Overcoming the blood-brain barrier by Annexin A1-binding peptide to target brain tumours.

BACKGROUND: Annexin A1 is expressed specifically on the tumour vasculature surface. Intravenously injected IF7 targets tumour vasculature via annexin A1. We tested the hypothesis that IF7 overcomes the blood-brain barrier and that the intravenously injected IF7C(RR)-SN38 eradicates brain tumours in the mouse. METHODS: (1) A dual-tumour model was generated by inoculating luciferase-expressing melanoma B16 cell line, B16-Luc, into the brain and under the skin of syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. IF7C(RR)-SN38 was injected intravenously daily at 7.0 µmoles/kg and growth of tumours was assessed by chemiluminescence using an IVIS imager. A similar dual-tumour model was generated with the C6-Luc line in immunocompromised SCID mice. (2) IF7C(RR)-SN38 formulated with 10% Solutol HS15 was injected intravenously daily at 2.5 µmoles/kg into two brain tumour mouse models: B16-Luc cells in C57BL/6 mice, and C6-Luc cells in nude mice. RESULTS: (1) Daily IF7C(RR)-SN38 injection suppressed tumour growth regardless of cell lines or mouse strains. (2) Daily injection of Solutol-formulated IF7C(RR)-SN38 led into complete disappearance of B16-Luc brain tumour in C57BL/6 mice, whereas this did not occur in C6-Luc in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: IF7C(RR)-SN38 crosses the blood-brain barrier and suppresses growth of brain tumours in mouse models. Solutol HS15-formulated IF7C(RR)-SN38 may have promoted an antitumour immune response.

Partial silencing of fucosyltransferase 8 gene expression inhibits proliferation of Ishikawa cells, a cell line of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy and is associated with increased morbidity each year, including young people. However, its mechanisms of proliferation and progression are not fully elucidated. It is well known that abnormal glycosylation is involved in oncogenesis, and fucosylation is one of the most important types of glycosylation. In particular, fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8) is the only FUT responsible for α1, 6-linked fucosylation (core fucosylation), and it is involved in various physiological as well as pathophysiological processes, including cancer biology. Therefore, we aimed to identify the expression of FUT8 in endometrial endometrioid carcinoma and investigate the effect of the partial silencing of the FUT8 gene on the cell proliferation of Ishikawa cells, an epithelial-like endometrial cancer cell line. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that FUT8 gene expression was significantly elevated in the endometrial endometrioid carcinoma, compared to the normal endometrium. The immunostaining of FUT8 and Ulex europaeus Agglutinin 1 (UEA-1), a kind of lectin family specifically binding to fucose, was detected endometrial endometrioid carcinoma. The proliferation assay showed FUT8 partial knockdown by transfection of siRNA significantly suppressed the proliferation of Ishikawa cells, concomitant with the upregulation in the gene expressions associated with the interesting pathways associated with de-ubiquitination, aspirin trigger, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) et al. It was suggested that the core fucosylation brought about by FUT8 might be involved in the proliferation of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma cells.

Oncoprotective Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Uterine Cervical Neoplasia.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by fermentation from prebiotics not only provide energy but also activate cell membrane receptors, thereby contributing to the maintenance of homeostasis in the human body. Recently, free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2), which uses SCFAs as ligands, was found to exert oncoprotective effects on several types of neoplasia. This study examined whether SCFAs have oncoprotective effects on uterine cervical neoplasia. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that FFAR2 was expressed in atypical cells and cancer cells of cervical neoplasia. Moreover, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that FFAR2 was expressed in a human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa. We also found that SCFAs inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells, and a FFAR2 antagonist, GLPG0974, used to suppress the binding of SCFAs significantly restored the cell viability of HeLa cells blocked by acetic acid treatment. These results suggest that ingestion of prebiotics and the resulting production of SCFAs may play an oncoprotective role against uterine cervical neoplasia via FFAR2 expression.

Placental pathology predicts infantile physical development during first 18 months in Japanese population: Hamamatsu birth cohort for mothers and children (HBC Study).

