Effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the duodenal villi and alkaline phosphatase in the developing chick embryo

Administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to developing 14-day chick embryo gave precocious induction of alkaline phosphatase in 20-day chick embryonic duodenum. 1,25-(OH)-2D3-induced alkaline phosphase involved in changes in Km and Vmax values. Furthermore, polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis of n-butanol-solubilized alkaline phosphatase from control and 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated chick embryonic duodenum revealed that 1,25-(OH)2D3 involved the transformation of neuraminidase-resistant fast migrating form to the neuraminidase-sensitive faster migrating one. Scanning electron microscopic data showed that the injection of 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated the elongation of duodenal microvilli, although there was no effect on the duodenal absorptive epithelial cell height.

Study of Bandgap Profiling Control on Photovoltaic Performance in the Three Stacked Amorphous Solar Cells

A series of systematic experiments has been made on a bandgap profiling control using a-SiGe and a-SiC cells to clarify the cause for the improvement of the photovoltaic performance by the bandgap profiling in the photovoltaic active layer. It has been shown from the analysis that the most important contribution to the cell performance is an optimization of the ambipolar carrier collection by the bandgap profiling. On the basis of the results, an efficiency of 10.1% was obtained at the promising a-SiC/a-Si/ a-SiGe multi-bandgap stacked cell by the bandgap profiling.

Atf1 is a target of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Pmk1 and regulates cell integrity in fission yeast

In fission yeast, knockout of the calcineurin gene resulted in hypersensitivity to Cl(-), and the overexpression of pmp1(+) encoding a dual-specificity phosphatase for Pmk1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or the knockout of the components of the Pmk1 pathway complemented the Cl(-) hypersensitivity of calcineurin deletion. Here, we showed that the overexpression of ptc1(+) and ptc3(+), both encoding type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C), previously known to inactivate the Wis1-Spc1-Atf1 stress-activated MAPK signaling pathway, suppressed the Cl(-) hypersensitivity of calcineurin deletion. We also demonstrated that the mRNA levels of these two PP2Cs and pyp2(+), another negative regulator of Spc1, are dependent on Pmk1. Notably, the deletion of Atf1, but not that of Spc1, displayed hypersensitivity to the cell wall-damaging agents and also suppressed the Cl(-) hypersensitivity of calcineurin deletion, both of which are characteristic phenotypes shared by the mutation of the components of the Pmk1 MAPK pathway. Moreover, micafungin treatment induced Pmk1 hyperactivation that resulted in Atf1 hyperphosphorylation. Together, our results suggest that PP2C is involved in a negative feedback loop of the Pmk1 signaling, and results also demonstrate that Atf1 is a key component of the cell integrity signaling downstream of Pmk1 MAPK.

I kappa B-mediated apoptotic gene therapy against acute myelogenous leukemia using replication-defective HSV-1 vector expressing TK and mutant I kappa B alpha

Overexpression of NF-kappa B reportedly plays anti-apoptotic roles in the growth of AML cells. Control of AML cell growth was attempted using a replication-defective herpes simplex virus-1 vector, T0I kappa B alpha, overexpressing mutant I kappa B alpha to inhibit NF-kappa B in vitro. T0I kappa B alpha displays defective ICP4/ICP22/ICP27, isogenic thymidine kinase, and mutant I kappa B alpha. T0Z.1 expressing lacZ instead of I kappa B was used for controls. Infection of T0I kappa B alpha at 15 multiplicity of infection (MOI) with cells of AML lines, HL60, K562, and NB4 displaying >90% infection efficiency and tumor killing in vitro. Use of 10 microM of Ara-C alone was clinically equivalent to high-dose Ara-C, displaying 11% tumor killing. Neither ganciclovir (GCV) nor Ara-C enhanced T0I kappa B- alpha mediated tumor killing. Attenuation of NF-kappa B by T0I kappa B alpha was confirmed by EMSA. T0I kappa B alpha induced caspase-3 activity, with subsequent apoptosis confirmed by colorimetric and TUNEL assays. Fresh AML cells from 8 patients were infected with T0I kappa B alpha at 3 MOI, with or without GCV or 10 microM of Ara-C in vitro. Infection efficiency was 10%. T0I kappa B alpha displayed 8-15% tumor killing, superior to Ara-C in 6 of the 8 patients. Administration of Ara-C enhanced tumor killing in 5 of these 6 cases. Our results suggest that T0I kappa B alpha-mediated gene therapy induces apoptosis of AML cells in vitro.

