Reactive astrocytes transduce inflammation in a blood-brain barrier model through a TNF-STAT3 signaling axis and secretion of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin

Astrocytes are critical components of the neurovascular unit that support blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Pathological transformation of astrocytes to reactive states can be protective or harmful to BBB function. Here, using a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived BBB co-culture model, we show that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) transitions astrocytes to an inflammatory reactive state that causes BBB dysfunction through activation of STAT3 and increased expression of SERPINA3, which encodes alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (α1ACT). To contextualize these findings, we correlated astrocytic STAT3 activation to vascular inflammation in postmortem human tissue. Further, in murine brain organotypic cultures, astrocyte-specific silencing of Serpina3n reduced vascular inflammation after TNF challenge. Last, treatment with recombinant Serpina3n in both ex vivo explant cultures and in vivo was sufficient to induce BBB dysfunction-related molecular changes. Overall, our results define the TNF-STAT3-α1ACT signaling axis as a driver of an inflammatory reactive astrocyte signature that contributes to BBB dysfunction.

Solid serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: a case report of 2 patients revealing vimentin, β-catenin, α-1 antitrypsin, and α-1 antichymotrypsin as new immunohistochemistry staining markers

Solid serous cystadenoma (SCA) of the pancreas is a rare type of pancreatic solid tumors. Postoperative pathological evaluation is of particular importance for distinguishing solid SCA of the pancreas from other pancreatic solid tumors. Here we present 2 cases of solid SCA of the pancreas, both preoperatively diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. One case had positive OctreoScan test. Surgical resections were done for both cases. Postoperative immunohistochemistry assays were conducted with marker panels for SCA and 2 types of pancreatic solid tumors, which were neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) and solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT). Two cases showed typical staining patterns for SCA markers. Notably, both cases showed positivity for 4 SPT markers (vimentin, β-catenin, α-1 antitrypsin, and α-1 antichymotrypsin). Emphasis should be paid to those 4 new markers for future pathological diagnosis of solid SCA of the pancreas.

[Nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia: a clinicopathologic analysis of 7 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia (NHMH) and to improve the knowledge of this disease.

METHODS

Seven cases of NHMH were collected and the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical data were analyzed with review of the literature.

RESULTS

Seven male patients aged from 1.5 to 5.0 years (mean 2.8). The main clinical symptom was an inguinal mass.Grossly, main pathological changes were the mural nodule or free nodule in lumen, with diameter of 0.1-0.5 cm.Histologically, the tumor cell morphology was relatively single, cohesive polygonal or oval cells which were arranged in solid sheets or nests, usually with ovoid or deeply grooved nuclei and a moderate amount of pale pink cytoplasm in the nodular collection area. The nuclei had delicate chromatin and no obvious atypia, and mitosis was incidentally found. A few scattered lymphocytes were found in the stroma. The cyst wall was lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells.Immunohistochemically, the most cells in nodular lesion were strongly positive for the histiocytic marker CD68, vimentin and α1-antichymotrypsin, while lining mesothelial cells on the wall were positive for calretinin, MC, WT1, CK5/6, CKpan and EMA.

CONCLUSIONS

NHMH is a rare and benign tumor-like lesion, and easy to be misdiagnozed, which should be distinguished from neuroendocrine tumors, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, seminoma, mesothelioma and so on. The correct diagnosis of this lesion depends on the clinical characteristics, morphology and immunohistochemistry.

Extracellular proteolysis of apolipoprotein E (apoE) by secreted serine neuronal protease

Under normal conditions, brain apolipoprotein E (apoE) is secreted and lipidated by astrocytes, then taken up by neurons via receptor mediated endocytosis. Free apoE is either degraded in intraneuronal lysosomal compartments or released. Here we identified a novel way by which apoE undergoes proteolysis in the extracellular space via a secreted neuronal protease. We show that apoE is cleaved in neuronal conditioned media by a secreted serine protease. This apoE cleavage was inhibited by PMSF and α1-antichymotrypsin, but not neuroserpin-1 or inhibitors of thrombin and cathepsin G, supporting its identity as a chymotrypsin like protease. In addition, apoE incubation with purified chymotrypsin produced a similar pattern of apoE fragments. Analysis of apoE fragments by mass spectrometry showed cleavages occurring at the C-terminal side of apoE tryptophan residues, further supporting our identification of cleavage by chymotrypsin like protease. Hippocampal neurons were more efficient in mediating this apoE cleavage than cortical neurons. Proteolysis of apoE4 generated higher levels of low molecular weight fragments compared to apoE3. Primary glial cultures released an inhibitor of this proteolytic activity. Together, these studies reveal novel mechanism by which apoE can be regulated and therefore could be useful in designing apoE directed AD therapeutic approaches.

Tomato cystatin SlCYS8 as a stabilizing fusion partner for human serpin expression in plants

Studies have reported the usefulness of fusion proteins to bolster recombinant protein yields in plants. Here, we assess the potential of tomato SlCYS8, a Cys protease inhibitor of the cystatin protein superfamily, as a stabilizing fusion partner for human alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (α1ACT) targeted to the plant cell secretory pathway. Using the model expression platform Nicotiana benthamiana, we show that the cystatin imparts a strong stabilizing effect when expressed as a translational fusion with α1ACT, allowing impressive accumulation yields of over 2 mg/g of fresh weight tissue for the human serpin, a 25-fold improvement on the yield of α1ACT expressed alone. Natural and synthetic peptide linkers inserted between SlCYS8 and α1ACT have differential effects on protease inhibitory potency of the two protein partners in vitro. They also have a differential impact on the yield of α1ACT, dependent on the extent to which the hybrid protein may remain intact in the plant cell environment. The stabilizing effect of SlCYS8 does not involve Cys protease inhibition and can be partly reproduced in the cytosol, where peptide linkers are less susceptible to degradation. The effect of SlCYS8 on α1ACT yields could be explained by: (i) an improved translation of the human protein coding sequence; and/or (ii) an overall stabilization of its tertiary structure preventing proteolytic degradation and/or polymerization. These findings suggest the potential of plant cystatins as stabilizing fusion partners for recombinant proteins in plant systems. They also underline the need for an empirical assessment of peptide linker functions in plant cell environments.

PSA forms complexes with α1-antichymotrypsin in prostate

BACKGROUND

PSA is the most useful prostate cancer marker. However, its levels are increased also in some non-malignant conditions. In circulation, the majority of PSA is complexed with protease inhibitors, including α(1) -antichymotrypsin (ACT). The proportion of the PSA-ACT complex is higher in patients with prostate cancer than in controls without cancer. The expression of ACT has been shown to be higher in prostate cancer than in benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, results regarding the extent which PSA forms complexes within the prostate and whether there are differences in complex formation between normal and malignant prostatic tissue are inconsistent and limited.

METHODS

We studied complex formation of PSA secreted by cultured human prostate tissues and in the tissue by in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA). Free, total and active PSA, and the PSA-ACT complex were determined in tissue culture media by immunoassays, immunoblotting, and chromatographic methods.

RESULTS

The majority of PSA in tissue culture medium was free and enzymatically active. However, a significant proportion (1.6 ± 0.5%) of immunoreactive PSA was found to be complexed with ACT. Complex formation was confirmed by in situ PLA, which showed more intense staining of PSA-ACT in cancers with Gleason grade 3 than in adjacent benign tissues from the same patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that PSA forms complexes already within the prostate and that PSA-ACT levels are increased in moderately differentiated prostate cancer tissue. This may explain, at least partially, why the ratio of serum PSA-ACT to total PSA is increased in prostate cancer.

A multi-nutrient supplement reduced markers of inflammation and improved physical performance in active individuals of middle to older age: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

While exercise acts to combat inflammation and aging, the ability to exercise may itself be compromised by inflammation and inflammation's impact on muscle recovery and joint inflammation. A number of nutritional supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve recovery. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the effect of a multi-nutrient supplement containing branched chain amino acids, taurine, anti-inflammatory plant extracts, and B vitamins on inflammatory status, endothelial function, physical function, and mood in middle-aged individuals.