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between placental pathological findings and physiological development during the neonate and infantile periods. Study participants were 258 infants from singleton pregnancies enrolled in the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study) whose placentas were stored in our pathological division. They were followed up from birth to 18 months of age. Physiological development (body weight and the ponderal index [PI]) was assessed at 0, 1, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 months. Placental blocks were prepared by random sampling and eleven pathological findings were assessed, as follows: 'Accelerated villous maturation', 'Decidual vasculopathy', 'Thrombosis or Intramural fibrin deposition', 'Avascular villi', 'Delayed villous maturation', 'Maternal inflammatory response', 'Fetal inflammatory response', 'Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE)', 'Deciduitis', 'Maternal vascular malperfusion', and 'Fetal vascular malperfusion'. Mixed model analysis with the use of the xtmixed command by the generic statistical software, Stata version 13.1., identified 'Accelerated villous maturation' and 'Maternal vascular malperfusion' as significant predictors of a lower body weight and 'Deciduitis' as a significant predictor of a small PI, throughout the first 18 months of life. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate that some pathological findings of the placenta are associated with changes in infantile physical development during the initial 18 months of life in the Japanese population.

Histological characteristics of the myometrium in the postpartum hemorrhage of unknown etiology: a possible involvement of local immune reactions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological characteristics of the myometrium obtained in postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) of unknown etiology secondary to uterine atony. These characteristics were selected from among registered cases of clinically suspected amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and classified as PPH of unknown etiology because of no obvious cause of PPH at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, a registration center for clinical AFE in Japan. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on myometrium using anti-mast cell tryptase, anti-neutrophil elastase, anti-CD68, anti-CD88, anti-CD3, and anti-ZnCP-1 antibodies. Massive infiltrations of inflammatory cells with mast cell degranulation within the myometrium secondary to complement activation were observed in PPH of unknown etiology (n=34), but not in control pregnant women (n=15) or after delivery in women without PPH (n=18). The concomitant immunohistochemical detection of meconium in myometrium suggests that amniotic fluids or fetal materials are one of the candidates for inducing maternal local immune activation in the PPH of unknown etiology. Postpartum acute myometritis in the absence of an infective etiology may be a histological characteristic of PPH of unknown etiology.

C1 esterase inhibitor activity in amniotic fluid embolism.

OBJECTIVES: Amniotic fluid embolism exhibits activation of the complement system and the kallikrein-kinin and coagulofibrinolytic systems. C1 esterase inhibitor is a major inhibitor of C1 esterase and can inhibit plasma kallikrein and also factors XIIa and XIa. Its activity has been shown to be significantly lower in pregnancy and labor than in the nonpregnant state. The purpose of this study was to determine C1 esterase inhibitor activity levels in amniotic fluid embolism. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A single university-based center. PATIENTS: One hundred six cases with amniotic fluid embolism in a total of 194 singleton pregnant women between January 2010 and December 2011. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred six cases of amniotic fluid embolism had applied to the Japan amniotic fluid embolism registration center in Hamamatsu University School of Medicine between January 2010 and December 2011. In amniotic fluid embolism cases, 85 cases were nonfatal and 21 cases were fatal. Eighty-eight women who delivered without amniotic fluid embolism were regarded as a control. C1 esterase inhibitor activity levels were significantly lower in amniotic fluid embolism patients (30.0% ± 1.8%) than in control women (62.0% ± 2.0%) (p < 0.0001). C1 esterase inhibitor activity levels in fatal amniotic fluid embolism cases (22.5% ± 3.4%) were significantly lower than those in nonfatal amniotic fluid embolism cases (32.0% ± 2.1%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that low C1 esterase inhibitor activity levels were closely associated with the pathogenesis of amniotic fluid embolism suggesting that C1 esterase inhibitor activity levels have potential as a prognosis factor of amniotic fluid embolism.

Comparison between placental gene expression of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and infantile growth at 10 months of age.

AIM: The local expression of two isoenzymes of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 1 (11ßHSD-1) and type 2 (11ßHSD-2), regulates the access of glucocorticoid hormones to their target cells. Reports on the association between the placental expression of 11ßHSD and infantile growth are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the placental gene expression of 11ßHSD affects infantile growth at 10 months of age. METHODS: Placentas and umbilical venous cord blood were obtained from 42 singleton cases of cesarean deliveries between 31 and 40 weeks of gestation at Hamamatsu University Hospital between March 2009 and June 2010. The gene expression of both 11ßHSD-1 and 11ßHSD-2 was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adiponectin and leptin levels in umbilical cord blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: 11ßHSD-1 and 11ßHSD-2 gene expression in human placentas did not correlate with bodyweight or the ponderal index (PI) at 10 months of age, whereas the gene expression of 11ßHSD-1, but not 11ßHSD-2, correlated with birthweight as well as PI at birth. Adiponectin levels in umbilical cord blood significantly correlated with the placental gene expression of 11ßHSD-1 as well as bodyweight and PI at 10 months of age, although no direct correlation was observed between them. CONCLUSION: No direct correlation was observed between the placental gene expression of 11ßHSD and infantile growth at 10 months of age. However, the placental gene expression of 11ßHSD-1 may be indirectly connected with infantile growth via adiponectin-associated metabolic regulation represented by adiponectin levels in umbilical cord blood.

