Expression of MUC5AC mRNA in the goblet cells of human nasal mucosa.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Mucus hypersecretion is a common feature in chronic sinusitis with polyps. Because mucus hypersecretion is commonly accompanied by goblet cell hyperplasia, it is important to identify which mucin gene mRNAs are expressed in the goblet cells of the surface epithelium in the human airway. This study aims to investigate the pattern of expression of MUC5AC messenger RNA (mRNA) in the goblet cells of human nasal mucosa. METHODS: Six nasal polyps, five inferior turbinate mucosa specimens, and three normal-appearing mucosa specimens of the posterior ethmoid sinus were obtained. Each of the specimens was cut into 10-microm-thick serial frozen sections, and in situ hybridization of MUC5AC mRNA was performed with an oligonucleotide probe. Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining was performed on the serial sections. RESULTS: In human nasal polyps, MUC5AC mRNA was expressed in the cytoplasm of most of the goblet cells. However, in the inferior turbinate, MUC5AC mRNA was expressed in only some of the goblet cells. On the contrary, in the normal-appearing mucosa of the posterior ethmoid sinus, MUC5AC mRNA was barely expressed in the goblet cells. Furthermore, MUC5AC mRNA was mainly expressed in some of the PAS-positive goblet cells. CONCLUSIONS: Only a portion of the goblet cells in the human nasal mucosa expressed MUC5AC mRNA. This result suggests that surface goblet cells might have other mucin genes, in addition to MUC2 and MUC5AC.

Suction device for epidermal grafting in vitiligo: employing a syringe and a manometer to provide an adequate negative pressure.

BACKGROUND: Suction devices for epidermal grafting need a suction pump to provide a negative pressure. The authors have developed a suction device in which a syringe and a manometer are employed to provide a negative pressure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of our suction device in vitiligo patients. METHODS: The suction device was used to obtain epidermal blisters from the donor site. A CO2 laser was employed to remove the depigmented epidermis. The blister roofs of the donor site were harvested and were placed onto the recipient area. Ten patients with stable vitiligo were treated by epidermal grafting. RESULTS: Epidermal blisters were produced by suction in all patients. Also, all 10 patients regained repigmentation. CONCLUSION: Our suction blister device is simple and inexpensive to make, and it may become an alternative to the other suction devices.

Effects of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta on mucin, lysozyme, IL-6 and IL-8 in passage-2 normal human nasal epithelial cells.

Little is known about the regulatory effects of cytokines on various nasal secretions in normal human nasal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether TNF-alpha, IL-1beta or their combination can increase the secretion of mucin as an indicator of mucous secretion, the secretion of lysozyme as an indicator of serous secretion and the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 as important cytokines. In addition, we wanted to examine their message levels in normal human nasal epithelium. On day 12 of culture, passage-2 normal human nasal epithelial cells were treated with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha, 10 ng/ml IL-1beta and combinations of both. Twenty-four hours later, the apical secretions were collected. A mixture of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta synergistically increased secretion of mucin, IL-6 and IL-8, but did not increase secretion of lysozyme. A combination of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta showed a questionable increase of MUC2 mRNA levels. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and a combination of both all significantly increased MUC8 mRNA levels. Neither TNF-alpha, IL-1beta nor a combination of both increased MUC5AC, MUC5B and lysozyme mRNA levels. IL-1beta alone or a combination of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta comparably increased IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels slightly. In conclusion, a mixture of inflammatory mediators can synergistically increase secretion of mucin, IL-6 and IL-8 in human nasal epithelium. Accordingly, nasal secretions may be under the control of an inflammatory mediator network.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala jeanselmei in a patient with advanced tuberculosis.

We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Exophiala jeanselmei in an 84-year-old Korean farmer suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. He presented with six subcutaneous, fluctuant abscesses on the left distal forearm and wrist. Subcutaneous infections by E. jeanselmei mostly present as a solitary cyst or abscess on an extremity. The present case showed localized multiple abscesses suggesting metastatic tuberculous abscesses or other pyogenic bacterial infections.

Promoter sequences of two homologous pectin esterase genes from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis) and pollen-specific expression of the GUS gene driven by a promoter in tobacco plants.

The promoter regions of two genomic clones, GBAN215-6 and GBAN215-12 from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis), were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of their promoter regions were compared with that of the Bp19 pollen-specific gene of Brassca napus. High nucleotide sequence homologies were observed among these three genes in the region between 210 bp upstream and the putative transcription start site. A sequence motif TGTGGTG, which is similar to that of the PB core motif (TGTGGTT) of two tomato pollen-specific genes, LAT52 and LAT56, was present in these two cloned genes. To determine regulatory sequences responsible for the anther-specific expression of the gene BAN215-6, two recombinant plasmids, pBPE3 (-274- + 109) and pBPE4 (-816- + 109) containing different lengths of the promoter fused with the GUS gene, were constructed and introduced into tobacco plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The result showed that the 383 bp (-274- + 109) of the BAN215-6 promoter region was sufficient for the anther-specific expression of the GUS gene. The GUS expression in a tobacco plants transformed with these constructs was first detected in uninucleate microspores and persisted at in vitro germinated pollen tubes. The expression level was increased during anther development, reaching the highest level in mature pollens.