Roles of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 in lung metastasis formation in prostate cancer RM9 cells.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is known to correlate with a poor prognosis of prostate cancer and contribute to tumor metastasis. However, the precise mechanism of this phenomenon remains unknown. We have previously reported that host stromal microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) appeared critical for tumor-associated angiogenesis and tumor growth. Here, we tested whether or not mPGES-1 has a critical role in lung metastasis formation of prostate cancer. Murine prostate cancer cells (RM9) were intravenously injected and lung metastasis was estimated by counting colonies in the lungs. Mice treated with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, celocoxib, were suppressed lung metastasis compared to vehicle mice. This lung metastasis formation was also reduced in mPGES-1 knockout (mPGES-1 KO) mice, compared with wild type (WT) mice. This was accompanied with reduced angiogenesis around the metastasized colonies of RM9. Plasma protein levels and metastasized lung tissue mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) were significantly suppressed in mPGES-1 KO mice in comparison with WT mice. In addition, the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9, and metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 were down-regulated in metastatic lungs in mPGES-1 KO mice. These results suggested that host mPGES-1 was essential for MMP-2 and MMP-9 up-regulation that enhances tumor metastasis. mPGES-1 appears to be critical for tumor metastasis in prostate cancers. mPGES-1 inhibitors may be useful to protect against prostate cancer metastasis.

Recruited bone marrow cells expressing the EP3 prostaglandin E receptor subtype enhance angiogenesis during chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation, which is characterized by the proliferation of granulation tissues, is known to be regulated by angiogenesis. Recent results suggest that bone marrow-derived (BM-derived) hematopoietic cells regulate angiogenesis in vivo. We previously reported that the angiogenesis occurring during chronic inflammation is enhanced in response to the endogenous prostaglandins (PGs) derived from an inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In the present study, we examined the role of BM-derived cells expressing an E-type PG receptor subtype, EP3, in sponge-induced angiogenesis. The replacement of wild-type (WT) BM with BM cells (BMCs) from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice revealed that the formation of granulation tissue around the sponge implants developed via the recruitment of BMCs. This recruitment was enhanced by topical injections of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and a VEGF-dependent increase in the recruitment of BMCs was inhibited by a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. FACS analysis of the granulation tissues after treatment with collagenase revealed that the Mac-1-positive macrophage fraction was enhanced by topical injections of VEGF-A, and that this increased recruitment of Mac-1-positive BMCs was inhibited by celecoxib. Selective knockdown of EP3 performed by BM transplantation with BMCs isolated from EP3 knockout (EP3) mice reduced sponge-induced angiogenesis, as estimated by mean vascular number and CD31 expression in the granulation tissues. This reduction in angiogenesis in EP3(-/-) BM chimeric mice was accompanied by reductions in the recruitment of BMCs, especially of Mac-1-positive cells and Gr-1-positive cells. These results indicate that the recruited bone marrow cells that express the EP3 receptor have a significant role in enhancing angiogenesis during chronic proliferative inflammation.

Regulatory expression of lipoxin A4 receptor in physiologically estrus cycle and pathologically endometriosis.

Expression of receptors for prostaglandin (PG) and leukotriene (LT) has been reported to detect in endometrium and smooth muscle of uterus, suggesting involvement of these arachidonic metabolites in endometrial pathology and reproductive biology. Lipoxin (LX), which is produced by lipoxygenases from arachidonic acid, has been characterized as an anti-inflammatory lipid mediator. Biological actions of Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) are mediated through the specific receptor. In order to know roles of LXA4 in female genitalia, expression of LXA4 receptor mRNA was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Significantly higher expression of the receptor was detected in endometrium and myometrium than ovary in normal rats. Expression of the receptor in endometrium was increased at stage of proestrus cycle under physiological condition. Exogenous administration of progesterone into female rats significantly reduced the expression, while administration of estradiol or pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) did not. Both, endometrium in experimental endometriosis induced in rats and the tissues from patients with ectopic endometriosis showed a higher expression of LXA4 receptor compared to the normal tissues. In contrast, expressions of BLT1 and BLT2, receptors for leukotriene B4, did not change in the endometriosis. These observations suggest a possible role of LXA4 and the receptor under physiological estrus cycle and pathological condition as endometriosis.

Selective recruitment of CCR6-expressing cells by increased production of MIP-3 alpha in rheumatoid arthritis.

