Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in Diagnosing Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma Infiltrating Liver Sinusoids.

BACKGROUND Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare extranodal large B-cell lymphoma characterized by the selective growth of lymphoma cells within vasculature. This presents a diagnostic challenge due to non-specific symptoms and lack of tumor formation. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) provides useful information in diagnosing FDG-avid lymphoma, but is not specific to  IVLBCL. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is useful in evaluating focal liver lesions; however, its efficacy in diagnosing IVLBCL involving the liver remains unknown. CASE REPORT We report the case of an 83-year-old woman presenting with fever, pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, and elevated LD and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels. PET-CT showed multiple uptake lesions in the liver. We performed CEUS with Sonazoid® to evaluate the mass-like lesions; however, no nodular lesions were observed in B mode images. Systemic enhancement was seen in the early phase but no defect was observed in the post-vascular phase. The latter finding suggested preserved Kupffer cells function, excluding tumor-forming lymphoma and liver metastases. Suspecting IVLBCL, we performed a bone marrow examination, which showed sinusoidal infiltration of large neoplastic cells positive for CD20. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly and she died 2 days after the examination. Autopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of lymphoma cells into liver sinusoids with preserved Kupffer cells, leading to the diagnosis of IVLBCL. CONCLUSIONS Our case shows that CEUS can distinguish IVLBCL from mass-forming lymphoma based on the absence of a defect in the post-vascular phase in a patient with clinically and radiographically suspected lymphoma involving the liver. This can assist clinicians to select appropriate lesions for biopsy.

Distribution of cionin, a cholecystokinin/gastrin family peptide, and its receptor in the central nervous system of Ciona intestinalis type A.

The cholecystokinin (CCK)/gastrin family peptides are involved in regulation of feeding and digestion in vertebrates. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A (Ciona robusta), cionin, a CCK/gastrin family peptide, has been identified. Cionin is expressed exclusively in the central nervous system (CNS). In contrast, cionin receptor expression has been detected in the CNS, digestive tract, and ovary. Although cionin has been reported to be involved in ovulation, its physiological function in the CNS remains to be investigated. To elucidate its neural function, in the present study, we analyzed the expression of cionin and cionin receptors in the CNS. Cionin was expressed mainly in neurons residing in the anterior region of the cerebral ganglion. In contrast, the gene expressin of the cionin receptor gene CioR1, was detected in the middle part of the cerebral ganglion and showed a similar expression pattern to that of VACHT, a cholinergic neuron marker gene. Moreover, CioR1 was found to be expressed in cholinergic neurons. Consequently, these results suggest that cionin interacts with cholinergic neurons as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator via CioR1. This study provides insights into a biological role of a CCK/gastrin family peptide in the CNS of ascidians.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Teaching Personal Protective Equipment Skills: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Training on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for infection prevention among health care workers. Traditional methods, such as face-to-face and video-based training, can strain resources and present challenges. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of 360° virtual reality (VR) training for PPE donning and doffing compared with face-to-face and video training in enhancing the PPE use skills of prospective health care practitioners. Design, Setting, and Participants: A blinded, prospective, and randomized noninferiority clinical trial was conducted from August to December 2021 at Teikyo University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan, with a mixed population of medical students. Participants were second- to fourth-year medicine, medical technology, or pharmacy students aged 20 years or older with no prior PPE training. Participants were randomized into 1 of 3 training groups (VR, face-to-face, or video) based on their enrollment order. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Intervention: A 30-minute lecture on PPE procedures was delivered to all participants before the training. After the lecture, the VR group trained with an immersive 360° VR tool, the face-to-face group trained with actual PPE, and the video group trained by watching video footage on a computer and a projector. After 3 days, a standardized practical skills test was administered. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the mean score on a 20-point practical skills test, and the secondary outcome was the percentage of correct execution. Results: A total of 91 participants were recruited and randomized into 3 groups: VR (n = 30), face-to-face (n = 30), and video (n = 31) training. After excluding 1 participant due to illness, 90 participants (mean [SD] age, 24.2 [3.15] years; 54 males [60.0%]) completed the assessment. The mean (SD) scores were 17.70 (2.10) points for the VR group, 17.57 (2.45) points for the face-to-face group, and 15.87 (2.90) points for the video group. The VR group demonstrated no significant difference in performance from the face-to-face group. However, the VR group had significantly higher effectiveness than the video group (17.70 vs 15.87 points; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this trial indicate that VR training was as effective as face-to-face training in enhancing PPE donning and doffing skills and was superior to video training. The findings suggest that VR training is a viable resource-conserving training option. Trial Registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: jRCT103021029.

