A defective nontransmissible recombinant Sendai virus mediates efficient gene transfer to airway epithelium in vivo

Recombinant Sendai virus (SeV)-mediated gene transfer to differentiated airway epithelial cells has shown to be very efficient, because of its ability to overcome the intra- and extracellular barriers known to limit gene delivery. However, this virus is transmission competent and therefore unlikely to be suitable for use in clinical trials. A nontransmissible, replication-competent recombinant SeV has recently been developed by deleting the envelope Fusion (F) protein gene (SeV/DeltaF). Here we show that SeV/DeltaF is able to mediate beta-galactosidase reporter gene transfer to the respiratory tract of mice in vivo, as well as to human nasal epithelial cells in vitro. Further, in an ex vivo model of differentiated airway epithelium, SeV/DeltaF gene transfer was not importantly inhibited by native mucus. When compared to the transmission-competent SeV in vivo, no difference in gene expression was observed at the time of peak expression. The development of an F-defective nontransmissible SeV, which can still efficiently mediate gene transfer to the airway epithelium, represents the first important step towards the use of a cytoplasmic RNA viral vector in clinical trials of gene therapy.

Necessity of thromboxane A2 for initiation of platelet-mediated contact sensitivity: dual activation of platelets and vascular endothelial cells

To investigate the crucial role of platelet-derived thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) in initiating Ag-specific contact sensitivity (CS), a platelet-dependent CS model using genetically mast cell-deficient W/W(v) mice, was provided. In vivo treatment with BAYu3405, a TXA(2) receptor antagonist, markedly suppressed CS responses in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect occurred when BAYu3405 was administered before an early initiating phase, suggesting that TXA(2) may be a potent initiator of platelet-mediated CS responses. When platelets were pretreated with BAYu3405 in vitro, platelet aggregation as well as serotonin release, which is able to induce the early phase response allowing local recruitment of CS effector T cells due to direct activation of vascular endothelial cells, was inhibited. The addition of U46619, a TXA(2) agonist, or a mixture of platelets and thrombin-enhanced expression of both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on isolated mouse aortic endothelial cells, which was completely abolished by pretreatment with BAYu3405. Furthermore, intradermal injection of U46619 into the ear of platelet-depleted mice led to CS responses with marked expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on the vascular endothelium. These findings suggest that TXA(2) generated from platelets activated with Ag may mediate initiation of CS responses through inducing serotonin release from platelets and the subsequent aggregation and up-regulated expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on vascular endothelial cells.

Identification and partial purification of a basic fibroblast growth factor-like growth factor derived from bovine colostrum

Bovine colostrum that had been collected up to 6 h postpartum was fractionated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, and various fractions were examined for basic fibroblast growth factor activity. Activity that stimulated cell growth was detected in the cream fraction, which was purified by isoelectric focusing and heparin affinity chromatography. Three peaks were eluted from the heparin affinity column at approximately 0.5, 1, and 1.75 M NaCl. Although activity that stimulated cell growth was detected in the second and third peaks, a reaction with antibasic fibroblast growth factor antibody was observed only in the third peak. Fractions in the second and third peaks were examined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Activity that stimulated cell growth was detected in the second and third peaks; however, after Western blot analysis using antibasic fibroblast growth factor, only the third peak yielded positive bands at 15 and 28 kDa. These fractions were further subjected to a neutralization test using antibasic fibroblast growth factor antibody. The activity that stimulated cell growth in the second peak was virtually unchanged; however, the activity in the third peak was diminished, showing a relative activity of less than 10% at 1.25 micrograms/ml. Therefore, neutralization of the activity that stimulates cell growth by antibasic fibroblast growth factor antibody suggests that the third peak, which was eluted at approximately 1.5 to 2 M NaCl in heparin affinity chromatography, might be a basic fibroblast growth factor-like growth factor.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in virus-infected cells by electron microscopic in situ hybridization

We describe a procedure for in situ hybridization using a biotinylated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequence with detection at the light and electron microscopic levels. In situ hybridization using an immunogold-silver staining detection system was used to identify biotinylated DNA probes in cell smears and in Lowicryl K4M-embedded EBV-infected and -noninfected cell lines. At the light microscopic level, the reaction product of hybridized EBV DNA sequence seemed to be located mainly in the nuclei. The labelling was dependent on the cell strains. However, at the electron microscopic level, the reaction product was evident as spots or clusters distributed not only in the nuclei of EBV-infected cells but also in the cytoplasm and extracellular particles. These findings suggest that immature particles in the cytoplasm contain EBV DNA. This procedure can be applied to the observation and identification of virus infection.

Hodgkin disease occurring in a patient with extremely high serum antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus--associated antigens without chronic illness

PURPOSE

We described for the first time a patient with long-lasting, extremely high serum antibody titer against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen and early antigen without clinical symptoms suggestive of active EBV infection; the patient finally developed Hodgkin disease (HD) after 7 years of follow-up.

PATIENT AND METHODS

High serum EBV antibody titers were noted at 2 years of age. Immunological evaluation was performed at the age of 7 years. EBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity was normal. None of the other results showed any significant abnormalities except for the abnormal antibody titers against EBV-associated antigens.

RESULTS

The patient developed HD at the age of 9 years. In addition, EBV genomes were found in the nuclei of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in the lymph node.

CONCLUSIONS

This case suggests that (a) a patient with extremely high serum antibody titers against EBV-associated antigens may develop HD after a prolonged period, even though no clinical symptom suggestive of active EBV infection is observed; (b) EBV may play an important role in the occurrence of HD.