Attenuation of fibroblast growth factor signaling by poly-N-acetyllactosamine type glycans.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors are expressed in a variety of mammalian tissues, playing a role in development and cell proliferation. While analyzing human sperm motility, we found that sperm treated with endo-ß-galactosidase (EBG), which specifically hydrolyzes poly-N-acetyllactosamine type glycans (polyLacs), enhanced motility. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that sperm-associated polyLacs are heavily fucosylated, consistent with Lewis Y antigen. Immunohistochemistry of epididymis using an anti-Lewis Y antibody before and after EBG treatment suggested that polyLacs carrying the Lewis Y epitope are synthesized in epididymal epithelia and secreted to seminal fluid. EBG-treated sperm elevated cAMP levels and calcium influx, indicating activation of fibroblast growth factor signaling. Seminal fluid polyLacs bound to FGFs in vitro, and impaired FGF-mediated signaling in HEK293T cells.

Changes of maternal dietary intake, bodyweight and fetal growth throughout pregnancy in pregnant Japanese women.

AIM: The associations among changes in dietary intake, maternal bodyweight, and fetal growth during the course of pregnancy were investigated in a prospective cohort study carried out on 135 Japanese women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dietary intake was analyzed using digital photos of meals taken over 3 consecutive days, in the first, second and third trimester, and was compared with maternal bodyweight, estimated fetal bodyweight by ultrasound examination, and birthweight. RESULTS: Surprisingly, the mean total calorie intake remained below 1600 kcal/day during pregnancy, much lower than the value recommended in the 2010 edition of 'Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese'. Dietary intake was similar throughout despite the recommendation of extra intake in late pregnancy. Maternal dietary intake did not correlate with fetal growth, although maternal bodyweight in the second trimester positively correlated with estimated fetal bodyweight in the third trimester. Maternal bodyweight before pregnancy positively correlated with birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal bodyweight as well as eating habits established before pregnancy may have a considerable effect on fetal growth. There is an urgent need to improve the diet of Japanese women of child-bearing age, especially during pregnancy.

Tumor targeting by a carbohydrate ligand-mimicking peptide.

Annexin A1 (Anxa1) is a highly specific surface marker of tumor vasculature. We used peptide-displaying phage technology to identify a carbohydrate ligand-mimicking 7-mer peptide, IFLLWQR (IF7), which can target Anxa1 in tumor vasculature. Here, we describe the binding activity of carbohydrate to Anxa1, Anxa1 to heparan sulfates, and the therapeutic potential of IF7 conjugated with anticancer drugs in tumor targeting.

Cerebral oxygen saturation evaluated by near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (TRS) in pregnant women during caesarean section - a promising new method of maternal monitoring.

Time-resolved spectroscopy (TRS-20) measures tissue oxygen saturation (%) by evaluating the absolute concentrations of oxygenated, deoxygenated and total haemoglobin based on measurement of the transit time of individual photons through a tissue of interest. We measured tissue oxygen saturation in the prefrontal lobes of the brain by TRS-20 in eighteen pregnant women during caesarean section. In a case of placenta previa, massive bleeding immediately decreased cerebral oxygen saturation from 67·2% to 54·2%, but did not alter peripheral tissue oxygenation as measured by pulse oximetry. Four cases of pre-eclampsia revealed chronic changes in elevated base levels of cerebral oxygen saturation, though peripheral oxygen saturation was similar to that in normotensive pregnant women. Average cerebral oxygen saturation in the cases of pre-eclampsia before the introduction of anaesthesia was 73·6 ± 4·4 (SD)% (n = 4), significantly higher than in normotensive pregnant women, 67·2 ± 4·3% (n = 13, P<0·05). Z-scores of cerebral oxygen saturation prior to anaesthesia positively correlated with those of systolic or diastolic blood pressure. TRS-20 could detect acute as well as chronic changes in brain oxygen saturation in response to pregnancy-associated complications.

Association between body weight at weaning and remodeling in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese adult mice with undernourishment in utero.

