Experimental activation of latent cytomegalovirus infection of the captive bred (F1) cynomolgus monkeys by live or killed varicella-zoster virus inoculated under immunosuppression

F1 cynomolgus monkeys bred in captivity and thought to be "SPF" had latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection although less frequently than in wild-born monkeys. Latent CMV could be activated under severe immunosuppression by inoculation with a certain strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) as shown in a previous study. We carried out further experiments using live and formalin-inactivated VZV in F1 monkeys which were sero-positive for CMV, but not for any other viruses. The results showed that both live and inactivated VZV were equivalent in permitting activation of latent CMV, suggesting that the VZV inoculum merely played an immunogenic, but not any virological, role in this case. Captive F1 monkeys, however, carried fewer CMV, and/or resisted CMV reactivation more than the wild monkeys in the previous studies, judging from the time required for generalized CMV infection to become expressed.     

Effects of post‐inhalation treatment with interleukin‐12 on airway hyper‐reactivity, eosinophilia and interleukin‐18 receptor expression in a mouse model of asthma

BACKGROUND: Correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance with administration of IL-12 before and during antigen challenge holds therapeutic promise in asthma. However, the effects of IL-12 on the established asthmatic responses have not fully been examined. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether IL-12 administered after antigen challenge could diminish airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and eosinophilia in mice actively sensitized to ovalbumin. We also have investigated the ability of administered IL-12 to induce IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) expression that may lead possible synergic action of IL-12 with endogenous IL-18. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice immunized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, were challenged three times with an aerosol of OVA every second day for 8 days. Recombinant IL-12 (500 ng) was intravenously administered on a single occasion 1 h after the final challenge of mice. Mice were analysed for effects of IL-12 on AHR, inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine levels in lung tissue as well as serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels. Immunohistochemistry for IL-18R was performed using rat monoclonal antibody specific for murine IL-18Ralpha (IL-1 receptor related protein; IL-1Rrp). RESULTS: An intravenous IL-12 administration diminished AHR, pulmonary eosinophilia and T lymphocyte infiltration, serum IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 in lung tissue. Expression of IL-18R was induced in the mononuclear cells in the lung of mice exposed to OVA. IL-12 administration enhanced the IL-18R expression compared with the control. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that IL-12 can attenuate established antigen-induced AHR and inflammation. In this mechanism it would be interpreted as follows: IL-12 administration in OVA-challenged mice decreased IL-4 production and IgE production thereafter through direct effect on inhibiting the activation of established Th2 cells response and also combined effect with up-regulation of IL-18R expression by inflammatory cells in the lung.     

New serological assay for detection of putative Helicobacter pylori virulence factors

We evaluated a new immunoblot assay (Helicoblot 2.1) for Helicobacter pylori infection and CagA and VacA status by using serum samples from 222 patients. The test accurately detected H. pylori infection and VacA status, but improvements in the interpretation criteria are required before it can be recommended for determination of CagA status.     

Thromboplastic and fibrinolytic activities of V2 and V7 carcinomas of rabbit, with special reference to fibrin deposition and thrombus formation in the tumors

Thromboplastic and fibrinolytic activities of V2 and V7 carcinomas, the two transplantable rabbit tumors of the same viral origin, were studied in relation to fibrin deposition and thrombus formation in the tumors. Thromboplastic activity of V7 carcinoma was comparatively high, while that of V2 carcinoma was as low as that of muscle tissue. More fibrin deposits in the stroma and more thrombi in the small vessels were found at the advancing border of V7 carcinoma than that of V2 carcinoma. These differences might be associated with higher thromboplastic activity of V7 carcinoma than that of V2 carcinoma. Fibrinolytic activity of both tumors was high and it was confirmed to be localized in the tumor cells by Todd's method. Fibrin deposits in the stroma were found more abundantly somewhat apart from the advancing border of the tumor nests of both tumors. It was suggested that plasmin activated by plasminogen activator released locally from the tumor cells might digest fibrin deposited in the stroma just close to the tumor nests.     

Light-dark patterns in running-wheel activity in rats during chronic administration of theophylline

Running-wheel activity for 24 hr and activity patterns were studied during chronic theophylline administration. Theophylline altered the normal relations between activity level and illumination. Dark-time activity was decreased to approximately 50% and 24 hr activity was unaffected. These observations were consistent with previous results showing that theophylline suppressed dark-time feeding but had no effect on 24 hr food intake. A possible mechanism to account for these results may be dependent on levels and turnover of brain norepinephrine.     