Detection and quantification of virus DNA in plasma of patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes various diseases, such as infectious mononucleosis (IM), fatal IM, EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBVAHS), and chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV). In the present study, cell-free EBV DNA was detected in the plasma of patients with EBV-associated diseases by PCR assay. The patients included 20 patients with IM, 2 patients with fatal IM, 4 patients with EBVAHS, 4 patients with CAEBV, and 38 healthy children (20 EBV seropositive and 18 EBV seronegative). In patients with IM, plasma samples were positive for EBV DNA in all patients (100%) in the acute phase and in 44% of the patients in the convalescent phase, but plasma samples from the 38 healthy control children were negative (0%) for EBV DNA. Quantitative PCR assay revealed that plasma from patients with IM contained the highest amount of virus DNA within 7 days following the onset of disease (mean, 6 x 10(4) copies per ml). The EBV DNA concentration decreased thereafter as the patients recovered. Plasma from patients with fatal IM contained more than 100 times more copies of EBV DNA (3 x 10(7) copies per ml) than plasma from patients with IM. Plasma from patients with the acute phase of EBVAHS contained 10 times more copies of EBV DNA (5 x 10(5) copies per ml) than plasma from IM, and then patients with the number of copies decreased similarly in both groups of patients in the convalescent phase (2 x 10(4) copies per ml). The amount of virus DNA in patients with CAEBV (6 x 10(4) copies per ml) was similar to that noted in patients with IM; however, it became higher (1 x 10(6) copies per ml) when the patients' clinical status deteriorated. These data suggest that the presence of cell-free EBV DNA in plasma is a common phenomenon in patients with EBV-associated diseases. The concentration of EBV DNA in plasma seems to be higher in patients with the more severe clinical categories of EBV diseases.

An infantile case of cytomegalovirus induced idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with predominant proliferation of CD10 positive lymphoblast in bone marrow

An infant with cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) at 4 months of age. A bone marrow (BM) aspiration showed a remarkable increase of immature megakaryocytes and prominent proliferation of lymphoblasts. Flow cytometric analysis of the bone marrow cells showed that the predominant cells in the lymphocyte cluster were of B-lineage (CD19) with CD10 (common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen) positive. Virus study showed a higher titer of CMV antibody. Cytomegalovirus DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in urine, peripheral cells and marrow cells. Low-grade fever, diarrhea and petechiae were accompanied by mild liver dysfunction. Complete remission was made with intravenous high-dose immunoglobulin (IVIg) without progression to overt acute leukemia. The percentage of CD10+/CD19+ lymphocytes in bone marrow also diminished. We postulated that the proliferation of immature lymphocytes and megakaryocytes in bone marrow was caused by maturation arrest that might result from CMV infection.

Rapid detection of cytomegalovirus DNA in sera using the polymerase chain reaction: relationship with clinical diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation

A 21-year-old man had chronic renal failure and received a renal transplant. We used the polymerase chain reaction technique to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in serum, blood, and urine for the diagnosis of CMV infection after the renal transplantation. CMV DNA in the serum was detected by polymerase chain reaction only during the active stage, while CMV DNA in urine and blood was detected even during the silent stage of CMV infection. It is suggested that the use of the polymerase chain reaction in serum would be useful for the rapid diagnosis of active CMV infection.

Epstein-Barr virus activity in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Patients with uremia are susceptible to viral infections, especially to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Sixty-one patients with end-stage renal diseases on chronic hemodialysis (HD), 14 patients with impaired renal function (CRF), and 27 healthy controls were studied with regard to EBV infection. Uremic patients (HD and CRF) had a significantly higher incidence of EBV infection and higher titers of anti-EBV VCA-IgG antibody than healthy controls. The anti-EBNA-1 titer was significantly higher in patients whose dialysis period was more than 3 months than in whom the dialysis period was 3 months or less. Immunoblotting analysis also showed stronger EBNA-1 signals in hemodialysis patients than EBNA-2, which was strongly detected in the CRF group and in healthy controls. EBV DNA was detected by Southern blot hybridization after PCR amplification of peripheral leukocytes, and occurred at a greater incidence in hemodialysis patients than in the other groups. Taken together, these results demonstrated that hemodialysis patients had persistent EBV infection.

[Rapid diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a renal transplant recipient by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]

We used the PCR method to detect CMV-DNA in serum, urine, and peripheral blood of a patient who had received a renal transplant. A correlation was found between the active stage of the infections and the serum level of CMV-DNA. While no correlation was found in urine or blood. To detect CMV-DNA as early as possible, the serum samples were prepared by glass powder treatment and subjected to PCR followed by nonradioactive DNA hybridization. Moreover, to increase the sensitivity of detection a nested PCR method was employed and we found that the PCR-products were easily detected on the ethidium bromide-stained gel without the following hybridization. Thus, PCR in serum would be useful for rapid diagnosis of the infection and monitoring anti-viral drug therapy.

[A case of Budd-Chiari syndrome treated by radical operation under hepatic perfusion and extracorporeal circulation]

A 41-year-old male patient of Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with membranous obstructions of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava and the left hepatic vein was reported. A radical operation was carried out. The retrohepatic inferior vena cava was reconstructed by a ringed EPTFE patch graft after endovenectomy with the aid of extracorporeal circulation for caval and portal bypasses utilizing cold hepatic perfusion. The patient has been doing well 18 months after the operation.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA in dried newborn blood filter paper

To detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA, filter paper spotted with peripheral blood from newborns 4 to 7 days after birth was dried and subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Southern blot hybridization with a nonradioactive oligonucleotide probe. The detection rates were 25.1% in healthy individuals and 33.0% in low body weight neonates weighing not more than 2500 g at birth, most of whom appeared to have been infected transplacentally or by other means within the uterus. HCMV was detected after only heating the dried blood on the filter paper, and may be applied as a screening method for the early diagnosis of HCMV.