Noonan Syndrome-related Myeloproliferative Disorder Occurring in the Neonatal Period: Case Report and Literature Review.

Noonan syndrome-related myeloproliferative disorder (NS/MPD) and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) are rare MPDs that occur in young children. We herein report a case of NS/MPD with neonatal onset. The patient had a characteristic appearance and high monocyte count in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. Genetic testing showed the E139D mutation in PTPN11 ; however, the patient did not meet all the diagnostic criteria for JMML, and we thus diagnosed him with NS/MPD. Eight other cases of NS/MPD with neonatal onset are also summarized. The initial presentation varied, and the prognosis was considered poor compared with previous reports of NS/MPD.

Multi-regional expression of pancreas-related digestive enzyme genes in the intestinal chamber of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A.

Bilateria share sequential steps in their digestive systems, and digestion occurs in a pre-absorption step within a chamber-like structure. Previous studies on the ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A, an evolutionary research model of vertebrate organs, revealed that Ciona homologs of pancreas-related exocrine digestive enzymes (XDEs) are exclusively expressed in the chamber-like bulging stomach. In the development of the gastrointestinal tract, genes for the pancreas-related transcription factors, namely Ptf1a, Nr5a2, and Pdx, are expressed near the stomach. Recent organ/tissue RNA-seq studies on two Ciona species reported that transcripts of the XDE homologs exist in the intestinal regions, as well as in the stomach. In the present study, we investigated the spatial gene expression of XDE homologs in the gastrointestinal region of the C. intestinalis type A. Whole-mount in situ hybridization using adult and juvenile specimens revealed apparent expression signals of XDE homologs in a small number of gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, two pancreas-related transcription factor genes, Nr5a2 and Pdx, exhibited multi-regional expression along the Ciona juvenile intestines. These results imply that ascidians may form multiple digestive regions corresponding to the vertebrate pancreas.

Repetitive and zonal expression profiles of absorption-related genes in the gastrointestinal tract of ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A.

Intestinal absorption is essential for heterotrophic bilaterians with a tubular gut. Although the fundamental features of the digestive system were shared among chordates with evolution, the gut morphologies of vertebrates diverged and adapted to different food habitats. The ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A, a genome-wide research model of basal chordates, is used to examine the functional morphology of the intestines because of its transparent juvenile body. In the present study, the characteristic gene expression patterns (GEP) of Ciona absorptive proteins, e.g., brush border membrane enzymes for terminal digestion (lactase, maltase, APA, and APN) and transporters (SGLT1, GLUT5, PEPT1, and B0AT1), were investigated in juveniles and young adults, with a special reference to the absorption of other nutrients by pinocytosis- and phagocytosis-related proteins (megalin, cubilin, amnionless, Dab2, Rab7, LAMP, cathepsins, and MRC1). Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that these GEP showed multi-regional and repetitive features along the Ciona gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the stomach and several regions of the intestines. In young adults, many absorption-related genes, including pinocytosis-/phagocytosis-related genes, were also expressed between the stomach and mid-intestine. In the gastrointestinal epithelium, absorption-related genes showed zonal GEP along the epithelial structure. Comparisons of GEP, including other intestinal functions, such as nutrient digestion and intestinal protection, indicated the repetitive assignment of a well-coordinated set of intestinal GEP in the Ciona gastrointestinal tract.

Results from a first-in-human study of dersimelagon, an investigational oral selective MC1R agonist.