Sustained release of low-dose ganciclovir from a silicone formulation prolonged the survival of rats with gliosarcomas under herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene therapy

A silicone formulation of ganciclovir (GCV-pellet) was developed to enhance the cytotoxic effects of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene therapy. The effectiveness of this drug delivery system was assessed in a rat 9L gliosarcoma model. The GCV-pellets (1 mm in length and in diameter) used in this experiment contained a total amount of 0.15 mg of GCV. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GCV was gradually released over a period of 7 days. Five days after stereotactic tumor inoculation into the right caudate nucleus, a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vector expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) (T1, 2x10(6) pfu) was administered at the same location. The survival rate of the group treated with the GCV-pellet was compared with that of the T1 group injected intraperitoneally (IP) with GCV (30 mg/kg/day for 7 days). The GCV-pellet-treated group had a significantly prolonged survival (a median of more than 80 days) compared with the GCV IP group (a median of 65 days) and with control groups (P<0.05). The control groups (untreated or receiving only the virus vector) had a survival of 35-38 days. The survival rate of the GCV-pellet group over 80 days was 75%, and all the rats that survived more than 80 days and did not show tumors upon histological examination of the brain were deemed cured. No toxic effects or immunological reactions were observed histologically around the pellet in brain sections from the rats treated with the GCV-pellet. After GCV-pellet inoculation into the tumor, drug concentrations were kept at 1-10 microg/g tissue for 3-4 days. When the same dose of GCV (0.15 mg) in aqueous solution was injected into the tumor, GCV concentrations reached a peak of 0.5 mg/g tissue after 30 min and decreased below measurable level within 12 h. After IP injections of 3 mg GCV, GCV concentrations in the tumor reached a peak of 5.7 microg/g tissue after 30 min and also decreased below measurable level within 12 h. This sustained release of a low and effective GCV dose with the silicone formulation significantly prolonged survival in combinations with HSV-tk expression if compared to IP administration of GCV. Histological examination suggests that the treatment appears to be safe.

Double suicide gene therapy using a replication defective herpes simplex virus vector reveals reciprocal interference in a malignant glioma model

Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD) are non-mammalian enzymes capable of converting innocuous prodrugs into cytotoxic metabolites. Both enzymes have been utilized independently, as well as together in 'suicide' gene therapy protocols to eliminate tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. We have used a set of replication defective HSV vectors expressing either or both enzymes to compare the efficacies of single and double suicide gene therapies in the 9L gliosarcoma model in vitro and in vivo. In cell culture experiments at high and low multiplicities of infection, combined expression of the two genes by vector TOCD/TK along with exposure to the matching prodrugs (ganciclovir and 5-fluorocytosine) showed increased cytotoxicity compared with exposure to either prodrug alone. However, the two gene combination was inferior to single gene treatments, suggesting that HSVtk and CD are mutually counteractive in the prodrug-dependent killing of glioma cells. In animal experiments, survival was not significantly prolonged by administration of both prodrugs to TOCD/TK-treated animals, while each single gene/prodrug pair resulted in increased survival. These results indicate that single suicide gene systems employing HSVtk or CD may be preferable over combinations of the two.

Latent prolactinoma on MRI-selective venous sampling and trans-sphenoidal microsurgical treatment

Bilateral and simultaneous selective venous sampling from the cavernous sinus, inferior petrosal sinus, jugular vein and peripheral vein was performed in 13 patients with hyperprolactinemia in whom dynamic magnetic resonance imaging failed to reveal pituitary adenoma. The prolactin level in peripheral veins of the patients on admission ranged from 35 to 141 ng ml(-1), with a mean value of 69 ng ml(-1). All patients showed disturbance of menstruation or galactorrhea. The indication for surgery in the present study was extremely rare; the patients each wanted to become pregnant and had an intolerance of dopamine agonists. Trans-sphenoidal surgery was performed based on the results of selective venous sampling. The postoperative levels of prolactin were normalized in nine of the patients and normal pituitary function was preserved after surgery. The present study revealed a correspondence of laterality of the peak prolactin level with the main tumor location in patients with latent prolactinoma. However, the tumor/nontumor ratio did not necessarily coincide with the pattern of tumor location, and tumor location was accurately predicted in only 70% of the cases. Selective venous sampling directly from central veins is useful for diagnosis of microprolactinoma.

HSV vector cytotoxicity is inversely correlated with effective TK/GCV suicide gene therapy of rat gliosarcoma

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-mediated delivery of the HSV thymidine kinase (tk) gene to tumor cells in combination with ganciclovir (GCV) administration may provide an effective suicide gene therapy for destruction of malignant glioblastomas. However, because HSV is a highly cytotoxic agent, gene expression from the virus is short-lived which may limit the effectiveness of HSVtk/GCV therapy. Using different replication-defective HSVtk gene vectors, we compared HSV vector backgrounds for their cytotoxic activity on infection of 9L gliosarcoma cells in culture and brain tumors in rats and evaluated the impact of vector toxicity on the effectiveness of tk/GCV-mediated suicide gene therapy. As reported previously for other cell lines, a vector deleted for both copies of the immediate-early (IE) gene ICP4 (SOZ.1) was highly toxic for 9L cells in culture while a vector deleted in addition for the ICP22 and ICP27 IE genes (T.1) reduced or arrested 9L cell proliferation with more limited cell killing. Nevertheless, both vectors supported widespread killing of uninfected cells in the presence of GCV following low multiplicity infections, indicating that vector cytotoxicity did not preempt the production of vector-encoded TK enzyme necessary for the killing of uninfected cells by the HSV-tk/GCV bystander effect. Although an SOZ.1-related vector (SHZ.2) caused tumor cell necrosis in vivo, injection of SHZ.2 at multiple coordinates thoughout the tumor followed by GCV administration failed to prolong markedly the survival of tumor-bearing rats. In contrast, a single injection of T.1 produced a life-extending response to GCV. These results indicate that vector cytotoxicity can limit the efficacy of HSV-tk/GCV treatment in vivo, which may be due to premature termination of tk gene expression with attendant abortion of the bystander effect.

