Hepatocellular carcinoma and focal nodular hyperplasia in patients with Fontan-associated liver disease: characterisation using dynamic gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MRI.

AIM: To identify the characteristic diagnostic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) patients using dynamic gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one FALD patients (mean age, 28.3 ± 7.2 years) with liver nodules who underwent dynamic Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were enrolled prospectively. Twenty-five patients (mean age, 72.8 ± 11.4 years) with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC constituted the control group. The tumour-to-liver signal intensity (SI) ratio was measured at 30, 60, 100, 180 seconds and 15 minutes, and the SI ratio was compared among FALD-HCC, FALD-FNH, and HCV-HCC. RESULTS: FALD-HCC exhibited weak early enhancement with mild washout in late phases. FALD-FNH exhibited marked early enhancement that continued until the late phases. The SI ratio was significantly lower for FALD-HCC than for FALD-FNH in all phases. The SI ratio was significantly lower for FALD-HCC than for HCV-HCC only at 30 seconds (p<0.05), whereas poorer washout was seen in FALD-HCC than HCV-HCC in other phases. In 15 minutes, FALD-HCC had a significantly lower SI ratio compared to FALD-FNH (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The time course of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI signal intensity in FALD-HCC was different from that in FALD-FNH or HCV-HCC. This imaging finding may be useful adjunctive information to distinguish FALD-HCC from FALD-FNH.

Excited-State Dynamics of Dithienylethenes Functionalized for Self-Supramolecular Assembly.

The photoswitching and competitive processes of two photochromic dithienylethenes (DTEs) functionalized at both sides with 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidone (UPy) quadruple hydrogen-bonding recognition patterns have been investigated with NMR experiments, ultrafast spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The originality of these molecules is their ability to form large supramolecular assemblies induced by light for the closed form (CF) species while the open form (OF) species exist as small oligomers. Photochromic parameters have been determined and photochemical pathways have been rationalized with clear distinction between the antiparallel (OF-AP) and parallel (OF-P) species. A new photocyclization pathway via triplet manifold has been evidenced. The effect of the supramolecular assembly on the photochemical response is discussed. Unlike the photoreversion process, which is unaffected by supramolecular assembly, rate constants of the photocyclization reaction and intersystem crossing process are sensitive to the presence of small OF oligomers.

Effect of Lipopolysaccharide on the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High Caloric Diet-Fed Mice.

The incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing. Because gut microbiota have been highlighted as one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, we investigated the involvement of the bacterial component in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to NASH. C57BL/6 mice were fed with maintenance food (MF, groups A and B) or a high caloric diet (HCD, groups C and D) for 1 month. Mice were then divided into four groups: Groups A and C were inoculated with PBS, while groups B and D were inoculated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The inoculations were performed a total of 3 times over 3 months. At 6 months, while hepatic steatosis was observed in groups C and D, cellular infiltration and fibrosis were less evident in group C than in group D. Inflammatory cytokines were upregulated in groups B and D. 16S rRNA pyrosequencing of whole colon homogenates containing faeces showed that certain bacterial groups, such as Bacteroidaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, were increased in groups C and D. Although loading of bacterial components (LPS) resulted in hepatic inflammation in both MF- and HCD-fed mice, HCD feeding was more crucial in the progression of NAFL during the triggering phase.

A phase I study of binimetinib (MEK162) in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Binimetinib is a potent, selective MEK1/2 inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy against BRAF- and RAS-mutant tumors. Retinal adverse events associated with MEK inhibitors have been reported in some cases. The aim of this study was to assess single-agent binimetinib, with detailed ophthalmologic monitoring, in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: This was an open-label phase I dose-escalation and dose-expansion study (NCT01469130). Adult patients with histologically confirmed, evaluable, advanced solid tumors were enrolled and treated with binimetinib 30 or 45 mg twice daily (BID). The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of single-agent binimetinib in Japanese patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled; 3 and 8 patients had documented BRAF and KRAS mutations, respectively. Two of 6 patients (33 %) receiving binimetinib 45 mg BID in dose-escalation experienced recurrent grade 2 retinal adverse events (AEs) which were reversible, and this dose was declared the MTD and RP2D. All patients experienced ≥1 AE suspected to be treatment related; the most common (>50 %) were blood creatine phosphokinase increase (76 %), retinal detachment and aspartate aminotransferase increase (62 % each), and diarrhea (52 %). There were no complete or partial responses; 14 patients (67 %) had stable disease, which lasted >180 days in 5 patients. Expression of phospho-ERK decreased in the skin following binimetinib treatment at both dose levels, indicating target inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Binimetinib demonstrated efficacy and acceptable safety in Japanese patients with solid tumors, supporting the 45 mg BID dose of binimetinib as the RP2D.