METHODS

Thirty-one healthy and active men (N = 16, mean age 56 ± 6.0 yrs) and women (N = 15, mean age = 52 ± 7.5 yrs) participated in this investigation. Subjects completed one 28 day cycle of placebo supplementation and one 28 day cycle of multi-nutrient supplementation (separated by a one week washout period) in a balanced, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Subjects completed weekly perceptual logs (PROMIS-57, KOOS) and pre- and post- testing around the supplementation period. Testing consisted of brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), blood measures, and physical performance on vertical jump, handgrip strength, and balance (dispersion from center of pressure). Significance for the investigation was p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

IL-6 significantly decreased in both men (from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 0.7 ± 0.4 pg·mL(-1)) and women (from 1.16 ± 0.04 to 0.7 ± 0.4 pg·mL(-1)). Perceived energy also improved for both men (placebo: 1.8 ± 0.7; supplement: 3.7 ± 0.8 AUC) and women (placebo: 1.2 ± 0.7; supplement: 2.8 ± 0.8 AUC). Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (from 108.9 ± 38.6 to 55.5 ± 22.2 ug·mL(-1)), Creatine Kinase (from 96 ± 34 to 67 ± 23 IU·L(-1)), general pain, and joint pain decreased in men only, while anxiety and balance (from 0.52 ± 0.13 to 0.45 ± 0.12 cm) improved in women only. Men showed increased performance in vertical jump power (from 2642 ± 244 to 3134 ± 282 W) and grip strength (from 42.1 ± 5.9 to 48.5 ± 4.9 kg).

CONCLUSIONS

A multi-nutrient supplement is effective in improving inflammatory status in both men and women, markers of pain, joint pain, strength, and power in men only, and both anxiety and balance (a risk factor for hip fracture) in women. Therefore, a multi-nutrient supplement may help middle-aged individuals to prolong physical function and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

[Clinical features and prognosis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features, histogenesis and biological behavior, clinical treatment and prognosis of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPT).

METHODS

Routine HE and immunohistochemical (SP) stainings were used in the pathological examination of 18 cases of SPT. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. All the 18 postoperative patients were followed-up for 3 months to 10 years with an average of 29.2 months.

RESULTS

There were 16 females and 2 males, age ranging from 9 to 65 years with mean age of 25.3 years. Abdominal pain and palpable mass were among the major complains. Tumors were encapsulated and mixed with solid and cystic tissues. Histological features were pseudopapillary structure with a fibrovascular core. Immunhistologically, most tumors were positive for alpha-AT, alpha-ACT and Vim, with a high percentage of 94.4%. The eighteen cases were followed-up from 3 to 120 months. Five cases received reoperation after recurrence, and 14 cases were alive. Maximum survival time was 121 months and the minimum survival time was 3 months, with a median survival time of 23.0 months. The 5-year survival rate was 72.2%. A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patient's age, tumor size, pathologic features, metastasis were major prognostic factors for SPT.

CONCLUSION

SPT is a tumor of low-grade malignancy and may be derived from multipotent stem cells. SPT most frequently affects young female, and has distinct clinicopathologic manifestation with excellent prognosis after surgical treatment.

Complex formation between human prostate-specific antigen and protease inhibitors in mouse plasma

BACKGROUND

When secreted from the prostate, most of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is free and enzymatically active. Upon reaching circulation, active PSA is inactivated by complex formation with protease inhibitors. To justify the use of mouse models for evaluation of the function of PSA and for studies on therapeutic modalities based on modulation of PSA activity, it is important to know whether PSA complexation is similar in mouse and man.

METHODS

To characterize the circulating forms of PSA in mouse, we used subcutaneous LNCaP and 22RV1 human prostate cancer cell xenograft tumor models. We also added PSA directly to mouse serum. Free and total PSA were measured by immunoassay, and PSA complexes were extracted by immunopurification followed by SDS-PAGE, in-gel trypsin digestion and identification of signature peptides by mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

In mice bearing xenograft tumors, 68% of the immunoreactive PSA occurred in complex, and when added to mouse serum, over 70% of PSA forms complexes that comprises alpha(2)-macroglobulin and members of the alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) family.

CONCLUSION

In mouse plasma, PSA forms complexes similar to those in man, but the major immunoreactive complex contains AAT rather than alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin, which is the main complex forming serpin in man. The complex formation of PSA produced by xenograft tumor models in mice is similar to that of human prostate tumors with respect to the complexation of PSA.

A companion protease inhibitor for the protection of cytosol-targeted recombinant proteins in plants

We reported earlier the potential of tomato cathepsin D inhibitor (SlCDI) as an in-built stabilizing agent for the protection of recombinant proteins in transgenic plant leaf crude extracts (Plant Biotechnol J.4, 359-368). Here we document the potential of SlCDI for the in situ protection of proteins in potato leaves. Total protein assays with control and SlCDI-expressing potato lines indicated a positive impact of slcdi transgene expression on leaf protein content, with a mean relative increase of 35%-40% depending on the light regime. Out of approximately 700 proteins detected on 2-D gels, only 20 exhibited a significantly altered level on a protein-specific basis, whereas most proteins were up-regulated on a leaf fresh weight basis, albeit at variable rates. Quantitative reverse trancriptase-PCR assays for rubisco activase showed similar transcript levels in leaves of test and control lines despite protein levels increased by two- to threefold in SlCDI-expressing lines. These observations, along with the unrelated biological functions assigned to MS-identified proteins up-regulated in leaves and protease assays showing slightly increased proteasome activity in protein extracts of SlCDI-expressing lines, suggest a general, proteasome-independent protein stabilizing effect of SlCDI in planta. Transient expression assays with human alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin also showed a stabilizing effect for SlCDI on heterologous proteins, leading to net levels of the human protein increased by approximately 2.5-fold in SlCDI-expressing plants. These data illustrate, overall, the potential of SlCDI as an in vivo protein-stabilizing agent in transgenic plant systems, useful to improve protein levels and recombinant protein accumulation.

Stillborn or liveborn? Comparing umbilical cord immunohistochemical expression of vitality markers (tryptase, alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin and CD68) by quantitative analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy

The distinction between stillborn and liveborn infants and the demonstration of a separate existence of fetuses are central issues in the daily practice of perinatologists and pathologists. The current knowledge about the chronology of responses of the tissue following the occurrence of a vital reaction, as well as the existence of numerous studies that aimed at identifying markers of vitality of cutaneous lesions, induced us to investigate the umbilical cord for the presence or absence of vitality indexes. We investigated 45 samples of umbilical cords obtained during post-mortem examinations of stillborns, as well as samples of umbilical cords taken from newborns after normal labor. On these samples, we performed a complete immunohistochemical study. Our results showed that some of the parameters investigated, such as tryptase for the mast cell, CD68, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, showed a statistically significant (p<0.0001) different expression in the two groups under study (stillborn and liveborn). Owing to the strong different expression of these markers in the samples of the umbilical cords from liveborns, compared to those from stillborns, one might regard them as reliable parameters, to which the pathologist may resort whenever he is dealing with the distinction between stillborns and liveborns.

Targeting and post-translational processing of human alpha1-antichymotrypsin in BY-2 tobacco cultured cells

The post-translational processing of human alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (AACT) in Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) tobacco cells was assessed in relation to the cellular compartment targeted for accumulation. As determined by pulse-chase labelling experiments and immunofluorescence microscopy, AACT sent to the vacuole or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was found mainly in the culture medium, similar to a secreted form targeted to the apoplast. Unexpectedly, AACT expressed in the cytosol was found in the nucleus under a stable, non-glycosylated form, in contrast with secreted variants undergoing multiple post-translational modifications during their transit through the secretory pathway. All secreted forms of AACT were N-glycosylated, with the presence of complex glycans as observed naturally on human AACT. Proteolytic trimming was also observed for all secreted variants, both during their intracellular transit and after their secretion in the culture medium. Overall, the targeting of human AACT to different compartments of BY-2 tobacco cells led to the production of two protein products: (i) a stable, non-glycosylated protein accumulated in the nucleus; and (ii) a heterogeneous mixture of secreted variants resulting from post-translational N-glycosylation and proteolytic processing. Overall, these data suggest that AACT is sensitive to resident proteases in the ER, the Golgi and/or the apoplast, and that the production of intact AACT in the plant secretory pathway will require innovative approaches to protect its structural integrity in vivo. Studies are now needed to assess the activity of the different AACT variants, and to identify the molecular determinants for the nuclear localization of AACT expressed in the cytosol.