Fatal Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

A virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome is characterized by high fever, liver dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities, pancytopenia, and a benign histiocytic proliferation with prominent hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, lymph node, spleen, and liver. We describe six Japanese children with fatal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. Five of the six patients had serologic evidence of primary EBV infection at the onset of their diseases. EBV genomes were detected in all the patients by Southern blot hybridization or the polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, clonality analysis of the EBV genome showed that EBV-infected cells proliferated monoclonally or biclonally in three examined patients. In situ hybridization study using EBV-encoded RNA 1 (EBER1) showed that EBER1 was detected in one of two examined liver tissues, which localized in hepatocytes.

Structural study of the sugar chains of porcine factor VIII--tissue- and species-specific glycosylation of factor VIII

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of blood coagulation factor VIII purified from porcine plasma were released as oligosaccharides by hydrazinolysis. These sugar chains were converted to radioactive oligosaccharides by reduction with sodium borotritide and separated into neutral and acidic fractions by paper electrophoresis. Most of the acidic oligosaccharides were converted to neutral ones by sialidase digestion, indicating that they are sialyl derivatives. The neutral and the sialidase-treated acidic oligosaccharides were fractionated by serial chromatography on immobilized lectin columns. Structural study of each oligosaccharide by sequential exoglycosidase digestion and by methylation analysis revealed that porcine factor VIII contains high mannose-type and bi-, tri-, and tetraantennary complex-type sugar chains. Sixty-seven percent of the complex-type sugar chains contained the Gal alpha 1-->3Gal group, and 23% of the biantennary complex-type sugar chains contained the bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residue. These structures were not detected in the sugar chains of human plasma factor VIII. An in vitro competition study of von Willebrand factor and anti-Gal antibody for binding to factor VIII revealed that von Willebrand factor prevented antibody binding to Gal alpha 1-->3Gal groups in porcine factor VIII sugar chains. This suggests that anti-Gal antibody present in human plasma may not interact with the sugar chains of therapeutic porcine factor VIII. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to identify porcine tissues producing FVIII mRNA. These studies revealed that the kidney is one of the major tissues expressing factor VIII which may contain the sugar chains with the bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residue.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus transcripts in chemically or immunologically-activated cells and in a null cell-line (HLN-STL-C) by in situ hybridization with alkaline phosphatase-linked oligonucleotide probes

We report a simple procedure for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by in situ DNA-RNA hybridization with an alkaline phosphatase-linked oligonucleotide probe. EBV-producing cell lines P3HR-1 and Akata were treated with phorbol ester and n-butyrate, and anti-human IgG, respectively. This treatment resulted in highly increased populations of cells with EBV transcripts of the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and envelop glycoprotein gp350/220, but not of EBV-encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBERs). Synthesis of the LMP1 protein, which was encoded by the induced mRNA, was mostly dependent on viral DNA synthesis, as shown by double or single labeling for in situ DNA-DNA hybridization with the oligo-nucleotide probe, and immunoperoxidase staining with a monoclonal antibody against LMP1. In situ hybridization of the null cell line HLN-STL-C established from an adult T-cell leukemia patient showed that 100% of the cells contained both EBERs and LMP1 mRNA and about 0.1% of the cells contained gp350/220 mRNA, indicating that a few of the null cells which carried the EBV genome spontaneously entered the late EBV replication cycle.

Epstein-Barr virus genome-positive tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with Kawasaki disease-like coronary aneurysms

A patient with recurrent renal failure due to massive interstitial nephritis caused by Leu 3a + 3b-positive T-cell infiltration and associated with multiple thromboembolic attacks is reported. He died of gastrointestinal bleeding after treatment with anticancer agents. At autopsy, diffuse necrosis of the bilateral kidneys was noted as well as giant coronary aneurysms filled with thrombus that resembled those seen in Kawasaki disease and multiple old myocardial infarcts were also present. Among the various Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibodies, the titers anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) and anti-early antigen (EBEA) IgG antibody were always very high in contrast to the relatively low titers of anti-EB nuclear antigen (EBNA) antibodies. DNA extracted from kidney tissue obtained at autopsy was analyzed by Southern blot hybridization after the amplification of EBV-specific DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. In situ hybridization of kidney tissue obtained at biopsy was also performed using an enzyme-linked probe derived from the EBV-encoded RNA 1 (EBER1) gene. As a result, the EBV genome was found both at autopsy and in the biopsy tissue, which clearly revealed EBER1 in the interstitial cells. Taking account of the progressive ST-T changes of the electrocardiograms which were normal early in his course, multiple myocardial infarction associating multiple giant aneurysms probably occurred during this disease process. Thus, it could be concluded that chronic active EBV infection contributed massive interstitial nephritis mediated by the activation of Leu 3a + 3b-positive T cells.

