Thrombolysis for Acute Wake-Up and Unclear-Onset Strokes with Alteplase at 0.6 mg/kg in Clinical Practice: THAWS2 Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of intravenous (IV) alteplase at 0.6 mg/kg for patients with acute wake-up or unclear-onset strokes in clinical practice. METHODS: This multicenter observational study enrolled acute ischemic stroke patients with last-known-well time >4.5 h who had mismatch between DWI and FLAIR and were treated with IV alteplase. The safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after thrombolysis, all-cause deaths, and all adverse events. The efficacy outcomes were favorable outcome defined as an mRS score of 0-1 or recovery to the same mRS score as the premorbid score, complete independence defined as an mRS score of 0-1 at 90 days, and change in NIHSS at 24 h from baseline. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (35 females; mean age, 74 ± 11 years; premorbid complete independence, 54 [82%]; median NIHSS on admission, 11) were enrolled at 15 hospitals. Two patients (3%) had sICH. Median NIHSS changed from 11 (IQR, 6.75-16.25) at baseline to 5 (3-12.25) at 24 h after alteplase initiation (change, -4.8 ± 8.1). At discharge, 31 patients (47%) had favorable outcome and 29 (44%) had complete independence. None died within 90 days. Twenty-three (35%) also underwent mechanical thrombectomy (no sICH, NIHSS change of -8.5 ± 7.3), of whom 11 (48%) were completely independent at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In real-world clinical practice, IV alteplase for unclear-onset stroke patients with DWI-FLAIR mismatch provided safe and efficacious outcomes comparable to those in previous trials. Additional mechanical thrombectomy was performed safely in them.

Comparing effects of microgravity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the mouse ventral lumbar spinal cord.

Microgravity (MG) exposure and motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lead to motor deficits, including muscle atrophy and loss of neuronal activity. Abnormalities in motor neurons and muscles caused by MG exposure can be recovered by subsequent ground exercise. In contrast, the degeneration that occurs in ALS is irreversible. A common phenotype between MG exposure and ALS pathology is motor system abnormality, but the causes may be different. In this study, to elucidate the motor system that is affected by each condition, we investigated the effects of MG and the human SOD1 ALS mutation on gene expression in various cell types of the mouse ventral lumbar spinal cord, which is rich in motor neurons innervating the lower limb. To identify cell types affected by MG or ALS pathogenesis, we analyzed differentially expressed genes with known cell-type markers, which were determined from previous single-cell studies of the spinal cord in MG-exposed and SOD1G93A mice, an ALS mouse model. Differentially expressed genes were observed in MG mice in various spinal cord cell types, including neurons, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, meningeal cells/Schwann cells, and vascular cells. We also examined neuronal populations in the spinal cord. Gene expression in putative excitatory and inhibitory neurons changed more than that in cholinergic motor neurons of the spinal cord in both MG and SOD1G93A mice. Many putative neuron types, especially visceral motor neurons, and axon initial segments (AIS) were affected in MG mice. In contrast, the effect on neurons and AIS in SOD1G93A mice was slight at P30 but progressed with aging. Interestingly, changes in dopaminergic system-related genes were specifically altered in the spinal cord of MG mice. These results indicate that MG and ALS pathology in various cell types contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Furthermore, there were more alterations in neurons in MG-exposed mice than in SOD1G93A mice. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MG mice represent more than SOD1G93A mice with ALS pathology. Elucidation of MG pathogenesis may provide more insight into the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.

A surgically treated case of severe upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage with gastritis cystica polyposa.