The relationship of gastrointestinal endocrine cells to gastric epithelial changes with special reference to gastric cancer.

Using advanced gastric adenocarcinoma and carcinoid as human material and gastric adenocarcinoma in rats induced by MNNG and in mice by localized X-irradiation of the stomach as experimental material, a pathological study was made on the relationship of gastric endocrine cells to gastric cancer. The results of the present study suggest that most of the endocrine cells in the cancer tissue are derived from the differentiation of cancer cells. Therefore, the following three may be given as the aformentioned relationship, that is, 1) carcinoid of endocrine cell origin, 2) endocrine cell carcinoma showing undifferentiated adenocarcinoma, and 3) endocrine cell cloning developed from the differentiation of cancer cell of adenocarcinoma. There is the possibility that most of 2) are of 3) origin and thus 2) and 3) should be discriminated from 1), having a functioning tumor in rare cases. The significance of reactive hyperplasia of endocrine cells in the non-metaplastic mucosa of the stomach around cancer and atypical epithelium is not yet determined, but that of EC cell seems at least to be related with the development of intestinal metaplasia in the gastric mucosa.     

Radial artery running beneath the biceps tendon and its interrelation between the radial recurrent arteries

A radial artery running beneath the biceps tendon was found in the cadaver of a Japanese woman during a student dissection course at Kumamoto University School of Medicine in 2006. The brachial artery bifurcated into the radial artery and the ulnar artery in the cubital fossa, and the radial artery twisted laterally running beneath the biceps tendon, and when it was situated laterally to the tendon, twisted distally at the level of the radial tuberosity, and then twisted medially again. After the radial artery passed over the biceps tendon, it turned distally and continued as a normal radial artery. The superficial brachial artery, which coexisted with the brachial artery, was given off from the axillary artery and it continued to the final twist of the radial artery. The course of this radial artery is similar to the arterial rings surrounding the biceps tendon, found during the same dissection course. The arterial rings were formed between the brachial artery and the radial artery, and their proximal origins ran beneath the biceps tendon, while the distal origins were superficial. The present arterial variation is thought to have occurred when the normal part of the radial artery in the cubital fossa was substituted by the arterial ring, coexisting with the superficial brachial artery, which usually disappears during normal development. Furthermore, it is suggested that a part of the arterial ring always remains as a radial recurrent artery.     

A middle meningeal artery which arises from the internal carotid artery in which the first branchial artery participates.

A middle meningeal artery arising from the internal carotid artery was found in the right half of the head of an 85-year-old male cadaver during student dissection practice. It arose from the lateral aspect of the internal carotid artery in the carotid canal, arrived at the foramen lacerum after running forward. It then ran backward under the trigeminal ganglion and took the usual course after passing its posterior margin. On one hand, the maxillary artery did not issue the middle meningeal artery, gave off only a small twig supplying the lateral pterygoid muscle at the corresponding position. It was corroborated by the fact that the foramen spinosum was absent in this example. During usual development, the middle meningeal artery primarily springs from the supraorbital branch of the stapedial artery that arises from the dorsal part of the second branchial artery. Later, by the formation of the external carotid artery connecting with the common trunk of the infraorbital and mandibular branches (maxillomandibular division) of the stapedial artery and by the atrophy of the proximal part of it, the middle meningeal artery is finally supplied by the external carotid artery. But in this example, it is supposed that the middle meningeal artery arose from a more distal position of the internal carotid artery owing to the persistence of the anastomosis between the dorsal part of the first branchial artery and the supraorbital branch and the interruption of the connection between the supraorbital branch and maxillomandibular division of the stapedial artery.     

Frequent occurrence of in vivo clonal expansion of CD4− CD8− T cells bearing T cell receptor αβ chains in adult humans

We have previously reported 2 cases of healthy men showing in vivo monoclonal expansion of mature CD4^? CD8^? αβ T cells. In the present study, an additional 3 adults were found to exhibit such an expansion, among a total 464 adult donors studied. These 5 individuals were otherwise physiologically normal, with no history of severe illness and autoimmune disease at the time of examination. To investigate the mechanisms of the clonal expansion, further characterization of the clonal cells was attempted. No apparent preference for usage of the Tcell receptor β chain variable region was observed in the clonal T cells. These clonal T cells showed lectin-dependent or redirected antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicities, whereas they could not lyse autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines. Failure of Fas antigen expression was not observed for any of these clones. These results suggest that clonal expansion of CD4^? CD8^? αβ T cells frequently occurs in the periphery without any T cell abnormalities.