Differentiation of oncogenic and nononcogenic strains of Marek's disease virus type 1 by using polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification

Differentiation of oncogenic and nononcogenic strains of Marek's disease virus type 1 (MDV1) was attempted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers chosen from the sequence within the long inverted repeats of MDV1 DNA. PCR of the DNAs extracted from oncogenic-strain-infected cells and Marek's disease tumor cell lines produced a major product containing two or three copies of 132-base-pair (bp) repeat units, whereas PCRs of the DNAs extracted from nononcogenic-strain-infected cells yielded amplified products with various sizes corresponding to the number of 132-bp repeat units. The primers chosen from the glycoprotein A genes of MDV1 and herpesvirus of turkeys also were used for determination of their serotype specificity. The PCR procedure was found to be a simple and sensitive procedure for identification of MDV1 and herpesvirus of turkeys and for estimation of oncogenicity of MDV1.

Increased sensitivity for detection of human cytomegalovirus in urine by removal of inhibitors for the polymerase chain reaction

The presence of inhibitors in urine interferes with the enzymatic reaction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). To remove inhibitors, HCMV virions in urine were precipitated with polyethylene glycol, or DNA was extracted from urine by the use of glass powder and subjected to PCR followed by Southern blot hybridization with alkaline phosphatase-linked oligonucleotide probes. These simple, rapid methods increased significantly the sensitivity of PCR for detection of HCMV in urine.

Poly(ADP ribose) polymerase-defective mutant cell clone of mouse L1210 cells

By a sequential mutation and selection utilizing N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine as a mutagen, we succeeded in separating a poly(ADP ribose) polymerase-defective mutant clone (Cl-3527) from a mouse L1210 cell clone (Cl-3). The enzyme activity per cell in Cl-3527 cells was only 8% of that in wild type L1210 (CCL 219) cells. Immunoblot analysis of the enzyme protein in crude extracts of the mutant and wild type cells revealed that the enzyme defect was manifested as the loss of a 113-kDa wild type enzyme band in Cl-3527. Further analysis of partially purified enzyme from Cl-3527 by immunoblotting revealed that the molecular size of the enzyme in Cl-3527 was 108 kDa and that the amount of the mutant enzyme protein was markedly decreased in Cl-3527. The mutant enzyme was much more heat-labile than the wild type enzyme but the Km for NAD+, requirements for Mg2+ and nicked DNA, and the inhibition by 3-aminobenzamide, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme, however, were not so different from those of wild type enzyme. The mutant cells showed prolonged doubling time, increased temperature-sensitivity, increased percentage of active enzyme on a treatment of cells at high temperature, and increased expression of plasma membrane NADase, compared to wild type cells. Introduction of wild type ADPR pol gene into Cl-3527 cells partially restored the ADPR pol activity and the heat-resistance.

Comparative study of the sugar chains of factor VIII purified from human plasma and from the culture media of recombinant baby hamster kidney cells

The asparagine-linked sugar chains of blood coagulation factor VIII preparations purified from human plasma of blood group A donors and from the culture media of recombinant BHK cells were released as oligosaccharides by hydrazinolysis. These sugar chains were converted to radioactive oligosaccharides by reduction with sodium borotritide and separated into neutral and acidic fractions by paper electrophoresis. Most of the acidic oligosaccharides were converted to neutral ones by sialidase digestion, indicating that they are sialyl derivatives. The neutral and sialidase-treated acidic oligosaccharides were fractionated by serial chromatography on immobilized lectin columns and Bio-Gel P-4 column. Structural study of each oligosaccharide by sequential exo- and endoglycosidase digestion and by methylation analysis revealed that both factor VIII preparations contain mainly high mannose-type and bi-, tri-, and tetra-antennary complex-type sugar chains. Some of the biantennary complex-type sugar chains from human plasma factor VIII contain blood group A and/or H determinant, while those from recombinant product do not. Some of the bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary complex-type sugar chains of the recombinant factor VIII contain the Gal alpha 1----3Gal group. A small number of the triantennary complex-type sugar chains from both preparations was found to contain the Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc beta 1----4 (Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----2)Man group. Studies of pharmacokinetic parameters of the recombinant factor VIII infused into baboons revealed that its half-life in blood circulation is similar to that of plasma derived factor VIII, suggesting that the oligosaccharide structural differences between them do not affect the fate of factor VIII in vivo.

Cytomegalovirus genomes demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients

Synovial fluid from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was analyzed to detect human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genomic material using polymerase chain reaction. Of 20 samples tested, 9 were positive for CMV by either ethidium bromide staining or Southern blotting. In contrast, CMV was detected in only 2 of 18 control patients with osteoarthritis. These results suggest an etiologic relationship between CMV and rheumatoid arthritis.

Acute erythroleukemia with t(3;5) accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma

A female patient in whom acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL, FAB-M6) developed during treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is described. Two years after partial hepatectomy and subsequent chemotherapy, leukemia developed following a 2 month preleukemic stage. Chromosomal analysis revealed an abnormal karyotype, 46,XX,-5, + der(5)t(3;5)(q25;q31). The balanced translocation t(3;5) has been observed in all types of ANLL and MDS except for ANLL M3 subtype. We summarize patients with ANLL M6 and t(3;5).