Effective treatment of experimental glioblastoma by HSV vector-mediated TNF alpha and HSV-tk gene transfer in combination with radiosurgery and ganciclovir administration

Experiments were carried out in a nude mouse model of human glioblastoma to determine whether gamma-knife radiosurgery combined with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) suicide gene therapy and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene transfer provided an improved multimodality treatment of this disease. Animals were inoculated intracerebrally with 2 x 10(5) U-87MG human glioblastoma cells to establish brain tumors. At 3 days postinoculation, the tumor region was injected with 2 x 10(6) infectious particles of highly defective herpes simplex viral vectors expressing the viral tk gene with the kinetics of a viral immediate early gene either alone (T.1) or together with TNF alpha (TH:TNF). Subgroups of animals were given daily intraperitoneal injections of ganciclovir (GCV) for 10 days and/or subjected to gamma-knife radiosurgery on the fifth day post tumor-cell implantation. Comparisons of animal survival showed that the TH:TNF vector in combination with radiosurgery and GCV administration provided the most effective therapy; eight of nine animals survived for 75 days compared to four of eight using the next best protocol. These findings suggest that gene therapy in combination with more conventional therapeutic methods may provide an improved strategy for extending the life expectancy of patients afflicted with this ultimately fatal disease.

Connexin 43-enhanced suicide gene therapy using herpesviral vectors

Tumor cell transduction with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (tk) gene and treatment with ganciclovir (GCV) is a widely studied cancer gene therapy. Connexin (Cx)-dependent gap junctions between cells facilitate the intercellular spread of TK-activated GCV, thereby creating a bystander effect that improves tumor cell killing. However, tumor cells often have reduced connexin expression, thus thwarting bystander killing and the effectiveness of TK/GCV gene therapy. To improve the effectiveness of this therapy, we compared an HSV vector (TOCX) expressing Cx43 in addition to TK with an isogenic tk vector (TOZ.1) for their abilities to induce bystander killing of Cx-positive U-87 MG human glioblastoma cells and Cx-negative L929 fibrosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that low-multiplicity infection of U-87 MG cells with TOCX only minimally increased GCV-mediated cell death compared with infection by TOZ.1, consistent with the endogenous level of Cx in these cells. In contrast, bystander killing of L929 cells was markedly enhanced by vector-mediated expression of Cx. In vivo experiments in which U-87 MG cells were preinfected at low multiplicity and injected into the flanks of nude mice showed complete cures of all animals in the TOCX group following GCV treatment, whereas untreated animals uniformly formed fatal tumors. TOCX injection into U-87 MG intradermal and intracranial tumors resulted in prolonged survival of the host animals in a GCV-dependent manner. Together, these results suggest that the combination of TK and Cx may be beneficial for the treatment of human glioblastoma.

Enhanced tumor cell killing in the presence of ganciclovir by herpes simplex virus type 1 vector-directed coexpression of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase

Past studies have documented the promise of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase (TK) suicide gene therapy as a potential antitumor treatment. HSV-TK converts the pro-drug ganciclovir (GCV) into a toxic nucleotide analogue, the incorporation of which into cellular DNA blocks cell proliferation. In this report, we have examined the hypothesis that the effectiveness of HSV-TK suicide gene therapy can be enhanced by coexpression of the antitumor cytokine human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from the same replication-defective HSV-1 vector. In vitro testing demonstrated that TNF-alpha expression from this vector potentiated the killing of both TNF-alpha-sensitive L929 tumor cells and TNF-alpha-resistant U-87 MG cells in the presence of GCV. Furthermore, treatment of established intradermal L929 tumors in vivo with the TNF-alpha/TK vector and GCV resulted in prolonged animal survival compared with treatment with parental HSV-TK vector in the presence or absence of GCV. Treatment of intracerebral U-87 MG tumors showed a clear benefit of TK therapy, but a significant further increase in survival using the TNF-alpha vector could not be demonstrated. We found that potentiation of cell killing in vitro required intracellular TNF-alpha because purified protein added to the culture medium of cells infected with HSV-TK vector failed to have the same effect. Accordingly, potentiation in vivo should depend on efficient infection, but immunohistochemical analysis indicated that virus administration by U-87 MG intratumoral injection was inadequate, resulting in an estimated <1% infection of all tumor cells. Moreover, the majority of infected tumor cells were localized at the tumor margin. Together, these results suggest that TNF-enhanced tk gene therapy should provide a useful treatment for TNF-alpha-sensitive tumors and perhaps also for TNT-alpha-resistant tumors if vector delivery can be improved to increase the percentage of transduced tumor cells.