Infiltration of various types of leucocytes has been shown to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3 alpha) is a recently identified chemokine which is a selective chemoattractant for leucocytes such as memory T cells, naïve B cells and immature dendritic cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of MIP-3 alpha and its specific receptor CCR6 in the inflamed joints of patients with RA. Increased amounts of MIP-3 alpha were found by ELISA in synovial fluids (SF) of patients with RA. MIP-3 alpha was apparently detected in all synovial tissue specimens of RA patients (n = 6), but it could not be detected in that of osteoarthritis (OA) patients (n = 4). Expression of MIP-3 alpha was detected especially in the sublining layer, and infiltrating mononuclear cells in RA synovial tissue. Gene expression of MIP-3 alpha was also found in six out of 11 RA-synovial fluid cells by RT-PCR. Cultured synovial fibroblasts derived from either RA or OA patients were capable of producing MIP-3 alpha in response to IL-1 beta and TNFalpha in vitro. Furthermore, expression of CCR6 was found in infiltrating mononuclear cells in the cellular clusters and around the vessels of RA synovial tissue. These findings indicate that increased production of MIP-3 alpha may contribute to the selective recruitment of CCR6-expressing cells in RA.

Involvement of calmodulin in glucagon-like peptide 1(7-36) amide-induced inhibition of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel in mouse pancreatic beta-cells.

The present investigation was designed to examine whether calmodulin is involved in the inhibition of the ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channel by glucagon-like peptide 1(7-36) amide (GLP-1) in mouse pancreatic beta-cells. Membrane potential, single channel and whole-cell currents through the K(ATP) channels, and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured in single mouse pancreatic beta-cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments with amphotericin-perforated patches revealed that membrane conductance at around the resting potential is predominantly supplied by the K(ATP) channels in mouse pancreatic beta-cells. The addition of 20 nM GLP-1 in the presence of 5 mM glucose significantly reduced the membrane K(ATP) conductance, accompanied by membrane depolarization and the generation of electrical activity. A calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulphonamide (W-7, 20 microM) completely reversed the inhibitory actions of GLP-1 on the membrane K(ATP) conductance and resultant membrane depolarization. Cell-attached patch recordings confirmed the inhibition of the K(ATP) channel activity by 20 nM GLP-1 and its restoration by 20 microM W-7 or 10 microM calmidazolium at the single channel level. Bath application of 20 microM W-7 also consistently abolished the GLP-1-evoked increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence of 5 mM glucose. These results strongly suggest that the mechanisms by which GLP-1 inhibits the K(ATP) channel activity accompanied by the initiation of electrical activity in mouse pancreatic beta-cells include a calmodulin-dependent mechanism in addition to the well-documented activation of the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A system.

Immunodominant epitopes on glycoprotein IIb-IIIa recognized by autoreactive T cells in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

It was recently reported that autoreactive CD4(+) T cells to glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa) mediate antiplatelet autoantibody production in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). To further examine the antigenic specificity of the GPIIb-IIIa-reactive T cells, 6 recombinant fragments encoding different portions of GPIIbalpha or GPIIIa were generated and tested for their ability to stimulate antigen-specific T-cell proliferation and anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibody production in vitro. T cells from the peripheral blood of 25 patients with ITP and 10 healthy donors proliferated in response to recombinant GPIIb-IIIa fragments in various combinations. The amino-terminal portions of both GPIIbalpha and GPIIIa (IIbalpha18-259 and IIIa22-262) were frequently recognized (60% and 64%, respectively) compared with other fragments (4%-28%) in patients with ITP, but this tendency was not detected in healthy donors. In subsequent analyses in patients with ITP, T-cell reactivities to IIbalpha18-259 and IIIa22-262 were consistently detected, whereas those to other fragments were sometimes lost. In vitro antigenic stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with IIbalpha18-259 or IIIa22-262 promoted the synthesis of anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies in patients with ITP, but not in healthy donors. Of 15 CD4(+) T-cell lines specific for platelet-derived GPIIb-IIIa generated from 5 patients with ITP, 13 lines recognized IIbalpha18-259, IIIa22-262, or both. T-cell lines reactive to IIbalpha18-259 or IIIa22-262 promoted the production of anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies that were capable of binding to normal platelet surfaces. These results indicate that the immunodominant epitopes recognized by pathogenic CD4(+) T cells in patients with ITP are located within the amino-terminal portions of both GPIIbalpha and GPIIIa.

Plasmid-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-6) conferring resistance to carbapenems, especially meropenem.