Ontological study of calbindin-D28k-like and parvalbumin-like immunoreactivities in rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia

The calcium ion plays an important role in some critical developmental events in the nervous system, such as neurulation and neurite elongation. Therefore, as the intracellular calcium-binding proteins calbindin-D28k (CaB) and parvalbumin (PV) may be expressed in these developmental events. Accordingly, the ontological expression of CaB and PV was examined immunocytochemically in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the rat, in order to evaluate the relationship between CaB and PV expression, and other important developmental events. During the ontogenesis of the spinal cord, the CaB-like immunoreactivity was mainly observed in the cell somata. The immunoreactive cells in the ventral horn of the cervical and thoracic, lumbar, and sacral segments first appeared at embryonic day (E)-12, E-13, and E-14, respectively. However, these cells were not detected in the intermediate gray matter of the same segments at E-14, E-15, and E-16, respectively, and in the dorsal horn at E-14-E-15, E-16, and E-17, respectively. The peak of immunoreactive cells, both as to number and intensity, occurred in the perinatal period. However, from postnatal day (P)-14 on, the number and intensity of the positive cells decreased, the adult levels being reached at P-35. The PV-like immunoreactivity was mainly detected in the fibers and punctata during the ontogenesis of the spinal cord. The immunoreactive fibers first appeared on the surface of the dorsal horn in the cervical and thoracic segments at E-14, then entered the dorsal horn at E-15, and reached the intermediate gray matter and ventral horn at E-16. The first appearance of these fibers in the same areas of the lumbar and sacral segments occurred 1 day later than in the cervical and thoracic segments. During the perinatal period, the maximum content of PV-like immunoreactive fibers, together with many punctata, was seen in the gray matter. However, between P-14 and P-17, most of them lost immunoreactivity rapidly, with the exception of the medial region of the intermediate gray matter, where the PV-immunoreactive punctata remained up to the adult stage. In DRG neurons, both CaB and PV was expressed, but in different neurons. Neurons labeled with anti-CaB and anti-PV sera were first detected at E-16 and E-14, respectively. These neurons were large or medium-sized in the prenatal period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Localization of GABAA-receptor alpha 1 subunit mRNA-containing neurons in the lower brainstem of the rat

The localization of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors (GABAA-R) in the lower brainstem of the rat was examined by means of in situ hybridization histochemistry using an oligonucleotide probe to the sequence of the alpha 1 subunit (GABAA-R alpha 1). Strongly labeled neurons were found in the cranial motor nuclei, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, reticular formation (large neurons), lateral vestibular nucleus, dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, intermediate and white layers of the superior colliculus, red nucleus and substantia nigra. In addition, moderately labeled cells were abundant in the nucleus of the solitary tract, medial and inferior vestibular nuclei, parabrachial area, dorsal and ventral tegmental nuclei of Gudden, central gray matter, ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, and reticular formation (small neurons). This study has therefore revealed some of the target neurons of GABA-containing fibers in the lower brainstem.

Postnatal development of preproenkephalin mRNA containing neurons in the rat lower brainstem

Postnatal developmental changes of preproenkephalin (PPE) gene expression in rat brainstem neurons were studied by in situ hybridization histochemistry. On the basis of PPE mRNA expression, brainstem neurons were categorized into three types: 1) type I neurons were characterized by constant or increasing expression of PPE mRNA during postnatal development; 2) type II neurons started to express PPE mRNA several days after birth and continued to do so thereafter; and 3) type III neurons showed transient expression of PPE mRNA or stopped expressing the mRNA during early postnatal development. Type I PPE neurons were observed in diverse brainstem structures including the mesencephalic and pontine central gray matter, various reticular and raphe nuclei, the ventral tegmental area of Tsai, the interpeduncular nucleus, the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus, the ventral and dorsal tegmental nuclei of Gudden, the sphenoid nucleus, the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, Barrington's nucleus, the parabrachial region, the lateral lemniscus and its related nuclei, the trapezoid nucleus, the rostral and ventromedial periolivary nuclei, the mesencephalic trigeminal and principal sensory trigeminal nuclei, the locus coeruleus, the subcoeruleus nucleus, the medial and spinal vestibular nuclei, the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei, the medial and lateral cerebellar nuclei, the Roller nucleus, and the intermedius nucleus of the medulla. Type II PPE neurons were found in the superior colliculus, the inferior colliculus, the central part of the dorsal tegmental nucleus, and as Golgi neurons in the granular layer of the cerebellum. Type III PPE neurons were located in the substantia nigra, the red nucleus, the superior olive, the motor trigeminal nucleus, the facial nucleus, the inferior olive, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and the hypoglossal nucleus. Such region-specific expression of the PPE gene during postnatal ontogeny suggests that rat brainstem PPE neurons may be involved in a variety of developmental events, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration.

Energetic recovery from hypothermic preservation in the rat liver

Changes in energy metabolism induced by norepinephrine were observed in liver perfused immediately after dissection and in liver stored in Euro-Collins solution at 0 degrees C for 24 hr. Oxygen consumption, glucose output, ATP content, and tissue pH were measured in isolated perfused rat liver at 37 degrees C. In fresh liver, a two-fold increase in glucose output and oxygen consumption was induced by norepinephrine (1 microM), while changes in ATP content and tissue pH were minimal. In stored liver, the cumulative increments in glucose output and oxygen consumption induced by norepinephrine were 30 and 27% those of fresh liver, respectively. ATP content of the unstimulated liver was 76% that of the fresh liver, then decreased to 50% during stimulation. A transient decrease in tissue pH (0.14 pH unit) was significant compared with that of fresh liver. These results suggest that norepinephrine stimulation is useful for assessing energetic and functional recovery of reperfused liver following hypothermic storage.