BACKGROUND: Gastritis cystica polyposa (GCP) is a recently recognized entity histologically characterized by hyperplasia and cystic dilatation of the gastric glands spreading through the submucosal layer. Its symptoms include those affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as upper abdominal pain, nausea, and anorexia, although some patients might be asymptomatic. GCP rarely causes severe hemorrhage. Recently, we encountered a GCP case that exhibited severe hemorrhage. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53 year-old man visited the emergency department complaining of hematemesis. He underwent distal gastrectomy and Billroth II reconstruction for duodenal ulcers 32 years ago. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy detected bleeding from the reddened mucosa at the anastomosis; thus, tentative endoscopic hemostasis was conducted. Despite medical treatment with transfusion, melena with significant hemodynamic impairment persisted. He was treated again with endoscopic hemostasis and interventional radiology (IVR) but remained unresponsive to these procedures. He eventually underwent partial resection of the anastomosis site with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and finally achieved excellent postoperative recovery. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen suggested a GCP bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: GCP can indeed cause severe hemorrhage. Hemorrhage caused by GCP may not respond to endoscopic hemostasis or IVR; therefore, surgical treatment should be decided without delay.

Runx1 contributes to the functional switching of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) from neurite outgrowth promoting to suppressing in dorsal root ganglion.

The runt-related transcription factor Runx1 regulates cell-type specification and axonal projections of nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, whereas bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is required for axonal growth during neuronal development. Although Runx1 has been shown to be involved in BMP4 signaling in non-neural tissues, the Runx1 function in BMP4-dependent regulation of neuronal development is unclear. To investigate interactions between Runx1 and BMP4 in neurite outgrowth, we cultured DRGs from wild-type and Runx1-deficient mouse embryos in the presence or absence of BMP4. Neurite outgrowth was decreased in BMP4-treated wild-type DRGs and untreated Runx1-deficient DRGs, suggesting the inhibitory effect of BMP4 and facilitatory effect of Runx1 on neurite outgrowth. In addition, the combination of BMP4 treatment and Runx1 deficiency increased neurite outgrowth, suggesting that Runx1 is required for BMP4-induced suppression of neurite outgrowth and that the loss of Runx1 results in a functional switch of BMP4 from neurite growth suppressing to neurite growth promoting. Both BMP4 treatment and Runx1 deficiency increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive neurons, and CGRP expression was not increased by BMP4 treatment in Runx1-deficient mice, suggesting that Runx1 contributes to BMP4-induced CGRP expression in DRG neurons. Thus, Runx1 contributes to BMP4 regulation of neurite outgrowth and CGRP expression in DRG and may control BMP4 functional switching during embryogenesis.

δ-Opioid receptor activation stimulates normal diet intake but conversely suppresses high-fat diet intake in mice.

The central opioid system is involved in a broadly distributed neural network that regulates food intake. Here, we show that activation of central δ-opioid receptor not only stimulated normal diet intake but conversely suppressed high-fat diet intake as well. [D-Pen(2,5)]-enkephalin (DPDPE), an agonist selective for the δ-receptor, increased normal diet intake after central administration to nonfasted male mice. The orexigenic activity of DPDPE was inhibited by blockade of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), D-type prostanoid receptor 1 (DP(1)), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor type 1 (Y1) for PGD(2) and NPY, respectively, suggesting that this was mediated by the PGD(2)-NPY system. In contrast, DPDPE decreased high-fat diet intake in mice fed a high-fat diet. DPDPE-induced suppression of high-fat diet intake was blocked by antagonists of melanocortin 4 (MC(4)) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors but not by knockout of the L-PGDS gene. These results suggest that central δ-opioid receptor activation suppresses high-fat diet intake via the MC-CRF system, independent of the orexigenic PGD(2) system. Furthermore, orally administered rubiscolin-6, an opioid peptide derived from spinach Rubisco, suppressed high-fat diet intake. This suppression was also blocked by centrally administered naltrindole, an antagonist for the δ-receptor, suggesting that rubiscolin-6 suppressed high-fat diet intake via activation of central δ-opioid receptor.

Efgartigimod Successfully Ameliorated Acute Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis with Anti-muscle-specific Kinase Antibodies.

