with dermatophytoma. We evaluated the efficacy of 10% efinaconazole solution in the treatment of onychomycosis with longitudinal spikes. Of the 223 subjects who were enrolled in a previous study, a post‐hoc analysis of 82 subjects with longitudinal spikes was performed in this study. The opacity ratio of longitudinal spikes was decreased over time from 8.1 to 0.9 at the final assessment. In addition, the longitudinal spike disappearance rate increased early after the application to 81.7% at the final assessment. Therefore, 10% efinaconazole solution can be a first‐line drug for longitudinal spikes, which have been regarded as refractory to oral drugs.

Loss of Ftsj1 perturbs codon-specific translation efficiency in the brain and is associated with X-linked intellectual disability

FtsJ RNA 2'-O-methyltransferase 1 (FTSJ1) gene has been implicated in X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), but the molecular pathogenesis is unknown. We show that Ftsj1 is responsible for 2'-O-methylation of 11 species of cytosolic transfer RNAs (tRNAs) at the anticodon region, and these modifications are abolished in Ftsj1 knockout (KO) mice and XLID patient-derived cells. Loss of 2'-O-methylation in Ftsj1 KO mouse selectively reduced the steady-state level of tRNA^Phe in the brain, resulting in a slow decoding at Phe codons. Ribosome profiling showed that translation efficiency is significantly reduced in a subset of genes that need to be efficiently translated to support synaptic organization and functions. Ftsj1 KO mice display immature synaptic morphology and aberrant synaptic plasticity, which are associated with anxiety-like and memory deficits. The data illuminate a fundamental role of tRNA modification in the brain through regulation of translation efficiency and provide mechanistic insights into FTSJ1-related XLID.

93 Efficient introduction of green fluorescent protein-9R, a protein with cell-penetrating peptides, into oocytes using intracytoplasmic sperm injection

The introduction of functional molecules such as oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, peptides, and antibodies into gametes has been beneficial not only for research purposes but is also expected to provide a treatment modality for failure of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) has been established as a method to introduce proteins and nucleic acids, which cannot normally pass through the cell membrane, into cells. Cell-penetrating peptides are short sequences of amino acids that facilitate the penetration of conjugated cargoes across mammalian cell membranes. To date, reports on the introduction of proteins via CPP into germ cells have been limited, and the method has not achieved success in preimplantation embryos. Simple polyarginine peptides have been known to induce higher cell penetration rates among CPPs. In this study, we examined whether green fluorescent protein-conjugated nine arginines (GFP-9R) can be effectively introduced into mouse oocytes and spermatozoa. Oocytes were collected from oviducts of 8- to 10-week-old female ICR mice after administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. Spermatozoa were collected from epididymides of 8- to 10-week-old male mice. Some oocytes were used to perform IVF and subsequently cultured. These oocytes, spermatozoa, and embryos were cultured with GFP-9R or GFP for 30min to 1h and were then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and observed with a confocal laser microscope to check the introduction of GFP-9R into intact germ cells. In addition, we also attempted to introduce GFP-9R into oocytes by performing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using GFP-9R-introduced spermatozoa. In the case of ICSI, the tails of sperm were removed by sonication. After performing IVF or ICSI, embryos were cultured and observed with a fluorescence microscope. As a result, the GFP fluorescence signal was not detected in the ooplasm incubated with GFP-9R but was detected in the perivitelline space, the zona pellucida, and the collapsed first polar body. No GFP fluorescence signal was detected in the oocytes incubated with GFP. On the other hand, GFP fluorescence was detected in some spermatozoa that were incubated with GFP-9R (GFP-9R 43.3% (26 out of 60) but not with GFP alone 0% (0 out of 67)). However, when IVF was performed using these spermatozoa, the fluorescence signal was not detected in spermatozoa attached to the zona pellucida, but a strong signal was detected in dead spermatozoa, which are not involved in fertilization. Furthermore, we found that efficiency of introduction of GFP-9R into sperm heads increased after sonication (GFP-9R 93.1% (27 of 29) vs. GFP 0% (0 of 23)). Finally, we performed ICSI with GFP-9R-introduced sperm heads which were sonicated. These ICSI embryos developed to blastocysts normally (GFP-9R 46.7% (7 of 15) vs. non-GFP-9R 50.0% (8 of 16)). In this study, we demonstrated efficient CPP protein delivery of sonicated sperm heads into oocytes via ICSI in mice, even though the CPPs did not enter effectively into intact germ cells directly.