PURPOSE: To describe outcomes from the first-in-human study of dersimelagon, an investigational oral selective MC1R agonist, under development for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP). METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 study, the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple ascending oral doses of dersimelagon in healthy participants were evaluated. RESULTS: Dersimelagon was generally well tolerated in healthy participants, with the most common TEAEs being lentigo (52.8%) and skin hyperpigmentation (50.0%) after multiple doses. Systemic exposure to dersimelagon in plasma (based on AUC0-∞ and Cmax) increased in a slightly more than dose-proportional manner over the 1- to 600-mg single-dose range. Following multiple doses, dersimelagon was rapidly absorbed (median Tmax ranging from 4 to 5 h postdose on days 1 and 14). Mean t1/2 ranged from 10.56 to 18.97 h on day 14, and the steady state of plasma concentration was generally reached by 5 days of multiple dosing. There were no observable effects of age or race on the PK profile of dersimelagon or its metabolite dersimelagon glucuronide. No treatment-related effects on melanin density (MD) were observed following single doses of dersimelagon; however, after multiple doses, increases in MD were observed in participants receiving 150 and 300 mg dersimelagon. CONCLUSION: Our study results indicate that dersimelagon is generally well tolerated and demonstrates a generally consistent PK profile across diverse subgroups. Treatment-related increases in MD warrant further investigation in a larger study population and in patients with EPP and XLP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: A Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of MT-7117 in Healthy Subjects, NCT02834442, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02834442 , registration began July 2016.

Novel knit fabric rehabilitation equipment for finger impairment.

[Purpose] Intensive training can at least partially improve finger movement dysfunction observed after stroke or any neurodegenerative disease. Wearable equipment can significantly improve patients' quality of life. However, long-term use of conventional training gloves containing metal can injure joints. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of a novel, metal-free, wearable strength-building device. [Participants and Methods] We enrolled 20 healthy participants in whom we measured grip and pinch strength before and while the equipment was worn. Additionally, we investigated the adverse effects and discomfort experienced while participants wore the equipment. [Results] The grip strength was reduced by approximately 20% while participants wore the equipment. We did not observe any serious adverse events. [Conclusion] The knitting equipment described in this study resists movements associated with gripping the hand and acts on all fingers, and may be useful for rehabilitation to improve finger function during routine activities.

Physical and biological beam modeling for carbon beam scanning at Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center.

We have developed physical and biological beam modeling for carbon scanning therapy at the Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center (Osaka HIMAK). Carbon beam scanning irradiation is based on continuous carbon beam scanning, which adopts hybrid energy changes using both accelerator energy changes and binary range shifters in the nozzles. The physical dose calculation is based on a triple Gaussian pencil-beam algorithm, and we thus developed a beam modeling method using dose measurements and Monte Carlo simulation for the triple Gaussian. We exploited a biological model based on a conventional linear-quadratic (LQ) model and the photon equivalent dose, without considering the dose dependency of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE), to fully comply with the carbon passive dose distribution using a ridge filter. We extended a passive ridge-filter design method, in which carbon and helium LQ parameters are applied to carbon and fragment isotopes, respectively, to carbon scanning treatment. We then obtained radiation quality data, such as the linear energy transfer (LET) and LQ parameters, by Monte Carlo simulation. The physical dose was verified to agree with measurements to within ±2% for various patterns of volume irradiation. Furthermore, the RBE in the middle of a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) reproduced that from passive dose distribution results to within ±1.5%. The developed carbon beam modeling and dose calculation program was successfully applied in clinical use at Osaka HIMAK.

Screening and diagnosis of acute and chronic bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis by serum IgG and IgA antibodies to bird antigens with ImmunoCAP®.

BACKGROUND: Bird antigens are some of the most relevant antigens in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Possible sources of bird antigens are bird breeding, feather products and fertilizer with fowl droppings. For the screening and diagnosis of HP, the measurement of bird-specific antibodies should be standardized. The aim of this study was to clarify the utility of serum IgG (sIgG) and IgA (sIgA) antibodies to bird antigens in screening and diagnosing acute/chronic bird-related HP with ImmunoCAP® in multi-centre clinical research. METHODS: We executed a clinical performance test by conducting a multi-institutional study to measure the levels of sIgG/sIgA against pigeon, parrot and budgerigar antigens by the ImmunoCAP® system in 29 acute and 46 chronic bird-related HP patients. RESULTS: The levels of sIgG/sIgA against the bird antigens of the three species were significantly higher in subjects with acute bird-related HP and chronic bird-related HP with acute episodes (recurrent type) than in the control subjects. For sIgG, the optimal cutoff values by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were 24.6 mgA/L for pigeon, 14.0 mgA/L for parrot, and 8.7 mgA/L for budgerigar. By measuring multiple bird antigens and combining sIgG values of two species, the sensitivity and specificity for acute and recurrent-type chronic bird-related HP patients were 85-91% and 73-80%, respectively. For recurrent and insidious types of chronic bird-related HP, the sensitivity and specificity were 48-61% and 73-80%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the levels of sIgG/sIgA against pigeon, budgerigar and parrot antigens by ImmunoCAP® was useful for screening and diagnosis in bird-related HP.

