Periostin, a matrix protein, is a novel biomarker for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are histopathologically classified into several types, including usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP). We investigated whether periostin, a matrix protein, could be used as a biomarker to assess histopathological types of IIPs. We performed immunohistochemical analyses in each histopathological type of IIP, examined serum levels of periostin in IIP patients and analysed the relationship between serum levels of periostin and the pulmonary functions in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Periostin was strongly expressed in lungs of UIP and fibrotic NSIP patients, whereas expression of periostin was weak in the lungs of cellular NSIP and COP patients, as well as in normal lungs. Serum levels of periostin in IPF were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects and COP patients. Furthermore, periostin levels in IPF patients were inversely correlated with their pulmonary functions. Thus, we have found that periostin is a novel component of fibrosis in IIP. Periostin may be a potential biomarker to distinguish IIP with fibrosis.

Massive IgE-hyperimmunoglobulinemia and storage histiocytosis in Sézary syndrome. A postmortem study.

Substantial evidence has accumulated that the Sézary syndrome is grouped together as "cutaneous T-cell lymphoma" and forms a subset of T-cells programmed for helper interactions with B-cells in their production of immunoglobulins; IgA, IgG, and IgM. The authors describe an autopsy case of a 64-year-old Japanese man, with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in association with IgE-type lambda hyperimmunoglobulinemia. The serologic and immunocytochemical studies suggest that Sézary cells from our patient are T-cell proliferations in association with IgE-specific helper activity. In addition, histiocytosis was interestingly noted, for the first time, in the generalized lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow by the autopsy. The cytoplasm of swelled histiocytes contained IgE-type lambda immunoglobulin by the PAP method that probably represented altered immunoglobulin.

Characterization and partial purification of neuroblastoma growth inhibitory factor from the culture medium of glioblasts.

Neuroblastoma growth inhibitory factor (NGIF) exists in the conditioned medium of normal rat glioblasts. When neuroblastoma cells (Neuro2a, NS-20Y, and N1E-115) were cultured in the presence of the factor, the cell growth rates and DNA synthesis were markedly inhibited and the morphological differentiation including neural process formation was induced. However, the factor neither altered the growth rate nor the morphology of non-neuronal cells such as glial cell lines (C6 and 354A) or fibroblast (3T3). The molecular weight of the factor was estimated to be 75,000 Mr by gel filtration with Bio-Gel P-200, and the isoelectric point was 5.8. The factor was devoid of esteropeptidase activity, and susceptible to protease and thermal treatment. The growth inhibitory action of the factor was unrelated to the intracellular contents of cyclic AMP and GMP. The ability of NGIF to suppress preferentially the neural growth suggests its regulatory role in normal brain development.

The induction of glial proliferation by an astrocytoma-derived growth factor resembling glia maturation factor.

Glia maturation factor (GMF)-like activity which induces DNA synthesis and morphological differentiation of density-inhibited glioblasts was detected in various glial tumor cells. A polypeptide from C6 cells (rat astrocytoma) which has a molecular weight range of 40,000-50,000 showed the highest activity. This factor also induced DNA synthesis in glioma cells (354A and LRM55) and fibroblast (Swiss 3T3). The activity was susceptible to heat treatment at 70 degrees C for 5 min, or to proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, and subtilisin, but it was devoid of esteropeptidase activity. The isoelectric point was found to be 5.3. Subcellular fractionation localized the activity in cytosomal and microsomal fractions. These properties closely resemble those of GMF from pig and bovine brain.

Interaction of glia maturation factor with the glial cell membrane.

Glia maturation factor (GMF) immobilized on agarose beads retained the same mitogenic and morphological transforming activities as free GMF when tested on glioblasts. The exposure of glioblasts to immobilized GMF for 5 min provoked the initiation of DNA synthesis and maximal stimulation was obtained within 30 min. Thiol-reducing agents, such as dithiothreitol and cysteine, increased the biological activity of GMF. These data suggest the presence of a surface receptor to GMF on the glioblasts, while the reduction of the thiol group(s) in GMF promotes the binding to its receptor. Repeated use of immobilized GMF decreased both the mitogenic and the morphological transforming activities. Immobilized GMF used for the third time lost its biological activity. This implies the existence of a certain kind of degradation system such as a proteolytic enzyme located close to the GMF receptor on the glial cell surface.