Nucleocytoplasmic transit of human alpha1-antichymotrypsin in tobacco leaf epidermal cells

Recently, we have observed a nuclear localization for human alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (AACT) expressed in the cytosol of transgenic Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) tobacco cultured cells (see accompanying paper: Benchabane, M., Saint-Jore-Dupas, C., Bardor, M., Faye, L., Michaud, D. and Gomord, V. (2008a) Targeting and post-translational processing of human alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin in BY-2 tobacco cultured cells. Plant Biotechnol. J. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2008.00382.x). In the present article, we assess whether the intrinsic DNA-binding activity of AACT can explain its nuclear localization, and whether this same activity has an impact on its protease inhibitory potency and stability in planta. An engineered form of AACT with no DNA-binding activity, rAACTDeltaK, was compared with the wild-type polypeptide, rAACT, in terms of chymotrypsin inhibitory potency, stability in planta and distribution in tobacco cells. In accordance with available data reporting distinct sites for protease inhibition and DNA binding, rAACT and rAACTDeltaK showed similar antichymotrypsin activity, similar to the activity of native AACT purified from human plasma. As observed for AACT in BY-2 tobacco cells, a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-AACT fusion transiently expressed in the cytosol of tobacco leaf epidermal cells was detected mainly in the nucleus by confocal laser microscopy. By contrast, rAACTDeltaK expressed as a GFP fusion showed a balanced distribution between the cytosol and the nucleus, similar to the distribution pattern of free GFP exhibiting no DNA-binding affinity. In line with immunodetection data showing higher accumulation levels for GFP-AACT in tobacco leaf cells, rAACTDeltaK was more susceptible than rAACT to tryptic digestion in the presence of DNA. Overall, these observations suggest the following: (i) a retention effect of DNA on AACT in the nucleus; and (ii) a stabilizing effect of the AACT-DNA interaction on rAACT challenged with non-target proteases, which, possibly, may be useful in protecting this protein in plant expression platforms.

TIMP1 and SERPIN-A overexpression and TFF3 and CRABP1 underexpression as biomarkers for papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

No molecular pathways or specific genes are consistently associated with sporadic cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), despite that it is the most common thyroid malignancy. Nodular goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid that is a compensatory response to a perturbation in normal thyroid homeostasis. It has been disputed in the literature that patients presenting with goiter have a higher incidence of PTC. The identification of molecular events that are common to both goiter and PTC could explain the overlap of these two disorders.

METHODS

We used high-density oligonuleotide arrays to perform molecular profiling of PTC and nodular goiter with paired normal samples.

RESULTS

Specifically, increased expression of SERPIN-A (proteinase inhibitor-alpha antitrypsin) and TIMP 1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1) identified these as candidate molecular biomarkers for PTC. Decreases in the CRABP1 (cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1) and TFF3 (trefoil factor 3) expression levels identified these as candidate molecular biomarkers as well. The same analysis was performed to identify genes showing specific alterations in goiter tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report to our knowledge that compares the gene expression profiles of PTC and goiter. Our results suggest that PTC and goiter share very limited overlap in transcript expression.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin mutant Z protein content in individual hepatocytes correlates with cell death in a mouse model

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (a1AT) deficiency is caused by homozygosity for the a1AT mutant Z gene and occurs in 1 in 2000 births. The Z mutation confers an abnormal conformation on the protein, resulting in an accumulation within the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes rather than appropriate secretion. The accumulation of the mutant protein is strikingly heterogeneous within the liver. Homozygous ZZ children and adults have an increased risk of chronic liver disease, which is thought to result from this variable intracellular accumulation of the a1AT mutant Z protein. Previous reports have suggested that autophagy, mitochondrial injury, apoptosis, and other pathways may be involved in the mechanism of hepatocyte injury, although the interplay of these mechanisms in vivo is unclear. In this study, we examine a well-characterized in vivo model of a1AT mutant Z liver injury, the PiZ mouse, to better understand the pathways involved in this disease. The results show an increase in the stimulation of the apoptotic cascade in hepatocytes, the magnitude of which strongly correlates to the absolute amount of the a1AT mutant Z protein accumulated within the individual cell. Increases in apoptotic regulatory proteins are also detected.

CONCLUSION

These data, combined with previous work, permit for the first time the construction of a hypothetical hepatocellular injury cascade for this disease involving mitochondrial injury, caspase activation, and apoptosis, which takes into account the heterogeneous nature of the mutant Z protein accumulation within the liver. Further development of this hypothetical cascade will focus future research on this and other metabolic liver diseases.

Expression of high-abundance proteins in sera of patients with endometrial and cervical cancers: analysis using 2-DE with silver staining and lectin detection methods

The expression of high-abundance serum proteins in newly diagnosed patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma (EACa), squamous cell cervical carcinoma (SCCa) and cervical adenocarcinoma (ACCa), relative to control female subjects, was analyzed by subjecting serum samples to 2-DE followed by image analysis of the silver-stained protein profiles. The three cohorts of cancer patients demonstrated different altered expression of serum high-abundance proteins compared to negative control women. The expression of alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha1-B glycoprotein, cleaved high-molecular-weight kininogen (light chain) and antithrombin III were consistently altered in all the patients. However, clusterin was upregulated only in the patients with EACa, while those with SCCa and ACCa were typically characterized by the upregulated expression of zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein. The aberrant expression of selective serum proteins in the various cohorts of cancer patients was validated by competitive ELISA as well as by lectin detection. Analysis by using the champedak galactose binding lectin further highlighted an unidentified protein that may be differently glycosylated in the sera of the EACa patients that were studied.

Serum tPSA, cPSA, related density parameters and chromogranin A as predictors of positive margins after radical prostatectomy

Serum levels of total prostate specific antigen (t-PSA) and PSA complexed to antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT), as well as their corresponding density parameters were measured in prostate cancer (PC) candidates for radical prostatectomy. In these patients blood Chromogranin A (CgA) values were also recorded. The PSA-ACT recordings in presurgically characterized organ-confined disease were assumed to predict post-surgical staging better than t-PSA. If this proved correct the novel approach might contribute to the positive predictive value of Partin nomograms. In this prospective study 50 patients with clinically localized PC underwent staging pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy. The numerical values of the tPSA and PSA-ACT parameters were presurgically measured. The PSA and PSA-ACT densities (PSAD and ACTD) of the whole prostate were calculated by using transurethral ultrasound (TRUS) data. These preoperative results together with the CgA values were correlated with post-surgical pathological staging data. The relationships between serum tPSA, PSA-ACT, PSAD, ACTD, CgA and the final stage of prostatectomy specimens derived from the pathological data were analyzed. This preliminary study was performed on a relatively small number of patients who were characterized by a serum PSA <20 and a Gleason score (GS) < or =7. Nevertheless, the application of the logistic regression model showed both t-PSA and PSA-ACT to be superior to their density derivatives in predicting postsurgical pathological stage in PC patients who initially seemed to have localized prostate cancer. An elevation in serum CgA level, although rather infrequent at the early stages of PC is principally found in patients with higher Gleason score PC and was mostly associated with extracapsular tumor spread. Our results do not justify the substitution of PSA-ACT for t-PSA data in the Partin nomogram approach.