Genetic association between natural autoantibody responses to histones and DNA in murine lupus.

Genetic regulation of the spontaneous anti-histone antibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied using the H-2-congenic and T cell receptor beta chain gene complex (TCR beta)-congenic NZB and NZW strains and their crosses. We found that the original, parental H-2d/d NZB mice produced significantly higher titers of serum IgM class anti-histone antibodies than did the congenic H-2d/z or H-2z/z NZB mice. However, none of these three NZB strains produced IgG antibodies. The NZW strain of any H-2 haplotype did not produce IgM and IgG anti-histone antibodies. The IgG anti-histone antibodies were produced only by H-2d/z heterozygous NZB x NZW F1, but not by homozygous H-2z/z or H-2d/d NZB x NZW F1 mice. In studies using (NZB x NZW) F1 x NZB backcross mice, only the progeny having both H-2d/z and NZW-type TCR beta genotypes produced high amounts of IgG antibodies. There was a tight linkage between the NZW-type TCR beta and the production of IgG anti-histone antibodies in TCR beta-congenic NZB x NZW F1 mice. All these findings were in keeping with our preceding observations on the genetic regulation of anti-DNA antibodies in these mice and suggest that certain common mechanisms such as super-antigen-mediated or common idiotope-mediated regulations may underlie the production of these two distinct autoantibodies in NZB x NZW F1 mice.

Comparison between cytomegalovirus promoter and elongation factor-1 alpha promoter-driven constructs in the establishment of cell lines expressing hepatitis C virus core protein.

The establishment of stable cell lines expressing the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein may be important for studies of HCV pathogenesis. Human and mouse cell lines were generated expressing the HCV core protein using expression vectors driven by either the cytomegalovirus (CMV) or elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) promoters. Following transient transfection, HCV core protein was expressed in all cell lines. However, stable human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and murine myeloma cell lines expressing the HCV core protein were only established using constructs driven by the EF-1 alpha promoter. In contrast, stable expression of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) middle envelope protein (MHBs) was obtained successfully in these cell lines using an expression vector driven by the CMV promoter. Inhibitory activity of the first 69 amino acids of the HCV core protein on the CMV promoter was found by using chimeric MHBs/HCV core protein constructs. Growth of cloned cell lines expressing the HCV core protein was slower than that of nonexpressing cell lines. However, morphological changes and cell death were not observed in the stable cell lines expressing HCV core protein. These results indicate that the HCV core protein was not directly cytotoxic to HCC and myeloma cell lines but that specific promoter elements are required to establish stable expression of the nucleocapsid structural protein.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced changes in electroencephalographic and vagal activity in the cross-circulated brain of the rat.

The effects of centrally administered thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on vagal efferent and cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) activity were assessed in rat brains which were functionally isolated from the body trunk and maintained via cross-circulation. Upon withdrawal of inputs from the trunk, cervical vagal activity was markedly attenuated. The decreased activity was partially restored by TRH with a latent period of a few minutes. On the other hand, TRH immediately but transiently augmented the fast waves of the EEG. The change in brain activity produced by TRH appears to simulate the state which makes possible the generation of vagal efferent activity even though inputs from the body trunk are withdrawn.

Humoral immune response in Japanese acute hepatitis patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

The humoral immune response to acute infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not yet perfectly clear in terms of immunoglobulin (Ig) response, diversity of HCV antigen, and the relation with hepatitis severity and antibody response. Serum IgM and IgG anti-HCV levels in patients with HCV and either acute hepatitis (AH) or fulminant hepatitis (FH) were investigated; the diversity of HCV antigen was investigated by RIBA test III. Of 22 AH patients, 12 (54.5%) were positive for IgM anti-HCV, mainly reacting to HCV core protein. The mean interval until the appearance of IgM anti-HCV after onset was 24.1+/-26.2 days. IgG anti-HCV mainly reacted to both core and NS-3 antigen, appearing 42.6+/-42.1 days after onset. From a serial study of 15 AH patients, it was considered that in seven AH patients (46. 7%), the IgM response would precede the IgG response. In another two AH patients, IgM anti-HCV was not detected during the acute disease phase. Of 48 chronic hepatitis patients with HCV-RNA, 40 patients were positive for IgM anti-HCV. Therefore, IgM anti-HCV was useful for diagnosis in some of the AH patients, but it was difficult to use for distinguishing between acute and chronic infection. All four FH patients with HCV-RNA were positive for both IgM and IgG antibody to HCV at onset. Their antibody titres were higher than those of AH patients. These results suggested that, as in FH due to HBV, FH due to HCV could induce strong and rapid humoral immunity.

