HtrA1 is a novel mast cell serine protease of mice and men

Mast cells are rich sources of proteases, such as tryptases and chymases that control many physiological and pathological processes, for example vascular permeability, smooth muscle cell proliferation or extracellular matrix remodeling. Murine mucosal mast cells mature under the influence of TGF-beta and play a role in asthmatic and anti-helminthic immune responses. In an attempt to identify novel genes that are highly upregulated during mucosal mast cell differentiation, we detected HtrA1 protease as a novel protein in mast cells by microarray experiments. HtrA1 level was much higher in murine mucosal than in connective tissue-type mast cells. Furthermore, HtrA1 is not localized in the secretory granules and is constitutively secreted by human mast cells. Although HtrA1 has been attributed a TGF-beta-inhibitory activity, it did not show any influence on TGF-beta-induced mucosal mast cell differentiation. As many extracellular target proteins have been suggested for HtrA1, this protease may participate in the mast cell-induced extracellular remodeling.     

Immunohistochemical localization of androgen receptor in the human endometrium, decidua, placenta and pathological conditions of the endometrium.

The immunohistochemical localization of the androgen receptor in the human endometrium at various stages of the menstrual cycle and post-menopausal period, in decidua and placenta of early pregnancy, and in several pathological conditions of the endometrium has been investigated. At any phase of the menstrual cycle, both endometrial glandular cells and endometrial stromal cells showed positive nuclear staining. Endometrial stromal cells of the functional layer showed stronger staining than those of the basal layer, but endometrial glandular cells of both layers showed the same staining intensity. There was little staining in myometrium. Even after menopause, endometrial glandular and stromal cells showed the same staining pattern as the basal layer of pre-menopausal endometrium and the staining intensity of endometrial stromal cells was weak. In decidua and placenta of early pregnancy, decidual and trophoblastic cells showed positive staining and there was no staining in the stromal cells of placenta. The expression of the androgen receptor was also detected in adenomyosis, endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma. Although the proliferation and differentiation of endometrium are mediated mainly by oestrogen and progesterone receptors, the androgen receptor may play some role in modulating these changes. These results suggest that it may be involved in both physiological and pathological changes of the endometrium.     

The expression and localization of mRNA for colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1 in human term placenta.

A 4-kb mRNA for colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) was detected in normal human placenta at term by Northern blot analysis. In-situ hybridization revealed that the mRNA for CSF-1 was localized in the mesenchymal cells of the chorionic villous stroma, but not in the trophoblasts or capillary epithelial cells. Because there are significant numbers of tissue macrophages (Hofbauer cells) in the placental stroma and because the receptor for CSF-1 (the c-fms proto-oncogene product) is known to be expressed by trophoblasts, our results suggest that CSF-1 produced by placental stromal cells may act as a growth and survival factor for human placental macrophages and trophoblasts.     

Specific tumour-associated methylation in normal human term placenta and first-trimester cytotrophoblasts

Human placentation displays many similarities with tumourigenesis, including rapid cell division, migration and invasion, overlapping gene expression profiles and escape from immune detection. Recent data have identified promoter methylation in the Ras association factor and adenomatous polyposis coli tumour suppressor genes as part of this process. However, the extent of tumour-associated methylation in the placenta remains unclear. Using whole genome methylation data as a starting point, we have examined this phenomenon in placental tissue. We found no evidence for methylation of the majority of common tumour suppressor genes in term placentas, but identified methylation in several genes previously described in some human tumours. Notably, promoter methylation of four independent negative regulators of Wnt signalling has now been identified in human placental tissue and purified trophoblasts. Methylation is present in baboon, but not in mouse placentas. This supports a role for elevated Wnt signalling in primate trophoblast invasiveness and placentation. Examination of invasive choriocarcinoma cell lines revealed altered methylation patterns consistent with a role of methylation change in gestational trophoblastic disease. This distinct pattern of tumour-associated methylation implicates a coordinated series of epigenetic silencing events, similar to those associated with some tumours, in the distinct features of normal human placental invasion and function.     