We herein report two patients with anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibody-positive myasthenia gravis who experienced rapid deterioration of weakness, particularly respiratory muscle weakness, necessitating non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and were treated with efgartigimod. After treatment initiation, a rapid reduction in IgG levels and recovery from clinical symptoms were observed. NIPPV was no longer required two to three weeks after the first infusion of efgartigimod. These findings suggest that the reduction of IgG levels using efgartigimod is a good treatment option in patients with myasthenia gravis positive for anti-MuSK antibodies, even during the acute phase of the disease.

Involvement of the nigrostriatal system in Gerstman-Sträussler-Scheinker disease with the PRNP-P102L mutation.

INTRODUCTION: Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) is an autosomal-dominant inherited prion disease most often associated with the human prion protein gene (PRNP)-P102L mutation. Although patients manifest considerable phenotypic heterogeneity, the involvement of the nigrostriatal system has not been well-studied. METHODS: We performed dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography (DAT-SPECT) using 123I-ioflupane to investigate the nigrostriatal system function in nine patients with the PRNP-P102L mutation. We also examined the pathological findings in another patient whose predominant feature was ataxia and who died 5 years after disease onset. RESULTS: Striatum uptake of 123I-ioflupane indicated by specific binding ratio (SBR) values was significantly reduced in two patients. The DAT-SPECT examination was performed 6 months after disease onset in one of these patients who manifested rapidly developing cognitive decline mimicking Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. DAT-SPECT was also performed 9 years after disease onset in another patient who manifested the conventional features of GSS involving ataxia and dementia in the initial phase but showed akinetic mutism at the examination time. Another patient examined 2 years after disease onset who predominantly manifested ataxia showed marginally abnormal SBR values. An autopsy case showed moderate neuronal loss in the substantia nigra, and the degree of neuronal loss was similar in most other parts of the brain. CONCLUSION: Nigrostriatal system involvement may occur in patients with GSS associated with the PRNP-P102L mutation, even though parkinsonism is not the predominant feature.

Clinical Associations and Prognostic Value of MRI-Visible Perivascular Spaces in Patients With Ischemic Stroke or TIA: A Pooled Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Visible perivascular spaces are an MRI marker of cerebral small vessel disease and might predict future stroke. However, results from existing studies vary. We aimed to clarify this through a large collaborative multicenter analysis. METHODS: We pooled individual patient data from a consortium of prospective cohort studies. Participants had recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), underwent baseline MRI, and were followed up for ischemic stroke and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Perivascular spaces in the basal ganglia (BGPVS) and perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale (CSOPVS) were rated locally using a validated visual scale. We investigated clinical and radiologic associations cross-sectionally using multinomial logistic regression and prospective associations with ischemic stroke and ICH using Cox regression. RESULTS: We included 7,778 participants (mean age 70.6 years; 42.7% female) from 16 studies, followed up for a median of 1.44 years. Eighty ICH and 424 ischemic strokes occurred. BGPVS were associated with increasing age, hypertension, previous ischemic stroke, previous ICH, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and white matter hyperintensities. CSOPVS showed consistently weaker associations. Prospectively, after adjusting for potential confounders including cerebral microbleeds, increasing BGPVS burden was independently associated with future ischemic stroke (versus 0-10 BGPVS, 11-20 BGPVS: HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.93-1.53; 21+ BGPVS: HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.10-2.06; p = 0.040). Higher BGPVS burden was associated with increased ICH risk in univariable analysis, but not in adjusted analyses. CSOPVS were not significantly associated with either outcome. DISCUSSION: In patients with ischemic stroke or TIA, increasing BGPVS burden is associated with more severe cerebral small vessel disease and higher ischemic stroke risk. Neither BGPVS nor CSOPVS were independently associated with future ICH.

A hair growth-promoting effect of Chinese black tea extract in mice.

Chinese black tea extract (CBTE) fermented with Aspergillus sp. significantly promoted hair growth after 2 weeks of topical application in shaved 6 week-old male C3H/He mice. The hair growth-promoting effect of CBTE was potentiated synergistically by capsaicin, which has no effect on hair growth by itself. CBTE displayed an affinity for estrogen receptor (ER)α, with an IC50 value of 74.8 µg/mL. This effect of CBTE might be mediated by the ERs, since a similar effect induced by orally administered soy isoflavone, a mixture of ERs ligands, has been reported to be synergistically potentiated by capsaicin.

