Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody in an area endemic for hepatitis B virus and human T cell leukaemia virus

To clarify the prevalence of concurrent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human T cell leukaemia virus (HTLV), we measured HCV antibody in the population of a district endemic for HBV and HTLV infection. Blood samples were collected in June 1990 from 579 inhabitants of four islands of Uwa Bay in the southwest of Ehime Prefecture in Japan. Anti-HCV antibody against C100-3 protein was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Ortho Diagnostics). Thirteen of the 579 inhabitants (2.2%) were positive for anti-HCV, and this prevalence rate was not significantly different from the frequency of anti-HCV in Tokyo blood donors. A total of 11% (64 of 579) of the subjects were positive for HBsAg and 3.3% (19 of 579) were positive for anti-HTLV. These frequencies of HBsAg and anti-HTLV positivity were distinctly higher than the respective means of Japanese. All anti-HCV positive individuals were negative for HBsAg and anti-HTLV, while 54% (7 of 13) had increased alanine aminotransferase levels. These data suggest that the prevalence of HCV infection is not high even in an area endemic for HBV and HTLV infection.     

Functional CD86 (B7-2/B70) is predominantly expressed on Langerhans cells in atopic dermatitis

Recently, we reported the functional expression of CD86 on cultured human Langerhans cells derived from normal epidermis. In the present study, we investigated the expression and function of co-stimulatory molecules in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. In immunohistochemical analysis, CD80 and/or CD86 were detected on dendritic-shaped cells not only in the epidermis but also in the dermis in the inflammatory lesions of atopic dermatitis (n = 12). CD80 was expressed in only five cases (42%), while CD86 was expressed in all cases (100%). These molecules were not detected in normal control subjects (n = 8). In non-lesional skin of atopic dermatitis (n = 4). CD86 but not CD80 was detected in one case. CD86 was preferentially induced on dendritic-shaped cells in positive patch test sites to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or house dust allergen in atopic dermatitis (n = 4). The CD80- or CD86-positive cells were confirmed as Langerhans cells by double immunostaining using anti-CD1a monoclonal antibody. Neither CD86 over that CD80 was detected n keratinocytes. Similar results of the stronger expression of CD86 over that of CD80 were obtained from psoriasis vulgaris (n = 11) and from contact dermatitis (n=7), although CD86 was expressed only in 57% of the contact dermatitis cases. The percentage of Langerhans cells positive for CD86 was higher than for CD80, i.e. 48% compared with 9%, respectively, in the epidermis of lesional skin of atopic dermatitis (n=8). The expression rate of these molecules on Langerhans cells increased in the dermis. To investigate the function of co-stimulatory molecules on Langerhans cells in atopic dermatitis, we conducted an inhibition test with antibodies. Anti-CD86 monoclonal antibody almost completely nhibited T-cell proliferation stimulated with crude extract of D. pteronyssinus in the presence of epidermal cells as antigen-presenting cells, whereas anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody produced less of an inhibitory effect. These data indicate that CD86 expressed on Langerhans cells may play an important part in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.for Investigative Dermatology. Washington, DC (1–5 May 1996).     

A Case of Multiple Ectopic Pheochromocytomas Occurring in the Urinary Bladder and the Para-Aortic Region

A patient with urinary bladder pheochromocytoma and anotherpheo-chromocytoma in the para-aortic region is presented. Also,nine cases which have already been reported in Japan are reviewed. The following conclusions are made: bladder pheochromocytomacan appear at any age in either sex. The clinical triad consistingof hypertension, gross intermittent or transient painless hematuriaand micturitional attacks typical of pheochromocytoma are seenin most cases. Attention is called to such urinary bladder     

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei with High Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Level: Report of Two Cases

Two cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei with high serum carcinoembryonicantigen (CEA) are reported. CEA levels in serum increased incorrelation with the accumulation of ascites. Systemic chemotherapywith anticancer agents such as 5-fluorouraciI (5-FU), cyclophosphamide,mitomycin C (MMC) and chromomycin A_a showed no effect on reducingeither the production of mucinous materials or the CEA level,but repeated intraperi-toneal instillation of large amountsof MMC reduced them in one case. In the other case, the CEAlevel returned to normal after removal of the tumor. These resultssuggest that CEA may be a useful indicator of the effect oftreatment and of the prognosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei.     

Risk of Lung Cancer by Histologic Type among Smokers in Miyagi Prefecture

Smoking habits of the 827 lung cancer patients aged 40 yearsor over who were treated in the Sendai Kosei Hospital from 1977–82were compared with those in the general population of a non-metropolitandistrict in northern Japan, which we recently surveyed by mailquestionnaire. The relative risks of lung cancer by histologictype adjusted by age and area of residence were as follows:1.9 for adenocarcinoma, 4.3 for squamous cell carcinoma, 3.9for small cell carcinoma and 3.4 for large cell carcinoma inmen, and 2.9, 6.4, 4.5 and 4.0 for these histologic types, respectively,in women. These elevated risks were all statistically significant(p < 0.05). These findings suggest that smoking habits shouldbe carefully considered when studying the etiology of any celltype of lung cancer, even adenocarcinoma, which often has beenthought to be unrelated to smoking habits.     

Interferon-gamma differentially regulates CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2/B70) expression on human Langerhans cells

CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2/B70) have recently been identified in cultured human Langerhans cells (LCs), although their role and regulatory properties remain unclear. We present our comparison of the expression of the molecules, mRNAs and the function between CD80 and CD86 in human LCs treated by interferon γ (IFN_-γ). We examined the regulatory properties of CD80 and CD86 expression in human LCs pretreated with IFN_-γ. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that the mean fluorescence intensity of CD86 but not CD80 was enhanced. However, the percentage modulation of both CD80 and CD86 positive cells were significantly up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner, after 48-h culturing with IFN_-γ. The regulatory properties of CD80 and CD86 mRNA expressions in human LC were studied using polymerase chain reaction methods. We found that both CD80 and CD86 mRNA of enriched LCs following IFN_-γ pretreatment for 12 h were higher than those without pretreatment. We have demonstrated that the primary allogeneic mixed epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction induced by human LCs treated by IFN_-γ increased in a dose-dependent manner. There was a 61.5% inhibition by anti-CD86 monoclonal antibody and a 32.5% inhibition by anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody. These data indicate that the CD80 and CD86 expression of human LCs may be differently regulated by IFN_-γ.