Clinical implication of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and very late activation antigen-4 interaction, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 production in patients with liver disease.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the role of adhesion molecule in liver cell injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and the expression of VCAM-1 and its ligand, very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4), were examined in patients with various liver diseases. In addition, the presence of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was investigated because the release of MMP-2 is thought to be mediated by VLA-4-positive cells. sVCAM-1 and MMP-2 were measured by ELISA assay, and VCAM-1 and VLA-4 were studied by immuno-histological methods. RESULTS: In acute hepatitis (AH) patients, the serum level of sVCAM-1 was significantly elevated compared with that in other cohorts. VCAM-1 was expressed on sinusoidal lining cells but not on hepatocytes. In patients with chronic liver disease, sVCAM-1 levels rose in concert with the progression of chronic hepatitis (CH), and VCAM-1 was also expressed. VLA-4 was detected in both mononuclear cells and Kupffer cells in AH livers, but mainly in Kupffer cells in patients with CH. In AH patients, MMP-2 levels were similar to those in control subjects, but in CH and liver cirrhosis patients, MMP-2 level was elevated in association with CH progression. CONCLUSIONS: The immune response through the VCAM-1 and VLA-4 pathways is important in hepatocyte injury, especially in AH patients, to attach VLA-4-positive mononuclear cells to VCAM-1-positive sinusoidal lining cells. The distribution of VLA-4-positive cells differs between AH and CH patients. VLA-4-positive Kupffer cells in chronic liver diseases might be involved in the progression of CH, perhaps through the mechanism of upregulation of MMP-2 production.

Peripheral superior cerebellar artery aneurysm.

A 48-year-old male harboring a rare peripheral superior cerebellar artery aneurysm presented with sudden severe headache. Neurological examination on admission revealed no deficit except stiff neck. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Left vertebral angiography showed an aneurysm at the anterior pontomesencephalic segment (anterior pontine segment) of the left superior cerebellar artery. The neck of the aneurysm was rather high, 10 mm above the biclinoid line. The aneurysm was clipped through an orbitozygomatic transsylvian approach. His postoperative course was uneventful. We recommend this skull base approach especially for high-positioned aneurysms at this segment.

[The analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with Epstein Barr virus induced hepatitis].

Both humoral and cell-mediated immunity to Epstein Barr virus related antigen have recently been reported and are thought to be important for the generation of Epstein Barr virus induced human diseases. For this reason, to study immunological features in Epstein Barr virus induced hepatitis (EBH), we studied the ratio of various immunocompetent cells in peripheral blood and compared them to that of healthy control and acute hepatitis (disease control). We found that a significant elevation of CD8+ CD11- cells existed in EBH patients (48.9 +/- 18.3% in EBH, 17.0 +/- 6.9% in AH and 13.6 +/- 7.0% in healthy control) and atypical lymphocytes which are frequently observed in EBH belong to CD8+ CD11- cells. Regarding the study of surface expression of activated T cell markers, we found that these CD8+ cells also expressed HLA-DR antigen on their cell surface. Furthermore, the percentage of CD8+ CD11- cells returned to normal level with the recovery of their liver function. From these results, we can assume that activated CD8+ CD11- cells may have an important roles in generation of EBH.

[The pathogenesis of idiopathic portal hypertension].

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), so called Banti's disease, is characterized by anemia, splenomegaly and portal hypertension. While sharing certain clinical features, IPH is distinct from liver cirrhosis not only in histopathology and natural history but also in vascular anatomy and portal hemodynamics. Our studies have shown that the majority of patients with IPH have high serum levels of immunoglobulins, including autoantibodies, associated with abnormally high frequencies of activated T cells and the biased usage of particular T cell receptor (TCR) V beta gene segments. These results suggested that IPH was an immunological disorder mediated by a continuous stimulation with either a certain antigen or more likely a superantigen.

Enhancement of cellular and humoral immune responses to hepatitis C virus core protein using DNA-based vaccines augmented with cytokine-expressing plasmids.