Effects of valinomycin on calcium mobilization in vascular smooth muscle cells induced by angiotensin II

The effect of the specific potassium (K+) ionophore valinomycin on increase in intracellular calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) was studied in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Valinomycin at more than 10(-9) M dose-dependently suppressed phasic increase in [Ca2+]i in VSMC induced by angiotensin II (AII) in both control and Ca2+-free solution, indicating that it suppressed the release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores. Nicorandil and cromakalim, which are both K+ channel openers, also suppressed the increases in [Ca2+]i induced by AII in the Ca2+ free solution. However, valinomycin did not suppress AII-induced production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which is known to mediate the release of Ca2+. These results indicate that decrease of intracellular K+ induced by valinomycin suppressed the release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores induced by IP3.

Relationship between the number of sperms and the rate of implantation in bitches inseminated into unilateral uterine horn

Studies were made on the number of sperms required for fertilization of ova ovulated from the bilateral ovaries in bitches. The experiment was carried out with 44 female beagles, which were divided into four groups of seven to eleven bitches each. The four groups were inseminated with 40 X 10(6) sperms/0.2 ml, 20 X 10(6) sperms/0.1 ml, 10 X 10(6) sperms/0.1 ml, and 3-5 X 10(6) sperms/0.1 ml, respectively. All the bitches were laparotomized at an optimum time for mating and inseminated at the tip of the horn of an unilateral uterus. In the four groups conception took place at a rate of 7/7, 8/8, 10/11, and 2/7, respectively. The number of puppies exceeded the number of ova ovulated on the inseminated side at a rate of 5/7, 6/8, 0/10, and 0/2 in the four groups, respectively. Therefore, it was clarified that when more than 20 X 10(6) sperms/0.1 ml were inseminated in the ipsilateral uterine horn, ova ovulated on the contralateral side were fertilized also. Then a unilateral ovary was ovariectomized in 11 bitches, which were inseminated with 10 X 10(6) sperms/0.1 ml in the ipsilateral uterine horn. As a result, only one bitch became conceptive and gave birth to only one puppy. From these results, it was considered that 10 X 10(6) sperms/0.1 ml may be most adequate for the ova on the side of insemination alone to be fertilized.

Association of increased intracellular free Ca2+ by platelet-derived growth factor with mitogenesis but not with proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes--effect of suramin

The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in chondrocytes were studied with a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura 2, and compared with the effects of PDGF on mitogenesis and proteoglycan synthesis. PDGF evoked phasic and then tonic increase in [Ca2+]i dose-dependently in quiescent cultures of chondrocytes, and it also stimulated both DNA and proteoglycan syntheses dose-dependently similar to somatomedins. Suramin, which inhibits the interaction of PDGF with its receptors, caused dose-dependent inhibition of both the PDGF-evoked increase in [Ca2+]i and stimulation of DNA synthesis by PDGF. However, suramin rather enhanced the proteoglycan synthesis induced by PDGF without affecting the basal level of proteoglycan synthesis directly. These results suggest that [Ca2+]i may be an important signal for the action of PDGF on cell proliferation in chondrocytes, and that the initial signal for proteoglycan synthesis is different from that for DNA synthesis induced by PDGF after the activation of PDGF receptor.

A patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism successfully treated by long-term pulsatile administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

A male patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism has been treated by pulsatile administration lf luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) (20-25 micrograms, every 2 hours, sc) for 4 years 6 months. His plasma testosterone (T) concentration began to increase after 4 weeks of treatment and reached the normal range in week 5. He showed complete secondary sexual development after 1 year of treatment. His sperm count was normalized after 1 year of treatment. He was married after 29 months of therapy, and has a healthy male child. Blood type tests showed his paternity of the child. During the long duration of pulsatile LHRH therapy, his gonadotropin secretion has been stimulated by LHRH and his T level has been maintained with no observable side effects. There are no other reports of patients treated by pulsatile LHRH injection for such a long duration, but finding in this patient indicated that long-term pulsatile LHRH therapy is a useful and safe method for treatment of hypothalamic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

[Immunoreactive parathyroid hormones in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with renal failure: possible restriction of parathyroid hormone by the blood-brain barrier]

There are reports that patients with renal failure have elevated circulating concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is suspected to be a causal factor of the cerebral symptoms of these patients. A positive correlation between the circulating level of immunoreactive PTH and the extent of abnormality in the electroencephalogram (EEG) in humans has been reported. Moreover, in uremic dogs normalization of the EEG was observed after parathyroidectomy, and increased abnormality of the EEG was observed on infusion of PTH. If PTH is really a causal factor of uremic encephalopathy and abnormality of the EEG in patients with renal failure, the question arises as to whether PTH acts on the brain after penetrating through the blood-brain barrier or in some other way. In this work, we measured PTH by both C-terminal-specific RIA (C-PTH) and N-terminal-specific RIA (N-PTH) in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normal subjects and patients with renal failure. Blood and CSF samples were obtained from 7 normal volunteers (31 approximately 81 years old: 4 males and 3 females) and 22 patients with chronic renal failure (25 approximately 87 years old: 12 males and 10 females). No patients had a psychotic disease or endocrinopathy other than secondary hyperparathyroidism. Samples of venous blood were collected from the subjects after an overnight fast at the time of lumbar puncture for CSF sampling. C-terminal-specific RIA for measurement of the plasma and CSF concentrations of C-PTH was carried out using a commercially available RIA kit (Eiken Laboratory Inc., Tokyo, Japan).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of estrogens on renal responsiveness to parathyroid hormone in elderly female subjects

