Mobile and accurate detection system for infection by the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus with a pocket-warmer reverse-transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus spread quickly worldwide in 2009. Since most of the fatal cases were reported in developing countries, rapid and accurate diagnosis methods that are usable in poorly equipped laboratories are necessary. In this study, a mobile detection system for the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus was developed using a reverse-transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) kit with a disposable pocket-warmer as a heating device (designated as pwRT-LAMP). The pwRT-LAMP can detect as few as 100 copies of the virus--which is nearly as sensitive as real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)--and does not cross-react with RNA of seasonal influenza viruses. To evaluate the usefulness of the pwRT-LAMP system, nasal swab samples were collected from 56 patients with flu-like symptoms and were tested. Real-time RT-PCR confirmed that the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus was present in 27 of the 56 samples. Of these 27 positive samples, QuickVue Influenza A+B immunochromatography detected the virus in only 11 samples (11/27; 40.7%), whereas the pwRT-LAMP system detected the virus in 26 of the 56 samples (26/27 of the positive samples; 96.3%). These findings indicate that the mobile pwRT-LAMP system is an accurate diagnostic system for the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus, and has great potential utility in diagnosing future influenza pandemics.

Limited capacity of human adult islets expanded in vitro to redifferentiate into insulin-producing beta-cells.

Limited organ availability is an obstacle to the widespread use of islet transplantation in type 1 diabetic patients. To address this problem, many studies have explored methods for expanding functional human islets in vitro for diabetes cell therapy. We previously showed that islet cells replicate after monolayer formation under the influence of hepatocyte growth factor and selected extracellular matrices. However, under these conditions, senescence and loss of insulin expression occur after >15 doublings. In contrast, other groups have reported that islet cells expanded in monolayers for months progressed through a reversible epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and that on removal of serum from the cultures, islet-like structures producing insulin were formed (1). The aim of the current study was to compare the two methods for islet expansion using immunostaining, real-time quantitative PCR, and microarrays at the following time points: on arrival, after monolayer expansion, and after 1 week in serum-free media. At this time, cell aliquots were grafted into nude mice to study in vivo function. The two methods showed similar results in islet cell expansion. Attempts at cell differentiation after expansion by both methods failed to consistently recover a beta-cell phenotype. Redifferentiation of beta-cells after expansion is still a challenge in need of a solution.

Identification of human liver cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in autoinduced metabolism of the antiangiogenic agent (Z)-5-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-propanoic acid (TSU-68).

(Z)-5-[(1,2-Dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-propanoic acid (TSU-68) is a new anticancer drug that inhibits angiogenic receptor tyrosine kinases, which play a crucial role in tumor-induced vascularization. TSU-68 undergoes hepatic oxidation and glucuronidation. Incubation of TSU-68 with human liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH resulted in the formation of three major metabolites: 5-, 6-, and 7-hydroxyindolinone derivatives. The 5-, 6-, and 7-hydroxylation followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with V(max)/K(m) values (an indicator of intrinsic clearance) of 13, 25, and 6 microl/min/mg, respectively. Of the 10 cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450 isoforms examined, only CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 exhibited appreciable TSU-68 hydroxylation activity. Inhibition studies with alpha-naphthoflavone (a selective CYP1A2 inhibitor) and anti-CYP1A2 antibody also indicated the almost exclusive role of CYP1A2 in microsomal TSU-68 hydroxylation. Treatment of human hepatocytes with 10 microM TSU-68 resulted in a 28- to 140-fold increase in CYP1A1/2-mediated ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity. The protein levels of CYP1A2 were increased in TSU-68-treated hepatocytes, and those of CYP1A1, which were undetectable in control hepatocytes, were also increased to detectable levels in the TSU-68-treated hepatocytes. Thus, TSU-68 was shown to induce CYP1A1/2 expression, which was responsible for its hydroxylation. The observation that TSU-68 treatment resulted in a 10- to 45-fold increase in 5-, 6-, and 7-hydroxylation directly demonstrated the autoinduced hydroxylation of TSU-68. In conclusion, TSU-68 has the potential to cause induction of its own CYP1A1/2-mediated oxidative metabolism in humans. This autoinductive effect provides a clear explanation for the clinically observed decrease in TSU-68 plasma concentrations during repeated administration of the drug.

Involvement of cyclo-oxygenase-2 in osteoclast formation and bone destruction in bone metastasis of mammary carcinoma cell lines.