Efficient gene delivery into epstein-barr virus (EBV)-transformed human B cells mediated by replication-defective herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1): A gene therapy model for EBV-related B cell malignancy

Subgroups of the B cell malignancies are known to be associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, especially in immunocompromised patients. These are fatal and refractory to conventional antineoplastic therapy. B cells are usually post-mitotic cells and even mitogen activated or transformed B cells have shown relative resistance against viral mediated gene transfer. To address this issue, we employed a replication-defective herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) to mediate gene transfer into EBV-transformed B cells. The virus expresses the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and the E. coli lacZ reporter genes and is designated T0Z.1. We used the lymphoblastoid cell line SWEIG as a model for human EBV-related B cell malignancy. This cell line was established by in vitro EBV infection of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. When SWEIG cells were infected with T0Z.1, X-gal staining revealed lacZ expression in more than 20% cells even at multiplicity of infection (MOI) as low as 1 and the expression persisted for at least one week. Ganciclovir (GCV) administration after T0Z.1 infection effectively decreased the number of the infected tumor cells in a dose-responsive manner. Viral toxicity was analyzed by cell proliferation assay (MTS assay) and found to be little even at 10 MOI infection. Three MOI of the virus yielded maximum antineoplastic effect and more than 50% tumor cells were killed by HSV-TK/GCV. These results suggest the potential utility of replication-defective HSV-1 for the treatment of EBV-related B cell malignancies.

A humanized single-chain Fv fragment with high targeting potential against human malignant gliomas

A humanized ONS-M21 antibody (hM21) against human medulloblastoma and glioma cells was engineered as a single-chain Fv fragment (scFv), and its ability to internalize into tumor cells was evaluated by conjugation with ricin A. The scFv of hM21 (schM21) was easily purified from E.coli by one-step affinity column chromatography. Purified schM21 bound to a medulloblastoma ONS-76 cell with almost equal antigen-binding activity of hM21-Fab fragment. Furthermore, the schM21-ricin A conjugate inhibited the growth of ONS-76 cells, but not that of antigen-negative hepatoma HuH-7 cells, suggesting that the schM21 can be internalized after binding to antigen-positive cells. Thus, schM21 could be expected to act as a novel carrier of diagnostic and therapeutic agents for brain tumors.

[Effects of biochemical modulation chemotherapy with CDDP and 5-FU on metastatic brain tumor from lung cancer]

Fourteen cases of metastatic brain tumors from lung cancer underwent biochemical modulation chemotherapy with daily administration of small doses of CDDP (5 or 10 mg/day) and continuous infusion of 5-FU (300 mg/day) for three tow six weeks. All patients with metastatic brain tumors also underwent a total of 30 Gy of whole brain irradiation therapy. Of eleven patients who had metastatic brain tumors when chemotherapy started, complete and partial responses were shown in two patients each (36% response rate). Moreover, only four of twelve patients with extracranial lesions responded (33% response rate). Abnormal levels of tumor marker were improved in only three of 10 evaluable patients (30% response rate). Side effects of this chemotherapy included various WHO grades of bone marrow suppression as well as nausea and vomiting in 13 of 14 patients. Loss of appetite persisted for two months. Parkinsonism was also noted in three patients as an additional side effect. Mean survival time was 9.4 months, while 4 patients survived longer than one year. Data showing a low response rate, persistent loss of appetite and longer admission period were considered less favorable than those of other chemotherapeutic regimens.

[Treatment of metastatic brain tumors from lung cancer: analysis of performance status between treatment methods]

Retrospective analysis was performed in 280 patients; 112 surgical cases and 168 non-surgical cases to determine which of three treatments, alone or in combination provides more prolonged improvement of performance status (PS: Karnofsky score) in patients with metastatic brain tumors from lung cancer. The treatments under scrutiny were surgical removal of metastatic brain tumor (S), radiation therapy (R) and chemotherapy (C). KS in the group treated with S or C showed a significantly better result than that in the non-S group or non-C group during the two-year observation period. However, R group showed no significant improvement in KS compared to that in the non-C group during the two-year period. During the first year after admission, two subgroups of S plus R and R alone showed most rapid decrease in KS. However, subgroups of S plus C and S plus R and C showed better results than other subgroups. In analyzing the changes in KS over the short period from admission to one month after treatment had been completed, the non-S group showed a significant decrease in KS, while the S group showed a slight increase in mean KS. The subgroup of R alone showed the greatest decrease in KS. Thus, retrospective analysis showed that surgical removal of a metastatic brain tumor led to improved KS for a short period and chemotherapy was useful in prolonging the duration of better Q.O.L.

Decreased N-myc expression in human medulloblastoma cell lines during differentiation

Medulloblastoma is the most common primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the central nervous system, and shares some biochemical and immunological features with neuroblastoma. It could be suggested that N-myc expression in medulloblastoma is correlated with primitiveness or cell differentiation, as in neuroblastoma. N-myc expression in two human medulloblastoma cell lines (ONS-76 and -81) was investigated during drug-induced differentiation by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. The growth rates of the two medulloblastoma cell lines showed a marked decrease and morphological differentiation occurred after treatment with 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (dbt-cAMP). The decrease in N-myc expression with differentiation of cells was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. We believe that decreased N-myc expression is correlated with cell differentiation, and a decrease in the primitiveness of medulloblastoma cells.

