Increased circulating interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 in pulmonary sarcoidosis

In sarcoidosis, a T helper 1 (Th1) response is an essential event and the up-regulation of interleukin-12 (IL-12) has been detected in affected disease sites. In order to investigate the clinical usefulness of circulating IL-12, we measured the serum concentrations of IL-12 by ELISA and performed immunohistochemistry using specific MoAbs for IL-12 in the lungs and scalene lymph nodes of patients with sarcoidosis. The serum concentration of IL-12 p40 was detectable in all 45 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and 18 normal controls, whereas that of IL-12 p70 was undetectable. The serum concentrations of IL-12 p40 in pulmonary sarcoidosis were significantly higher than those of the normal controls, especially in cases with abnormal intrathoracic findings detected by chest roentogenogram. The serum concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) also increased compared with those of normal controls and there was a significant positive correlation between the serum concentrations of IL-12 p40 and IFN-gamma. Furthermore, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and lysozyme, which are known to be useful markers for disease activity in sarcoidosis, correlated well with the serum concentrations of IL-12 p40. The positive 67Ga scan group (for lung field) had significantly elevated serum IL-12 p40 levels compared with those of the negative group. No bioactivity of IL-12 p70 was detected in three sarcoid cases sera by using the IL-12 responsive cell line. Finally, the immunohistochemical approach revealed that IL-12 p40 was expressed in the epithelioid cells and macrophages of sarcoid lungs and lymph nodes. We concluded that the production of IL-12 p40 was far greater in the sera and we have demonstrated this to be a useful clinical marker for disease activity and the Th1 response in pulmonary sarcoidosis.     

Serous papillary carcinoma of the endometrium arising from endometrial polyps: a clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical study of 13 cases

Serous papillary carcinoma is an aggressive tumor. Point mutations in the p53 suppressor gene might explain in part the rapid growth of this malignant tumor and its unfavorable outcome. The aims of this study were to evaluate the behavior of serous papillary carcinoma developing in endometrial polyps and to assess the p53 protein overexpression. Patients included in this study were treated in our institution between 1982 and 2003. All clinical and pathological materials were examined. A p53 protein immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues. Thirteen serous papillary carcinomas arising from benign polyps of the endometrium were identified. The patients' age averaged 73 years. All patients were treated surgically. After an average follow-up of 22 months, 54% of the patients were dead or alive with disease. Of 10 serous papillary carcinomas, 8 (80%) for which paraffin blocks were available overexpressed the p53 protein. A serous papillary carcinoma arising from benign polyps of the endometrium remains a malignant neoplasia with an unfavorable outcome even if the primary tumor is limited to the polyp. The high rate of protein p53 overexpression suggests that a p53 gene mutation occurs early in the disease and might explain the rapid growth of the tumor.     

Glomerular expression of cell-cycle-regulatory proteins in human crescentic glomerulonephritis

To elucidate the mechanism underlying crescentic formation, we assessed the phenotypic characterization and cell-cycle protein expression in human crescentic glomerulonephritis (CRGN). Kidney tissue specimens taken from CRGN patients (10 patients with pauci-immune type rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), 2 patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, and 1 patient with IgA nephropathy) were examined immunohistochemically. Most of the cellular components of the crescents expressed cytokeratin, whereas few cells expressed PHM-5. CD68-positive cells were minor components of cellular crescents, indicating that the major principal cellular component of the crescents is made up of cells with the parietal glomerular epithelial cell (PEC) phenotype. Additionally, serial section analysis revealed that Ki-67-positive cells in the crescents were frequently cyclin-A positive and Bcl-2 positive, but seldom cyclin-B₁ positive. Moreover, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27^Kip1 was low in the cellular crescents, despite being exclusively positive in podocytes within the same section. We concluded that the major component of the cellular crescents is made up of PECs and that apparent expression of cyclins and Bcl-2 and restrained expression of p27^Kip1 may be synergistically associated with the development of cellular crescents in human CRGN.     

Cyclooxygenase-2, Bcl-2, and chromosome 1p analysis in protoplasmic astrocytomas

Protoplasmic astrocytomas are rare gliomas whose nosology remains enigmatic. This study retrospectively reviews the clinicopathologic features of eight tumors, including evaluation of these neoplasms for chromosome 1p loss, Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, and cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity. Patients ranged in age from 3 to 49 years (median 25.5 years) and included six males and two females. All patients presented with a period of seizures (median duration of period, 54 months) before surgery. Five tumors were either totally or partially based in the temporal lobe. In the six patients for whom follow-up information was available, there was no evidence of recurrence at last known follow-up (range 5 to 171 months; median 134 months). Histologically, all tumors were marked by a proliferation of cells with rounded to oval nuclear contours and a paucity of cytoplasmic processes, arranged against a microcystic background. A rare mitotic figure was observed in only one tumor. Vascular proliferative changes and necrosis were not seen in any of the tumors. None of the tumors showed allelic loss on chromosome 1p by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (an enzyme involved in the conversion of arachidonate to prostaglandin H2 and G2) immunoreactivity was observed in two tumors. Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic protein) immunoreactivity was also confined to two tumors. In conclusion, protoplasmic astrocytomas appear to be low-grade neoplasms, as evidenced by their relatively benign clinical course. Although they histologically resemble microcystic oligodendrogliomas, none of the tumors showed allelic loss on chromosome 1p, a finding that has been described in the majority of low-grade oligodendrogliomas. This suggests that the protoplasmic astrocytoma is a distinct entity from low-grade oligodendroglioma. Similar to other low-grade astrocytomas, only a minority of tumors show evidence of cyclooxygenase-2 and Bcl-2 immunoreactivity.     