Runx1 promotes neuronal differentiation in dorsal root ganglion.

Transcription factor Runx1 controls the cell type specification of peptidergic and nonpeptidergic nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by repressing TrkA and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression and activating Ret expression during late embryonic and early postnatal periods (Chen et al., 2006b; Kramer et al., 2006; Yoshikawa et al., 2007). Because Runx1 is expressed in DRG from early developmental stages, we examined the roles of Runx1 in the proliferation and the neuronal differentiation of DRG cells. We used transgenic Runx1-deficient (Runx1(-/-)::Tg) mice which are rescued from early embryonic lethality by selective expression of Runx1 in hematopoietic cells under the control of GATA-1 promoter. We found that TrkA-expressing (TrkA(+)) DRG neurons were decreased at embryonic day (E) 12.5 in contrast to the previous study showing that TrkA(+) DRG neurons were increased at E17.5 in Runx1(-/-)::Tg mice (Yoshikawa et al., 2007). The number of DRG neurons which express neuronal markers Hu, NeuN and Islet1 was also reduced in Runx1(-/-)::Tg mice at E12.5, suggesting that the neuronal differentiation was suppressed in these mice. The cell cycle analysis using BrdU/IDU revealed that the number of DRG cells in S-phase and G2/M-phase was increased in Runx1(-/-)::Tg mice at E12.5, while the length of S-phase was not changed between Runx1(+/+)::Tg and Runx1(-/-)::Tg mice, suggesting that Runx1 negatively controls the proliferation of DRG progenitor cell subpopulation in early embryonic period. Hes1 is a negative regulator of neuronal differentiation (Ishibashi et al., 1995; Tomita et al., 1996), and we found that the number of Hes1(+) DRG cells was increased in Runx1(-/-)::Tg mice at E12.5. In summary, the present study suggests a novel function that Runx1 activates the neuronal differentiation of DRG cell subpopulation through the repression of Hes1 expression in early embryonic period.

Nerve enlargement differs among chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy subtypes and multifocal motor neuropathy.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate differences in ultrasonographic nerve enlargement sites among typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), distal CIDP, multifocal CIDP and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in a Japanese population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records and selected 39 patients (14 with typical CIDP, 7 with multifocal CIDP, 4 with distal CIDP, and 14 with MMN) who underwent ultrasonography. Median and ulnar nerve cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were measured at the wrist, forearm, elbow, and upper arm. CSA ratios for each nerve were calculated as: wrist-to-forearm index (WFI) = wrist CSA/forearm CSA; elbow-to-upper arm index (EUI) = elbow CSA/upper arm CSA; and intranerve CSA variability (INCV) = maximal CSA/minimal CSA. Results: Significant differences were observed among typical CIDP, multifocal CIDP, distal CIDP, and MMN in CSA at the forearm and upper arm in the median nerves (p < 0.05). Patients with multifocal CIDP had lower WFI and EUI and higher INCV than the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of the untreated period, compared with other CIDP subtypes and MMN, multifocal CIDP showed a focal and marked nerve enlargement in the Japanese population. Significance: Differences in nerve enlargement site may be an underlying feature of multifocal CIDP.

Hypertension, cerebral Amyloid, aGe Associated Known neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease Undertaken with stroke REgistry (HAGAKURE) prospective cohort study: Baseline characteristics and association of cerebral small vessel disease with prognosis in an ischemic stroke cohort.