High sensitivity X-ray analysis for a low accelerating voltage scanning electron microscope using a transition edge sensor.

A scanning electron microscope transition edge sensor has been developed to analyze the minor or trace constituents contained in a bulk sample and small particles on the sample under a low accelerating voltage (typically <3 keV). The low accelerating voltage enables to improve the spatial analysis resolution because the primary electron diffusion length is limited around the sample surface. The characteristic points of our transition edge sensor are 1) high-energy resolution at 7.2 eV@Al-Kα, 2) continuous operation by using a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator and 3) improvement of transmission efficiency at B-Kα by using thin X-ray film windows between the sample and detector (about 30 times better than our previous system). Our system could achieve a stabilization of the peak shift at Nd-Mα (978 eV) within 1 eV during an operation time of 27 000 s. The detection limits with B-Kα for detection times 600 and 27 000 s were 0.27 and 0.038 wt%, respectively. We investigated the peak separation ability by measuring the peak intensity ratio between the major constitute (silicon) and the minor constitute (tungsten) because the Si-Kα line differs from the W-Mα line by only 35 eV and a small W-Mα peak superimposed on the tail of the large Si-Kα peak. The peak intensity ratio (I(W-Mα)/I(Si-Kα)) was adjusted by the W particle area ratio compared with the Si substrate area. The transition edge sensor could clearly separate the Si-Kα and W-Mα lines even under a peak intensity ratio of 0.01.

Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis Treated with Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin Combined with Antithrombin III.

Portal vein thrombosis is a major complication associated with liver cirrhosis. In cirrhotic patients, a decrease in procoagulant and anticoagulant factors and an unstable balance between them is observed, and a relative decrease in the activation of anticoagulant drivers is one of the main causes of portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Herein, we report a case of acute portal thrombosis associated with liver cirrhosis and treated with a recombinant form of soluble thrombomodulin (thrombomodulin alpha, TM-α) in combination with antithrombin III. TM-α was administered in accordance with the dosage and route of administration for disseminated intravascular coagulation therapy and resulted in dissolution of PVT with a gradual decrease in D-dimer levels. No adverse events were observed during the course of treatment. In the future, in addition to conventional anticoagulation therapy using heparin or antivitamin K drugs, novel therapies targeting protein C activation using a recombinant form of soluble thrombomodulin may play an important role in the treatment of acute PVT.

Effect of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Development of the Ascidian Ciona intestinalis Type A.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants that exert harmful effects on marine invertebrates; however, the molecular mechanism underlying PAH action remains unclear. We investigated the effect of PAHs on the ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A (Ciona robusta). First, the influence of PAHs on early Ciona development was evaluated. PAHs such as dibenzothiophene, fluorene, and phenanthrene resulted in formation of abnormal larvae. PAH treatment of swimming larva induced malformation in the form of tail regression. Additionally, we observed the Cionaaryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ci-AhR) mRNA expression in swimming larva, mid body axis rotation, and early juvenile stages. The time correlation between PAH action and AhR mRNA expression suggested that Ci-AhR could be associated with PAH metabolism. Lastly, we analyzed Ci-AhR mRNA localization in Ciona juveniles. Ci-AhR mRNA was localized in the digestive tract, dorsal tubercle, ganglion, and papillae of the branchial sac, suggesting that Ci-AhR is a candidate for an environmental pollutant sensor and performs a neural function. Our results provide basic knowledge on the biological function of Ci-AhR and PAH activity in marine invertebrates.