In 1996, Serratia marcescens KU3838 was isolated from the urine of a patient with a urinary tract infection at a hospital in northern Japan and was found to contain the plasmid pKU501. Previously, we determined that pKU501 carries bla(IMP) and the genes for TEM-1-type beta-lactamases as well as producing both types of beta-lactamases (H. Yano, A. Kuga, K. Irinoda, R. Okamoto, T. Kobayashi, and M. Inoue, J. Antibiot. 52:1135-1139, 1999). pKU502 is a recombinant plasmid that contains a 1.5-kb DNA fragment, including the metallo-beta-lactamase gene, and is obtained by PCR amplification of pKU501. The sequence of the metallo-beta-lactamase gene in pKU502 was determined and revealed that this metallo-beta-lactamase gene differed from the gene encoding IMP-1 by one point mutation, leading to one amino acid substitution: 640-A in the base sequence of the IMP-1 gene was replaced by G, and Ser-196 was replaced by Gly in the mature enzyme. This enzyme was designated IMP-6. The strains that produced IMP-6 were resistant to carbapenems. The MICs of panipenem and especially meropenem were higher than the MIC of imipenem for these strains. The k(cat)/K(m) value of IMP-6 was about sevenfold higher against meropenem than against imipenem, although the MIC of meropenem for KU1917, which produced IMP-1, was lower than that of imipenem, and the MIC of panipenem was equal to that of imipenem. These results support the hypothesis that IMP-6 has extended substrate profiles against carbapenems. However, the activity of IMP-6 was very low against penicillin G and piperacillin. These results suggest that IMP-6 acquired high activity against carbapenems, especially meropenem, via the point mutation but in the process lost activity against penicillins. Although IMP-6 has reduced activity against penicillins due to this point mutation, pKU501 confers resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents because it also produces TEM-1-type enzyme.

Cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 selectivity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: investigation using human peripheral monocytes.

Since the pharmacological profiles of various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might depend on their differing selectivity for cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2), we developed a new screening method using human peripheral monocytes. Monocytes from healthy volunteers were separated, and the cells were incubated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Monocytes without LPS stimulation exclusively expressed COX-1 on Western blotting analysis, whereas LPS stimulation induced COX-2 expression. Unstimulated monocytes (COX-1) and LPS-stimulated monocytes (COX-2) were then used to determinethe COX selectivity of various NSAIDs. The respective mean IC50 values for COX-1 and COX-2 IC50 (microM), and the COX-1/COX-2 ratio of each NSAID were as follows: celecoxib, 82, 6.8, 12; diclofenac, 0.076, 0.026, 2.9; etodolac, > 100, 53, > 1.9; ibuprofen, 12, 80, 0.15; indometacin, 0.0090, 0.31, 0.029; meloxicam, 37, 6.1, 6.1; 6-MNA (the active metabolite of nabumetone), 149, 230, 0.65; NS-398, 125, 5.6, 22; piroxicam, 47, 25, 1.9; rofecoxib, > 100, 25, > 4.0; S-2474, > 100, 8.9, > 11; SC-560, 0.0048, 1.4, 0.0034. The percentage inhibition of COX-1 activity at the IC50 of COX-2 also showed a wide variation among these NSAIDs. The bioassay system using human monocytes to assess the inhibitory effects of various NSAIDs on COX-1 and COX-2 may become a clinically useful screening method.

Activated Ras modifies the proliferative response of rheumatoid synovial cells to TNF-alpha and TGF-alpha.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the proliferative response of rheumatoid synovial fibroblast (RSF) to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha. METHODS: V-Ki-ras gene was introduced into RSF using a retrovirus and the proliferative response of these cells to TNF-alpha or TGF-alpha was estimated by measuring the uptake of 3H-thymidine. The effect of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, was also investigated. RESULTS: Consistent with previous reports, TNF-alpha and TGF-alpha stimulated the proliferation of RSF. When the v-Ki-ras gene was expressed, the basal growth rate of these cells was increased, but their growth was suppressed by TNF-alpha or TGF-alpha. The latter effect was abolished when the cells were exposed to a relatively low concentration of PD98059. CONCLUSION: Ras modulates the proliferative response of RSF to TNF-alpha and TGF-alpha.

Induction of neutrophil death resembling neither apoptosis nor necrosis by ONO-AE-248, a selective agonist for PGE2 receptor subtype 3.