Molecular chaperons, amyloid and preamyloid lesions in the BRI2 gene-related dementias: a morphological study

Molecular chaperons or amyloid-associated proteins (AAPs) are deposited in vascular and parenchymal amyloid lesions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other amyloidoses. AAPs, such as apolipoprotein E (ApoE) or apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of AD in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore the possession of the ApoE in4 allele is a well-studied risk factor for AD. In view of the similarities between AD and both familial British dementia (FBD) and familial Danish dementia (FDD), we investigated the presence of AAPs in these two diseases to understand better their role in the general process of amyloidogenesis. Immunohistochemistry for ApoE, ApoJ, serum amyloid P (SAP), alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, cystatin C, heparan sulphate proteoglycans, such as agrin, perlecan, syndecans, glypican-1 and for heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycan (HS GAG) side chains was carried out together with immunohistochemical preparations specific to the amyloid subunits. Significant or extensive staining for ApoE, ApoJ, agrin, glypican-1 and HS GAG side chains was found in both amyloid (fibrillar) and preamyloid (nonfibrillar) deposits in FBD and FDD. The remaining AAPs, including SAP, were predominantly found in amyloid lesions. Only very weak staining was present in a small proportion of the amyloid lesions using perlecan immunohistochemistry. These findings suggest that the deposition patterns of AAPs in FBD and FDD are mostly similar to those in AD. The presence of AAPs in the preamyloid lesions supports the notion that chaperon molecules may play a role in the early steps of fibrillogenesis.

The effects of macrophage migratory inhibitory factor on acute-phase protein production in primary human hepatocytes

Macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pituitary peptide released during the physiological stress response, a T-cell product secreted during the antigen-specific response and a pro-inflammatory macrophage cytokine secreted after LPS stimulation. It has become apparent that MIF is central to the regulation of the inflammatory response and is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. This is, at least in part, due to the apparent counter-regulation of the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids, including the reversal of glucocorticoid-mediated IL-6 release inhibition. This study examines the effect of recombinant MIF on regulation of the acute phase response in isolated human hepatocytes. MIF alone increased C-reactive protein (CRP) release in a dose-dependent manner < or = 0.1 ng/ml after which the effects of MIF were attenuated. In combination with IL-6 both CRP and and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) release were increased above levels found with either IL-6 or MIF treatment alone. Dexamethasone attenuated the effects of MIF upon CRP production but increased the MIF stimulated release of ACT. The study demonstrates that the effects of MIF upon the acute phase response are complex and can differentially modulate the production of acute phase proteins depending on the presence of other factors.

Alpha1-antichymotrypsin, an inflammatory protein overexpressed in Alzheimer's disease brain, induces tau phosphorylation in neurons

Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are key pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease pathology is also characterized by neuroinflammation and neuronal degeneration, with the proteins associated with inflammatory responses being found in tight association with the plaques. One such protein is the serine protease inhibitor alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). ACT has been shown to promote Abeta polymerization in vitro and in vivo, and levels of ACT protein in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from Alzheimer's patients have been found to correlate with progression of dementia. Here we investigated the possible involvement of ACT in tau phosphorylation and tangle formation. As was previously found for Alzheimer's disease, brains from patients with non-Alzheimer's tauopathies exhibited an enhanced expression of ACT, which correlated with the level of tau hyperphosphorylation. Transgenic mice expressing human ACT alone or ACT along with mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP) showed a significant increase in tau phosphorylation, suggesting that this inflammatory protein can induce tau hyperphosphorylation. The increase in phosphorylation was observed at PHF-1 (P-Ser396/P-Thr404), P-Ser202 and P-Thr231 sites on tau, the P-tau epitopes that are associated with tangles in the patients. This result was further confirmed by the finding that addition of purified ACT induced the same Alzheimer's disease-related tau hyperphosphorylation in cortical neurons cultured in vitro. This correlated with an increase in extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 activation, indicating their involvement in ACT-induced tau phosphorylation. The ACT-treated neurons showed neurite loss and subsequently underwent apoptosis. Approximately 40-50% of neurons were TUNEL positive by 6 and at 24 h >70% of the neurons showed staining suggesting that ACT was inducing apoptosis in these neurons. These findings indicate that inappropriate inflammatory responses are a potential threat to the brain and that intervention directed at inhibiting the expression or function of ACT could be of therapeutic value in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and other tauopathies.

Relationships between biochemical bone turnover markers, season, and inflammatory status indices in prepubertal Gambian boys

Seasonal and interindividual differences in food availability and illnesses cause variations in growth, including bone growth, in children in developing countries. We investigated seasonal differences in biochemical (serum) markers of bone metabolism and relationships between these markers (procollagen type I N propeptide [P1NP], serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen [S-CTX]) and serum markers of inflammation (alpha(1)- antichymotrypsin [ACT], C-reactive protein [CRP], sialic acid) in prepubertal Gambian boys. Three seasonal time points were chosen: August, mid-rainy season; October, late rainy season (both are associated with decreased food supply, increased prevalence of infection, reduced weight gain, and stunting); and April, late dry season, when environmental conditions are better and rates of weight gain are higher. The prevalence of raised inflammatory markers was high: 29% of ACT values >0.40 g/L in August, 42% >0.40 g/L in October, and 18% >0.40 g/L in April. Of CRP values, 92-96% were >0.47 mg/L and 30%, 46%, and 18% were >3.95 mg/L in August, October, and April, respectively. Also, 42-52% of sialic acid values were >648 mg/L. Of the bone markers, S-CTX exhibited the highest values in August; P1NP did not vary with season. Inverse relationships between each bone marker and the acute phase markers occurred, with the strongest relationships between P1NP and ACT or sialic acid. We conclude that bone collagen synthesis and turnover are reduced during inflammation in rural Gambian boys. Biochemical indices can provide powerful, single-time point evidence of infection and growth-faltering episodes.

[Evaluation of selected acute phase proteins in patients with metabolic syndrome]

Metabolic syndrome is a global epidemic problem. The latest studies revealed that metabolic syndrome can be associated with low-grade chronic inflammation which is postulated to play an essential role in the atherosclerotic process. The aim of the study was evaluation of selected acute phase proteins concentration in patients with metabolic syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

30 patients with metabolic syndrome were recruited to the study. The control group comprised 15 healthy persons. In all subjects assessment of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), ceruloplazmin (Cp), haptoglobin (Hp), alpha2-makroglobulin (alpha2-M), with use of rocket immunoelectroforesis method were performed.

RESULTS

In the group with metabolic syndrome concentration of the studied acute phase proteins significantly exceeded those observed in the control group. Positive correlations between BMI, waist circumference and CRP ACT, AGP, Cp, Hp were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased inflammatory process. Visceral obesity is an important determinant of low-grade inflammation in metabolic syndrome. Increased inflammatory process observed in patients with metabolic syndrome should be considered as a potential factor in atherosclerotic process.

Inflammatory markers and loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and strength

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate whether high levels of serum interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) were associated with the loss of muscle strength or muscle mass (sarcopenia) in older persons.

SUBJECTS

The study included 986 men and women of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, with a mean age of 74.6 years (standard deviation 6.2).

METHODS

Grip strength (n = 986) and appendicular muscle mass (n = 328, using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were obtained in 1995 and 1996 and repeated after a 3-year follow-up. Loss of muscle strength was defined as a loss of grip strength greater than 40%, and sarcopenia was defined as a loss of muscle mass greater than 3%, approximating the lowest 15% of the study sample.

RESULTS

Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses revealed that higher levels of IL-6 were associated with greater decline in muscle strength, which decreased by -3.21 kg (standard error 0.81) per standard deviation increase in log-transformed IL-6. After adjustment for confounders, including sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors, high IL-6 (>5 pg/mL) and high CRP (>6.1 mug/mL) were associated with a 2 to 3-fold greater risk of losing greater than 40% of muscle strength. Persons with high levels of ACT (>181% of the normal human pooled plasma) were 40% less likely to experience loss of muscle strength and tended (P = .07) to have a smaller decline in muscle mass compared with those in the lowest quartile of ACT. No consistent associations of IL-6 and CRP with sarcopenia were found.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this prospective, population-based study suggest that higher levels of IL-6 and CRP increase the risk of muscle strength loss, whereas higher levels of ACT decrease the risk of muscle strength loss in older men and women.