Rapid growth in infancy considerably increases the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders in adulthood especially among neonates born small. To investigate the mechanism involved, we developed an animal model of undernourishment in utero by maternal caloric restriction, in which the Z scores of body weight at weaning (19.5 days) positively correlated with parameters of obesity, metabolic disorders, and remodeling of subcutaneous adipose tissue, such as numbers of macrophages in adipose tissue, the ratio of inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, estimated by gene expression of specific antigens, and the relative ratio of small adipocytes less than 30 µm in diameter, on a high-fat diet at 17 weeks of age. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a possible connection between infantile body weight and adipose tissue remodeling in obesity after undernourishment in utero.

Zinc coproporphyrin I derived from meconium has an antitumor effect associated with singlet oxygen generation.

INTRODUCTION: Zinc coproporphyrin I (ZnCP-I) is a photosensitive molecule and a major component of meconium. Here, we examined the effects of ZnCP-I as a potential photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: (1) Aqueous ZnCP-I was irradiated with a pulsed YAG-SHG laser (wavelength: 532 nm)/YAG-SHG dye laser (wavelength: 566 nm). (2) HeLa cells were incubated in 200 mM ZnCP-I, and accumulation of ZnCP-I in HeLa cells was evaluated with ZnCP-I-specific fluorescence over 500 nm. (3) Aqueous ZnCP-I was administered intravenously to HeLa tumor-bearing mice at a dose of 10.2 mg/kg body weight. The tumors were irradiated with a filtered halogen lamp (wavelength: 580 nm) at 100 J/cm(2) 20 min after administration. RESULTS: (1) An intense near-infrared emission spectrum was observed at around 1,270 nm after irradiation. The emission intensity was proportional to the laser power between 10 and 80 mW and was completely inhibited by addition of NaN3, a singlet oxygen scavenger. (2) ZnCP-I-specific fluorescence was detected in the HeLa cell cytoplasm. (3) Irradiated tumors treated with ZnCP-I were mostly necrotized. CONCLUSION: ZnCP-I accumulated in tumor cells, produced singlet oxygen upon irradiation, and necrotized the tumor cells. These results suggest that ZnCP-I may be an effective photosensitizer.

In vivo regulation of steroid hormones by the Chst10 sulfotransferase in mouse.

Chst10 adds sulfate to glucuronic acid to form a carbohydrate antigen, HNK-1, in glycoproteins and glycolipids. To determine the role of Chst10 in vivo, we generated systemic Chst10-deficient mutant mice. Although Chst10(-/-) mice were born and grew to adulthood with no gross defects, they were subfertile. Uteri from Chst10(-/-) females at the pro-estrus stage were larger than those from wild-type females and exhibited a thick uterine endometrium. Serum estrogen levels in Chst10(-/-) females were higher than those from wild-type females, suggesting impaired down-regulation of estrogen. Because steroid hormones are often conjugated to glucuronic acid, we hypothesized that Chst10 sulfates glucuronidated steroid hormone to regulate steroid hormone in vivo. Enzymatic activity assays and structural analysis of Chst10 products by HPLC and mass spectrometry revealed that Chst10 indeed sulfates glucuronidated estrogen, testosterone, and other steroid hormones. We also identified an HPLC peak corresponding to sulfated and glucuronidated estradiol in serum from wild-type but not from Chst10 null female mice. Estrogen-response element reporter assays revealed that Chst10-modified estrogen likely did not bind to its receptor. These results suggest that subfertility exhibited by female mice following Chst10 loss results from dysregulation of estrogen. Given that Chst10 transfers sulfates to several steroid hormones, Chst10 likely functions in widespread regulation of steroid hormones in vivo.

Enhancement of mouse sperm motility by trophinin-binding peptide.