An increase of intracellular cAMP mediated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to delay spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils. It has been demonstrated that a selective agonist for PGE2 receptor subtype 3 (the EP3 receptor) is capable of decreasing cAMP and stimulating phosphoinositide turnover in various types of cells. We investigated the effect of a selective EP3 receptor agonist, ONO-AE-248, on neutrophil viability. ONO-AE-248 rapidly caused a unique form of neutrophil death. The agonist primarily induced morphological changes of the nucleus, including fusion of the lobules, decreased compactness of the chromatin, and blebbing and rupture of the nuclear membrane. This was followed by an increase of plasma membrane permeability and cell lysis. During these processes, neither apoptotic changes such as nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, and expression of phospholipid phosphatidylserine on the plasma membrane nor necrotic changes such as chromatin clumping and organelle destruction were apparent in the treated neutrophils. The fatal effect of the agonist night be specific for neutrophils because it failed to promote the rapid death of other types of cells. Although activation of neutrophils by ONO-AE-248 was not evident, experiments using metabolic inhibitors demonstrated that the agonist caused neutrophil death via the activation of protein kinase C in the presence of intracellular ATP. These findings indicated that EP3 receptor-mediated signals might promote a novel form of neutrophil death, which differs from typical apoptosis or necrosis.

Increases in K+ conductance and Ca2+ influx under high glucose with suppressed Na+/K+-pump activity in rat myelinated nerve fibers.

To test the combined effect of high glucose and decreased Na+/K+-pump activity, a condition which closely mimics the diabetic state, on nerve ionic currents, changes in action potential and membrane current induced by high glucose in the presence of ouabain were investigated using voltage clamp analysis in rat single myelinated nerve fibers. In the presence of 0.1 mM ouabain, 30 mM glucose caused a progressive increase in the delayed K+ current as well as persistent decreases in action potential and Na+ current, suggesting that Na+/K+ pump plays an important role in preventing the increase in the K+ current. The latter increase was suppressed by a blocker of Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Two types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blockers (L and N-type) as well as a Na+/Ca2+-exchange blocker diminished the ouabain-induced increase in K+ conductance. These results suggest that high glucose with suppressed Na+/K+ pump activity might induce an increase of Ca2+ influx through either Ca2+ channels or reverse Na+/Ca2+-exchange, possibly leading to the elevation of Ca2+-activated voltage-dependent K+ channels. Both a decrease in inward Na+ current and an increase in K+ conductance may result in decreased nerve conduction. In addition, a possible increase of axoplasmic Ca2+ concentration may lead to axonal degeneration. These results provide a clue for understanding the pathophysiologic mechanism of diabetic neuropathy.

A case of viral warts with particular fibrillar intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies.

A new type of skin wart was observed in a Japanese patient. It was characterized by intracytoplasmic inclusions with a 'fibrillar' structure which were distinct from previously described wart-associated inclusions. The papillomavirus (HPV)-group-specific antigen could be detected, but DNA hybridization and PCR amplification using probes or PCR primers specific for the main skin HPV genotypes (including HPV-63 which is also associated with 'filamentous' inclusions) were negative. We consider that this cytopathic effect could correspond to an HPV genotype which has not yet been characterized.

The sera from GM1 ganglioside antibody positive patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy blocks Na+ currents in rat single myelinated nerve fibers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible role of anti-GM1 ganglioside antisera from patients with Gullain-Barr*e syndrome (GBS) or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in the development of nerve dysfunction. METHODS: The effect of the anti-GM1 antibody positive antisera obtained from 4 GBS patients and 1 CIDP patient on membrane potential and ionic currents in rat single myelinated nerve fibers was investigated using the voltage clamp technique and compared with that of the anti-GM1 negative antisera obtained from 3 healthy controls and 2 GBS patients. RESULTS: In the presence of active complement, anti-GM1 positive antisera from 5 patients including 4 GBS patients and 1 CIDP patient significantly suppressed Na+ current more than anti-GM1 negative antisera. CONCLUSION: This study supports the notion that anti-GM1 antibody is one of the causative factors of conduction abnormality in GBS patients.

[Papillomaviruses and human tumors]. / Vztah papillomaviru k lidským nádorum.

The report summarizes the main results obtained in the course of our research project. The results of immunological and epidemiological studies provide further proofs that human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological agents in cervical neoplasia. In addition, they raise hopes that immunological methods may be utilized in diagnostics of cervical cancer and for monitoring the clinical course of this disease in the near future. Since the etiological relationship between HPV and cervical carcinoma seems to be proven beyond reasonable doubt, the development of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines has become the dominant of the contemporary HPV reseach. For studying immune reactions against HPV-induced tumours we developed a model of HPV16-transformed rodent cells.