A strategy for sensitivity and specificity enhancements in prostate specific antigen-α1-antichymotrypsin detection based on surface plasmon resonance

A biochip based on surface plasmon resonance was fabricated to detect prostate specific antigen-alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT complex) in both HBS buffer and human serum. To reduce non-specific binding and steric hindrance effect, the chemical surface of the sensor chips was constructed by using various oligo(ethylene glycol) mixtures of different molar ratios of HS(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)6OCH2COOH and HS(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)3OH. The self-assembled monolayers were biotinylated to facilitate the immobilization of streptavidin. Using the chip surfaces, PSA-ACT complex in HBS buffer and human serum was detected at 20.7 and 47.5 ng/ml by primary immunoresponse, respectively. However, the limit of detection could be simply enhanced by a sandwich strategy to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay. An intact PSA polyclonal antibody was used as an amplifying agent in the strategy. As a result, PSA-ACT complex concentrations as low as 10.2 and 18.1 ng/ml were found in the HBS buffer and human serum sample, respectively. The result indicates that this approach could satisfy our goal without modifying the secondary interactant.

Febrile-range temperature but not heat shock augments the acute phase response to interleukin-6 in human hepatoma cells

The relationship between the stress protein response and the acute phase response (APPR) was studied in human hepatoma cells to investigate the hierarchy of regulation of these survival responses. Huh-7 cells were subjected to heat treatment (febrile-range temperature 40 degrees C or heat shock 43 degrees C) followed by recovery at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of IL-6 given either before or after heat treatment. The effects on total, fractional, and acute phase protein synthesis were then analyzed by metabolic labeling, ELISA, real-time PCR, Northern blot analysis, and activation of an alpha(1)-antitrypsin reporter plasmid. Cell energetics were studied under the same conditions using an index of mitochondrial activity and measurement of cellular ATP levels. Febrile-range temperature (40 degrees C) augmented acute phase protein production when cells had been pretreated with IL-6. Pretreatment of cells with IL-6 also prevented heat shock-induced suppression of alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT) but not transferrin. mRNA expression of ACT and alpha(1)-antitrypsin reporter activation studies was consistent with transcriptional regulation of these proteins. Expression of mRNA transcripts for transferrin was increased despite protein expression being reduced by heat shock. The effects of heat shock on acute phase protein synthesis can be modified by preincubation with IL-6, whereas addition of this ligand after heat treatment has no effect on the suppressive effect of heat on the APPR. The mechanism of this action appears to be transcriptionally regulated in the case of ACT, but in the case of transferrin, it may be mediated by another process such as posttranslational modification.

Nuclear factor-1-X regulates astrocyte-specific expression of the alpha1-antichymotrypsin and glial fibrillary acidic protein genes

Discrete tissue-specific changes in chromatin structure of the distal serpin subcluster on human chromosome 14q32.1 allow a single gene encoding alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) to be expressed in astrocytes and glioma cells. This astrocyte-specific regulation involves activatory protein-1 (AP-1) because overexpression of dominant-negative c-jun(TAM67) abolishes ACT expression in glioma cells. Here we identify a new regulatory element, located within the -13-kb enhancer of the ACT gene, that binds nuclear factor-1 (NFI) and is indispensable for the full basal transcriptional activity of the ACT gene. Furthermore, down-regulation of NFI expression by siRNA abolishes basal ACT expression in glioma cells. However, NFI does not mediate astrocyte-specific expression by itself, but likely cooperates with AP-1. A detailed analysis of the 14-kb long 5'-flanking region of the ACT gene indicated the presence of adjacent NFI and AP-1 elements that colocalized with DNase I-hypersensitive sites found in astrocytes and glioma cells. Interestingly, knock-down of NFI expression also specifically abrogates the expression of glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP), which is an astrocyte-specific marker protein. Mutations introduced into putative NFI and AP-1 elements within the 5'-flanking region of the GFAP gene also diminished basal expression of the reporter. In addition, we found, using isoform-specific siRNAs, that NFI-X regulates the astrocyte-specific expression of ACT and GFAP. We propose that NFI-X cooperates with AP-1 by an unknown mechanism in astrocytes, which results in the expression of a subset of astrocyte-specific genes.

Ibuprofen suppresses interleukin-1beta induction of pro-amyloidogenic alpha1-antichymotrypsin to ameliorate beta-amyloid (Abeta) pathology in Alzheimer's models

Epidemiological and basic research suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should protect against the most common forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ibuprofen reduces amyloid (Abeta) pathology in some transgenic models, but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Although some reports show select NSAIDs inhibit amyloid production in vitro, the possibility that in vivo suppression of amyloid pathology occurs independent of Abeta production has not been ruled out. We show that ibuprofen reduced Abeta brain levels in rats from exogenously infused Abeta in the absence of altered Abeta production. To determine whether ibuprofen inhibits pro-amyloidogenic factors, APPsw (Tg2576) mice were treated with ibuprofen for 6 months, and expression levels of the Abeta and inflammation-related molecules alpha1 antichymotrypsin (ACT), apoE, BACE1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) (PPARgamma) were measured. Among these, ACT, a factor whose overexpression accelerates amyloid pathology, was reduced by ibuprofen both in vivo and in vitro. IL-1beta, which was reduced in our animals by ibuprofen, induced mouse ACT in vitro. While some NSAIDs may inhibit Abeta42 production, these observations suggest that ibuprofen reduction of Abeta pathology may not be mediated by altered Abeta42 production. We present evidence supporting the hypothesis that ibuprofen-dependent amyloid reduction is mediated by inhibition of an alternate pathway (IL-1beta and its downstream target ACT).

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) complexed to alpha1-antichymotrypsin improves prostate cancer detection using total PSA in Japanese patients with total PSA levels of 2.0-4.0 ng/mL

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) complexed to alpha1-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) in prostate cancer screening in Japanese men with a total PSA level of 2.0-4.0 ng/mL, as improving cancer detection in men with these total PSA levels is a challenge for clinical urologists.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Total PSA and PSA-ACT were prospectively assessed and prostate biopsy recommended for patients who met either of two thresholds, i.e. a total PSA of > or = 2.0 ng/mL or a PSA-ACT of > or= 1.5 ng/mL. The diagnostic ability of total PSA and PSA-ACT, and free-to-total PSA ratio and prostate volume-adjusted density were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

Of 1003 men enrolled, 547 met the biopsy criteria and a biopsy was taken in 315 (57.6%) patients. The area under the ROC curve for PSA-ACT (0.679) was significantly greater than that for total PSA (0.601, P = 0.04) and equivalent to that for the free-to-total ratio (0.686, P = 0.911) in 116 men, including 27 with cancer with total PSA levels of 2.0-4.0 ng/mL. PSA-ACT was more specific than the free-to-total ratio at a sensitivity of 95% (36% vs 18%, P < 0.05). The best variable for discriminating between cancer and benign disease in men with PSA levels of 2.0-4.0 ng/mL was PSA-ACT density (area under the curve 0.852) which provided 66% specificity at a sensitivity of 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA-ACT is better than total PSA and equivalent to the free-to-total ratio for detecting prostate cancer in men with PSA levels of 2.0-4.0 ng/mL, and is thus useful for reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies.

Duration of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin gene activation by interleukin-1 is determined by efficiency of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha resynthesis in primary human astrocytes

Expression of alpha1antichymotrypsin (ACT) is significantly activated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) in human astrocytes; however, it is barely affected by IL-1 in hepatocytes. This tissue-specific regulation depends upon an enhancer that contains both nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activating protein 1 (AP-1) elements, and is also observed for an NF-kappaB reporter but not for an AP-1 reporter. We found efficient activation of NF-kappaB binding in both cell types; however, this binding was persistent in glial cells and only transient in hepatocytes. IL-1-activated NF-kappaB complexes consisted of p65 and p50, with p65 transiently phosphorylated on serine 536 in glial cells whereas more persistently in hepatic cells. Overexpression of p65 or constitutively active IKKbeta (inhibitor of NF-kappaB kinase beta) resulted in an efficient activation of the ACT reporter in hepatic cells, indicating that a specific mechanism exists in these cells terminating IL-1 signaling. IL-1 effectively induced the degradation of inhibitor of NF-kappaBalpha (IkBalpha) and IkBepsilon in both cell types but IkBbeta was not affected. However, IkBalpha was resynthesized much more rapidly in hepatic cells in comparison to glial cells. In addition, the initial levels of IkBalpha were much lower in glial cells. We propose that the tissue-specific regulation of the ACT gene expression by IL-1 is determined by different efficiencies of IkBalpha resynthesis in glial and hepatic cells.