The effect of estrogens on the renal responsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH) was examined by PTH loading tests with synthetic human-PTH (1-34) in 8 normal elderly females (mean +/- SD age, 81.0 +/- 7.1 yr) before and after administration of estrogen (Premarin 1.25 mg/day for 4 weeks). Basal urinary adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) excretion showed a tendency to increase after estrogen administration (5.47 +/- 1.68 vs 6.60 +/- 2.67 nmol/100 ml GFR) and the theoretical renal phosphorous threshold showed a tendency to decrease from 3.22 +/- 0.98 to 2.73 +/- 0.56 mg/dl. The blood ionized calcium concentration did not change after estrogen administration (4.44 +/- 0.16 vs 4.32 +/- 0.20 mg/dl) and serum phosphorous (P) decreased significantly (3.65 +/- 0.47 vs 3.01 +/- 0.42 mg/dl, p less than 0.05). There was no increase in mean serum immunoreactive PTH (0.34 +/- 0.10 vs 0.34 +/- 0.05 ngeq/ml). The urinary excretions of cAMP in response to PTH loading [100 U of human-PTH (1-34), intravenously] significantly (p less than 0.05) increased (94.8 +/- 57.0 vs 196.7 +/- 118.3 nmol/100 ml GFR/h) after estrogen administration. Moreover the changes in urinary excretion of cAMP (r = 0.698, p less than 0.01) and P (r = 0.555, p less than 0.05) induced by the PTH loading were positively correlated with serum estradiol in elderly females, assessed as groups before and after estrogen administration. These results suggest that estrogens may enhance the renal responsiveness to exogenous PTH administration.

Purification and properties of a specific primase-stimulating factor of bovine thymus

The DNA replicase activity of the complex between bovine thymus DNA polymerase alpha and RNA primase was markedly decreased after the purification by ssDNA-cellulose column chromatography. In an attempt to restore the activity by supplementing some fractions eliminated from the purified enzyme, we found that a fraction eluted from the column by increasing salt concentration and 30% ammonium sulfate precipitates of the phosphocellulose-step enzyme possessed a high ability to restore the replicase activity. Thus, the factors were purified to near homogeneity from the two sources and the properties were examined. Both factors were heat-labile and trypsin-sensitive, possessed a native molecular mass of approximately 150-200 kDa as judged by Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography, and were composed of two polypeptides of 146 kDa and 47 kDa on SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that they were an identical protein. The factor, which did not show any DNA polymerase or primase activities by itself, stimulated approximately 20-fold the replicase activity of purified DNA-polymerase-alpha-primase at a very low concentration (10 ng/50 microliter). The factor did not affect the deoxyribonucleotide polymerizing activity of the enzyme complex at all, but specifically stimulated the primase activity only. Thus, we designated the factor as primase-stimulating factor. Although varying the template concentration did not significantly affect the mode of stimulation, increasing the concentration of substrate for primer synthesis (ATP) markedly decreased the extent of stimulation. Thus, the stimulating factor seems to decrease the substrate concentration required for the primase reaction as well as increasing threefold the maximum activity attained by varying the substrate concentration. So far, no ATPase activity has been detected in the factor.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 binds specifically to rat vascular smooth muscle cells and stimulates their proliferation in vitro

Cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) derived from rat aorta were found to contain a specific receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. Its Kd (5.0 x 10(-11) M) and capacity (22.9 fmol/mg of cytosol protein) for 1,25-(OH)2D3, its sedimentation coefficient on a sucrose density gradient (3.2 S), its relative affinities for various vitamin D3 metabolites [1,25-(OH)2D3 greater than 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 greater than 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 greater than vitamin D3] and its affinity for DNA-cellulose were similar to those reported for the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor in other tissues. 1,25-(OH)2D3 at concentrations of more than 10(-10) M caused dose-dependent enhancement of the proliferation of VSMC in DMEM with 10% FCS. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 stimulated the proliferation of VSMC only at its highest concentration tested (10(-6) M). These data show that 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulates the proliferation of VSMC after its binding to a cytoplasmic receptor of the cells in vitro, and support the possibility that VSMC are target cells of the hormone.

Stimulation of purified DNA polymerase alpha by various basic proteins which interact with activated DNA

Extensive purification of DNA polymerase alpha-primase resulted in a marked loss of the DNA polymerase alpha activity. This loss is due partly to the elimination of some basic proteins from the enzyme preparation since the activity of purified enzyme was stimulated 10- to 15-fold by the addition of various basic proteins, including all five classes of histones, protamine, poly-L-lysine, and poly-L-arginine, at a concentration of 2 micrograms/0.2 ml in the presence of 20 micrograms/0.2 ml of activated DNA. The optimum concentration of the basic proteins and the maximum activity attained at that concentration varied with varying concentrations of the template primer used, indicating that the observed stimulation is caused by an interaction between these basic proteins and activated DNA. The enzyme activity with an optimal concentration of activated DNA was markedly inhibited by the addition of denatured DNA. The suppressed enzyme activity could be restored by an appropriate concentration of histone H1. These results suggest that histone H1 and other basic proteins protect the enzyme from forming an abortive complex with single-stranded DNA or with a long stretch of the single-stranded part of activated DNA as single-stranded DNA-specific binding proteins do (M. Sapp, H. König, H. D. Riedel, A. Richter, and R. Knippers (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 1550-1556). Spermine also showed a similar stimulatory effect. All acidic proteins tested were ineffective.