Intramedullary spinal cord meningioma--a case report

A 54-year-old female presented with a spinal intramedullary meningioma manifesting as extremely slow development of dysesthesia in the extremities. Sagittal T1-weighted resonance imaging showed fusiform enlargement of the cervical spinal cord with an area of low-signal intensity suggestive of syringomyelia extending bidirectionally up to the medulla oblongata and downward from the homogeneously enhanced intramedullary space-occupying lesion. The tumor was confirmed to be intramedullary mass with no dural attachment, and was totally removed en bloc. Histological examination showed transitional type of meningioma. The tumor specimen was positive for epithelial membrane antigen, and included glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive fibers, which were thought to be surrounding neural tissues trapped by the nodularity of the tumor in the growing process.

Hemifacial spasm due to compression of the facial nerve by vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm and elongated vertebral artery--case report

A 62-year-old female presented with rapid aggravation of long-standing facial spasm occurring within a few months. Neuroimaging and angiography demonstrated compression of the root exit zone (REZ) of the facial nerve by an ipsilateral saccular aneurysm at the left vertebral artery (VA)-posterior inferior cerebellar artery bifurcation, in addition to the elongated VA. Neck clipping of the aneurysm and decompression of the REZ from the elongated VA and clipped aneurysm resulted in complete disappearance of the facial spasm. The aneurysm had very thin walls and was apparently about to rupture. Aggravation of long-standing hemifacial spasm may be a warning sign for rapid growth and rupture of a causative aneurysm.

An immunohistochemical analysis of medulloblastoma and PNET with emphasis on N-myc protein expression

Medulloblastoma is the most common primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the central nervous system. Standard whole neuroaxis radiation prolongs survival, but causes mental retardation and growth disturbance. It is important to find appropriate prognostic indicators for medulloblastoma in children. We assessed the prognostic values of N-myc expression in medulloblastoma. Nineteen medulloblastoma or supratentorial PNET (SPNET) patients (15 males and 4 females) were immunohistochemically investigated for N-myc expression. Sixteen patients were N-myc-positive, and three were N-myc-negative. N-myc-positive patients had a tendency towards a poor outcome (P = 0.1125). N-myc-negative tumors were more differentiated towards glial lineage than N-myc-positive tumors. N-myc-negative and GFAP-positive patients (n = 2) tended to survive N-myc-positive and GFAP-negative patients (n = 13). In medulloblastoma and SPNET patients, N-myc expression may become an appropriate indicator of poor prognosis and primitive cell differentiation.

A novel PNET cell line with melanotic differentiation

The primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) cell line, ONS-99, was established from a human melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI). ONS-99 cells were polygonal adherent cells and transplantable to BALB/c-nu/nu mouse. ONS-99 cells were positive for NSE, HMB-45 (melanoma-associated antigen) and N-myc, but lacked the antigenic features of terminally differentiated neurons or glias. ONS-99 cells had many intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm and tight intercellular junctions with scant cytoplasmic structures by electron microscopy. To date, ONS-99 is the only example of an established PNET cell line with melanotic differentiation.

In vitro assessment for neurotoxicity of antitumor agents before local administration into central nervous system

In vitro assays for neurotoxicity with the aid of cultured mouse fetal neurons and glial cells were applied to investigate neurotoxicity of recombinant murine interferon-beta (rMuIFN-beta). These data were compared with those for MTX, ADR, and ACNU. The range of concentrations of the drugs used in these experiments spanned their clinically achievable concentrations in patient serum (IFN-beta: 1 x 10(4) IU/ml, MTX: 100 micrograms/ml, ADR: 20 micrograms/ml, ACNU: 20 micrograms/ml). rMuIFN- beta damaged both neurons and glial cells at concentrations of more than 1 x 10(5) IU/ml but did not damage them at 1 x 10(4) IU/ml or less. Microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A) staining was decreased in rMuIFN-beta-treated (more than 1 x 10(5) IU/ml) neutrons. In conclusion, since IFN-beta may have some neurotoxic effects at concentrations higher than 1 x 10(5) IU/ml, it should be administered carefully, as should other antitumor agents, into the tumor cavity in the CNS following surgery.

Humanization of mouse ONS-M21 antibody with the aid of hybrid variable regions

Mouse monoclonal antibody, ONS-M21, directed against human medulloblastoma cells, has been humanized by complementarity determining region (CDR) grafting. A humanized ONS-M21 VH region, comparable to the original mouse ONS-M21 VH region, was easily constructed based on framework regions (FRs) 1, 2 and 3 from human EU antibody and on FR4 from human ND antibody. Five alterations in the FRs were made at amino acids 27, 28, 29, 30 and 94 which are all part of the canonical structure for CDR1 (H1). The humanized ONS-M21 VL regions were constructed based on the FRs from human REI antibody. We first identified five amino acid residues in the FRs at positions 20, 21, 71, 73 and 87 as having a possible adverse influences on antigen binding. None of the versions with a variety of combinations at these five positions showed any bindings to antigen. In order to identify the mouse residues that must be retained in the human FRs, hybrid VL regions were constructed by joining the mouse ONS-M21 VL region and the first humanized version within CDR2. The hybrid VL regions revealed that residues in FR1 and/or FR2 were critical in creating a functional antigen binding site. Redesigning several versions with alterations in FR1 and FR2 revealed that the Pro-46 residue was the only critical residue for creating an antigen binding site. This approach should be helpful in identifying key residues in difficult cases of antibody humanization.

