Runx3 expression and its roles in mouse endometrial cells.

Runx3 is a transcription factor that belongs to the Runx family. We studied the localization of Runx3 mRNA in the mouse uterus, and its function in the mouse endometrium using Runx3 knockout (Runx3(-/-)) mice. Runx3 mRNA was detected in the endometrial luminal epithelial cells, glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells below the epithelial cell layer on the luminal side. The uteri of Runx3(-/-) mice were smaller than those of wt mice. The endometrial layer and uterine glands of Runx3(-/-) mice were less developed than those of wild-type mice, and the endometrial stromal layer was thinner. Transforming growth factor ß1 and ß3 (TGFß1 and ß3) mRNA levels in endometrial stromal cells of Runx3(-/-) mice were low compared with those of wild-type mice. Estradiol-17ß (E2) increased Tgfb2 mRNA levels in endometrial stromal cells of Runx3(-/-) mice, but not in those of wild-type mice. E2 increased epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA levels in endometrial stromal cells of wild-type mice, but did not increase those of Runx3(-/-) mice. The diminished Tgfb1 and Tgfb3 mRNA expressions may lead to the reduced proliferation of endometrial stromal cells. Alterations of E2-associated expressions of Tgfb2 and Egf mRNA in endometrial stromal cells of Runx3(-/-) mice may be associated with suppression of E2-dependent endometrial epithelial cell proliferation in Runx3(-/-) mice. Thus, Runx3 is likely to be a regulatory factor responsible for endometrial growth.

Transforming growth factor-α mRNA expression and its possible roles in mouse endometrial stromal cells.

Transforming growth factor-α (TGFα) is thought to be involved in the regulation of endometrial cells. We investigated Tgfa mRNA expression, and the effects of TGFα on DNA-synthesis and gene expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) and IGF1 receptor in the mouse endometrial cells, because IGF1 is involved in estrogen-induced growth of endometrial cells. We also investigated the role of TGFα on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, as MMPs are involved both in tissue remodeling during cell proliferation and in enhancement of IGF1 signaling through the degradation of IGFBP3. Tgfa mRNA expression was detected in endometrial luminal and glandular epithelial cells, and stromal cells. Tgfa mRNA signals did not appear to change in endometrial luminal epithelial cells, but signals in glandular epithelial cells were higher at diestrus 1, 2 and proestrus, and the number of stromal cells showing strong signals appeared to increase at diestrus 1 and 2. Endometrial epithelial and stromal cells were treated with estradiol-17ß (E2) or progesterone (P4). E2 or P4 stimulated Tgfa mRNA expression in stromal cells. TGFα stimulated DNA synthesis in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, while E2 and P4 stimulated DNA synthesis in stromal cells. In stromal cells, TGFα, at as low as 1 ng/ml, decreased Igfbp3 and Mmp9 mRNA levels, while high dose (10 ng/ml) of TGFα decreased Igf1 mRNA level and increased Mmp3 mRNA level. These results imply that TGFα stimulates proliferation of endometrial stromal cells through multiple mechanisms, including its regulation of Igfbp3 and Mmp3 transcription.

Loss of Runx3 affects ovulation and estrogen-induced endometrial cell proliferation in female mice.

Runx3 is a transcription factor that belongs to the Runx family. We studied the function of Runx3 in the mouse ovary and uterus using the Runx3 knockout (Runx3(-/-)) mouse. Ovaries were collected from 8-week-old wild type (wt) and Runx3(-/-) mice. Histological studies showed that follicles were present at various developmental stages in the Runx3(-/-) and wt mouse ovaries. The numbers of primary, preantral and antral follicles in the Runx3(-/-) mice were significantly less than those in the wt mice while the number of primordial follicles in the Runx3(-/-) mice was not significantly different from that in the wt mice. Corpora lutea were not detected in the Runx3(-/-) mouse ovary. Gonadotropin treatment in immature female mice induced ovulation in Runx3(-/-) mice as well as in wt mice, indicating that ovaries of Runx3(-/-) mice respond to gonadotropin treatment as those in wt mouse ovaries. This suggests that failure of ovulation is due to dysfunction of regulatory mechanism of gonadotropin secretion. In addition, the uteri of Runx3(-/-) mice were atrophic, showed thin epithelial layers compared with those of the wt mice, and did not respond to estrogen in terms of DNA replication in endometrial epithelial cells. These results suggest that Runx3 takes part in the regulation of reproductive functions.

Isobavachalcone, a chalcone constituent of Angelica keiskei, induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma.

Six chalcones from Angelica keiskei KOIDZUMI (Ashitaba in Japanese) and two chalcones from Humulus lupulus L. (hop) were examined for their cytotoxicity in two human neuroblastoma cell lines (IMR-32 and NB-39) and normal cells (primary culture of rat cerebellar granule cells) by [3-(4,5)-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. All chalcones exhibited cytotoxicity against neuroblastoma cells, and two of them (isobavachalcone and xanthoangelol H) had no effect on normal cells even at high concentration (10(-4) M) exposure. Typical morphologic features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and formation of apoptotic bodies, were observed in isobavachalcone-treated cells by Hoechst 33342 staining. Western blot analysis showed that isobavachalcone significantly reduced pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-9, and subsequently increased the level of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in both neuroblastoma cell lines. Moreover, Bax was markedly induced by isobavachalcone application. These results suggest that isobavachalcone induces apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma via the mitochondrial pathway and has no cytotoxicity against normal cells. Therefore, isobavachalcone may be applicable as an efficacious and safe drug for the treatment of neuroblastoma.

A simplified method for detecting isoniazid compliance in patients receiving antituberculosis chemotherapy.

The objective of this study was to develop a new simplified method using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for determining isoniazid (INH) compliance in patients receiving antituberculosis chemotherapy. TLC was performed on silica gel plates using a standard solution of INH and acetylisoniazid (AcINH) and ethyl acetate-methanol (70:30 v/v) as the developing solvent. The spots of compound were detected by iodine. In the human study, fractional urine samples were collected over 24 hours from 4 healthy human subjects genotyped for NAT2* and to whom 400 mg of INH were administered orally. These samples were used for TLC analysis. The results of TLC were compared with those of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This method indicated good separation between INH and AcINH in standard solutions. The detection limits for INH and AcINH (applied volume; 20 microl of standard solution) were 2.2 nmole and 5 nmole, respectively, as detected by iodine. In the human study, the INH spot in urine was not detected on the TLC plate, except in one sample over the 0- to 4-hour period from 1 volunteer. However, the AcINH spot was detected in all urine samples from all volunteers. The total experimental time from application of the urine sample to analysis on TLC was 30 minutes. The results suggest that this method for detecting AcINH on TLC is an excellent, convenient, and simple method for determining INH compliance in patients receiving standard antituberculosis chemotherapy regimen or INH preventative therapy, regardless of the patient's NAT2* genotype.