Effects of nitrates and calcium channel blockers on Ca2+-ATPase in the microsomal fraction of porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells

The effects of the antianginal drugs nitroglycerin, nicorandil, diltiazem, verapamil and nicardipine on the activity of calcium-stimulated magnesium-dependent ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) were investigated in the microsomal fraction from porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Two discrete Ca2+-dependent ATPase components were observed: [1] a high affinity component, which was a specific Ca2+-ATPase, [with a half saturation constant for Ca2+ (Km) of 0.44 microM, and maximum velocity (Vmax) of 124.3 pmol of phosphate (Pi) released/micrograms of protein/30 min]: [2] a low affinity component in which Ca2+ could be replaced by Mg2+ without loss of its activity. Nitroglycerin and nicorandil (1 microM and 10 microM) both stimulated the activity of the Ca2+-ATPase significantly [142 +/- 12 (mean +/- standard error), and 137 +/- 10% of the control with nitroglycerin, and 152 +/- 17 and 135 +/- 20% with nicorandil] at a Ca2+ concentration of 0.3 microM. Diltiazem, verapamil and nicardipine did not cause significant stimulation. Nitroglycerin and nicorandil (1 microM), significantly decreased the Km for Ca2+ from the control value of 0.44 +/- 0.06 microM to 0.26 +/- 0.03 and 0.22 +/- 0.03 microM, respectively. Nitroglycerin and nicorandil may dilate coronary arteries by stimulating this Ca2+ extrusion pump enzyme through reduction of intracellular Ca2+ in smooth muscle cells.

Immunoreactive parathyroid hormones in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with renal failure: possible restriction of parathyroid hormone by the blood-brain barrier

Parathyroid hormone is reported to be a possible causal factor of abnormalities of electroencephalograms of patients with renal failure. In this study, the parathyroid hormone levels were compared in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid of seven normal subjects and 22 patients with renal failure including those who showed abnormal electroencephalograms. The circulating levels of both C-terminal and N-terminal parathyroid hormone in the subjects studied showed a positive correlation (C-terminal, r = 0.58, P less than 0.01; N-terminal, r = 0.61, P less than 0.01) with the grade of abnormality of the electroencephalogram. However, the levels of C-terminal and N-terminal parathyroid hormone in the cerebrospinal fluid of both normal subjects and patients with renal failure were below the detectable limit (C-terminal, less than 0.1 ng/ml; N-terminal, less than 2.3 pg/ml). These data suggest that in patients with renal failure, the effect of parathyroid hormone on the central nervous system is mediated in some other way than via the cerebrospinal fluid.

[Radioimmunoassay of the calcitonin gene-related peptide and its measurement in the plasma of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects]

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a peptide recently found by recombinant DNA and molecular biological techniques in rat medullary thyroid carcinoma cells, but its physiological role(s) is unknown. We established a radioimmunoassay for this peptide using human-CGRP (1-37) as a standard, 125I-human-CGRP (1-37) as a tracer, and anti-rat-CGRP (28-37) serum as a first antibody. Aprotinin, an inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes in the plasma, was also added to the assay system, because in its absence the tracer was degraded during incubation with plasma samples. The sensitivity of the assay was 60 pg/ml and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 6.0% and 8.5%, respectively. The recovery was 105 +/- 17%. The plasma levels of CGRP in 17 normal subjects (mean +/- S.D. age, 45 +/- 12 years) were all below 300 pg/ml, the mean level being 132 +/- 77 pg/ml. The levels were also below 300 pg/ml in 20 of 21 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, but one patient who had a high level of 942 pg/ml (mean value, 142 +/- 193 pg/ml). There was no significant difference between the mean plasma levels of CGRP in normal subjects and patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. The mean plasma levels of CGRP in 5 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma did not increase in response to infusion of either 4.3 mg/kg of calcium in 10 minutes or 4 micrograms/kg of tetragastrin in 5 minutes, although the plasma levels of calcitonin in these patients increased markedly during these provocation tests. The levels of CGRP in the cerebrospinal fluid of 16 normal volunteers were all below the detectable limit (less than 60 pg/ml). These findings suggest that fewer patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma than reported previously have high plasma levels of CGRP, either in the basal state or in response to calcium or gastrin, and that the levels of CGRP in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects are very low.

Dystrophic symptoms prevented by phenobarbital in avian muscular dystrophy

New Hampshire normal (line 412) and dystrophic (line 413) chickens were treated with central stimulants and central depressants, respectively, once a day from the 2nd to the 10th day after hatching, and effects of the treatment were examined on a number of muscle fibers, areas of muscle fibers, and the coefficient of variation of a muscle on the 13th day. Central depressants, especially phenobarbital, effectively prevented development of the dystrophic symptoms, whereas central stimulants made normal chickens "dystrophic". The righting ability of the dystrophic chickens was normal after treatment with 10 mg/kg of phenobarbital during the early postnatal period from the 2nd to the 28th day after hatching.

Age and sex influences on urine calcitonin-like immunoreactivity in normal subjects

Calcitonin-like immunoreactivity levels were determined in urine specimens in 585 normal subjects of various ages. Urine calcitonin-like immunoreactivity (uCTi) was measured by the midportion-specific radioimmunoassay after extraction of urine by gel chromatography on a 0.8 X 20 cm column of Bio Gel P-2. In 197 males and 169 females below 20 years old, significant negative correlations between the age and uCTi were observed (male: r = -0.684, female: r = -0.690). In 75 males and 80 females above 41 years, however, no significant correlation was observed between age and uCTi. The high level of uCTi in children could be explained by high levels of circulating calcitonin, associated with rapid bone growth; however the uCTi level in the elderly may not reflect the physiological significance of calcitonin for them because of a suspected age-related decrease in renal clearance of uCTi in the elderly.