Primary structure,functional characterization and developmental expression of the ascidian Kv4-class potassium channel

Ascidians belong to the primitive chordates and their larvae show symmetrical beating of the tail, which is reminiscent of the swimming pattern in primitive vertebrates. Since ascidian larva contains only a small number of neurons in their entire larval nervous system, they will potentially provide a simple model for the study of animal locomotion. In a step towards the goal of establishing the molecular basis underlying ascidian larval neurophysiology, we describe here a Kv4 class of voltage-gated potassium channel, TuKv4, from Halocynthia roretzi. Whole mount in situ hybridization indicates that TuKv4 is expressed in most of larval neurons including motor neurons. TuKv4-currents reconstituted in Xenopus oocytes show currents with similar properties to the lower-threshold A-type currents from cleavage-arrested ascidian blastomeres of neural lineage. However, the voltage-dependency of the steady-state inactivation and activation was shifted leftward by 20 mV, as compared with native A-type currents, suggesting that other components may be required to restore full function of the Kv4 channel. Unexpectedly, another isoform lacking C-terminal cytoplasmic region was also isolated. This truncated isoform did not lead to a functional current in Xenopus oocytes. RT-PCR analysis showed that the truncated form is transiently expressed during larval development, suggesting some developmental role for potassium channel expression.     

Activities of a soluble extract from lymphoid cells of MRL mice. Effect on B cell differentiation in vitro

Soluble extract (sEx) was prepared from lymphoid cells of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr(MRL/l) mice with early lupus nephritis and also of MRL/Mp-+/+ (MRL/n) mice. sEx from lymph node and spleen T cells of MRL/l mice had an activity for B cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin-producing cells but that of MRL/n mice did not show such an activity. sEx of MRL/l mice also enhanced the in vitro response of B cells to a suboptimal dose of lipopolysaccharide. Implication of these phenomena in the development of lupus nephritis is discussed.     

Immunohistochemical localization of smooth muscle myosin in human spleen, lymph node, and other lymphoid tissues. Unique staining patterns in splenic white pulp and sinuses, lymphoid follicles, and certain vasculature, with ultrastructural correlations.

The anatomic distribution of smooth muscle myosin, a contractile protein, was determined in a variety of lymphoid tissues (spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils) with the use of highly specific rabbit antibodies to human uterine smooth muscle myosin and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In the spleen, in addition to the anticipated immunoreactivity in the walls of arteries, veins, splenic capsule, and trabeculas, other staining patterns were observed. Smooth muscle myosin-containing cells which comprised the adventitia of the trabecular arteries appeared continuous with myosin-containing reticular cells of the white pulp. The latter cells assumed a circumferential pattern within the periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths, then blended delicately with the red pulp at the marginal zone. Ultrastructurally, immunogold techniques demonstrated that smooth muscle myosin in these cells was localized to cytoplasmic filaments. Within the red pulp, a different and distinct staining pattern was observed for the splenic sinuses. Short, regular, orderly, and repetitive bands of immunoreactivity, aligned parallel to the long axis of the sinus, extended between contiguous ring fibers. By immunoelectron microscopy these structures corresponded to distinct bundles of filaments in the endothelial lining cells of the splenic sinuses. Factor VIII associated antigen was also identified in the splenic lining cells in cryostat and paraffin sections, and ultrastructurally. Within the red pulp of the spleen, the sheaths of sheathed capillaries also revealed strong immunoreactivity for smooth muscle myosin. Other sites of immunohistochemical localization of smooth muscle myosin included dendritic reticulum cells present in reactive follicles and in nodular non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Certain vascular structures, specifically sinus lining cells and Schweigger-Seidel capillary sheaths of the spleen and postcapillary venules of lymph nodes and tonsils, coexpressed smooth muscle myosin and Factor VIII associated antigen. The patterns of localization of smooth muscle myosin are correlated with anatomic structures and possible tissue functions.     

