CD30+ large cell transformation of mycosis fungoides after psoralen plus ultraviolet A photochemotherapy.

Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) photochemotherapy is widely used for the therapy of mycosis fungoides (MF). Clinical progression of MF is often associated with an increase in the size of tumour cells known as transformation. We report two patients with CD30+ large cell transformation that appeared after low-dose PUVA therapy for MF. Clinical data, histopathology, immunohistopathology and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement were studied. Nodules consisted of atypical large cells that expressed CD30. Monoclonal rearrangement of T-cell receptors was observed in one case. Low-dose PUVA therapy may be associated with CD30+ large cell transformation in patients with MF.

Identification of rab7 as a melanosome-associated protein involved in the intracellular transport of tyrosinase-related protein 1.

The melanosome is a unique secretory granule of the melanocyte in which melanin pigments are synthesized by tyrosinase gene family glycoproteins. Melanogenesis is a highly regulated process because of its inherent toxicity. An understanding of the various regulatory mechanisms is important in delineating the pathophysiology involved in pigmentary disorders and melanoma. We have purified and analyzed the total melanosomal proteins from B16 mouse melanoma tumors in order to identify new proteins that may be involved in the control of the melanogenesis process. Melanosomal proteins were resolved by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a predominant spot (27 kDa with isoelectric point 5.8-6.4) was excised and digested with cyanogen bromide, and the fragments were sequenced. Synthetic oligonucleotide primers were synthesized corresponding to the peptide sequences, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification of total RNA from B16 cells was carried out. Sequencing of one of the polymerase-chain-reaction-mediated clones demonstrated 80%-97% sequence homology of 200 bp nucleotide with GTP-binding proteins at the 3'-untranslated region. GTP-binding assay on two-dimensional gels of melanosomal proteins showed the presence of several (five to six) small GTP-binding proteins, suggesting that small GTP-binding proteins are associated with the melanosome. Among the known GTP-binding proteins with similar molecular weight and isoelectric point ranges, rab3, rab7, and rab8 were found to be present in the melanosomal fraction by immunoblotting. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed that rab7 is colocalized with the tyrosinase-related protein 1 around the perinuclear area as well as, in part, in the perikaryon, thereby suggesting that rab7 might be involved in the intracellular transport of tyrosinase-related protein 1. Tyrosinase-related protein 1 transport was blocked by the treatment of B16 cells with antisense oligonucleotide to rab7. We suggest (i) that rab7 is a melanosome-associated molecule, (ii) that tyrosinase-related protein 1 is present in late-endosome delineated granules, and (iii) that rab7 is involved in the transport of tyrosinase-related protein 1 from the late-endosome delineated granule to the melanosome.

Intracellular vesicular trafficking of tyrosinase gene family protein in eu- and pheomelanosome biogenesis.

The intracellular vesicular trafficking in the melanosome biogenesis (melanogenesis) is reviewed with the incorporation of our own experimental findings. The melanosome biogenesis involves four stages of melanosome maturation, which reflect the transport of structural and enzymatic proteins from Golgi (trans-Golgi network: TGN) to the melanosomal compartment and their organization therein. The major melanosomal proteins include tyrosinase gene family protein (tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein; TRP), lysosome-associated membrane protein (Lamp) and gp100 (pmel 17). They are glycosylated in the endoplasmic reticulum, and transported by vesicles from the TGN to the melanosomal compartment. During the formation of transport vesicles, they assemble on the cytoplasmic face of the TGN to select cargo by interacting directly or indirectly with coat proteins. Tyrosinase and TRP-1 possess the dileucine motifs at the cytoplasmic domain, to which adapter protein-3 binds to transport them from the TGN to stage I melanosomes (related to late endosomes) and then to stage II melanosomes. A number of small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins, including rab 7, appear to be involved in this vesicular transport. Phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase also regulates this membrane trafficking of melanosomal glycoprotein. Eumelanogenesis is controlled by melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and all three tyrosinase gene family proteins are transported from the TGN to stage II melanosomes that are elliposoidal and contain the structural matrix of filaments/lamellae. In contrast, pheomelanogenesis is primarily regulated by agouti signal protein, and only tyrosinase is transported from stage I melanosomes to stage II melanosomes that are spherical and related to lysosomes. Because of the absence of TRP-1 and TRP-2 in pheomelanogenesis, it may be suggested that tyrosinase is involved in lysosomal degradation after forming dopaquinone, to which the cysteine present in the lysosomal granule binds to form cysteinyldopas that will then be auto-oxidized to become pheomelanin.

Assembly, target-signaling and intracellular transport of tyrosinase gene family proteins in the initial stage of melanosome biogenesis.