Aberrant expression of acute-phase reactant proteins in sera and breast lesions of patients with malignant and benign breast tumors

We have analyzed unfractionated sera of newly diagnosed patients (n=10) with breast carcinoma (BC), prior to treatment, and patients (n=5) with fibrocystic disease of the breast (FDB) by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and silver staining. The patients' 2-DE serum protein profiles obtained were then subjected to image analysis and compared to similar data generated from sera of normal healthy female controls (n=10) of the same range of age. The relative expression of alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), clusterin, and complement factor B was significantly higher in all BC patients as compared to normal controls. However, the expression of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) in BC patients was apparently lower than that of the controls. Similar differential expression of ACT was detected in the FDB patients. The aberrant expression of the serum acute-phase proteins of patients with BC and FDB was confirmed by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Similar altered proteins expression was also observed from immunohistochemical studies of malignant (n=5) and benign (n=5) breast lesions of the respective patients performed using antisera to the aberrantly expressed proteins. However, the malignant breast lesions were instead positively stained for AAT. The differential expression of the serum proteins was apparently abrogated when a six-month follow-up study was performed on nine of the BC patients subsequent to treatment.

Binding of alpha1-antichymotrypsin to the surface of lymphocytes--preliminary study

PURPOSE

The paper presents preliminary results of investigation of binding of alpha1-antichymotrypsin to the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Pooled serum samples from healthy individuals served as source of alpha1-antichymotrypsin for isolation using chromatography. Binding of alpha1-antichymotrypsin to the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Even on native cells alpha1-antichymotrypsin may be detected. After incubation with isolated preparation the percentage of positive lymphocytes increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of alpha1-antichymotrypsin on the surface of lymphocytes may imply its regulatory role during acute phase response and early immune response.

[Some acute phase proteins in children suffering from recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to compare the character of inflammatory reaction in the groups of sick children, asymptomatic carriers of HPV and healthy children by quantitative and qualitative study of chosen acute phase proteins like CRP, AT, ACT. Profile of glycosylation of ACT was analysed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group was 21 children treated in ENT Department of Pediatric Institute of the Karol Marcinkowski University for laryngeal papillomatosis (infected by HPV 6/11 in 100%) and the group of 22 selected asymptomatic carriers of HPV 6/11. The control group were 22 children in which the presence of HPV 6/11 DNA was excluded using PCR technique. Serum concentration of the APP was measured using immunoelectrophoresis technique according to Laurell. Qualitative study of the APP based on analysis of AGP and ACT microheterogeneity using crossed immuno-affinoelectrophoresis on agarose gel according to Bog-Hansen in Mackiewicz modification was carried out.

RESULTS

The results were analysed with regard to: 1. the age of the first incident (ten children in whom the first symptoms occurred up to the second year of life, and eleven in whom the first symptoms were detected later; 2. severity of the disease course (seven children in whom four or more microsurgeries were performed within a year, and fourteen children in whom fever than four interventions were carried out). The decrease of ACT, AT levels in serum was observed. It was found that the ACT glycosylation profile is close to normal in sick children, what suggests the absence of inflammatory reaction stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that clinical infection of HPV is likely to be connected with discoordination of immunological reaction mechanism.

Cognitive impairment in PDAPP mice depends on ApoE and ACT-catalyzed amyloid formation

Biochemical and genetic studies indicate that the inflammatory proteins, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT) are important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using several lines of multiply transgenic/knockout mice we show here that murine ApoE and human ACT separately and synergistically facilitate both diffuse A beta immunoreactive and fibrillar amyloid deposition and thus also promote cognitive impairment in aged PDAPP(V717F) mice. The degree of cognitive impairment is highly correlated with the ApoE- and ACT-dependent hippocampal amyloid burden, with PDAPP mice lacking ApoE and ACT having little amyloid and little learning disability. A analysis of young mice before the onset of amyloid formation shows that steady-state levels of monomeric A beta peptide are unchanged by ApoE or ACT. These data suggest that the process or product of amyloid formation is more critical than monomeric A beta for the neurological decline in AD, and that the risk factors ApoE and ACT participate primarily in disease processes downstream of APP processing.

Granzyme M Is a Regulatory Protease That Inactivates Proteinase Inhibitor 9, an Endogenous Inhibitor of Granzyme B

Granzyme M is a trypsin-fold serine protease that is specifically found in the granules of natural killer cells. This enzyme has been implicated recently in the induction of target cell death by cytotoxic lymphocytes, but unlike granzymes A and B, the molecular mechanism of action of granzyme M is unknown. We have characterized the extended substrate specificity of human granzyme M by using purified recombinant enzyme, several positional scanning libraries of coumarin substrates, and a panel of individual p-nitroanilide and coumarin substrates. In contrast to previous studies conducted using thiobenzyl ester substrates (Smyth, M. J., O'Connor, M. D., Trapani, J. A., Kershaw, M. H., and Brinkworth, R. I. (1996) J. Immunol. 156, 4174-4181), a strong preference for leucine at P1 over methionine was demonstrated. The extended substrate specificity was determined to be lysine = norleucine at P4, broad at P3, proline > alanine at P2, and leucine > norleucine > methionine at P1. The enzyme activity was found to be highly dependent on the length and sequence of substrates, indicative of a regulatory function for human granzyme M. Finally, the interaction between granzyme M and the serpins alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin, alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor, and proteinase inhibitor 9 was characterized by using a candidate-based approach to identify potential endogenous inhibitors. Proteinase inhibitor 9 was effectively hydrolyzed and inactivated by human granzyme M, raising the possibility that this orphan granzyme bypasses proteinase inhibitor 9 inhibition of granzyme B.

Allele-specific overexpression in astrocytes of an Alzheimer's disease associated alpha-1-antichymotrypsin promoter polymorphism

Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), a serine proteinase inhibitor is synthesised predominantly in the liver and in other tissues including the brain. ACT is a major component of the senile plaques (SP) characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased production locally in the brain may be associated with Alzheimer's disease as ACT acts as a "pathological chaperone", promoting beta-amyloid assembly into neurotoxic fibrils. Recent reports suggest that the T allele of a G/T polymorphism at position -51 of ACT is associated with cognitive decline in AD patients. We demonstrate that the T allele is markedly overexpressed by almost 225% in an astrocytic cell line in response to oncostatin M (OSM) compared with a 35% increase in a mixed population of brain-derived cells. This effect is probably mediated by a higher binding affinity of the transcription initiation complex to the higher expressing allele and overexpression of ACT by astrocytes could thus contribute to increased beta-amyloid fibril formation in AD.

Mutants of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 designed to inhibit neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G are more effective in vivo than their endogenous inhibitors

Neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G are abundant intracellular neutrophil proteinases that have an important role in destroying ingested particles. However, when neutrophils degranulate, these proteinases are released and can cause irreparable damage by degrading host connective tissue proteins. Despite abundant endogenous inhibitors, these proteinases are protected from inhibition because of their ability to bind to anionic surfaces. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), which is not an inhibitor of these proteinases, possesses properties that could make it an effective inhibitor of neutrophil proteinases if its specificity could be redirected. PAI-1 efficiently inhibits surface-sequestered proteinases, and it efficiently mediates rapid cellular clearance of PAI-1-proteinase complexes. Therefore, we examined whether PAI-1 could be engineered to inhibit and clear neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G. By introducing specific mutations in the reactive center loop of wild-type PAI-1, we generated PAI-1 mutants that are effective inhibitors of both proteinases. Kinetic analysis shows that the inhibition of neutrophil proteinases by these PAI-1 mutants is not affected by the sequestration of neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G onto surfaces. In addition, complexes of these proteinases and PAI-1 mutants are endocytosed and degraded by lung epithelial cells more efficiently than either the neutrophil proteinases alone or in complex with their physiological inhibitors, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha1-antichymotrypsin. Finally, the PAI-1 mutants were more effective in reducing the neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G activities in an in vivo model of lung inflammation than were their physiological inhibitors.