Selective expression of foreign genes in glioma cells: use of the mouse myelin basic protein gene promoter to direct toxic gene expression

We have previously demonstrated that retrovirus-mediated genes were transferred to mouse glioma cells in a meningeal gliomatosis model (Yamada et al.: Japanese Journal of Cancer Research 83:1244-1247, 1992). This retrovirus vector contains the Escherichia coli. beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene as a marker for integration of the lacZ gene, which is controlled by the SV40 early promoter. We investigated whether lacZ genes could be specifically controlled in mouse glioma cells by glial-specific promoters, including the 2.5 kb 5' flanking region of the mouse glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene, the 1.3 kb 5' flanking region of the myelin basic protein (MBP) gene, and the 1.5 kb 5' flanking region of the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) gene. Psi-2 packaging cells were transfected with each retrovirus vector (GFAP promoter-, MBP promoter-, and PLP promoter-lacZ) and the infectious virus particles were recovered from the supernatants. Blue staining for beta-gal was detected in various fibroblast, myeloma, and glioma cell lines transduced with the retrovirus BAG vector. On the other hand, blue staining was only detected in glioma cells after transduction with the lacZ gene-bearing retrovirus controlled by glial-specific promoters. The strongest promoter activity was detected after transduction with the retrovirus in which the MBP promoter controlled the lacZ gene. Mouse glioma cells transduced with retrovirus containing the MBP promoter directing the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HTK) gene were extremely sensitive to ganciclovir, while the parental cells and cells transduced with retrovirus containing the lacZ gene were not sensitive to ganciclovir.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterisation of a new mouse monoclonal antibody (ONS-M21) reactive with both medulloblastomas and gliomas

We developed an IgG1 mouse monoclonal antibody (ONS-M21) directed against a cell surface antigen of medulloblastomas and gliomas in immunisation of mice with the ONS-76 medulloblastoma cell line. The antibody specifically reacted with medulloblastomas, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumours (SPNETs) and gliomas, but not with other neuroectodermally derived tumours (neuroblastoma and melanoma) or with other kinds of tumours (meningioma, neurinoma, leukaemia, and small cell lung cancer). No reactivity was identified with normal body tissues, including peripheral blood cells. Characterisation of the ONS-M21 antigen showed that it was a trypsin-sensitive glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 80 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The pattern of reactivity and the biochemical properties of this antigen were different from those of other markers of medulloblastoma. These results indicate that ONS-M21 detects a new tumour-associated cell surface antigen specifically expressed by medulloblastomas, SPNETs, and gliomas. This is the first report that medulloblastomas may share common cell surface antigens with gliomas, although most studies have concluded that medulloblastoma has a predominantly neuronal phenotype. The lack of reactivity with normal tissue implies that ONS-M21 has potential applications as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic agent.

Murine model of leptomeningeal dissemination using human medulloblastoma cells

An experimental model of meningeal dissemination was developed by intracisternal inoculation of human medulloblastoma (ONS-76) cells into nude mice. All mice died within 65 days after inoculation of 1 x 10(7) tumor cells. The median survival time was 56 days. Clinical signs and histological findings were similar to those in medulloblastoma patients with meningeal dissemination. Immunohistochemical studies showed that ONS-76 cells in the subarachnoid space expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens until 20 days after inoculation. After 30 days, expression of MHC class I antigens decreased and cells began to proliferate rapidly. Expression of MHC class I antigens on tumor cells may result in effective recognition by the host immune system.

Cytotoxic effects of a new antitumor antibiotic, FK973, in malignant glioma

A novel antitumor antibiotic, 11-acetyl-8-carbamoyloxymethyl-4-formyl-14-oxa-1, 11-diazatetracyclo [7.4.1.0(2,7).0(10,12] tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-6,9-diyl diacetate, FK973, was obtained as a fermentation product from Streptomyces sandaensis. This drug showed excellent cytotoxic effects on human glioblastoma and medulloblastoma and murine glioma (203 glioma) cells. The antitumor effects were also observed in ACNU-resistant glioma cells. The median survival time (MST) of MG models was 15 days. When they were treated with FK973, their MST was prolonged to 21 days. FK973 showed no apparent damage to murine brain cells.

[In vitro chemosensitivity test with several antitumor agents against eight malignant brain tumor cell-lines]

We performed an in vitro chemosensitivity test with 8 malignant brain tumor cell lines, which were established in our Department. It was shown that ACNU was moderately tumoricidal against only one cell (ONS-86) line. IFN-beta (interferon-beta) was more active against 4 cell (ONS-6, -20, -76, and -81) lines. VCR (vincristine), MTX (methotrexate), and Ara-C (cytosine arabinoside) and FK 973 were most effective against all 8 cell lines. There were some difference in the drug sensitivities among the tumors with the same pathological diagnosis. Since IFN-beta was tumoricidal against to the cells, co-culture of IFN-beta and one of other antitumor agents seemed to induce more antitumor effects. With regard to the side effects of IFN-beta, the combined therapy with IFN-beta and other drugs induced more antitumor effects against malignant brain tumor cells and seemed to reduce the side effects.