We previously reported that mouse mammary carcinoma cell lines (MMT060562 and BALB/c-MC) induced osteoclast formation through production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cocultures with mouse bone marrow cells, but the mechanism(s) of PG production remained unclear. In the present in vitro and in vivo studies, we tested the involvement of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible rate-limiting enzyme in PG biosynthesis, in the stimulation of osteoclast formation by mouse mammary carcinoma cell lines. Addition of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, JTE-522, to cocultures of mammary carcinoma cell lines and bone marrow cells lowered PGE2 concentration in the culture media and inhibited osteoclast formation in a dose-dependent manner. Northern blotting showed a very high level of COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in MMT060562. The mRNA expression was low in BALB/c-MC, but it increased when BALB/c-MC and bone marrow cells were cocultured. The results of immunocytochemistry for COX-2 protein in respective cultures were compatible with the results of COX-2 mRNA. In vivo, BALB/c-MC injected into the heart of Balb/c mice metastasized to bone and formed osteolytic lesions in their hindlimbs. Histological examination revealed that tumor cells had metastasized to the bone marrow cavity and destroyed the bone trabeculae. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that bone marrow stromal cells adjacent to tumor cells expressed COX-2 protein. These findings suggest that COX-2 plays an important role in the osteolysis of bone metastasis in vivo as well as in osteoclast formation in cocultures used as an in vitro model of metastatic bone disease.

A family of autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with a positive correlation between serum calcium and magnesium: identification of a novel gain of function mutation (Ser(820)Phe) in the calcium-sensing receptor.

To date about 20 activating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) gene have been identified to cause autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH) or sporadic hypoparathyroidism. We report a novel activating mutation in the CaR gene in a Japanese family with ADH. The proband, a 15-yr-old boy, and 5 other patients in 3 generations were asymptomatic, except for the proband's grandmother who had a history of seizures. They showed mild hypocalcemia (1.68-1.98 mmol/liter) with normal urinary calcium excretion and low normal serum PTH levels. Their serum magnesium concentrations were below normal in 3 adults and within the normal range in 3 teenagers. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.90; P < 0.05) between the serum calcium and magnesium concentrations of 6 affected members. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that the proband had a known polymorphism (Gly(990)Arg) and a novel heterozygous mutation substituting phenylalanine for serine at codon 820 (Ser(820)Phe) in the sixth transmembrane helix of the CaR. In other family members, the Ser(820)Phe mutation cosegregated with hypocalcemia. The mutation was not detected in 50 control subjects. The Gly(990)Arg polymorphism was observed in 8 of 9 family members with or without hypocalcemia and in 36 of 50 controls. The sensitivity of the Ser(820)Phe mutant CaR to calcium was assessed using transiently transfected HEK293 cells and measuring the increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations in response to the changes in extracellular Ca(2+). The concentration-response curve of the mutant receptor was left-shifted, and its EC(50) (2.5 mM) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of the wild-type CaR (3.3 mM). We conclude that the Ser(820)Phe mutation in the CaR caused ADH in this family. The positive correlation between serum calcium and magnesium levels observed in this family may support the concept that renal CaR acts as a magnesium sensor as well as a calcium sensor.

Determination of 3'-C-ethynylcytidine in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

A liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC-ESI/MS/MS) method was developed for the quantitative analysis of a novel anticancer drug, 3'-C-ethynylcytidine (I) in human plasma and urine. I and its stable isotope-labeled internal standard (II) were extracted from human plasma and urine samples using a polymer-based cation-exchange cartridge, and LC-ESI/MS/MS analysis was performed by monitoring the positive fragment ions of I and II. The linear ranges are 1-500 ng/ml in plasma and 10-5000 ng/ml in urine. The limits of quantitation for I were 1 ng/ml in plasma and 10 ng/ml in urine. The relative errors (RE) for I ranged from -8.4 to 3.0% in plasma and from 0.8 to 4.4% in urine. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for I ranged from 1.2 to 8.9% in plasma and from 0.7 to 2.8% in urine. This validated analytical method is demonstrated to be useful for the analysis of I in human plasma and urine in clinical studies.