SPINK家族与人类疾病

丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制物Kazal型(SPINK)家族与慢性胰腺炎、Netherton综合征、食管癌等疾病关系密切。目前对SPINK1、SPINK5、SPINK7等亚族的研究比较清楚,其他一些亚族还有待深入研究。本文综述了SPINK家族的基因定位、蛋白质结构、生理功能以及与人类疾病的关系。     

A novel serine protease of the mammalian HtrA family is up-regulated in mouse uterus coinciding with placentation

This paper characterizes a novel gene, previously identified as uniquely regulated at implantation in mouse uterus. We cloned its full mRNA sequence encoding a serine protease possessing an IGF-binding domain and named it pregnancy-related serine protease (PRSP). PRSP is structurally similar to mammalian HtrA1 (56% amino acid similarity). Northern analysis revealed that the expression of PRSP mRNA was low before pregnancy, but it was increased at implantation and markedly up-regulated post-implantation. In-situ hybridization localized low levels of mRNA expression to the epithelium and stroma during very early pregnancy, but high expression to the decidual cells on day 8.5, primarily at the mesometrial pole where the placenta was forming. By day 10.5, PRSP mRNA was detected in the placenta. We also cloned an alternatively spliced PRSP mRNA that is expressed at a very low level. We located PRSP gene on chromosome 5 and established its intron/exon structure, which unambiguously explains how the two mRNA variants are produced through alternative splicing. Based on PRSP protein domain structure and its unique expression during pregnancy, we propose that PRSP plays an important role in the formation/function of the placenta.     

Haemoglobin expression in human endometrium

BACKGROUND: The general concept that haemoglobin is only a carrier protein for oxygen and carbon dioxide is challenged since recent studies have shown haemoglobin expression in non-erythroid cells and the protection of haemoglobin against oxidative and nitrosative stress. Using microarrays, we previously showed expression of haemoglobins alpha, beta, delta and gamma and the haeme metabolizing enzyme, haeme oxygenase (HO)-1 in human endometrium. METHODS: Using real-time quantitative PCR, haemoglobin alpha, beta, delta and gamma, and HO-1 mRNA levels were assessed throughout the menstrual cycle (n = 30 women). Haemoglobin and HO-1 protein levels in the human endometrium were assessed with immunohistochemistry. For steroid responsiveness, menstrual and late proliferative-phase endometrial explants were cultured for 24 h in the presence of vehicle (0.1% ethanol), estradiol (17beta-E(2,) 1 nM), progestin (Org 2058, 1 nM) or 17beta-E(2)+Org 2058 (1 nM each). RESULTS: All haemoglobins and the HO-1 were expressed in normal human endometrium. Haemoglobin mRNA and protein expression did not vary significantly during the menstrual cycle. Explant culture with Org 2058 or 17beta-E(2)+Org 2058 increased haemoglobin gamma mRNA expression (P < 0.05). HO-1 mRNA levels, and not protein levels, were significantly higher during the menstrual (M)-phase of the cycle (P < 0.05), and were down-regulated by Org 2058 in M-phase explants and by 17beta-E(2)+Org 2058 in LP-phase explants, versus control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The haemoglobin-HO-1 system may be required to ensure adequate regulation of the bioavailability of haeme, iron and oxygen in human endometrium.     

Immunoultrastructural localization of Ia antigens in human endometrium

The distribution of Ia antigens was studied at the light and ultrastructural levels in 34 proliferative and 16 secretory endometria with two monoclonal antibodies using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The endothelial cells, many lymphocytes, and various monocytic-macrophagic cells in the endometrial stroma were Ia positive. Furthermore, Ia antigens were localized to normal endometrial epithelium in the proliferative phase, and focally in epithelium adjacent to stromal lymphoid aggregates throughout the cycle. Expression of Ia antigens in the secretory epithelium was focal or absent. At the ultrastructural level, Ia-positive epithelial cells exhibited staining on the plasma membrane, in free and membrane-bound ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and occasional perinuclear cisternae. In the endothelial cells and lymphocytes, Ia antigens were also localized to the plasma membrane and rough endoplasmic reticulum. These findings indicate that endometrial epithelium expresses Ia antigens which may be regulated by endometrial lymphoid cells and/or hormones. The plasma membrane expression of Ia antigens by the epithelial cells of endometrium appears to result from active synthesis, and not merely from passive absorption of Ia antigens.     