Inhibition of growth of mouse neuroblastoma cels by protein factor derived from rat glioblasts.

Growth inhibitory factor for mouse neuroblastoma cells was detected in the culture medium of fetal rat glioblasts, and was partially purified and characterized. The factor had an apparent molecular weight of 75,000 and an isoelectric point of 5.8, and showed no esterase activity. It possessed the activity to promote morphological differentiation including the formation of neural processes and the inhibition of cell division when tested on mouse neuroblastoma cell lines (Neuro 2a, NS-20Y, and NIE-115). The activity was susceptible to protease digestion and heat treatment. The serum over 25% cancelled the inhibitory activity of this factor. The factor failed to increase the intracellular contents of cAMP and cGMP. It showed no effect on either morphological differentiation or proliferation of glial cell lines, suggesting that under physiological conditions the factor acts specifically on neuronal cells.

Banded structure in solitary trichoepithelioma.

Electron microscopical observations were made in a case of solitary trichoepithelioma. Enlarged ERs were found in the tumor cells, showing a peculiar structure with fine granules and an electron-dense banded structure, about 50 nm wide respectively, lying at intervals of 250 nm. In addition to this structure, dense ovoid bodies, about 500 to 600 nm in diameter, were also observed.

Potentiation by BL191 of differentiation of neuroblastoma cells induced by dibutyryl cAMP and prostaglandin E(1).

BL191, a newly developed phosphodiesterase inhibitor, markedly potentiated a differentiation of neuroblastoma cell clones (Neuro2a, NS-20Y, and N1E115) induced by dibutyryl cyclic adensoine 3?:5?-monophosphate(dibutyryl cAMP) and prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)). BL191 (1 mM) inhibited DNA synthesis more strongly when used together with PGE(1) (0.5 ?g/ml) and dibutyryl cAMP (0.5 mM) than papaverine (1.6 ?g/ml) alone did. The inhibition rates of DNA synthesis were 72.5% for N1E-115, 75.3% for Neuro2a, and 82.5% for NS-20Y. After the treatment with BL191. PGE(1), and dibutyryl cAMP for 48 h all of three cell lines became enlarged and flattened, and extended long processes. The specific activities of choline acetyl transferase (EC 2.3.1.9) of NS-20Y and dopamine ?-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.17.1) of N1E-115 increased about 3-fold as compared to the controls. The tumorigenicities of Neuro2a and N1E-115 cells were decreased, but not of NS-20Y. These data suggest the heterogenous responsiveness in neuroblastoma cells to drug treatment.

Glial cell growth-promoting factor in astrocytoma (C6) cell extracts.

The presence of glia maturation factor (GMF)-like activity was demonstrated in rat astrocytoma cells (C6 cells). The extracts of C6 cells enhanced the DNA synthesis of cultured glioblasts 3-fold at the maximum, inducing such morphological changes as extrusion of processes. C6 cells also showed a proliferative response to the extracts, though the responsiveness in terms of effective concentration of C6 extracts was about a half of the glioblast responsiveness. The extracts lowered growth rate of neuroblastoma cells and especially decreased their DNA synthesis without a morphological differentiation.

Diaper area granuloma of the aged.

Nine women, aged 77 to 89 years, suffered from diaper dermatitis, and many granulomas were seen in the genital or gluteal region restricted to the lesion of dermatitis. Because these granulomas resembled granuloma gluteale infantum of Tappeiner and Pfleger, we propose to call this condition diaper area granuloma of the aged.

Fungus ball formation of aspergillus in the bladder. an unusual case report.

An unusual case of fungus ball formation of Aspergillus in the bladder without any evidence of disseminated and renal aspergillosis is presented. A 49-year-old man whose chief complaint was progressively worsening dysuria after a stomach operation was admitted. Cystoscopy revealed many ball-like masses on the retrotrigone and left wall. Histological studies showed that these masses were composed of many Aspergilli. The uniqueness of the case and the route of infection are discussed.