The SANT2 domain of the murine tumor cell DnaJ-like protein 1 human homologue interacts with alpha1-antichymotrypsin and kinetically interferes with its serpin inhibitory activity

The murine tumor cell DnaJ-like protein 1 or MTJ1/ERdj1 is a membrane J-domain protein enriched in microsomal and nuclear fractions. We previously showed that its lumenal J-domain stimulates the ATPase activity of the molecular chaperone BiP/GRP78 (Chevalier, M., Rhee, H., Elguindi, E. C., and Blond, S. Y. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19620-19627). MTJ1/ERdj1 also contains a large carboxyl-terminal cytosolic extension composed of two tryptophan-mediated repeats or SANT domains for which the function(s) is unknown. Here we describe the cloning of the human homologue HTJ1 and its interaction with alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT), a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family. The interaction was initially identified in a two-hybrid screening and further confirmed in vitro by dot blots, native electrophoresis, and fluorescence studies. The second SANT domain of HTJ1 (SANT2) was found to be sufficient for binding to ACT, both in yeast and in vitro. Single tryptophan-alanine substitutions at two strictly conserved residues significantly (Trp-497) or totally (Trp-520) abolished the interaction with ACT. SANT2 binds to human ACT with an intrinsic affinity equal to 0.5 nm. Preincubation of ACT with nearly stoichiometric concentrations of SANT2 wild-type but not SANT2: W520A results in an apparent loss of ACT inhibitory activity toward chymotrypsin. Kinetic analysis indicates that the formation of the covalent inhibitory complex ACT-chymotrypsin is significantly delayed in the presence of SANT2 with no change on the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. This work demonstrates for the first time that the SANT2 domain of MTJ1/HTJ1/ERdj1 mediates stable and high affinity protein-protein interactions.

The expression of selected immunocytochemical diagnostic markers in the case of chondrosarcoma with a mesenchymal component

The case of 52-year-old man is presented, who had suffered from pains in his right brachial region and in whom, upon admission to the Lower Silesia Centre of Oncology, a tumour of 20 cm in diameter and restricted mobility was disclosed in the right brachial region and proximal 1/3 of his right arm. Radiograms of his right humerus disclosed non-uniform restructuring of the osseous tissue, dominated by osteosclerosis in the upper half of his right humerus, while in the surrounding dift tissues of the proximal portion non-uniform shades were seen of calcified appearance. The patient was qualified to surgical biopsy and histopathological examination of the sample disclosed Chondrosarcoma G II. Following amputation of the right upper extremity together with the scapula, the tumour was subjected to histopathological and immunocytochemical examination in the Department of Pathomorphology, Lower Silesia Centre of Oncology. In numerous samples of the tumour dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma was diagnosed with a dominating component of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), which was confirmed by detecting a high expression of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) within the spindle-shaped cell component of the chondrosarcoma. Spindle-shaped elements in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DChSa) may represent patterns of fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma or the malignant fibrohistiocytoma (MFH) type and they are present as if in the form of restricted fields with no reciprocal infiltrates. Moreover, due to the worse prognosis in the case of the MFH component in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoman as compared to that in classical chondrosarcoma, common evaluation of the material was made by a surgeon, radiologist and histopathologist, accompanied by a minimum panel of immunocytochemical tests (ACT, Vimentyna, Desmina, S-100). This enabled a final diagnosis for all tumour components to be established and prognosis to be made regarding the further fate of the patient.

Distribution and secretory pathways of prostate specific antigen, alpha1-antichymotrypsin and prostate secretory granules in prostate cancers

Using 19 radical prostatectomy specimens, we studied the histological distribution of free prostate specific antigen (PSA), total PSA, alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and prostate secretory granules (PSG) in both normal and cancerous cells of the prostate. After glutaraldehyde fixation, numerous fine eosinophilic droplets of PSG could be found mainly in the apical portions of normal acinous epithelial cells, but was markedly decreased in cancer cells. With antibodies against free PSA, normal acinous cells were granularly positive in the apical portion of the epithelium, which corresponded to the PSG, whereas cancer cells were diffusely positive. With antibodies against ACT, normal duct cells and cancer cells were often positive, but few normal acinous cells were positive. Presumably, these findings indicate that free PSA is secreted into the lumen as PSG in normal glands, but not by the same pathway in cancers where free PSA appears to accumulate due to a decrease of PSG, then leak into the blood producing complexed PSA to some extent in the cytoplasm. One factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the correlation of tumor differentiation or Gleason score with serum values of total PSA, free PSA and a free/total PSA ratio demonstrated no significant links. Elucidation of secretory mechanisms should provide better comprehension of various PSA indices for prostate cancer screening.

[Does the estimation of acute phase protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and/or in serum in patients with viral meningitis carry diagnostic importance? Part I. Lymphocytic meningitis caused by epidemic parotitis]

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether an acute phase reaction could occur in children with lymphocytic meningitis of homogeneous etiology (parotitis epidemic from the Paramyxoviridae family), a sign of which would be an increase in concentrations of acute phase proteins (APP's) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or in blood serum. We also tested the usefulness of the determination of selected APP's concentrations in CSF and serum in diagnosis and monitoring of the course of the disease, provided that an increase in concentrations of selected APP's were discernible.

METHODS

Cases were 78 children with lymphocytic meningitis as a complication of parotitis epidemic. Controls were 30 healthy children (control group K1) and 19 children hospitalized with suspected meningitis (control group K2). The following APP's presence in CSF and serum were tested: C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-2-haptoglobin (HPT), alpha-1-antitripsin (AAT) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), alpha-2-ceruloplasmin (CER) and alpha-2-macroglobulin (AMG). The results were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS

The results of the research show a significant increase in all APP's determined, except for CRP and AAG, in children with parotidal meningitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of CRP concentration either in CSF or in serum is not useful in diagnosis of parotidal meningitis and in differentiation of lymphocytic and bacterial forms of the disease.

Alzheimer's peptide and serine proteinase inhibitors in glaucoma and exfoliation syndrome

The occurrence of inflammation with accompanying amyloid formation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) resembles other inflammation-associated amyloidoses such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). To test whether the same proteins can be identified in PEX as in AD, we qualitatively analysed for Alzheimer's peptide (Abeta1-42) and the proteinase inhibitors alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and alpha-antitrypsin (AAT) in the aqueous humor of patients with and without PEX material. Ninety aqueous humor samples were collected from patients in the age group between 46 and 95 during cataract surgery. Protein profiles in samples were analysed by electrophoresis followed by Western blotting. Blots were developed using specific antibodies against Abeta1-42, AAT and ACT and peroxidase-conjugated IgG as a second antibody. At least one of the analysed proteins was found in 68.8% of 90 cases studied. Abeta1-42 peptide was found in 22.2% of all cases, among them in seven cases with PEX (total n =16) and in four with glaucoma (total n = 10). ACT and AAT were detected in 17.8 and 28.9% of all cases, respectively. In addition, female patients had significantly higher frequencies of detected ACT and AAT, compared to males. Abeta1-42, ACT and AAT were also found in 17.6, 14.7 and 23.5% of the control (non-XF and non-glaucoma) samples (n = 68). Alzheimer's peptide is present in the aqueous humor of patients with PEX and glaucoma suggesting that these diseases may share common features in the biochemistry and etiologies with AD. The presence of Abeta and inflammation-associated proteins in aqueous from cataract cases without detectable PEX raises the possibility that these proteins may reflect early amyloid-related changes in the eye.