[Antitumor activity of FK973 for malignant gliomas and its assessment for normal brain cells]

FK973, a novel antitumor antibiotic, was obtained as a fermentation product of Streptomyces sandaensis. FK973 had excellent cytotoxic effects against in vitro cultured human glioblastomas, medulloblastomas, and murine glioma (203 glioma) cells. The antitumor effects were also well observed against ACNU resistant glioma cells. FK973 did not go through the blood-brain barrier. The median survival time (MST) of MG models treated with FK973 was 21 days. On the other hand, the MST of the control group was 15 days. In the in vitro assessment against neural disturbance, FK973 showed a little disturbance of murine brain cells but less toxic than ADM. In the in vivo neurotoxicity examination, FK973 showed no clear damage to the neural cells and myelin sheaths.

[Expression of major histocompatibility complex on human medulloblastoma cells]

Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors in childhood. These cells are immature bipotential cells that could differentiate into both neuronal and glial cells. The authors established two human medulloblastoma cell lines. One was derived from a 2-year-old girl with cerebellar tumor (designated as ONS-76) and another was from a 9-year-old girl with metastatic tumor in the right frontal lobe (ONS-81). Immunohistochemical studies showed that both cell lines possessed 145 and 200 kDa neurofilament proteins and neuron-specific enolase, without glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein. It was shown that interferon gamma could enhance or induce the expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens which play a major role in immune response. Also shown for the first time was the expression of MHC class II antigens on human medulloblastoma (ONS-76 and 81) with neuronal differentiation.

Neural transplantation in mouse Parkinson's disease

A complete recovery from the methamphetamine-induced rotational response was shown in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice which had had unilateral 6-OHDA lesions in the nigrostriatal pathway about 60 days after transplantation of approximately 1 x 10(6) dopamine-rich cells from syngeneic or allogeneic (C3H/HeN, H-2k) mouse embryos (ED 15), without immunosuppressive agents. Morphological examination showed tyrosine-hydroxylase-immunoreactive cell clusters around the needle tract in the mice which were transplanted not only with syngeneic cells but also with allogeneic cells. This might indicate that so-called immunosuppressive agents are not necessary for grafted embryonic cells to survive in an allogeneic mouse brain.

[High yielding culture of LAK cells by the concentration rotary tissue culture system and its clinical application]

The concentration rotary tissue culture system (Kawasumi Laboratories, Inc. Japan) was utilized to induce LAK cells from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of brain tumor patients. These LAK cells were administrated into the tumor cavity or cerebrospinal space of the patients. Under our culture system, the final administration of LAK cells increased tenfold of the initial PBLs, which were collected by leukapheresis. Around 4 weeks after the culture, these cells could not increase in number, with the decrease in cytotoxicity activity against Daudi and human glioblastoma (ONS-12) cells. The level of ammonium and lactate in the culture medium were comparatively kept low. IL-2 receptors were amplified with the increase in T cell population, especially helper T cells. This system may be a good tool to induce LAK cells for adoptive immunotherapy.

Expression of major histocompatibility complex on human medulloblastoma cells with neuronal differentiation

Medulloblastomas are among the most common malignant brain tumors in children. These tumors consist of immature bipotential cells that may differentiate into neuronal and glial cells. We have established two cell lines for human medulloblastoma. One was derived from a 2-year-old girl with a cerebellar tumor (designated as ONS-76) and another from a 9-year-old girl with a metastatic tumor in the right frontal lobe (ONS-81). The in vitro population-doubling times were 18.6 and 19.2 h, respectively. Immunohistochemical studies showed that both cells possessed neurofilament protein (Mr 145,000 and 200,000) and neuron-specific enolase, without glial fibrillary acidic protein or S-100 protein. Human gamma-interferon enhanced class I major histocompatibility complex antigens on these medulloblastoma cells. Class II major histocompatibility complex antigens were also induced by human interferon-gamma. We here report for the first time the expression of class II major histocompatibility antigens, which play an important role in immune response, on human medulloblastoma cells with neuronal differentiation.

[Antitumor efficacy of FK 973 on malignant glioma cells]

FK 973, a new substituted dihydrobenzoxazine, was obtained by chemical modification of a novel antibiotic which was isolated from the fermentation products of streptomyces sandaensis No. 6897. FK 973 had cytotoxic effects against in vitro cultured human and murine glioma cells. The concentration of FK 973 required to inhibit cell growth by 50% was 0.06-5 micrograms/ml, after 2-day exposure of this drug against human glioblastoma (ONS-6, 12, 23, and ONS-12/ACNU), human medulloblastoma (ONS-76, 81), human neuroblastoma (ST), and murine glioblastoma (RSV-M glioma). FK 973 showed antitumor efficacy in the meningeal gliomatosis models by RSV-M glioma cells. The median survival time (MST) of models treated by FK 973 (i.t.) was 30 days. However, the MST of control group was 23 days. In the in vitro neurotoxicity test, FK 973 proved to be slightly more toxic than ACNU and MTX, but it had no crucial problems, compared with ADM.