Introduction: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is one of the leading causes of stroke; each neuroimaging marker of SVD is correlated with vascular risk factors and associated with poor prognosis after stroke. However, longitudinal studies investigating the association between comprehensive SVD burden scoring system, "total SVD score" - which encompasses the established neuroimaging markers of lacunae, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), white matter hyperintensities (WMH) including periventricular hyperintensities, and perivascular spaces in basal ganglia- and clinical outcomes are limited. The aim of this study is to determine the association between SVD burden and long-term prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods and design: This prospective, single-center, observational study enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke, including cerebral infarction and transient ischemic attack. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed, and then total SVD score (range, 0-4) was calculated. We recorded baseline characteristics and evaluated the relationships of long-term outcomes to SVD neuroimaging markers and total SVD score. Stroke recurrence was thought as primary outcome. Hazard ratios (HRs) of events during follow-up were calculated using Cox proportional hazards modeling with adjustments for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and smoking. Cumulative event rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Consecutive 564 acute ischemic stroke patients were enrolled according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 467 participants with first-ever ischemic stroke were analyzed (median age 75.0 [interquartile range, 64.0-83.0] years, 59.3% male). Total SVD score was 0 point in 47 individuals (12.0%), 1 point in 83 (21.2%), 2 points in 103 (26.3%), 3 points in 85 (21.7%), and 4 points in 73 (18.7%). Twenty-eight recurrent stroke events were identified during follow-up. Total SVD score ≥ 2, presence of CMBs, and moderate-to-severe WMH were associated with increased risk of recurrent stroke events (HR 9.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.33-64.23; HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.08-7.30; HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.22-6.88, respectively). Conclusion: The accumulation of SVD biomarkers as determined by total SVD score offered a reliable predictor of stroke recurrence. This study established a firm understanding of SVD prognosis in clinical settings.

Soymorphin-5, a soy-derived µ-opioid peptide, decreases glucose and triglyceride levels through activating adiponectin and PPARα systems in diabetic KKAy mice.

Soymorphin-5 (YPFVV) derived from soybean ß-conglycinin ß-subunit is a µ-opioid agonist peptide having anxiolytic-like activity. Here, we show that soymorphin-5 improves glucose and lipid metabolism after long-term oral administration to KKAy mice, a type 2 diabetes model animal. Soymorphin-5 inhibited hyperglycemia without an increase in plasma insulin levels in KKAy mice. Soymorphin-5 also decreased plasma and liver triglyceride (TG) levels and liver weight, suggesting that soymorphin-5 improved lipid metabolism. Soymorphin-5 increased plasma adiponectin concentration and liver mRNA expression of AdipoR2, a subtype of adiponectin receptor that is involved in stimulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α pathway and fatty acid ß-oxidation. The expressions of the mRNA of PPARα and its target genes acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 A, and uncoupling protein-2, in the liver were also increased after oral administration of soymorphin-5. Furthermore, des-Tyr-soymorphin-5 (PFVV) without µ-opioid and anxiolytic-like activities did not decrease blood glucose levels in KKAy mice. These results suggest that µ-opioid peptide soymorphin-5 improves glucose and lipid metabolism via activation of the adiponectin and PPARα system and subsequent increases of ß-oxidation and energy expenditure in KKAy mice.

Complement C5a exhibits anxiolytic-like activity via the prostaglandin D2-DP1 receptor system coupled to adenosine A2A and GABAA receptors.

We have recently found that central PGD(2) exhibits anxiolytic-like activity. Here we show that complement C5a exhibits anxiolytic-like activity via the PGD(2) system. Centrally administered C5a had anxiolytic-like activity at a dose of 0.3 pmol/mouse in the elevated plus-maze test in mice. C5a-induced anxiolytic-like activity was inhibited by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, or BWA868C, an antagonist of DP(1) receptor for PGD(2), respectively. The anxiolytic effect of C5a was also blocked by SCH58261 or bicuculline, antagonists of adenosine A(2A) and GABA(A) receptors, respectively, which were activated downstream of PGD(2)-DP(1) receptor. These results suggest that C5a exhibits anxiolytic-like activity via the PGD(2)-DP(1) receptor system coupled to the activation of adenosine A(2A) and GABA(A) receptors.