Phase I clinical study of the angiogenesis inhibitor TSU-68 combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: TSU-68 is an oral small-molecule inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1. An open-label, single-arm, phase I study was performed to evaluate escalating doses of TSU-68 in combination with standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Eligible patients received TSU-68 at 200 or 400 mg twice daily and continuously in combination with carboplatin (area under the curve, 6 mg · min/mL) plus paclitaxel (200 mg/m2) on day 1 every 21 days. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled at the two dose levels of TSU-68. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed with TSU-68 at the 200 mg twice a day dose level. At 400 mg twice a day, one of six patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (anorexia of grade 3) during the first cycle. The 400 mg twice a day dose level was determined to be the recommended dose, and a total of 34 patients were treated at this dose. Overall, adverse events were mild to moderate in severity, with the most frequently observed such events being myelosuppression, neuropathy, and gastrointestinal disorders. No drug-related bleeding was observed. The objective response rate was 39.4% (95% confidence interval, 22.9-57.9%), and median progression-free survival was 5.6 months (95% confidence interval, 3.6-7.2 months). Coadministration of TSU-68, carboplatin, and paclitaxel had no substantial impact on the pharmacokinetics of these drugs. CONCLUSIONS: TSU-68 can be safely combined with standard doses of carboplatin-paclitaxel, with the combination manifesting promising antitumor activity.

Time-dependent induction of rat hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 expression after single-dose administration of the anti-angiogenic agent TSU-68.

The anti-angiogenic agent TSU-68 is known to rapidly induce cytochrome P450 activity responsible for its own hydroxylation in rats. In this study, we identified CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 as the TSU-68-induced P450 and temporally characterized the rapid induction of these isoforms. Protein and mRNA levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 along with CYP1A activities were examined in rat liver after a single oral administration of 500 mg/kg TSU-68. CYP1A-mediated ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation and TSU-68 hydroxylation activities reached the maximum at 12 hr. The activities were maintained up to 24 hr and then slowly decreased down to control levels. Protein levels of both CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 were also rapidly induced with temporal profiles similar to the profile of CYP1A activity. In contrast, unlike CYP1A2 mRNA levels, which peaked at 12 hr and almost returned to control levels by 48 hr, CYP1A1 mRNA levels peaked as early as 3 hr and returned to control levels by 24 hr. Thus, CYP1A1 showed more rapid elevation and turnover of its mRNA than CYP1A2. In conclusion, TSU-68 administered to rats rapidly induced mRNA and protein of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 as well as CYP1A activity. Furthermore, the data showed a difference in the time-dependent induction between CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNAs.

Decrease in plasma concentrations of antiangiogenic agent TSU-68 ((Z)-5-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-propanoic acid) during oral administration twice a day to rats.

TSU-68 ((Z)-5-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-propanoic acid) is a new drug under investigation that inhibits receptor tyrosine kinases involved in tumor angiogenesis. In clinical pharmacokinetic studies, lower plasma concentrations of orally administered TSU-68 are observed after the second dose given within 12 h after the first dose. We examined the cause of this observation through in vivo and ex vivo approaches using rats in which a rapid decrease in the exposure was shown as in humans. In rats, the area under the concentration-time curve after the second dose was decreased to 26% of that after the first dose during administration of TSU-68 (200 mg/kg) twice a day. Plasma clearance of TSU-68 intravenously administered 12 h after oral administration was 1.5-fold higher and the half-life was 2-fold shorter compared with those after the single intravenous administration. The amount of absorbed TSU-68, as indicated by the radioactivity totally excreted in the bile and urine following oral administration of [(14)C]TSU-68, was unchanged by the prior oral administration. These results demonstrate that administered TSU-68 causes an increase in its elimination but not a decrease in its absorption after the subsequent administration. Furthermore, rat liver taken 12 h after administration of TSU-68 exhibited 6-fold higher activity of its microsomal oxidase than untreated liver. This result suggests that TSU-68 induced its own oxidative metabolism (i.e., autoinduction). In conclusion, the decrease in plasma concentrations of TSU-68 during the administration twice a day to rats was due to the rapid autoinduction. The same mechanism is probably at work in the clinical setting.

Conophylline and betacellulin-delta4: an effective combination of differentiation factors for pancreatic beta cells.

Conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 reproduce differentiation-inducing activity of activin A and betacellulin, respectively. We examined the effect of conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 on beta cell differentiation. In AR42J cells, conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 converted them into insulin-producing cells. Cells treated with conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 continued to grow after differentiation. Thus, cell number and insulin content were much greater compared to cells treated with activin A and betacellulin. Furthermore, cells treated with conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 secreted insulin in response to glucose. Likewise, conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 converted pancreatic ductal cells into insulin-producing cells. Insulin content, cell number and glucose-evoked insulin secretion were significantly greater than those in cells treated with activin A and betacellulin. Transplantation of pseudoislets prepared using ductal cells treated with conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 was able to reduce effectively the plasma glucose concentration in streptozotocin-treated nude mice. Conophylline and betacellulin-delta4 are effective in inducing differentiation of beta cells from progenitors.