丙型肝炎病毒丝氨酸蛋白酶基因的克隆和表达

目的 从感染ＨＣＶ的中国患者血清中扩增编码ＨＣＶ丝氨酸蛋白酶的ｃＤＮＡ,在大肠杆菌中进行表达。方法 从血清中提取ＨＣＶ ＲＮＡ,应用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法扩增ＨＣＶ丝氨酸蛋白酶ｃＤＮＡ,Ｓａｎｇｅｒ双脱氧链终引法测定其序列,与ｐＢＶ２２０载体构建重组粒,在大肠杆菌中表达,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｍ ｂｌｏｔ分析重组蛋白。结果 用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法扩增得到了ＨＣＶ丝氨酸蛋白酶基因,序列分析表明其读码框架     

一氧化氮和白介素对钙黏附蛋白在人子宫内膜的影响

钙黏附蛋白（eadherin）是钙依赖的粘附分子家族,其成员在人体组织分布广泛,越来越多的研究发现其在生理、病理过程中起着不可忽视的作用,其在子宫内膜的表达与胚胎着床有密切关系。为探讨一氧化氮（NO）及炎性细胞因子白细胞介素-1（IL-1）是否参与了E-cadherin在人子宫内膜表达的调节,本研究采用原代培养人分泌中期子宫内膜腺上皮细胞,探讨NO及IL-1对E-cadherin表达的调节作用。     

Ultrastructural localization of glycosaminoglycans in human term placenta

Sulfated glycoconjugates were stained in normal human term placentas using Spicer's high-iron diamine (HID) method with thiocarbohydrazide and silver proteinate (TCH-SP) enhancement. Specific identification of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) was accomplished by digestion of the stained material with chondroitinase ABC or AC for removal of chondroitin sulfates and nitrous acid for removal of N-sulfated GAGs. The syncytiotrophoblast apical surface demonstrated moderate to intense staining with HID-TCH-SP, which was removed by prior digestion with the chondroitinases, but not by nitrous acid. The syncytiotrophoblast basal surface and endothelial cell surfaces lacked sulfate staining. A few cytoplasmic granules in syncytiotrophoblast cells demonstrated staining similar to the apical surface. Three layers of the basal lamina were identified in these preparations. The lamina lucida immediately beneath the syncytiotrophoblast and the majority of the lamina densa stained weakly or not at all, whereas the underlying lamina diffusa and stroma demonstrated moderate to intense staining. The majority of lamina diffusa staining was removed by chondroitinase ABC or AC; the remaining material was removed by nitrous acid digestion. Thus the syncytiotrophoblast surface contains a chondroitin sulfate and the basal lamina contains a mixture of intensely stained chondroitin sulfate and a weakly stained N-sulfated GAG.     

Tenascin expression in the human endometrium and in endometrial adenocarcinomas.

To investigate the involvement of tenascin, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, in epithelial growth and malignancy, its specific distribution pattern in the human uterus was examined immunohistochemically. During the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, this antigen was found as a sharp band around the endometrial glands. The immunoreactivity persisted until the early postovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, but was not detectable in the glandular or stromal compartment during this later secretory stage, instead endometrial arterioles were immunostained. In marked contradistinction, when antibodies directed against tenascin were applied to sections of endometrial adenocarcinoma, almost the entire extracellular space stained, whereas the neoplastic cells themselves were nonreactive, whatever the degree of tumor differentiation. In precancerous proliferative lesions of the endometrium, tenascin's presence was variable. It was detectable around some superficial glands demonstrating cystic hyperplasia and around all deeply situated glands at the endometrial/myometrial interface. In cases of adenomatous hyperplasia, tenascin immunolocalized throughout the extracellular space of the stroma and the staining intensity was increased as the hyperplasia became more atypical. We therefore conclude that tenascin may be a stromal marker for epithelial proliferative states including those associated with malignancies of the endometrium.     