Neurovascular unit pathology is observed very early in disease progression in the mutant SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration that causes neuromuscular denervation, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. Work over the decades using ALS mouse models has revealed that while initial pathology may occur within motor neurons, disease pathology is cell non-autologous. Impairment of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) occurs before motor neuron frank degeneration; however, precisely when the early pathogenesis of the neurovascular units occurs is not fully understood. Here we examine changes in morphology of neurovascular units, associated gene and protein expression in the lumbar spinal cord of SOD1G93A, and wild-type mice and correlate results with previous reports of early pathological events. Using RNA-sequencing and immunolabeling, we also show that both the neurovascular units and the vasculature of the SOD1G93A lumbar spinal cord present important modifications throughout the disease. Genes relevant for the neurovascular unit and immune cells were differentially expressed in the SOD1G93A ventral lumbar spinal cord compared to wild-type. A reduction in capillary density and tight junction (TJ) with overt BSCB breakdown was observed in the SOD1G93A lumbar spinal cord and ultrastructural observation revealed intact TJ. Additionally, thickened basement membrane, increased pericytes, and string vessels were observed. These alterations in neurovascular units and the vasculature are observed prior to reports of initial neuromuscular junction denervation. The identification of early pathogenesis may be critical to develop diagnostic tests and development of novel treatment strategies that target these early events.

The Anterior Piriform Cortex and Predator Odor Responses: Modulation by Inhibitory Circuits.

Rodents acquire more information from the sense of smell than humans because they have a nearly fourfold greater variety of olfactory receptors. They use olfactory information not only for obtaining food, but also for detecting environmental dangers. Predator-derived odor compounds provoke instinctive fear and stress reactions in animals. Inbred lines of experimental animals react in an innate stereotypical manner to predators even without prior exposure. Predator odors have also been used in models of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder following a life-threatening event. Although several brain regions have been reported to be involved in predator odor-induced stress responses, in this mini review, we focus on the functional role of inhibitory neural circuits, especially in the anterior piriform cortex (APC). We also discuss the changes in these neural circuits following innate reactions to odor exposure. Furthermore, based on the three types of modulation of the stress response observed by our group using the synthetic fox odorant 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline, we describe how the APC interacts with other brain regions to regulate the stress response. Finally, we discuss the potential therapeutic application of odors in the treatment of stress-related disorders. A clearer understanding of the odor-stress response is needed to allow targeted modulation of the monoaminergic system and of the intracerebral inhibitory networks. It would be improved the quality of life of those who have stress-related conditions.

Dental age estimation based on DNA methylation using real-time methylation-specific PCR.

Age estimation is crucial for reconstructing the biological profiles of deceased victims in the forensic field. DNA methylation, which varies in an age-dependent manner in specific genes, is a candidate biomarker for estimating chronological age. DNA methylation-based models for estimating age have been developed using various technologies such as pyrosequencing. We recently quantified the methylation levels of elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 2 (ELOVL2) in teeth using real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (RT-MSP) to rapidly assess the methylation value of CpG sites within a CpG island. The methylation levels of ELOVL2 were moderately correlated with chronological age, suggesting the usefulness of RT-MSP for age estimation. In this study, we designed eight and five new primer sets for ELOVL2 and ectodysplasin A receptor-associated death domain (EDARADD), respectively, and selected the best primer set. The DNA methylation level was analyzed in 59 tooth samples using the selected primer set. The ELOVL2 methylation value was positively correlated with age (R2 = 0.50), whereas the EDARADD methylation value negatively correlated with age (R2 = 0.44). A multiple regression model combining ELOVL2 and EDARADD showed high accuracy [mean absolute error (MAE) = 6.69], which was verified using 40 test samples (MAE = 8.28). Additionally, the MAE of three age groups showed no significant difference. These results indicate that the multiple regression model based on the two genes is useful for accurate age estimation across the human lifespan.