Transcripts of the nebulin gene from Ciona heart and their implications for the evolution of nebulin family genes.

Nebulin is a 770 kDa protein that is localized along the thin filaments of skeletal muscles in vertebrates. It is also present in the striated muscles of Amphioxus, an invertebrate cephalochordate that is phylogenetically close to vertebrates. However, the nebulin of urochordate ascidians or its expression in invertebrate hearts has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the structure and cardiac expression of the nebulin gene in Ciona intestinalis, a urochordate whose phylogeny lies between cephalochordates and vertebrates. As a result of the gene structure analysis, we found that the Ciona nebulin gene predicted to be 62 kb and consists of 143 exons. The nebulin was expected to consist of a unique N-terminal region, followed by 155 nebulin repeats, another unique region, a Ser-rich region and a C-terminal SH3 domain. Whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments showed that the Ciona nebulin gene was expressed in a variety of muscles, including hearts. However, Western blot analysis using antibody to Ciona nebulin did not detect the presence of full-length nebulin. Alternatively, RT-PCR experiments on samples of Ciona heart detected the expression of nebulette-like and nrap-like isoforms from the Ciona nebulin gene. These results indicate that, similarly to vertebrate hearts, Ciona hearts do not express nebulin, but rather nrap- and nebulette-like isoforms. These results also imply that the nebulin, nebulette and nrap genes in vertebrates were separated from an ancestral invertebrate nebulin gene during vertebrate evolution.

Molecular and evolutionary aspects of the protochordate digestive system.

The digestive system is a functional unit consisting of an endodermal tubular structure (alimentary canal) and accessory organs that function in nutrition processing in most triploblastic animals. Various morphologies and apparatuses are formed depending on the phylogenetical relationship and food habits of the specific species. Nutrition processing and morphogenesis of the alimentary canal and accessory organs have both been investigated in vertebrates, mainly humans and mammals. When attempting to understand the evolutionary processes that led to the vertebrate digestive system, however, it is useful to examine other chordates, specifically protochordates, which share fundamental functional and morphogenetic molecules with vertebrates, which also possess non-duplicated genomes. In protochordates, basic anatomical and physiological studies have mainly described the characteristic traits of suspension feeders. Recent progress in genome sequencing has allowed researchers to comprehensively detail protochordate genes and has compared the genetic backgrounds among chordate nutrition processing and alimentary canal/accessory organ systems based on genomic information. Gene expression analyses have revealed spatiotemporal gene expression profiles in protochordate alimentary canals. Additionally, to investigate the basis of morphological diversity in the chordate alimentary canal and accessory organs, evolutionary developmental research has examined developmental transcription factors related to morphogenesis and anterior-posterior pattering of the alimentary canal and accessory organs. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of molecules involved in nutrition processing and the development of the alimentary canal and accessory organs with innate immune and endocrine roles in protochordates and we explore the molecular basis for understanding the evolution of the chordate digestive system.

Cochineal dye-induced immediate allergy: Review of Japanese cases and proposed new diagnostic chart.

BACKGROUND: Cochineal dye is used worldwide as a red coloring in foods, drinks, cosmetics, quasi-drugs, and drugs. The main component of the red color is carminic acid (CA). Carmine is an aluminum- or calcium-chelated product of CA. CA and carmine usually contain contaminating proteins, including a 38-kDa protein thought to be the primary allergen. Severe allergic reactions manifest as anaphylaxis. The aim of this study was to review all Japanese reported cases and propose useful diagnostic chart. METHODS: All reported Japanese cases of cochineal dye-induced immediate allergy were reviewed, and newly registered cases were examined by skin prick test (SPT) with cochineal extract (CE) and measurement of CE and carmine-specific serum IgE test. Two-dimensional (2D) western blotting using patient serum was conducted to identify the antigen. RESULTS: Twenty-two Japanese cases have been reported. SPT and the level of specific IgE test indicated that six cases should be newly registered as cochineal dye allergy. All cases were adult females, and all cases except three involved anaphylaxis; 13 cases involved past history of local symptoms associated with cosmetics use. Japanese strawberry juice and fish-meat sausage, and European processed foods (especially macarons made in France) and drinks were recent major sources of allergen. 2D western blotting showed that patient IgE reacted to the 38-kDa protein and other proteins. Serum from healthy controls also weakly reacted with these proteins. CONCLUSIONS: SPT with CE and determination of the level of CE and carmine-specific IgE test are useful methods for the diagnosis of cochineal dye allergy.