Development of a broad based cellular and humoral immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural proteins may be important for irradication of infection. DNA-based immunization is a promising approach to generate HCV-specific immune responses. Previous studies of DNA-based immunizations in mice using an HCV core DNA expression plasmid (pHCV2-2) demonstrated an efficient CTL response against HCV core epitopes; however, the humoral and Th cell proliferative responses were found to be weak. To enhance the immunogenicity of this nonsecreted viral structural protein at the B and T cell level, we coimmunized mice with pHCV2-2 and DNA expression constructs encoding for mouse IL-2, IL-4, and granulocyte-macrophage CSF proteins. Under these experimental conditions, a seroconversion frequency to anti-HCV core increased from 40 to 80% in immunized mice. The CD4+ inflammatory T cell proliferative responses as well as CD8+ CTL activity to HCV core protein were enhanced substantially after coimmunization with the IL-2 and granulocyte-macrophage CSF DNA expression constructs. In contrast, coimmunization with an IL-4-producing construct induced differentiation of Th cells toward a Th0 subtype and suppressed HCV core-specific CTL activity. Taken together, these studies emphasize that generation of antiviral immune responses using DNA-based immunization may be modified by local cytokine production at the site of Ag presentation.

Elevated serum interleukin-6 levels in patients with acute hepatitis.

To study the mechanisms of hepatocyte injury, we examined serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in acute hepatitis patients. Based on their clinical features, these patients were divided into three groups, acute hepatitis (AH), severe acute hepatitis, and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The present study demonstrated that, in association with their clinical status, their serum IL-6 levels were gradually increased (16.5 +/- 14.5 pg/ml in AH, 26.3 +/- 19.0 pg/ml in severe AH, and 470.2 +/- 261.4 pg/ml in FHF; control level, 5.2 +/- 0.6 pg/ml). Furthermore, we found that a significant correlation between serum IL-6 level and prothrombin time existed in these patients and that the elevated serum IL-6 returned to a normal range after recovery from their hepatocyte injury. Thus, our study demonstrates that the serum IL-6 level is a possible marker for identifying the clinical status in acute hepatitis and that this cytokine may have some roles in hepatocyte injury.

Contribution of the gene linked to the T cell receptor beta chain gene complex of NZW mice to the autoimmunity of (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

We have investigated the contribution to the autoimmune disease of (NZB x NZW)F1 (NZB/W) mice made by the T cell receptor beta (TcR beta) chain gene complex, or genes linked to it, that are derived from the NZW strain. For this we developed the NZW.TcR beta NZB strain, a NZW congenic line carrying the TcR beta of NZB type, and produced NZB x NZW.TcR beta NZB (NZB/W.TcR beta NZB)F1 mice. We compared the amounts of anti-DNA and anti-histone antibodies and also the severity of lupus nephritis in these mice with those in the original NZB/W F1 mice. We obtained evidence for significantly lower serum levels of autoantibodies to double-stranded and single-stranded DNA and histone, and a later onset and a lower incidence of proteinuria in the NZB/W.TcR beta NZB F1 mice than in the original NZB/W F1 mice. These findings clearly indicate that the gene(s) within or closely linked to the TcR beta chain gene complex on chromosome 6 of the NZW strain acts to intensify the feature of systemic lupus erythematosus in the NZB/W F1 strain. The significant relationship of this finding to the strict dependency of NZB/W F1 disease on the H-2d/H-2z heterozygosity is discussed.

Cellular and humoral immune response to hepatitis B virus structural proteins in mice after DNA-based immunization.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Development of a broad-based cellular immune response to hepatitis B viral structural proteins may be important for recovery from infection, and lack of such responses may lead to persistent viral infection and chronic liver disease. Strategies designed to enhance the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific immune response may be able to reduce persistent viral infection of the liver. The aim of this study was to induce HBV-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in mice using DNA-based immunizations with the large and middle envelope and nucleocapsid proteins. METHODS: Antibodies to HBV structural proteins, T-helper-cell proliferation, and cytokine release and generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were measured in vaccinated mice. RESULTS: Immunized mice developed high-titer antibodies against envelope and core proteins in serum. More importantly, 93% of the immunized mice produced strong inflammatory CD4+ T-cell and CD8+ CTL responses to viral proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that DNA-based vaccination will generate broad-based CTL activity as well as strong T-helper cell responses with the production of TH1-type cytokines to HBV structural proteins. Such constructs are promising candidates as antiviral agents, and these studies have defined some of the most immunogenic antigens for an immunotherapeutic approach of chronic HBV infection.

Basilar bifurcation aneurysms associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery.

We report two cases of ruptured basilar bifurcation aneurysm associated with a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery. Angiograms revealed low-positioned aneurysms; in both cases bilateral vertebral arteries and posterior communicating arteries were hypoplastic or aplastic. Both aneurysms were successfully clipped via subtemporal transtentorial approach through the craniotomy ipsilateral to the side of the primitive hypoglossal artery. The ipsilateral craniotomy and exposure of the cervical carotid artery were helpful for obtaining the proximal control of the basilar artery needed to perform the clipping procedure with safety.