Prognostic impact of residual lateral lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy in patients with advanced low rectal cancer

Background

There is a lack of large studies focusing on the prognostic significance of lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis following LLN dissection (LLND) in rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of LLN metastases on survival of patients with advanced low rectal cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients with locally advanced, but not metastatic, extraperitoneal rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy plus total mesorectal excision between 2004 and 2015 were included in the study. LLND was performed when pretreatment imaging documented enlarged LLNs (7 mm or greater in size). Localization of nodal metastases and long‐term outcomes were analysed. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare the survival of patients with ypN0 disease with that of patients with mesorectal ypN+/LLN− status and patients with positive LLNs. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate predictors of disease‐free survival (DFS) and local recurrence.

Results

A total of 613 patients were included in the study; LLND was performed in 212 patients (34·6 per cent) and 57 (9·3 per cent) had LLN metastasis. Patients with LLN metastasis had improved DFS and local recurrence cumulative incidence rates compared with patients with mesorectal ypN2+/LLN− disease (DFS: P = 0·014; local recurrence: P = 0·006). Although the DFS rate of patients with LLN metastasis was worse than that of patients with ypN0 disease (P < 0·001), the cumulative incidence of local recurrence was similar (P = 0·491). In multivariable analysis, residual LLN metastasis was not an independent predictor of worse DFS or local recurrence.

Conclusion

LLN metastasis is not an independent predictor of local recurrence or survival. Survival of patients presenting with LLN metastasis after (chemo)radiotherapy was intermediate between that of patients with ypN0 status and those with mesorectal ypN2 positivity.

Efficacy of long-term treatment with efinaconazole 10% solution in patients with onychomycosis, including severe cases: A multicenter, single-arm study

We evaluated the efficacy of efinaconazole 10% topical solution in long‐term use, for up to 72 weeks, for onychomycosis, including severe cases. Among 605 participants, 219 patients diagnosed as having onychomycosis were evaluated for the efficacy of efinaconazole. The treatment success rate (<10% clinical involvement of the target toenail) at the final assessment time point was 56.6%, the complete cure rate was 31.1% and the mycological cure rate was 61.6%, all of which increased over time, demonstrating that continuous application contributed to the improvement of cure rate. Even in severe cases, reduction of the affected nail area was observed, showing the potential efficacy of the treatment. Responses to a quality of life questionnaire among patients with onychomycosis, OnyCOE‐t, suggested that efinaconazole treatment improved the patients’ quality of life. The incidence of adverse drug reaction in the patients eligible for the assessment was 6.3%, and this developed only in the administration site in all cases. No systemic adverse event was observed. In addition, no increase in the incidence of adverse drug reaction due to long‐term use was found. Efinaconazole therapy was proved to exhibit excellent balance between efficacy and safety, and thus may serve as a useful treatment option for onychomycosis.

Preparation of recombinant six-histidine-tagged human LECT2, a chemotactic protein to neutrophils, in Escherichia coli

LECT2 is a chemotactic protein to neutrophils. A recombinant six-histidine-tagged human LECT2, (His)(6)-LECT2, was expressed in E. coli using a pET21a(+) vector. The (His)(6)-LECT2 was purified from the soluble fraction in E. coli as a single band in sodium dodesyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using three steps of column chromatography with Ni(2+)-charged nitrilo-triacetic acid (Ni-NTA) agarose, DEAE-Sepharose, and CM-Sepharose. The purified (His)(6)-LECT2 was yielded with 96 µg from the soluble fraction of 1,500 ml culture of E. coli. The circular dichroism spectrum of (His)(6)-LECT2 showed the folded structure, which is rich in β-sheet structure and rare in α-helix.

Antidepressant-like effect of sildenafil through oxytocin-dependent cyclic AMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation

Oxytocin (OT) levels in plasma increase during sexual response and are significantly lower in patients with depression. A drug for the treatment of sexual dysfunction, sildenafil, enhances the electrically evoked release of OT from the posterior pituitary. In this study, we showed that sildenafil had an antidepressant-like effect through activation of an OT signaling pathway. Application of sildenafil reduced depression-related behavior in male mice. The antidepressant-like effect was blocked by an OT receptor (OTR) antagonist and was absent in OTR knockout (KO) mice. Sildenafil increased the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus. The OTR antagonist inhibited sildenafil-induced CREB phosphorylation and sildenafil had no effect on CREB phosphorylation in OTR KO mice. These results suggest sildenafil to have an antidepressant-like effect through the activation of OT signaling and to be a promising drug for the treatment of depression.

Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) of gonadotropins

Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA), which has recently been developed as a non-isotopic immunoassay, was intended for assay of gonadotropins (LH and FSH). Ovine LH or FSH was labeled with N1-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-diethylenetriamine-N1, N2, N3, N3-tetraacetic acid Eu-chelate (DTTA), and competitive binding assay was performed using a 96-weel titer plate previously coated with a second antibody, followed by measurement using time-resolved fluorometry. TR-FIA for standard ovine LH (NIDDK, LH-I-3) or FSH (NIDDK, FSH-I-1) had a sensitivity of about 25 pg/50 microliters sample. The assay system was applied to heterologous assay of porcine gonadotropins. Linearity was obtained by the dilution test using medium from primary culture of porcine anterior pituitary cells. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation of LH and FSH determination in 31 different porcine samples were satisfactorily low, between 3.5 and 8.1% (intra-assay) and between 1.7 and 13.1% (inter-assay). Correlation coefficients between radioimmunoassay and TR-FIA were calculated to be 0.945 for LH and 0.978 for FSH. Stimulation of LH and FSH release with GnRH was observed by TR-FIA. This non-isotopic TR-FIA thus provides as good sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy as conventional RIAs.

Analysis of the COL17A1 in non-Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa and amelogenesis imperfecta

Non-Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (nH-JEB) disease manifests with skin blistering, atrophy and tooth enamel hypoplasia. The majority of patients with nH-JEB harbor mutations in COL17A1, the gene encoding type XVII collagen. Heterozygotes with a single COL17A1 mutation, nH-JEB defect carriers, may exhibit only enamel hypoplasia. In this study, to further elucidate COL17A1 mutation phenotype/ genotype correlations, we examined two unrelated families with nH-JEB. Furthermore, we hypothesized that COL17A1 mutations might underlie or worsen the enamel hypoplasia seen in amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) patients that are characterized by defects in tooth enamel formation without other systemic manifestations. We therefore conducted COL17A1 mutational analysis in three patients from two AI families. One nH-JEB patient showed no COL17A1 expression and was a compound heterozygote for the novel premature termination codon (PTC) mutations 1285delA and Q1387X. In addition, reduced COL17A1 expression was found in a second nH-JEB patient who was homozygous for the novel PTC mutation 4335delC, the most carboxyl terminal PTC mutation thus far identified. Due to nonsense mediated mRNA decay, the position of these PTC mutations is thought not to influence the effect of COL17A1 transcript loss and hence the severity of the nH-JEB phenotype. This study is the first to suggest that type XVII collagen carboxyl PTC mutations lead to restoration of truncated polypeptide expression and to a milder clinical disease severity in nH-JEB. Conversely, we failed to detect any pathogenic COL17A1 defects in AI patients, in either exon or within the intron-exon borders of AI patients. This study furthers the understanding of mutations in COL17A1 causing nH-JEB, and clearly demonstrates that the mechanism of enamel hypoplasia differs between nH-JEB and AI diseases.

A high-efficiency protein transduction system demonstrating the role of PKA in long-lasting long-term potentiation

Proteins and peptides have been demonstrated to penetrate across the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells by protein transduction domains. We show that protein transduction by 11 arginine (11R) is an efficient method of delivering proteins into the neurons of brain slices. Here, we demonstrate that PKA inhibitory peptide, fused with 11R and nuclear localization signal, delivers the peptide exclusively into the nuclear compartment of neurons in brain slices. This inhibitory peptide blocked both cAMP responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation and long-lasting long-term potentiation (LTP) induction, but not early LTP. These results highlight transduction of proteins and peptides into specific neuronal subcellular compartments in brain slices as a powerful tool for studying neuronal plasticity.

A novel monoclonal antibody recognizes a previously unknown subdivision of the habenulo-interpeduncular system in zebrafish

The habenulo-interpeduncular system is an evolutionarily conserved structure found in the brain of almost all vertebrates. We prepared a monoclonal antibody (6G11) which very specifically recognizes only a part of this system. 6G11 is a monoclonal antibody prepared from a neuronal membrane protein in adult zebrafish brain. In western blot analysis of the adult zebrafish brain, the antibody recognized a 95 kDa protein, and the class of the antibody was determined to be IgM. The 6G11 antigen was not detected in zebrafish muscle, intestine, testis or ovary. A group of neurons stained by the 6G11 antibody was located in the caudomedial part of the zebrafish habenula. The 6G11-immunopositive neurons extended their axons into the fasciculus retroflexus (FR). One group of immunopositive neurons projected toward the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN), especially to the intermediate and the central subnucleus (type 1 neuron). The other group projected to the ventral midline at the level of the raphe nucleus; these axons passed ipsilaterally beside the IPN and converged in the ventral midline under the raphe nucleus (type 2 neuron). Both type 1 and type 2 fibers are relatively minor components of the FR. Little has previously been known about this topological pattern in any species. The 6G11 monoclonal antibody could be a useful tool for expanding knowledge of the habenulo-interpeduncular system.

