Monoclonal antibodies against synthesized short peptides corresponding to human AA amyloid protein

Monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) were raised against the synthesized short peptides corresponding to 37-47 residues in amino acid sequence of human AA protein. The McAbs reacted immunohistochemically to amyloid tissues from cow, mouse, swan, and human AA amyloidosis. We concluded that the McAbs were useful for identification of AA type amyloidosis of various species, and that the 37-47 residues were effective antigenic sites in AA protein.     

Regulation of Th2 cell differentiation by mel-18, a mammalian polycomb group gene

Polycomb group (PcG) gene products regulate homeobox gene expression in Drosophila and vertebrates and also cell cycle progression of immature lymphocytes. In a gene-disrupted mouse for polycomb group gene mel-18, mature peripheral T cells exhibited normal anti-TCR-induced proliferation; however, the production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) was significantly reduced, whereas production of IFNgamma was modestly enhanced. Th2 cell differentiation was impaired, and the defect was associated with decreased levels in demethylation of the IL-4 gene. Significantly, reduced GATA3 induction was demonstrated. In vivo antigen-induced IgG1 production and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-induced eosinophilia were significantly affected, reflecting the deficit in Th2 cell differentiation. Thus, the PcG gene products play a critical role in the control of Th2 cell differentiation and Th2-dependent immune responses.     

CD69-null mice protected from arthritis induced with anti-type II collagen antibodies

CD69, known as an early activation marker antigen on T and B cells, is also expressed on platelets and activated neutrophils, suggesting certain roles in inflammatory diseases. In order to address the role of CD69 in the pathogenesis of arthritis, we established CD69-null mice. CD69-null mice displayed a markedly attenuated arthritic inflammatory response when injected with anti-type II collagen antibodies. Cell transfer experiments with neutrophils, but not T cells or spleen cells, from wild-type mice into CD69-null mice restored the induction of arthritis. These results indicate a critical role for CD69 in neutrophil function in arthritis induction during the effector phase. Thus, CD69 would be a possible therapeutic target for arthritis in human patients.     

Anionic copolymerization of β-lactones in correlation with the mode of fission. studies on the syntheses of aliphatic polyesters. XI

The copolymerization behavior of β-propiolactone (PL) and α.α-bischloromethyl β-propiolactone (α-BCPL) is correlated with the mode of fission. With sodium acetate as catalyst, the formation of β-acetoxy propionic acid at the initiation reaction was observed and α-BCPL was more than five times as reactive as PL in copolymerization. Thus propagation by carboxylate anion through alkyl-oxygen fission was presumed in the case of pyridine and the acetate of Na, Li, and Mg as catalyst. On the other hand, the formation of ethyl β-hydroxy propionate and the decreased reactivity of α-BCPL in copolymerization was observed with magnesium and aluminum ethoxide as catalyst. In the case of the ethoxide of Na, Li, and Al, and Et₂Mg or Et₃Al as catalyst, propagation by alkoxide anions through acyl-oxygen fission of the coordinated lactones was presumed.     

Polymerization of methylmethacrylate initiated by hydrogenation catalysts

RANEY metals (Ni, Fe, Co), URUSHIBARA metals (Ni, Co) and ULIMANN cu initiate the polymerization of methylmethacrylate. Diamines, diols or organic halides enhance their reactivity. In the presence of CCl₄, the polymerization rate (R_p) is proportional to the square root of the amount of both metals and CCl₄, and to the first power of the monomer concentration, but R_p becomes constant and independent of the concentration of CCl₄ when there is a great excess of CCl₄. We concluded that this polymerization follows the free radical mechanism and the participation of a zero-valent metal atom in the initiation reaction including complex formation between metal and CCL₄ is suggested.     