BACKGROUND: Trophinin is an intrinsic membrane protein that forms a complex in the cytoplasm with bystin and tastin, linking it microtubule-associated motor dynein (ATPase) in some cell types. Previously, we found that human sperm tails contain trophinin, bystin and tastin proteins, and that trophinin-binding GWRQ (glycine, tryptophan, arginine, glutamine) peptide enhanced motility of human sperm. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine trophinin protein in mouse spermatozoa from wild type mouse, by using spermatozoa from trophinin null mutant mice as a negative control. Multivalent 8-branched GWRQ (glycine, tryptophan, arginine, glutamine) peptide or GWRQ-MAPS, was chemically synthesized, purified by HPLC and its structure was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Effect of GWRQ-MAPS on mouse spermatozoa from wild type and trophinin null mutant was assessed by a computer-assisted semen analyzer (CASA). RESULTS: Anti-trophinin antibody stained the principal (central) piece of the tail of wild type mouse sperm, whereas the antibody showed no staining on trophinin null sperm. Phage particles displaying GWRQ bound to the principal piece of sperm tail from wild type but not trophinin null mice. GWRQ-MAPS enhanced motility of spermatozoa from wild type but not trophinin null mice. CASA showed that GWRQ-MAPS enhanced both progressive motility and rapid motility in wild type mouse sperm. CONCLUSIONS: Present study established the expression of trophinin in the mouse sperm tail and trophinin-dependent effect of GWRQ-MAPS on sperm motility. GWRQ causes a significant increase in sperm motility.

Carbohydrate mimetic peptides as research reagent and therapeutic.

Although numerous carbohydrates play significant roles in mammalian cells, development of carbohydrate-based reagents and therapeutics are hampered by the technical difficulty of chemically synthesizing complex carbohydrate structures. Use of carbohydrate mimetic peptides circumvents this difficulty, as short peptide can be easily synthesized and modified. We as well as others identified carbohydrate mimetic peptides by screening peptide displaying phage library using anti-carbohydrate antibodies and lectins. This review introduces our experiences with I-peptide that was used for identification of new carbohydrate binding receptor expressed in the lung endothelial cells, and those with IF7 peptide that can be used as a therapeutic against malignant tumors.

Cell adhesion molecules in human embryo implantation.

The process of human embryo implantation is mediated not only by evolutionarily conserved mechanisms, but also by a mechanism unique to humans. Evidence suggests that the cell adhesion molecules, L-selectin and trophinin, play a unique role in human embryo implantation. Here, we describe the dual roles of mucin carbohydrate ligand for L-selectin and trophinin protein and of the trophinin-associated proteins bystin and tastin. We then describe trophinin-mediated signal transduction in trophectoderm cells and endometrial epithelial cells. This review also covers cadherin and integrin in human embryo implantation.

Successful living donor liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure that manifested immediately after cesarean delivery.

A 31-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed as having acute hepatitis of unknown etiology and conservatively treated. An emergency cesarean delivery was performed 5 days later at 33 weeks and 3 days of gestation because of a gradual deterioration in liver function. Two days after the cesarean delivery, she lost consciousness in the evening (Glasgow coma scale [GCS] = 9) because of hepatic encephalopathy and was diagnosed as having fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Five days after the cesarean delivery, the patient (blood type B) underwent a successful left lobe with caudate lobe (S1+2+3+4) liver transplantation from her father (blood type AB), an ABO-incompatible donor. At 1 year follow-up, she and her baby are in good medical condition. The drastic deterioration in hepatic function, despite intensive plasmapheresis and continuous hemodiafiltration, during the early postpartum period suggested a possible causative association between the termination of pregnancy and progression of FHF from acute hepatitis of unknown etiology.

Trophinin in cell adhesion and signal transduction.

The process of human embryo implantation is mediated not only by evolutionarily conserved mechanisms but by activities unique to humans. Among the latter, evidence suggests that the cell adhesion molecule trophinin plays a unique role in human embryo implantation. Here, we describe characteristics of trophinin protein and of the trophinin-associated proteins bystin and tastin. We then describe trophinin-mediated signal transduction in trophectoderm cells during human embryo implantation and events related to human sperm tail motility. We also report dual roles for trophinin in human cancers in terms of promoting malignancy in some tumor types and suppressing it in others.

Reduction in maternal complement levels during delivery by cesarean section.

AIM: Primary elective cesarean sections are being carried out in considerable numbers in both developed and developing countries; however, little information is available concerning differences in maternal physiological responses associated with the mode of delivery. The aim of the present study was to compare the changes in the maternal complement and contact systems between delivery by cesarean section and vaginal delivery at term. METHODS: Maternal levels of complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4) and coagulation factor XII (FXII) were measured during primary elective cesarean (n=70) and vaginal (n=140) deliveries. RESULTS: The C3, C4 and FXII levels decreased significantly during delivery by cesarean section and remained low for two hours. By contrast, C3 levels, but not C4 levels, increased temporally during normal term delivery and FXII levels decreased two hours later. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in maternal C3, C4 and FXII levels during cesarean section were very different from those during delivery at term, suggesting that the maternal complement and contact systems respond differently.