Ex vivo culture of isolated zebrafish whole brain

We have succeeded in culturing whole zebrafish brains ex vivo for 1 week. While isolated cells and tissue slices have previously been employed for neurobiological studies, these techniques are limited, because while local networks may be preserved, their original context in the whole brain is lost. Culture of the whole brain would facilitate the study of cells and systems within an intact brain infrastructure. Our culture method entailed isolating the whole brain and placing it on a sterile and porous membrane, after which it was maintained with a conditioned medium in a six-well plate in a CO2 incubator at 28.5 degrees C. Whole brains cultured by this simple method were relatively unaltered in terms of their morphology, cytoarchitecture, immunohistochemistry and ability to transport horse radish peroxidase (HRP). This method of cultivation may be very useful for neurobiological research.

Tau-tubulin kinase phosphorylates tau at Ser-208 and Ser-210, sites found in paired helical filament-tau

Hyperphosphorylated tau protein is known to be a major component of the paired helical filaments (PHFs) that accumulate in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. The kinase that phosphorylated Ser-208 and Ser-210 in PHF-tau had remained unknown. We used anti-pS208 and anti-pS210 antibodies and Western blots to confirm that the tau-tubulin kinase (TTK) phosphorylates tau at Ser-208 and at Ser-210. Using partial amino acid sequences of purified bovine brain TTK, a mouse cDNA of TTK was isolated and the sequence was determined. Its 963 bp coding region is composed of 320 amino acids and encodes a 36 kDa protein indistinguishable in size from authentic bovine brain TTK. Our immunoblot analysis demonstrated that TTK is ubiquitously distributed in the rat tissues, and that it is developmentally regulated in the rat brain.

[Home care of patients with advanced terminal cancer who had improved QOL after undergoing gastrostomy for gastrointestinal obstruction caused by peritonitis carcinomatosa]

Patients with gastrointestinal obstruction caused by peritonitis carcinomatosa suffer from chronic nausea, abdominal distension and inability to ingest food. Patients can receive home care only in rare cases. We performed a gastrostomy for the purpose of reducing gastrointestinal pressure in three patients with gastrointestinal obstruction caused by peritonitis carcinomatosa. The three patients had decreased mental and physical suffering and were able to be discharged from the hospital. We report the efficacy of gastrostomy because of the improvements in the three patients QOL at home.

Involvement of cyclin-dependent kinase 5/p35(nck5a) in the synaptic reorganization of rat hippocampus during kindling progression

To test the hypothesis that a complex of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and p35(nck5a) plays an important role in sprouting in the kindling rat hippocampus, we studied the changes in kinase activity, expression level and subcellular localization during kindling progression. The kinase activity in kindling rats was significantly higher than that in normal rats. The changes in kinase activity coincided with those of the p35(nck5a) expression in kindling rats. In contrast, the expression of Cdk5 was constant at all stages of kindling. Subcellular localization of Cdk5, however, changed markedly in the hippocampal neurons during kindling progression. Cdk5 translocated from axon to soma when the kinase activity was high. The phosphorylation level of tau protein was in good agreement with the Cdk5 kinase activity. In contrast, MAP kinase activity was not correlated with tau phosphorylation during kindling progression. These findings suggest that Cdk5/p35(nck5a) plays an important role in synaptic reorganization, and the translocation of Cdk5 to soma from axons is a crucial regulatory mechanism of kinase activity.

Expression of Cu,Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and GST-pi in oral cancer treated with preoperative radiation therapy

Radical scavengers play an important role in cancer cells defending themselves against free radicals which occur with irradiation. SOD (Cu,Zn, Mn-) and GST-pi are radical scavengers with an effect on radiation therapy. We investigated the correlation between radiation effects and expression of Cu,Zn-, Mn-SOD and GST-pi in 34 cases of oral cancer, treated with preoperative radiation therapy. In this study, 22 cases out of 34 were classified as effective and 12 cases as non-effective. Expression of Cu,Zn, Mn-SOD and GST-pi were observed in 13 (38.2%), 10 (29.4%) and 20 (58.8%) cases, respectively. Regarding the value of radiation sensitivity from expression of these proteins in the biopsy samples, no significant correlation was found between those expressions and histological effectiveness of preoperative radiation therapy. But interestingly, in 11 out of 12 of the non-effective cases, strong staining of Cu, Zn-SOD and GST-pi were shown at the residual cancer cells after preoperative radiation therapy. These results suggested that the expression of SOD (Cu,Zn-, and Mn-) and GST-pi may be not useful markers for predicting the effects of radiation therapy. However, Cu, Zn-SOD and GST-pi were increased by irradiation and may play an important role in radiation resistance and cancer cell regeneration after radiation therapy.