In situ localization of HuHF serine protease mRNA and cytotoxic cell-associated antigens in human dermatoses. A novel method for the detection of cytotoxic cells in human tissues.

Human Hanukah Factor (HuHF) is a trypsinlike serine protease associated with cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Employing a radiolabeled RNA probe for the HuHF gene, cells containing HuHF mRNA in situ were detected in skin lesions from patients with a variety of reactive and neoplastic dermatoses including positive allergic contact dermatitis patch tests, lichen planus, erythrodermic psoriasis, Sezary syndrome, and poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides. The results were correlated with in situ studies of CTL/NK subsets as defined immunohistologically by a panel of monoclonal antibodies applied to sermiserial sections of the same tissue blocks used for the HuHF hybridizations. The results suggest that cytotoxic cells are present in each of these dermatoses, that they may be situated within either the epidermis or the dermis, and that they belong predominantly to the CTL subset because Leu-7+ or CD16+ cells (NK cells) were typically rare or absent. A variable proportion of cells expressed Leu-19 antigen (a marker for non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic cells); however, its rarity in several cases suggests that most of the HuHF+ cells identified in them belonged to the MHC-restricted, Leu-19- CTL subset. It is concluded that the correlation of molecular biologic and immunohistologic data will be a useful method for the further characterization of cytotoxic cell subsets in human dermatoses.     

巨噬细胞集落刺激因子及其受体mRNA在人卵泡颗粒细胞和胎盘及子宫内膜中的表达

目的： 观察巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（MCSF）及其受体（MCSFR）在人卵泡颗粒细胞、胎盘及子宫内膜细胞中的表达情况，进一步了解它们在生殖生理中的作用。方法： 收集人卵泡颗粒细胞、胎盘及子宫内膜细胞标本。采用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）及原位逆转录-聚合酶链式反应（in situ RT-PCR）技术观察MCSF及MCSFR mRNA的表达情况。结果： 在人卵泡颗粒细胞、胎盘及子宫内膜细胞中，RT-PCR显示有MCSF及MCSFR的表达，原位RT-PCR也进一步证实了这一点,并定位于细胞浆。结论： MCSF可能参与了人卵泡颗粒细胞、胎盘及子宫内膜细胞生长、发育的调节，在生殖生理过程中可能起一定的作用。     

Distinct expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the human thymus

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 catalyze the formation of prostaglandins (PG). Given the role of COX and PG during intrathymic T cell development in the mouse, we investigated the expression and localization of these isozymes in the human thymus. mRNA and proteins correspondent to COX-1 and -2 were observed from whole thymus extracts. By immunohistochemistry, COX-2 was selectively localized in the medulla and it was predominant in a subset of stromal cells. By contrast, COX-1 was diffusely and exclusively present in the cortex, both in thymocytes at early stages of differentiation and in cytokeratin-positive epithelial cells, as demonstrated by double immunostaining and flow cytometry analysis. COX-2-positive cells in the medulla expressed cytokeratin and HLA-DR molecules, but they were negative for dendritic or macrophagic antigens. In addition, COX-2-positive cells expressed both the epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligand, the transforming growth factor-alpha. The inducible isoform of the PGE(2) synthase was also present in the same cells, while was absent from COX-1-expressing cells of the cortex. Finally, electron microscopy confirmed that COX-2 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of cytokeratin-positive cells, along the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In conclusion, COX-2 and the inducible isoform of PGE(2) synthase appear to be constitutively and selectively present in medullary epithelial cells of the human thymus, whereas COX-1 is predominantly present in the thymic cortex, both in the stroma and in developing thymocytes.