Assembly, target-signaling and transport of tyrosinase gene family proteins at the initial stage of melanosome biogenesis are reviewed based on our own discoveries. Melanosome biogenesis involves four stages of maturation with distinct morphological and biochemical characteristics that reflect distinct processes of the biosynthesis of structural and enzymatic proteins, subsequent structural organization and melanin deposition occurring in these particular cellular compartments. The melanosomes share many common biological properties with the lysosomes. The stage I melanosomes appear to be linked to the late endosomes. Most of melanosomal proteins are glycoproteins that should be folded or assembled correctly in the ER through interaction with calnexin, a chaperone associated with melanogenesis. These melanosomal glycoproteins are then accumulated in the trans Golgi network (TGN) and transported to the melanosomal compartment. During the formation of transport vesicles, coat proteins assemble on the cytoplasmic face of TGN to select their cargos by interacting directly or indirectly with melanosomal glycoproteins to be transported. Adapter protein-3 (AP-3) is important for intracellular transport of tyrosinase gene family proteins from TGN to melanosomes. Tyrosinase gene family proteins possess a di-leucine motif in their cytoplasmic tail, to which AP-3 appears to bind. Thus, the initial cascade of melanosome biogenesis is regulated by several factors including: 1) glycosylation of tyrosinase gene family proteins and their correct folding and assembly within ER and Golgi, and 2) supply of specific signals necessary for intracellular transport of these glycoproteins by vesicles from Golgi to melanosomes.

Promotion of tyrosinase folding in COS 7 cells by calnexin.

To understand the process of expression of tyrosinase, a key enzyme of melanogenesis, we examined its maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by using a heterogeneous expression system. When human tyrosinase cDNA was introduced into COS 7 cells, tyrosinase activity was minimally detected. Immunofluorescence study revealed that tyrosinase was immunolocalized in the nuclear rim, the reticular network, and the punctuated structures. Because a cytoplasmic tail of tyrosinase-gene family protein functions as a lysosomal targeting signal in non-melanocytic cells, and immature and/or misfolded molecules are selectively retained in the ER, the observed localization suggested the inefficient maturation in the COS 7 cells. We thus examined if supplementation of calnexin, a membrane-bound chaperone with affinity for oligosaccharide-processing intermediates containing monoglucose, could improve the process. As expected, the activity was enhanced approximately 2-fold by co-transfection of cDNA encoding calnexin. In contrast, co-transfection of the cytosolic tail-free calnexin, which inhibits calnexin function by allowing premature egress of its ligands from the ER, suppressed expression of this enhanced tyrosinase activity. When alpha-glucosidase activity, which is required for calnexin function, was inhibited by castanospermine (CST) treatment, expression of tyrosinase activity was completely abolished. To confirm the direct involvement of calnexin in tyrosinase maturation, the interaction of calnexin with tyrosinase was examined. Immunoprecipitation of calnexin from extracts of [35S]methionine labeled cells with anti-calnexin antibody revealed that the association is highest immediately after the pulse and that nascent tyrosinase is gradually dissociated upon chase. The association was completely inhibited when CST was included in the medium. Hence, we suggest that the proper folding of tyrosinase is largely dependent on its direct interaction with calnexin for the determined duration in the ER.

In vitro toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion of resin-modified glass ionomers.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare the rate of abrasive wear and change in surface roughness of resin-modified and conventional acid-base glass ionomers when subjected to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion. METHODS: Two resin-modified and two conventional glass ionomers were used. Samples of a high-copper amalgam and a hybrid resin composite were used as reference materials. Specimens of each material were prepared and subjected to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion using 20,000 strokes of brushing. The amount of vertical loss of material was determined by profilometry (Surfcom-4A, Tokyo-Seimitsu, Tokyo, Japan). The surface characteristics after abrasion were evaluated on secondary electron images by SEM, and the surface hardness (KHN) was also measured for all materials. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05), followed by a multiple comparisons test using LSD (Least-significant difference) at a level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The abrasion resistance of resin-modified glass-ionomers was statistically lower for the amalgam and the resin composite reference materials. Statistically lower abrasion resistance and surface hardness were observed for the resin-modified glass ionomers than for their conventional acid-base counterparts when two forms of products from the same manufacturer were compared. SEM observations made after abrasion testing showed a significantly rougher surface for all glass ionomer materials than for the amalgam and the resin composite. SIGNIFICANCE: When comparisons were made between products from the same manufacturers, it was found that in vitro resistance to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion of the resin-modified glass ionomers is inferior to that of the conventional acid-base glass ionomers. The lower abrasion resistance found in the resin-modified products appears to be related to their lower surface hardness.

Flexural properties of resin-modified "hybrid" glass-ionomers in comparison with conventional acid-base glass-ionomers.

The mechanical properties of resin-modified "hybrid" glass-ionomers, for both restorative and liner/base applications, were assessed by a flexural test and compared with those of conventional acid-base glass-ionomers. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, and the modulus of resilience were determined 30 minutes after mixing, and at 24 hours and 3 months after aging in distilled water at 37 degrees C. With a microscope and SEM observations, a comparison of marginal breakdown was made between a resin-modified and a conventional glass-ionomer restoration in bovine cavities, after cyclic loading with steel balls. It was found that resin-modified glass-ionomers were stronger, more flexible, and more resilient than conventional acid-base glass-ionomers. This was in accord with the finding that less marginal breakdown and surface deterioration occurred in a resin-modified glass-ionomer than in a conventional analogue. For some materials the flexural properties progressively improved between 24 hours and 3 months, while others showed no improvement or even deteriorated.