Early malignant melanoma manifested as longitudinal melanonychia: subungual melanoma may arise from suprabasal melanocytes

A 51-year-old woman developed longitudinal melanonychia of 3 months' duration on the right index fingernail. A biopsy specimen revealed that atypical melanocytes were distributed in the lower third of the matrix epithelium but were few in number at the basal layer. The involved nail matrix was resected because of continual growth of the lesion after the biopsy. It has been proven in normal nail matrices that melanocytes are distributed not only in the basal layer but also in the lower half of the epithelium. It is therefore understandable that malignant melanoma of the nail matrix can arise from melanocytes situated in the squamous epithelium above the basal layer. The present case is a good example in which malignant melanoma of the nail matrix may arise from the intraepithelial region where melanocytes normally reside.

Spinophilin regulates the formation and function of dendritic spines

Spinophilin, a protein that interacts with actin and protein phosphatase-1, is highly enriched in dendritic spines. Here, through the use of spinophilin knockout mice, we provide evidence that spinophilin modulates both glutamatergic synaptic transmission and dendritic morphology. The ability of protein phosphatase-1 to regulate the activity of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors was reduced in spinophilin knockout mice. Consistent with altered glutamatergic transmission, spinophilin-deficient mice showed reduced long-term depression and exhibited resistance to kainate-induced seizures and neuronal apoptosis. In addition, deletion of the spinophilin gene caused a marked increase in spine density during development in vivo as well as altered filopodial formation in cultured neurons. In conclusion, spinophilin appears to be required for the regulation of the properties of dendritic spines.

Monoclonal antibody stains oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

We prepared a monoclonal antibody that recognizes oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in zebrafish. On immunoblots, the antibody mainly recognized three protein bands of 34 kDa in a membrane fraction from adult zebrafish brain. Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) also possessed the same protein bands in a membrane fraction. The antibody did not stain neurons, but stained cells in fiber tracts and cranial and spinal nerves. In order to determine the nature of these cells, the staining pattern of the monoclonal antibody was compared with that of a myelin basic protein antiserum. Both antibodies stained oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in fixed sections from the adult zebrafish. Both antigens were also co-localized in cultured glial cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the new monoclonal antibody recognizes myelinating glial cells in zebrafish and will be useful for the analysis of piscine glia.

Epitope analysis of myeloperoxidase (MPO) specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis

AIM AND METHODS

Epitope analysis of sera from 20 patients with myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (MPO-ANCA) associated glomerulonephritis was examined by Western blotting using a panel set of recombinant deletion mutants of MPO. Sera from 19 patients reacted with recombinants of MPO heavy chain, whereas no serum reacted with the light chain regions. The high frequency sites were regions on the upstream of Met341 (Ha region), on the upstream of Met409 (Hb region) near the N-terminus of the MPO heavy chain and a region on the downstream of Gly598 (Hg region) near the C-terminus. The epitope recognition profiles were classified into 2 groups. Group A, which had 1 or 2 regions in Ha, Hb and Hg, and group B, which had all 3 regions.

RESULTS

Incidence of alveolar hemorrhage (AH) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (AH: group A 9 of 13 (69.2%), group B 1 of 6 (16.7%) p < 0.05, PF: group A 10 of 13 (76.9%), group B 1 of 6 (16.7%) p < 0.05, AH and/or PH: group A 12 of 13 (92.3%) and group B 1 of 6 (16.7%) p < 0.01). Relapse rate for patients in the inactive stage in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (p < 0.05). T-cell reacted regions were Ha, Hb, Hg and the light chain of MPO recombinant fragments. Higher frequency of HLA typing with MHC class II DR9 was observed.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that MPO-ANCA recognizes the linear site of the heavy chain of the MPO molecule. The epitope recognition profiles are related to the clinical features, suggesting the pathogenesis of MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis.

Distribution of tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta, phosphatases 2A and 2B, and phosphorylated tau in the developing rat brain

When trying to elucidate the role played by tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (TPKI/GSK-3beta) in tau phosphorylation, it is important to consider the balance that exists between the various kinases and phosphatases that are involved in vivo. We studied developmental changes in the expressions of TPKI/GSK-3beta and phosphatases 2A and 2B in rat brains using immunoblot analysis. The expression of the kinase peaked postnatally at days 8-11 and returned then to low level after 5 weeks. Phosphatase 2A showed a similar pattern, increasing postnatally until day 14 and decreasing thereafter. On the other hand, phosphatase 2B was undetectable at the juvenile stage, but later its presence increased rapidly to peak at 5 weeks after birth, after which it was maintained at high levels throughout the adult stage. Immunohistochemical studies using the PAP method revealed details of the distribution of TPKI/GSK-3beta. At postnatal days 3-21 both gray and white matter were immunoreactive. Later, after 5 weeks, the immunoreactivity became more restricted to the gray matter. The staining of tau phosphorylated at Ser 199, Ser 396, and Ser 413 followed mostly the pattern of the kinase distribution throughout all stages of development. These data, therefore, confirm that TPKI/GSK-3beta is expressed primarily in neurons and especially in neurites until postnatal day 21, whereafter the distribution is concentrated mostly in the cell soma and the proximal neurite region.