Characterization of diethylstilbestrol‐induced hypospadias in female mice

The urethral duct and vagina are formed from the urogenital sinus (UGS) during the early neonatal period in mice. Neonatal estrogen exposure results in hypospadias, or the malpositioning of vaginal and urethral openings, with wide cleft clitoris. We sought to characterize diethylstilbestrol (DES) influence on UGS morphogenesis and hypospadias formation. Newborn (day 0) and 1–4‐day‐old female mice (ICR/Jcl) were given (s.c.) oil or 3.0 μg DES. Animals were killed 24 hr later; then hypospadias formation and epithelial apoptosis and proliferation within the developing UGS were assessed. DES did not alter normal UGS morphogenesis by day 1, in comparison with controls. However, hypospadias formation was observed in DES‐treated mice by day 3. In these mice, the distal dorsal urethral duct appeared to fuse with and open into the lower vaginal solid cord region. Further, DES treatment produced a gradual significant increase in dorsal urethral epithelial apoptosis (P < 0.05) just prior to and during fusion and hypospadias formation. DES‐induced urethral epithelial and sinus cord proliferation appeared significantly increased (P < 0.05) and unchanged, respectively, just prior to fusion. By day 5, DES‐treated mice exhibited wide cleft clitoris. In addition, if DES was given on day 3 or 5, a gradual, distinct caudal shift in the vaginal‐urethral junction was observed compared to mice treated on days 0–2. Although hypospadias was not induced when neonates were given DES on day 7, these mice continued to display early vaginal opening. Dose‐response analysis indicated that 0.03 μg DES for 5 days is the lowest known critical dose for hypospadias induction. We have shown for the first time that DES‐induced hypospadias onset may primarily be the result of changes in developing dorsal urethral epithelial cell apoptotic and proliferative activity, and that the location of DES‐induced hypospadias formation is dependent on age at time of exposure. Anat Rec 266:43–50, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of suramin on metastatic ability,proliferation, and production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 in human renal cell carcinoma cell line SN12C-PM6

Effects of suramin, a polysulfonated naphthylurea compound, on metastatic ability, proliferation, and production of plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitors were studied using the highly metastatic human renal cell carcinoma cell line, SN12C-PM6. After renal subscapular implantation of tumor cells in nude mice, suramin significantly inhibited metastasis of tumor cells to the lungs and liver. In vitro growth of tumour cells was inhibited by suramin in a dose-dependent manner, at relatively low doses (ID₅₀ = 105 µg/ml). Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) production by tumor cells was enhanced by suramin (100 µg/ml), whereas urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) production was suppressed. Thus, the increase in PAI-2 and the decrease in uPA production correlated with the inhibitory effects on tumour growth and metastasis by suramin. Therefore suramin may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with an early stage of renal cancer with potential risk of metastasis.     

A case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the thymus

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 10×10 cm anterior mediations mass. The tumor had Invaded the pericardium, both lungs and the left brachiocephallc vein, and was treated by partial resection and postoperative radiation therapy. Pathological examination of the tumor revealed squamous cell carcinoma with a spindle cell sarcomatous component. Immunohistochemically, keratin and epithelial membrane antlgen were posltive In both the spindle cell sarcomatous areas and the squamous cell carcinomatous area and thus, a diagnosis of thymic carcinoma of sarcomatoid type was made. The patient died of recurrent disease 1 year after surgery. This case is the seventh reported In the English literature Because of the poor outcome, adjuvant therapy is recommended.     

Dna ploidy of pheochromocytoma on cytology specimen by image analysis

Pheochromocytoma usually shows prominent nuclear atypia, but the presence of such atypical cells is known to be an unreliable predictor of malignancy. DNA ploidy of pheochromocytomas has been analyzed by flow cytometry or photospectrometry on paraffinem-bedded tissue, but the results were controversial. We performed DNA analysis on cytology specimens of 11 pheochromocytomas using an image analysis system. All tumors had a mixed pattern of a large population of diploid cells and a small population of polyploid cells. DNA content correlated with nuclear size, and larger cells had more DNA content. Such larger tumor cells had polyploid nuclei, such as 4 C, 8 C, 16 C, and 32 C, in both malignant and benign pheochromocytomas. The larger polyploid nuclei may result from difficulty of duplication at the mitotic phase of the cell cycle.     

Expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in primary breast cancer: immunohistochemical analysis

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) has been implicated in regulation in tumor growth. The results of previous studies performed by radioimmunoassay are conflicting, and the prognostic significance of IGF-1R expression in primary breast cancer is still controversial. IGF-1R expression was evaluated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of 210 primary breast cancer patients by using anti-IGF-1R antibody. The clinicopathologic variables and 5-year disease-free survival were studied, and their correlations between IGF-1R expressions were investigated. IGF-1R overexpression was observed in 43.8% of tumors. IGF-1R overexpression had no correlation with prognosis or with other clinicopathologic parameters, such as age, tumor size, nodal status, histologic grade, hormone receptor status, and human epidermal growth factor 2 status. Though its prognostic value in breast cancer is limited, immunohistochemical evaluation of IGF-1R by using this monoclonal antibody may be useful in translational research using archived material.     

Expression profiles and functional analyses of Wnt-related genes in human joint disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are joint disorders that cause major public health problems. Previous studies of the etiology of RA and OA have implicated Wnt genes, although the exact nature of their involvement remains unclear. To further clarify the relationship between RA, OA, and the Wnt gene family, gene expression analyses were performed on articular cartilage, bone, and synovial tissues in knee joints taken from RA, OA, and nor-mal/control patients. Cytokine assays were also performed in cells transfected with Wnt-7b, a member of the gene family most closely linked to RA and OA. Of the human Wnt genes, real-time PCR analysis revealed significant up-regulation of Wnt-7b in OA cartilage and RA synovium. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry also revealed that Wnt-7b was present in articular cartilage, bone, and synovium of RA samples and in osteophytes, articular cartilage, bone marrow, and synovium of OA samples. The levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 were significantly increased in RA synovium and Wnt-7b-transfected normal synovial cells when compared with normal samples. These results point to the potential involvement of Wnt signaling in the pathobiology of both RA and OA.     

Limiting-dilution analysis of the frequency of myelin basic protein-reactive T cells in Lewis, PVG/c and BN rats. Implication for susceptibility to autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is an autoimmune disease inducible by immunization with a brain-specific antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), is different among strains. In an attempt to resolve the immune mechanisms by which the difference in susceptibility to EAE is regulated, we re-estimated susceptibility of several strains of rats, and the frequency of antigen-reactive T cells in each strain was determined by limiting-dilution analysis. EAE was induced in Lewis (LEW), PVG/c and BN rats using four different methods: (i) active immunization with guinea-pig myelin basic protein (GPBP) in CFA; (ii) immunization with GPBP in CFA that had been further supplemented with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (supplemented CFA); (iii) adoptive transfer of GPBP-activated spleen cells into syngeneic rats; and (iv) transfer of a GPBP-specific T-cell line. The LEW strain was susceptible to all four methods. The PVG/c strain was resistant to immunization with GPBP in conventional CFA (GPBP/conv. CFA), but was susceptible to immunization with GPBP in supplemented CFA (GPBP/suppl. CFA) and to transfer of activated spleen cells. The BN strain was resistant to all methods. Limiting-dilution analysis using T cells from LEW, PVG/c or BN rats has revealed that each strain of rat displays a different pattern of frequencies of GPBP-reactive or the 68-88 sequence (GP68-88)-reactive T cells. LEW rats showed relatively high frequencies of GPBP-reactive and GP68-88-reactive T cells after immunization with either GPBP/conv. CFA or GPBP/suppl. CFA, symptomatic rats showing higher values than asymptomatic rats. In asymptomatic PVG/c rats, the frequency of GP68-88-reactive T cells was lower than that of GPBP-reactive T cells. In PVG/c rats with clinical EAE, however, GP68-88-reactive T cells increased in frequency and were almost the same as GPBP-reactive T cells. BN rats, on the other hand, responded very poorly not only to the GP68-88 sequence but also to the whole GPBP molecule, even after immunization with GPBP/suppl. CFA. These findings, obtained by limiting-dilution analysis, strongly suggest that the development of EAE in LEW, PVG/c and BN rats is closely related to the frequency of GPBP-reactive T cells. Furthermore, it is shown that resistance to EAE found in PVG/c and BN rats may be generated by different immune mechanisms.