[Influence of tonsillectomy in adults on the concentration and glycosylation profile of acute phase proteins]

Chronic tonsillitis (ch.t.) in adults can have the effect on immunological system and its function. The aims of this study were: 1. the estimation of concentration and glycosylation of acute-phase serum protein (a.ph.s.p.)--C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), transferrin (Tf) and the concentration of immunoglobulins (Ig) and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) in adults with ch.t. 2. the influence of tonsillectomy on the concentration and glycosylation a.ph.s.p. in I week and 6-8 months after surgery and determination of normalization estimated parameters. 116 patients with ch.t. and 15 healthy persons were evaluated. In all patients with ch.t. the concentration of acute-phase serum protein, alpha 2-M and immunoglobulins were determined before, in I-II day, VII day and 6-8 months after surgery. In patients with ch.t. were observed the significantly higher the concentration of CRP, AGP, ACT, IgG and the significantly decreased the concentration of serum transferrin before tonsillectomy, as an effects of immunological response on chronic inflammation. Tonsillectomy induced further increases the concentration of a.ph.s.p. and the highest value attained the CRP level. The change of glycosylation of AGP and ACT were results of chronic inflammatory process and analysis the glycosylation of these proteins can be useful in the estimation of activity of inflammatory process. The normalization of the concentration of acute-phase serum protein were observed in 6-8 months after tonsillectomy and confirmed the withdrawal of inflammatory process.

Improving the utility of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer: the use of PSA derivatives and novel markers

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing is now a routine part of the investigation of men with suspected prostate cancer. While a very useful test it still has its problems, in particular its lack of specificity means abnormal results are often caused by benign disease. This review describes the current problems with PSA testing in prostate cancer diagnosis and highlights potential ways in which these may be reduced.

Identification and expression of human cytomegalovirus transcription units coding for two distinct Fcgamma receptor homologs

Cellular receptors for the Fc domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (FcgammaRs) comprise a family of surface receptors on immune cells connecting humoral and cellular immune responses. Several herpesviruses induce FcgammaR activities in infected cells. Here we identify two distinct human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded vFcgammaR glycoproteins of 34 and 68 kDa. A panel of HCMV strains exhibited a slight molecular microheterogeneity between Fcgamma-binding proteins, suggesting their viral origin. To locate the responsible genes within the HCMV genome, a large set of targeted HCMV deletion mutants was constructed. The mutant analysis allowed the identification of a spliced UL119-UL118 mRNA to encode vFcgammaR gp68 and TRL11/IRL11 to encode vFcgammaR gp34. Both vFcgammaRs are surface resident type I transmembrane glycoproteins. Significant relatedness of sequences in the extracellular chain of gpUL119-118 and gpTRL11 with particular immunoglobulin supergene family domains present in FcgammaR I and FcgammaRs II/III, respectively, indicates a different ancestry and function of gpUL119-118 and gpTRL11. The HCMV-encoded vFcgammaRs highlight an impressive diversification and redundancy of FcgammaR structures.

The effects of reactive site location on the inhibitory properties of the serpin alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin

The large size of the serpin reactive site loop (RSL) suggests that the role of the RSL in protease inhibition is more complex than that of presenting the reactive site (P1 residue) to the protease. This study examines the effect on inhibition of relocating the reactive site (Leu-358) of the serpin alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin either one residue closer (P2) or further (P1') from the base of the RSL (Glu-342). alpha(1)-Antichymotrypsin variants were produced by mutation within the P4-P2' region; the sequence ITLLSA was changed to ITLSSA to relocate the reactive site to P2 (Leu-357) and to ITITLS to relocate it to P1' (Leu-359). Inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like proteases human chymase and chymotrypsin and the non-target protease human neutrophil elastase (HNE) were analyzed. The P2 variant inhibited chymase and chymotrypsin but not HNE. Relative to P1, interaction at P2 was characterized by greater complex stability, lower inhibition rate constants, and increased stoichiometry of inhibition values. In contrast, the P1' variant inhibited HNE (stoichiometry of inhibition = 4) but not chymase or chymotrypsin. However, inhibition of HNE was by interaction with Ile-357, the P2 residue. The P1' site was recognized by all proteases as a cleavage site. Covalent-complexes resistant to SDS-PAGE were observed in all inhibitory reactions, consistent with the trapping of the protease as a serpin-acyl protease complex. The complete loss in inhibitory activity associated with lengthening the Glu-342-reactive site distance by a single residue and the enhanced stability of complexes associated with shortening this distance by a single residue are compatible with the distorted-protease model of inhibition requiring full insertion of the RSL into the body of the serpin and translocation of the linked protease to the pole opposite from that of encounter.

Antioxidant status and proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance in colorectal cancer

Free radicals participate in the development of cancer. When the antioxidant defence system is not longer capable to destroy free radicals they may cause lipid and protein oxidation. Lipid peroxidation products also modify proteins. In such a situation the proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance existing in the blood may be changed. Therefore the aim of this study was to examine the correlation between antioxidant status and activity of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in cases of colorectal cancer. This study included 55 patients with colorectal cancer. The blood was taken before surgery and plasma was collected. Total antioxidant status, the levels of lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal) and activity of cathepsin G, elastase and their inhibitors (alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-2-macroglobulin) were determined in plasma. It was shown that during the development of cancer total antioxidant status was signficantly decreased while lipid peroxidation products were increased. Activity of alpha-2-macroglobulin was decreased and activity of determined enzymes was not significantly changed. The observed changes indicate a shift in proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance which may enhance carcinogenesis.

Development and validation of a quantitative ELISA for the measurement of PSA concentration

BACKGROUND

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been used for the diagnosis and follow up of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for the development of a sensitive total PSA (t-PSA) assay. Two MAbs, denoted CB-PSA.4 and CB-PSA.9, with affinities of 3.7 x 10(9) and 4.7 x 10(10) l/mol, respectively, were used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantifying serum t-PSA concentration.

RESULTS

The detection limit (DL) of the assay was 0.1 microg/l (n=20, mean of "zero" standard+3S.D.), and the recovery of t-PSA was 96-103%. The within-run and between-day coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 2.1% to 3.2%, and from 2.8% to 6.3% for PSA concentrations of 10 and 1 microg/l, respectively. The equimolar detection of t-PSA and free-PSA was demonstrated by two different methods, one consisted in the comparative evaluation of a sera panel (n=9) with our enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and four commercial total PSA assays and the concordance with CIS bio total PSA assay. The assay had a linear range of 0.12 to 25 microg/l.

CONCLUSIONS

The analytical performance characteristics of our PSA ELISA suggest that it will provide clinically useful PSA results, particularly when diagnostic algorithms are used.

Alpha1-antichymotrypsin/Alzheimer's peptide Abeta(1-42) complex perturbs lipid metabolism and activates transcription factors PPARgamma and NFkappaB in human neuroblastoma (Kelly) cells

Amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) and the serpin proteinase inhibitor alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) are components of the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta exists in soluble monomeric and oligomeric forms and in an insoluble polymerised fibrillar form, but it is not clear which of these plays the most important role in the etiology of AD. In vitro, Abeta(1-42) interacts with ACT, and as a result of this, ACT loses its proteinase inhibitor activity and polymerisation of Abeta(1-42) is promoted. Here we provide evidence that new molecular forms resulting from incubation of ACT with Abeta(1-42) have multiple cellular level effects on neuronal cells. The mixture of soluble Abeta and an ACT/Abeta complex formed by 2 hr incubation at a 10:1 molar ratio of Abeta:ACT strongly induce cellular proliferation and expression of transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) and NFkappaB, and also increase uptake and depress degradation of native and oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by cells. Similar but less pronounced effects are seen when cells are exposed to the Abeta peptide alone preincubated for 2 hr. Abeta(1-42) and to a lesser extent ACT/Abeta(1-42) complex mixture prepared by 2 hr incubation both inhibit association of native LDL with cells. Neither ACT alone nor the Abeta(1-42) and ACT/Abeta(1-42) forms prepared by 24-hr incubation show any significant effects in these assays. We propose that specific molecular forms of Abeta(1-42) and ACT/Abeta(1-42) complex mixture, both dependent on the abundances of Abeta(1-42) and ACT/Abeta(1-42) in vivo and on their time of exposure to each other, have cellular effects which are important for the initiation and progression of the pathologies associated with AD.