A monoclonal antibody stains radial glia in the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) CNS

We have prepared a monoclonal antibody, denoted as C-4, which specifically recognizes astroglia with radial forms in the adult zebrafish brain. This report suggests that there are at least two different types of astroglia in the mature teleost brain, only one of which is recognized by C-4. Further, we have found that the C-4-binding astroglia are comprised of three morphologically distinct cellular types. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the antibody recognized only one protein band of approximately 30 kDa in the membrane fraction of the adult zebrafish brain. In the spinal cord, stained glial cells appeared to occur in the same location as ependymocytes. The processes and cell bodies of extra-ependymal cells, many adjacent to ependymocytes and a few near the pial surface, were also stained by the antibody. In the cerebellum, long processes stained by C-4 were found in the molecular layer, and these connected the cerebellum surface to the Purkinje-like cell layer. Long processes were also stained in the mesencephalon, but these were thicker than those in the spinal cord and they linked the two ventricles. The optic tectum, olfactory bulb and cranial nerves, including the optic nerves, were, however, completely devoid of the C-4 antigen. Double-immunofluorescence with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and C-4 demonstrated that C-4-positive cells were also GFAP-positive, although there was also a subset of GFAP-positive cells which were C-4-negative. The C-4 antibody is thus a useful tool for studying subtypes of GFAP-positive astroglia.

Multiple binding sites for nuclear proteins of the anterior pituitary are located in the 5'-flanking region of the porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) beta-subunit gene

Gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), are synthesized specifically in the gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary. The aim of this study was to investigate nuclear factors that bind specifically to the porcine FSH beta-subunit gene. We examined nuclear protein binding to 2.75 kilobase pairs (kbp) of DNA adjacent to the porcine FSH beta-subunit gene: about 2.32 kbp of upstream DNA and 0.43 kbp of downstream DNA. The upstream region contains only TATA box, CACCC element, and some imperfect sequences of cAMP-responsive element, activator protein-1 binding site, and activator protein-2 binding site. Gel mobility shift assay using nuclear proteins extracted from the porcine anterior pituitary revealed that the proteins bound to a limited region of DNA, 107 bp long (designated as Fd2), located about -800 bp upstream from the transcription initiation site. Competitive binding assays demonstrated that the protein binding was sequence specific; the addition of excess amounts of several putative regulatory sequences and plasmid (non-homologous) DNA fragments did not reduce the binding. Furthermore, all five subfragments of Fd2 were also bound by the pituitary nuclear proteins, showing that the entire region of Fd2 is involved in this interaction. Southwestern blotting demonstrated that at least seven protein species of 110, 98, 78, 63, 52, 42, and 35 kDa recognize Fd2. Nuclear proteins from several other porcine tissues were also able to bind to the Fd2 fragment but the gel shift patterns were different and the bindings were weak, although only the cerebellum showed a pattern of binding that was similar to that of the anterior pituitary. These data suggest that multiple proteins of the anterior pituitary recognize a specific region of the porcine FSH beta-subunit gene.

Lithium inhibits neurite growth and tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta-dependent phosphorylation of juvenile tau in cultured hippocampal neurons

Tau protein kinase I(TPKI)/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta is abundant in the developing rat brain. The highly phosphorylated juvenile form of tau is present during the same developmental period. To study the role of TPKI/ GSK-3beta in neuronal growth, we examined the effects of lithium, a direct inhibitor of TPKI/GSK-3beta, using primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. Immunohistochemical staining of the neurons indicates that in the presence of lithium (2-10 mM), neurite growth becomes inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analyses of the cell extracts revealed that the presence of lithium in the culture medium increased the amount of dephosphorylated tau while decreasing phosphorylation at Ser199 and Ser396, both of which are TPKI/GSK-3beta phosphorylation sites on tau. The inhibition by lithium is reversible. Although the amount of TPKI/GSK-3beta remained constant, the amount of tau decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of lithium. TPKI/GSK-3beta was distributed in the somata and proximal neurites of the cultured hippocampal neurons. These results therefore suggest that TPKI/GSK-3beta plays an important role in the axonal growth of neurons during synapse formation in the developing brain.