Microsatellite analysis of breast carcinoma and corresponding local recurrences

Local recurrence is a serious complication of breast carcinoma that reduces quality of life and influences prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether local recurrences of breast carcinoma are genetically related to the primary tumours. Forty cases of locally recurrent breast carcinomas (median onset: 3.6 years after primary surgery) were analysed: 22 patients had undergone breast-conserving therapy and 18 mastectomy. Eighteen microsatellites on chromosomes 2p, 3p, 5q, 10q, 11p, 11q, 13q, 17q, 17p, 18p were amplified by PCR using fluorescent-labelled primers, automatically detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analysed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or microsatellite instability (MSI). Follow-up data were available for 39 cases with a median value of 89 months. All LOH and MSI found in the primary tumours were also present in the corresponding recurrences, indicating that they are genetically related to the primary tumours and not secondary malignancies in the same breast. MSI was found in three cases, of which one harboured MSI at more than two loci. The median value of LOH per case was significantly higher in the recurrent (four per case) compared to the primary tumours (two per case; p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test), reflecting the genotype of tumour progression. Early local recurrence was associated with specific LOH for TP53.15 (p = 0.018, log-rank test) in the primary tumours. LOH on D13S1699 or D17S855 was associated with lymph node metastases (p = 0.024 and p = 0.019, respectively; chi-square test). In addition, tumour grade, lack of oestrogen or progesterone receptor expression, young patient age and early appearance of local recurrence significantly correlated with poor survival. The development of local recurrence despite clear resection margins may result from residual DCIS distant from the invasive carcinoma, homing of circulating tumour cells, or genetically altered, histologically normal breast tissue not immediately adjacent to the invasive carcinoma.     

Epstein-Barr virus in gastric carcinomas with lymphoid stroma

AIMS: To clarify the relationship between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) in Koreans, and to characterize the EBV-positive GCLS. METHODS AND RESULTS: EBV infection was examined using EBER in-situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction in 45 cases of GCLS among Koreans, and in 292 consecutive cases of gastric carcinomas without lymphoid stroma (non-GCLS) as controls. EBV infection was found in 30 tumours (67%) of GCLS and 10 tumours (3.4%) of non-GCLS (P < 0.05). EBV-positive GCLS was more prevalent in males, poorly differentiated histological type and diffuse type in Lauren's classification, and tended to be located more in the middle third of the stomach than EBV-negative GCLS (P < 0.05). p53 overexpression was observed in 22% of GCLS (17% of EBV-positive GCLS and 33% of EBV-negative GCLS), and 34% of non-GCLS (EBV-positive GCLS vs. non-GCLS: P = 0.056). The survival of the patient with GCLS was not correlated with EBV infection or p53 immunoexpression (follow-up period: 11-97 months). CONCLUSIONS: GCLS in Koreans is strongly associated with EBV infection. The prognosis in GCLS is not dependent upon either the status of EBV infection or the status of p53 immunoexpression.     

β-Adrenergic receptor coupled-adenylate cyclase of human fat cell ghosts

Summary The effects of beta-adrenergic agonists such as isoproterenol, norepinephrine and epinephrine upon the adenylate cyclase activity of human fat cell ghosts were tested, each alone and in combination with the beta-blocking agent propranolol. Saturating concentrations of these agents showed a 2–6.5-fold increase of enzyme activity without addition of any artificial cofactors. Isoproterenol was more potent in stimulating the enzyme system than epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. Propranolol caused a dose-dependent rightward shift of the log-dose response curve of these beta-adrenergic agonists. The assay of human fat cell adenylate cyclase in vitro may provide a simple and convenient assay system for the screening of beta-adrenergic drugs of potential therapeutic importance.Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. G. Schettler zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

A girl with 1p36 deletion syndrome and congenital fiber type disproportion myopathy

Chromosome 1p36 deletion syndrome is characterized by hypotonia, moderate to severe developmental and growth retardation, and characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism. Muscle hypotonia and delayed motor development are almost constant features of the syndrome. We report a 4-year-old Japanese girl with 1p36 deletion syndrome whose muscle pathology showed congenital fiber type disproportion (CFTD) myopathy. This is the first case report of 1p36 deletion associated with CFTD. This association may indicate that one of the CFTD loci is located at 1p36. Ski proto-oncogene −/− mice have phenotypes that resemble some of the features observed in patients with 1p36 deletion syndrome. Because fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the human SKI gene is deleted in our patient, some genes in 1p36, including SKI proto-oncogene, may be involved in muscle hypotonia and delayed motor development in this syndrome. Received: March 4, 2002 / Accepted: July 7, 2002     

Activation and internalization of p56lck upon CD45 triggering of Jurkat cells

Relationships between CD45 and p56^Ick have been suggested by co-immunoprecipitation of both proteins and by dephosphorylation of the p56^lck regulatory site, Tyr 505, by CD45 in vitro. We investigated whether the kinase activity of p56^lck is modulated in T cells triggered via CD45. We showed that incubation of Jurkat cells with a combination of two anti-CD45 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) (MC5/2 + D3/9) induced an increase in p56^lck kinase activity, while a single mAb did not. Under these conditions, p56^lck underwent two consecutive waves of activation. This was accompanied by internalization of the kinase and by a time-dependent increased accessibility of CD45 phosphatase at the plasma membrane. Similarly, activation and internalization of p56^lck were observed using a combination of anti-CD45 (MC5/2) and anti-CD2(T11₂) mAb, suggesting that a functional complex consisting of CD45, CD2 and p56^lck was formed upon cell triggering. Taken together, these results suggests that: (i) CD45 participates in the regulation of p56^lck kinase activity in vivo and that (ii) CD45 could play a mediator role in the stimulation and endocytosis of p56^lck through the CD2 pathway.