[In vitro antibacterial activity of prulifloxacin, a new oral quinolone, and comparative susceptibility rate at clinical breakpoint MIC].

In vitro drug sensitivity of clinically isolated bacteria against prulifloxacin (PUFX), which is a new quinolone, was investigated, and the antibacterial activity and susceptibility rate at clinical breakpoint were compared with those of norfloxacin, ofloxacin (OFLX), ciprofloxacin, tosufloxacin, fleroxacin, sparfloxacin and levofloxacin (LVFX). The following results were obtained. 1) PUFX showed a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. 2) MIC80 of PUFX was 0.25 and 1 microgram/ml, against methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively and below 0.125 microgram/ml against Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae. MIC90 of PUFX against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has MIC not exceeding 4 micrograms/ml to OFLX, was 0.5 microgram/ml. 3) PUFX was judged as active against the bacteria under the criteria proposed presented by "the Sensitivity Determination Committee for Antibiotics, Japan Society of Chemotherapy: Break Point for Respiratory Infectious Diseases and Sepsis". It is suggested that the sensitivity of each bacterial species to PUFX was high. 4) From the correlation analysis of MIC, PUFX was shown to have two to eight times higher antibacterial acitivity than LVFX for Citrobacter freundii, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 5) PUFX showed potent short-time bactericidal activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.

[Antibacterial activity of 16 antibiotics against Helicobacter pylori].

The susceptibilities of 24 Helicobacter pylori isolates, which were originated from clinical materials, to 5 beta-lactam antibiotics [benzylpenicillin (PCG), ampicillin (ABPC), cephalothin (CET), ceftazidime (CAZ), cefotiam (CTM) and imipenem (IPM)], two macrolides [clarithromycin (CAM) and rokitamycin (RKM)], two aminoglycosides [amikacin (AMK) and gentamicin (GM)], two new quinolones [ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and levofloxacin (LVFX)], two tetracycline [tetracycline (TC) and minocycline (MINO)], rifampicin (RIF) and chloramphenicol (CP) were tested. All of the isolates showed similar susceptibilities against beta-lactam antibiotics. However, MICs of CTM and CAZ were two- to four-fold higher than those of PCG, ABPC, CET and IPM, MICs of rokitamycin for the tested strains were higher than those of clarithromycin. MICs of CPFX and LVFX showed two-modal distributions. The first peak of distributions was observed between 0.06 to 0.5 microgram/ml and second one was between 4 to 16 micrograms/ml. These distributions suggested that MIC values of 4 to 16 micrograms/ml could result from the expression of a resistance mechanism. In addition, some of H. pylori strains were observed drug resistances between CP and AMK, new quinolones and AMK respectively. From the molecular epidemiological study, cryptic plasmids were detected from the 3 isolates among 24 strains tested.

The molecular mechanism of inhibition of interleukin-1beta-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human synovial cells by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F extract.

OBJECTIVE: Several extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) have been reported to be effective in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the effect of multi-glycosides ofTWHF (GTW), a TWHF extract, on interleukin (IL)-1beta stimulated human rheumatoid synovial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IL-1beta-stimulated synovial cells were used to detect the effects of GTW on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 activities, expression of COX protein and mRNA, and nuclear transcription factors in experiments using respective reporter plasmids. RESULTS: GTW inhibited prostaglandin E2 production by IL-1beta-stimulated synovial cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and also inhibited COX-2 protein and mRNA expression in a similar fashion to dexamethasone. However, GTW did not act as a glucocorticoid agonist. GTW repressed IL-1beta-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activity, but did not have a significant influence on activating protein-1 activity. CONCLUSION: The anti-rheumatic effect of GTW or TWHF may be partly mediated through the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production in human synovial cells due to suppression of COX-2 mRNA, possibly via inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activity.

Inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis by verotoxin 2 derived from Escherichia coli O157:H7.

In order to evaluate the pathological role of verotoxin 2 (VT2), we investigated the effects of VT2 on neutrophil apoptosis in vitro. The results showed that VT2 caused a significant delay in spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis and that the effect was abrogated by a protein kinase C inhibitor. These data indicate that longer survival of neutrophils may aggravate neutrophil-mediated tissue damage in VT2-associated diseases.