Presence of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in the porcine anterior pituitary

The two-hybrid system that identifies protein-protein interactions in a yeast expression system was used to investigate porcine anterior pituitary transcription factors. Four cDNA clones of a protein interacting with the leucine zipper domain of porcine cJun were obtained. Their nucleotide sequences revealed that they encode activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). A full-length cDNA of porcine ATF4 was obtained by the polymerase chain reaction, and its deduced amino acid sequence showed 88 and 83% identity to human and mouse ATF4, respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNAs prepared from 11 porcine tissues demonstrated that ATF4 is ubiquitous. Immunohistochemistry showed that ATF4 is present in the hormone producing cells of the anterior pituitary, but absent in some cells of the anterior pituitary. Further binding analysis revealed that ATF4 also interacts with itself and cFos. This evidence of ATF4 homodimerization, as well as heterodimerization with cJun and cFos in the anterior pituitary suggests a novel mechanism for the regulation of gene expression in this tissue.

Injury induces neuropsin mRNA in the central nervous system

We have shown that neuropsin is expressed in the neurons of the limbic system in the adult mouse. After the central nervous system was injured by incision or intraperitoneal kainate injection, neuropsin mRNA was induced in the peri-lesioned region. The cells in which neuropsin mRNA was induced were localized mainly in axon fiber pathways and closely associated to proteolipid protein (PLP) mRNA expressing oligodendrocytes.

Thioredoxin peroxidase in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The amino acid sequence deduced from the open reading frame designated sll0755 in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is similar to the amino acid sequences of thioredoxin peroxidases from other organisms. In the present study, we found that a recombinant SLL0755 protein that was expressed in Escherichia coli was able to reduce H2O2 and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide with thioredoxin from E. coli as the electron donor. Targeted disruption of open reading frame sll0755 in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells completely eliminated the H2O2-dependent and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide-dependent photosynthetic evolution of oxygen and the electron flow in photosystem II. These results indicate that the product of open reading frame sll0755 is a thioredoxin peroxidase whose activities are coupled to the photosynthetic electron transport system in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Enhanced synaptic transmission and reduced threshold for LTP induction in fyn-transgenic mice

To elucidate the physiological role of Fyn, we analysed the properties of synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices of mice overexpressing either wild-type Fyn (w-Fyn) or its constitutively active mutant (m-Fyn). These fyn-transgenes were driven by the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha promoter which turned on in the forebrain neurons including hippocampal pyramidal cells and in late neural development. In the hippocampal slices expressing m-Fyn the paired-pulse facilitation was reduced and the basal synaptic transmission was enhanced. A weak theta-burst stimulation, which was subthreshold for the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in control slices, elicited LTP in CA1 region of the slices expressing m-Fyn. When a relatively strong stimulation was applied, the magnitude of LTP in m-Fyn slices was similar to that in control slices. By contrast, the basal synaptic transmission and the threshold for the induction of LTP were not altered in the slices overexpressing wild-type Fyn. To examine the effect of expression of m-Fyn on GABAergic inhibitory system, we applied bicuculline, a GABAA receptor blocker, to the hippocampal slices. The ability of bicuculline to enhance excitatory postsynaptic potentials was attenuated in slices expressing m-Fyn, suggesting that the overexpression of m-Fyn reduced the GABAergic inhibition. The enhancement of synaptic transmission and the reduction of GABAergic inhibition may contribute to the enhanced seizure susceptibility in the mice expressing m-Fyn. Thus, these results suggest that regulation of Fyn tyrosine kinase activity is important for both synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Protein phosphatase 1 modulation of neostriatal AMPA channels: regulation by DARPP-32 and spinophilin

Modulation of AMPA-type glutamate channels is important for synaptic plasticity. Here we provide physiological evidence that the activity of AMPA channels is regulated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP-1) in neostriatal neurons and identify two distinct molecular mechanisms of this regulation. One mechanism involves control of PP-1 catalytic activity by DARPP-32, a dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein highly enriched in neostriatum. The other involves binding of PP-1 to spinophilin, a protein that colocalizes PP-1 with AMPA receptors in postsynaptic densities. The results suggest that regulation of anchored PP-1 is important for AMPA-receptor-mediated synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and associated cyclins in Leydig and Sertoli cells of the testis