Primary Nonsecretory Plasma Cell Leukemia With Multiple Chromosomal Abnormalities: A Case Report.

Primary nonsecretory plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is an extremely rare type of multiple myeloma. Here, we report a case of nonsecretory PCL with no previous history of multiple myeloma. The case exhibited extremely low levels of serum immunoglobulin and light chain, no detectable serum M-protein or free light chain restriction, no urine BJP, and no cytoplasmic light chain expression in flow cytometry. In fluorescence in situ hybridization, tumor cells exhibited fusion genes for IgH/BCL1 and IgH/cMyc, disappearance of the p53 signal, and a split signal for IgK(2p11), but no split signal for IgL (22q11). Therefore, we diagnosed primary nonsecretory PCL with multiple chromosomal abnormalities.

[A VALIDATION STUDY OF THE IMPROVED PRODUCT FOR MEASURING JAPANESE CYPRESS POLLEN-SPECIFIC IgE (THERMO SCIENTIFIC™ ImmunoCAP™ ImmunoCAP JAPANESE CYPRESS POLLEN-SPECIFIC IgE)].

BACKGROUND: Japanese cypress pollen is a major causative allergen of seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan. Although ImmunoCAP-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) reagent Japanese cypress pollen has been widely used as a diagnostic aid, its sensitivity requires enhancement. This study evaluated an improved version of this reagent. METHODS: Serum samples from 61 subjects who underwent Japanese cypress pollen exposure testing in an environmental challenge chamber in Chiba University were assessed using the conventional ImmunoCAPspecific IgE Japanese cypress pollen product and the improved product. In addition, specific IgE for Cha o 1 and Cha o 2, the primary allergen components of Japanese cypress pollen, was evaluated and their reactivity to specific IgE was compared between the conventional and improved products. RESULTS: The antibody titer of the improved product was approximately 1.8-fold that of the conventional product. In addition, higher correlations with Cha o 1 and Cha o 2 were observed for the improved product than for the conventional product. The clinical sensitivity (≥class 2) in 56 exposure test-positive subjects was better for the improved product (80.4%) than for the conventional product (71.4%). CONCLUSIONS: An improvement of the ImmunoCAP-specific IgE reagent Japanese cypress pollen resulted in enhanced Japanese cypress pollen-specific IgE sensitivity. The primary reason for this appeared to be an improved Cha o 1- and Cha o 2-specific IgE detectability.

Shared hemocyte- and intestine-dominant expression profiles of intelectin genes in ascidian Ciona intestinalis: insight into the evolution of the innate immune system in chordates.

Intelectin is a soluble lectin known as a pattern-recognition receptor for the innate immune system or as an intestinal lactoferrin receptor. Intelectin genes have been identified in a wide range of chordates and the shared expression pattern in their absorptive intestinal regions has been widely recognized. The chordate intelectins have a shared domain structure with a fibrinogen-related domain and an intelectin domain and an additional sequence has been reported only in ascidian Ciona intestinalis intelectins. However, little is known about the molecular features of the ascidian intelectins, including the distribution of the additional sequence in ascidians. Therefore, we focus on the ascidian species that are available for genome DNA sequence searches and survey intelectin genes with special reference to the additional sequence. We also assess the distribution of Ciona intelectin gene transcripts in transparent juveniles and adult specimens by means of in situ hybridization and reveal hemocyte-dominant expressions as well as stomach-exclusive expression. Comparative gene expression analysis with secretory digestive enzymes and absorption-related proteins in Ciona revealed that intelectin and secretory digestive enzymes were expressed in the same region of the stomach epithelium. Since the domain structure of intelectins and the hemocyte-dominant gene expression of intelectins seem relevant to ficolin, intelectin genes may have evolved from a ficolin-like ancestral gene with hemocytic expression in early chordate evolution.