[Establishment and biological characterization of human medulloblastoma cell lines]

Two cell lines of human medulloblastoma (ONS-76 and ONS-81) were established, and their biological characteristics were investigated. The cell line, ONS-76, was established from a tumor specimens obtained from a large cerebellar tumor of a 2-year-old girl. The pathological diagnosis was a typical medulloblastoma. The other cell line, ONS-81, was derived from a metastatic tumor in right frontal lobe of a 9-year-old girl. The tumor specimens were minced into fragments approximately 1 mm in diameter and cultured in plastic culture flasks in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS) and 50% patients serum. The cells growing as a monolayer were subcultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FCS and initially with L-glutamine, sodium pyruvate, and nonessential amino acid. Microscopically, both cultured cells exhibited various morphological appearances, and this morphological heterogeneity seemed to be specific for medulloblastoma cells. The in vitro population doubling time of ONS-76 and ONS-81 were 18.6 and 19.2 hr, respectively. The ONS-76 and ONS-81 cells formed subcutaneous tumors in nude mice as serial transplantable xenograft, and these tumors had a microscopic appearance similar to that of the original medulloblastoma. Ultrastructurally++, the cultured cells showed primitive, undifferentiated appearance, and no neuronal or glial structures were not seen. Immunohistochemical studies showed that both cells expressed neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilament protein (NFP 200 K, 145 K), but glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein were not detected. The NFP immunoreactivities of both cultured cells were demonstrated as abnormal perinuclear deposits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of repeated hematomyelia caused by cavernous hemangioma in the spinal cord]

A case is reported of repeated hematomyelia caused by cavernous hemangioma in the spinal cord. A 47-year-old woman first noticed a sudden onset of numbness in her thigh and then it gradually disappeared. Four months after the onset, she began to experience weakness and numbness in both of her legs, and difficulty in voiding and defecating. She recovered gradually for several months, but felt numbness in both legs. Myelography showed swelling at Th5 level. T2-weighted MRI showed a reticulated core of mixed intensity with rims of decreased intensity. During the subsequent operation, a dark brown lesion was detected at Th5 level, which consisted of multicystic cavities with old hematoma. But there were no abnormal vessels, or active bleeding. This lesion was almost completely removed and was diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma.

Changes in glucose uptake by and phlorizin binding to brush-border membrane vesicles of small intestine from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The changes in the intestinal glucose transport in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats have been demonstrated with brush-border membrane vesicles. When Na+-dependent D-glucose uptake and phlorizin binding activities were compared, both significantly increased either in the jejunum or ileum of diabetic rats compared with those of control. Kinetic studies showed the increases in the Vmax of glucose transport and the maximum binding of phlorizin (Bmax), whereas the Kt and Kd remained unchanged, respectively. These results suggested that the increase in glucose transport in diabetic rat intestine was due to the increase in the number of the intact glucose transporters.

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.

Effect of dietary vitamin D3 and cadmium on the lipid composition of rat intestinal brush border membranes

Vitamin D deficiency in cadmium-exposed rats was observed along with enhanced tissue cadmium accumulation. In relation to the barrier function, the changes in the lipid composition have been studied in the intestinal brush border membranes prepared from rats raised on diets differing in vitamin D status in the absence or presence of cadmium. In an analysis of lipid composition, vitamin D3 treatment resulted in an increase of phospholipid content, and cadmium ingestion resulted in a decrease of cholesterol and glycolipid contents in the duodenal brush border membranes. On the other hand, vitamin D3 and cadmium showed no significant effect on the lipid composition of the jejunal brush border membranes. Further analysis of the fatty acid composition in duodenal brush border membrane lipids showed that vitamin D3 treatment led to an increase of the proportion of fatty acids (18:1 and 18:2 in the total and phospholipid fraction) and also shorter chain fatty acids in neutral lipid fractions in the absence of cadmium. However, vitamin D3 treatment in the presence of cadmium led to a decrease of the proportion of fatty acid (18:2 in the total and phospholipid fraction) and also shorter chain fatty acids in neutral lipid fractions. Vitamin D-dependent alterations of the membranes might act as a barrier in cadmium-exposed rats.

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)

Digestion and absorption of sugars and sugar substitutes in rat small intestine

The bioavailability of newly developed sugar substitutes was observed by measuring the transmural potential difference (delta PD) evoked by Na+-dependent active transport of glucose, which is supposed to be produced by the hydrolysis of sugar substitutes. delta PD was measured using everted intestinal sac prepared from jejunum of adult rats and compared with the digestibility of sugar substitutes in the mucosal homogenate of everted sac. delta PDs evoked by glucose, maltose or maltosylfructose had almost the same levels, however, the delta PD evoked by sucrose was a little lower. delta PDs evoked by maltitol or palatinose were low, and delta PDs evoked by fructo-oligosaccharides were negligible. The hydrolyzing activities of these sugars and sugar substitutes by the mucosal homogenate were correlated with the delta PDs. A significant positive correlation was observed between delta PDmax of various sugars and sugar substitutes and the Vmax of their corresponding hydrolyzing activities. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between Kt and Km values of these sugars. These results suggest that the absorption of sugar substitutes is dependent on digestibility by membrane digestive enzymes.