In this study, we examined the expression and subcellular localization of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), cyclin D1, and cyclin E in Leydig and Sertoli cell lines that were cultured with 7.5, 1.0, 0.5, or 0% serum (mixture of a 2:1 ratio of horse serum and fetal bovine serum) and in the developing rat testis to verify the possible functions of Cdk5, cyclin D1, and cyclin E in the testis. The abundance of Cdk5 and cyclin E in the Leydig cell line, TM3, was significantly reduced at low serum concentrations. In contrast, serum concentration had no effect on Cdk5 and cyclin E levels in the Sertoli cell line, TM4. Cyclin D1 was detected by western blot analysis in TM4 cells only, and its abundance was serum dose dependent. The kinase activity of Cdk5 in TM3 and TM4 cells that were cultured at various serum concentrations coincided with the levels of Cdk5 expression. Immunohistochemical staining for Cdk5 and cyclin E revealed nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution, both in TM3 and TM4 cells. Moreover, cyclin D1 immunoreactivity was only detected in TM4 cells. In the developing rat testis, Cdk5 expression was most prominent at 2 and 3 weeks after birth. Cyclin D1 was strongly expressed at 1 and 2 weeks in premature rat testes. On the other hand, cyclin E was highly expressed in the adult testis. Immunohistochemical localization of Cdk5, cyclin D1, and cyclin E in 1-week-old and adult rat testes revealed expression in both Leydig and Sertoli cells. Our results suggest that Cdk5 in TM3 and Leydig cells of the testis might play a role in cell cycle regulation, whereas Cdk5 in TM4 and Sertoli cells of the adult testis might have some additional functions besides control of proliferation.

An immunosuppressant, FK506, protects against neuronal dysfunction and death but has no effect on electrographic and behavioral activities induced by systemic kainate

Kainate is a potent agonist of an excitatory amino acid receptor subtype in the central nervous system, and causes neuronal death in several regions of the brain. Neurons are preferentially killed in the hippocampus, especially in the CA1 region, by systemic administration of kainate. It is speculated that functional alterations occur in the neurons preceding death. We examined the effect of FK506 on kainate-induced neuronal death and functional alterations in the rat hippocampal CA1 region. FK506 had no effect on electrographic and behavioral seizure activities induced by kainate; however, it prevented neuronal death measured seven days after administration. Although neither death nor morphological alterations of neurons were observed in the CA1 region 24 h after administration, the neurons exhibited decreased excitatory postsynaptic potentials and enhanced long-term potentiation. This functional alteration was not detected in the rats administered FK506 prior to kainate. Taken together, these observations indicate that functional alteration precedes neuronal death in rats systemically administered kainate and that FK506 prevents both. It is suggested that FK506 exerts its neuroprotective effect not by attenuating electrographic and behavioral seizure activities, but by protecting neurons from kainate-induced functional disorders.

Molecular cloning of pit-1 cDNA from porcine anterior pituitary and its involvement in pituitary stimulation by growth hormone-releasing factor

Pit-1/GHF-1 (hereafter Pit-1) is a pituitary-specific transcription factor that participates in growth hormone (GH), prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone gene expression and in proliferation of the cells that produce these hormones. In this study, we determined the nucleotide sequence of porcine Pit-1 cDNA, which shows high homology (95%) with the known mammalian Pit-1s. Some differences in amino acid sequence were found in the amino terminal region, but the POU-specific and POU-homeo domains were well conserved. Porcine anterior pituitary cells in primary culture were treated for 24 h with GH-releasing factor (GRF), forskolin and phorbol ester (TPA). These agents stimulated progressive secretion of GH into the culture media. The levels of Pit-1, GH, cJun and cFos mRNAs were examined using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Stimulation with GRF for 2 h increased the Pit-1 mRNA level 3-fold. This response was transient, as the level returned to the control level after 6 h. Forskolin and TPA evoked similar increases, but their effects appeared after 30 min and reached their maxima after 2 h. In contrast, GRF and forskolin, but not TPA, increased the GH mRNA level 2-fold after 24 h. The cJun mRNA level showed no significant change in response to these agents over 24 h and GRF and TPA increased the cFos mRNA level 1.4 and 2.3-fold, respectively, after 30 min. These results suggest that increasing Pit-1 mRNA level in response to GRF plays a role in the early event of the GH gene expression or with the assistance of other transcription factors that modulate GH gene. Furthermore, the GRF-induced increase in cFos mRNA level by GRF and TPA did not appear to be participated straightforward in the GH gene expression, suggesting that cFos alone is insufficient to the activation.

Osteoblastic differentiation is enhanced by rapamycin in rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) cells

The effects of three immunosuppressants (rapamycin, FK506 and cyclosporin A) on the proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts-like osteosarcoma cell line, ROS 17/2.8 (ROS) cells were examined in vitro. All immunosuppressants showed a direct inhibition on the proliferation of ROS cells with different potencies. Growth inhibition by rapamycin was stronger than that by FK506 or cyclosporin A. Rapamycin caused a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and in the expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin mRNAs. FK506 caused a moderate increase in ALP activity and a decreased expression of osteopontin mRNA. Cyclosporin A caused a decrease in ALP activity and in the expression of type 1 alpha 1 collagen mRNA. Our study indicates that rapamycin directly acts on ROS cells and induces osteoblastic differentiation, however, the effect of FK506 and cyclosporin A is weak. Rapamycin significantly enhances the differentiation induced by 1,25(OH)2-vitaminD3.