ß-Lactotensin derived from bovine ß-lactoglobulin exhibits anxiolytic-like activity as an agonist for neurotensin NTS(2) receptor via activation of dopamine D(1) receptor in mice.

ß-Lactotensin (His-Ile-Arg-Leu) is a bioactive peptide derived from bovine milk ß-lactoglobulin, acting as a natural agonist for neurotensin receptors. We found that ß-lactotensin exhibited anxiolytic-like activity in an elevated plus-maze test after its intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration in mice. ß-Lactotensin was also orally active. The anxiolytic-like activity of ß-lactotensin after i.p. administration was blocked by levocabastine, an antagonist for the neurotensin NTS(2) receptor. ß-Lactotensin had anxiolytic-like activity in wild-type but not Ntsr2-knockout mice. ß-Lactotensin increased intracellular Ca(2+) flux in glial cells derived from wild-type mice but not Ntsr2 knockout mice. These results suggest that ß-lactotensin acts as an NTS(2) receptor agonist having anxiolytic-like activity. The anxiolytic-like activity of ß-lactotensin was also blocked by SCH23390 and SKF83566, antagonists for dopamine D(1) receptor, but not by raclopride, an antagonist for D(2) receptor. Taken together, ß-lactotensin may exhibit anxiolytic-like activity via NTS(2) receptor followed by D(1) receptor.

Antihypertensive activity of transgenic rice seed containing an 18-repeat novokinin peptide localized in the nucleolus of endosperm cells.

Novokinin (Arg-Pro-Leu-Lys-Pro-Trp, RPLKPW) is a new potent antihypertensive peptide based on the sequence of ovokinin (2-7) derived from ovalbumin. We previously generated transgenic rice seeds in which eight novokinin were fused to storage protein glutelins (GluA2 and GluC) for expression. Oral administration of these seeds to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) reduced systolic blood pressures at a dose of 1 g seed/kg of SHR. Here, 10- or 18-tandem repeats of novokinin with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu, KDEL) at the C terminus were directly expressed in rice under the control of the glutelin promoter containing its signal peptide. Only small amounts of the 18-repeat novokinin accumulated, and it was unexpectedly deposited in the nucleolus. This abnormal intracellular localization was explained by an endogenous signal for nuclear localization. The GFP reporter protein fused to this sequence targeted to nuclei by a transient assay using onion epidermal cells. Transgenic seed expressing the 18-repeat novokinin exhibited significantly higher antihypertensive activity after a single oral dose to SHR even at one-quarter the amount (0.25 g/kg) of the transgenic rice seed expressing the fusion construct; though, its novokinin content was much lower (1/5). Furthermore, in a long-term administration for 5 weeks, even a smaller dose (0.0625 g/kg) of transgenic seeds could confer antihypertensive activity. This high antihypertensive activity may be attributed to differences in digestibility of expressed products by gastrointestinal enzymes and the unique intracellular localization. These results indicate that accumulation of novokinin as a tandemly repeated structure in transgenic rice is more effective than as a fusion-type structure.

Runx3 is required for the specification of TrkC-expressing mechanoreceptive trigeminal ganglion neurons.

Sensory neurons project axons to specific peripheral and central targets according to their sensory modality. Runx3 is crucially involved in proprioceptive dorsal root ganglion neuron development. Runx3 is also expressed in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. The role of Runx3 in the TG, however, is largely unknown because the TG does not contain proprioceptive neurons. In Runx3-deficient (Runx3(-/-)) mice, TrkB-expressing TG neurons were increased, whereas TrkC-expressing TG neurons were decreased during TG neuron development. In Runx3(-/-) neonatal mice, TrkC-expressing TG neurons did not project to the Merkel cells in the outer root sheath (ORS) of whisker vibrissae peripherally and the spinal trigeminal nucleus pars interpolaris (Sp5I) centrally. These findings suggest that Runx3 is required for the specification of TrkC-expressing TG neurons, conveying mechanoreceptive signals from the Merkel cells in the ORS of the whisker vibrissae to the Sp5I.