Three Kinds of Foamy Cells in the Spleen: Comparative Histochemical and Ultrastructural Studies

By light and electron microscopy, we observed foamy cells in the spleens from a patient with hemolytic anemia due to red cell adenosine deaminase (ADA) overproduction, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with gold, and patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

The foamy cells associated with red cell ADA overproduction were essentially similar to Gaucher-like cells described in patients with thalassemia, and it was suggested that the accelerated destruction of red cells was one of the factors responsible for the development of foamy cells. Foamy cells in ITP and RA were closely associated with an increased destruction of platelets in the spleen. Morphologic transitions between phagocytosed platelets and myelinlike materials were traced in these disorders. In RA, however, foamy cells were heterogeneous from an ultrastructural standpoint, with different cytoplasmic inclusions. In addition to myelinlike materials, dense bodies, vacuoles with flocculent materials, and gold were noted in most of foamy cells. As gold compounds are known to inhibit lysosomal enzymes, we surmise that an acquired disturbance in lysosomal digestion is partially responsible for the accumulation of intermediate metabolites.

In the pathogenesis of foamy cells associated with blood cell dyscrasia, the accelerated destruction of blood cells and/or acquired disorders in catabolic pathways within the macrophages are suggested to be the underlying mechanism of an intralysosomal accumulation of incompletely degraded cellular debris.     

Malignant Cystosarcoma Phyllodes Of Prostate

A case of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes of the prostate is reported in a 45-year-old male. This tumor was composed of benign columnar or squamous cystic folds and sarcomatous stroma including rhabdomyomatous elements. The prostatic origin of the tumor was clearly proved by the unlabeled immunoperoxidase method. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 34: 663–668, 1984.     

Practical application of nutritional assessment protein and inflammatory marker in the nutrition support team (NST)

Recently nutrition support team (NST) has been established for the purpose of prevention of complications which are caused by nutrition disorders and reduction of the medical expenses. Although physical examinations and blood biochemical data had been used as the indexes evaluating nutritional of patients, they were not suitable for the evaluation for the short-term in-patient. On the contrary, serum albumin (ALB) has been wildly used as a nutritional marker. However, it is impossible to evaluate nutrition state for the short-term in-patient and acute phase disease patient accurately, because the plasma half-life is 21 days and it takes long time to detect the change in nutritional state by its value. Rapid turnover proteins (RTP), whose plasma half-life is shorter, has paid attention to evaluate nutritional state for the short-term in-patients and acute phase disease patients. Although, prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) was considered as a useful maker for evaluating inflammatory and nutritional states using the concentrations of transthyretin (TTR), a RTP, alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AG), a chronic inflammation marker, C reactive protein (CRP), a acute inflammation marker, and ALB, However, it has several pitfalls. We newly made serum amyloid A (SAA) index using SAA instead of CRP. When we compared SAA index with PINI in many diseases, it turned out that SAA index became a more effective index which reflected the patient condition than did PINI. As for this index, it is expected to be used by NST while further alternation may be needed.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits antigen-presenting cell function of murine splenocytes.

Recently, many investigators have studied the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich fish oil on immune function and immune disease. However, effects of dietary supplementation of fish oil or EPA on the immune system are still unclear. In the present study, the effects of EPA on antigen presentation were investigated. We have used antigen-specific helper T-cell clones that proliferate in the presence of antigen [keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH)] and spleen cells as antigen-presenting cells (APC). Mice were divided into two groups and fed an experimental diet or a control diet for 4 weeks ad libitum. In mice fed the experimental diet, the arachidonic acid (AA) content of spleen cells was decreased and that of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid was increased markedly compared to those of the control diet. Dietary enrichment with EPA inhibited the ability of accessory cells to present antigen to murine helper T-cell clones. This effect was observed for two distinct helper T-cell clones, Th1 and Th2. We also examined the effects of EPA-TG emulsion on APC function. The direct addition of EPA-TG emulsion to a T-cell proliferation assay system suppressed APC function. The inhibition was proportional to the concentration of EPA-TG emulsion. Pretreatment of splenocytes with EPA-TG emulsion resulted in inhibition of APC function. Inhibition of antigen presentation by dietary supplementation with EPA might depress immune reactivity.