Weight and metabolic changes in early psychosis-association with daily quantification of medication exposure during the first hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: The most common causes of death in schizophrenia are cardiovascular disorders, which are closely related to metabolic syndrome/obesity. To better understand the development of metabolic alterations early in the course of illness, we quantified daily medication exposure in the first days of the first hospitalization for psychosis and related it to changes in weight and metabolic markers. STUDY DESIGN: We recruited participants with first episode psychosis (FEP, N = 173) during their first psychiatric hospitalization and compared them to controls (N = 204). We prospectively collected weight, body mass index, metabolic markers, and exact daily medication exposure at admission and during hospitalization. STUDY RESULTS: Individuals with FEP gained on average 0.97 ± 2.26 BMI points or 3.46 ± 7.81 kg of weight after an average of 44.6 days of their first inpatient treatment. Greater antipsychotic exposure was associated with greater BMI increase, but only in people with normal/low baseline BMI. Additional predictors of weight gain included type of medication and duration of treatment. Medication exposure was not directly related to metabolic markers, but higher BMI was associated with higher TGC, TSH, and lower HDL. Following inpatient treatment, participants with FEP had significantly higher BMI, TGC, prolactin, and lower fT4, HDL than controls. CONCLUSION: During their first admission, people with FEP, especially those with normal/low baseline BMI, showed a rapid and clinically significant weight increase, which was associated with exposure to antipsychotics, and with metabolic changes consistent with metabolic syndrome. These findings emphasize weight monitoring in FEP and suggest a greater need for caution when prescribing metabolically problematic antipsychotics to people with lower BMI.

The inhibition of autophagy potentiates anti-angiogenic effects of sulforaphane by inducing apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Sulforaphane (SUL), a kind of isothiocyanate, has recently been focused due to its strong pro-apoptotic effect on cancer cells as well as tumor vascular endothelial cells (ECs). And recently, we demonstrated the induction of autophagy by colon cancer cells as a protective mechanism against SUL. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the possible role of autophagy induction by ECs as a defense mechanism against SUL. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as the in vitro model of angiogenic ECs. The induction of autophagy was evaluated by the detection of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) by flow-cytometry, after the staining with acridine orange, as well as the detection of light chain 3(LC3) by Western blot. Finally, the functional implication of autophagy inhibition and SUL treatment in ECs was investigated by their ability to form vascular-like structures on Matrigel. RESULTS: Treatment of HUVECs with relatively low concentrations of SUL for 16 h resulted in the evident formation of AVOs and the recruitment of LC3 to autophagosomes, the pathognomonic features of autophagy. Co-treatment of cells with the specific autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) potentiated the proapoptotic effect of SUL. And inhibition of autophagy potentiated the inhibitory effect of SUL on the ability of ECs to form capillary-like structures. CONCLUSION: Similar to cancer cells, ECs induced autophagy in response to the pro-apoptotic agent, SUL, and the inhibition of autophagy potentiated the pro-apoptotic effect. These findings open premises for the use of autophagy inhibitors in combination with anti-angiogenic agents.

Inhibition of autophagy potentiates sulforaphane-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Sulforaphane (SUL), an isothiocyanate naturally present in widely consumed vegetables, particularly broccoli, has recently attracted attention due to its inhibitory effects on tumor cell growth by inducing apoptosis. We investigated the ability of SUL to induce autophagy in human colon cancer cells and whether inhibition of autophagy could potentiate the proapoptotic effect of SUL. METHODS: The proliferation of cells treated with SUL was assessed by MTS assay and colony-forming assay. Apoptosis and caspases activity were investigated by flow cytometry. The formation of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) was detected in acridine-orange-stained cells by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used for the detection of light chain 3 (LC3). Localizations of LC3 and cytochrome c were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: The proapoptotic effect was observed by treatment of cells with relatively high concentrations of SUL for long periods of time. After 16 h of treatment, evident formation of AVOs and recruitment of LC3 to autophagosomes, features of autophagy, were observed. Treatment of cells with a specific autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) potentiated the proapoptotic effect of SUL, which was dependent on the activation of caspases and the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrate induction of autophagy in colon cancer cells as a protective reaction against the proapoptotic effect of SUL, and consequently, the potentiation of the proapoptotic effect by autophagy inhibition. These findings provide a premise for use of autophagy inhibitors in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of colorectal cancer.

Chloroquine potentiates the anti-cancer effect of 5-fluorouracil on colon cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Chloroquine (CQ), the worldwide used anti-malarial drug, has recently being focused as a potential anti-cancer agent as well as a chemosensitizer when used in combination with anti-cancer drugs. It has been shown to inhibit cell growth and/or to induce cell death in various types of cancer. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the chemotherapeutic agent of first choice in colorectal cancer, but in most cases, resistance to 5-FU develops through various mechanisms. Here, we focused on the combination of CQ as a mechanism to potentiate the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on human colon cancer cells. METHODS: HT-29 cells were treated with CQ and/or 5-FU, and their proliferative ability, apoptosis and autophagy induction effects, and the affection of the cell cycle were evaluated. The proliferative ability of HT-29 was analyzed by the MTS assay. Apoptosis was quantified by flow-cytometry after double-staining of the cells with AnnexinV/PI. The cell cycle was evaluated by flow-cytometry after staining of cells with PI. Autophagy was quantified by flow-cytometry and Western blot analysis. Finally, to evaluate the fate of the cells treated with CQ and/or 5-FU, the colony formation assay was performed. RESULTS: 5-FU inhibited the proliferative activity of HT-29 cells, which was mostly dependent on the arrest of the cells to the G0/G1-phase but also partially on apoptosis induction, and the effect was potentiated by CQ pre-treatment. The potentiation of the inhibitory effect of 5-FU by CQ was dependent on the increase of p21Cip1 and p27Kip1 and the decrease of CDK2. Since CQ is reported to inhibit autophagy, the catabolic process necessary for cell survival under conditions of cell starvation or stress, which is induced by cancer cells as a protective mechanism against chemotherapeutic agents, we also analyzed the induction of autophagy in HT-29. HT-29 induced autophagy in response to 5-FU, and CQ inhibited this induction, a possible mechanism of the potentiation of the anti-cancer effect of 5-FU. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the combination therapy with CQ should be a novel therapeutic modality to improve efficacy of 5-FU-based chemotherapy, possibly by inhibiting autophagy-dependent resistance to chemotherapy.

Isoprenoid geranylgeranylacetone inhibits human colon cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), an isoprenoid compound, is a widely used antiulcer drug developed in Japan. GGA is structurally similar to plaunotol and geranylgeraniol, another isoprenoid reported to exert strong anticancer effects. In an earlier study, GGA was shown to inhibit ovarian cancer invasion by attenuating not only Rho activation, but also Ras-MAPK activation. In this study, we aimed to test whether GGA could have a therapeutic effect on colon cancer cells. As a result, we found that GGA induced a dose-dependent decrease in the proliferative activity through induction of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. The induction of apoptosis was mediated by the activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-9 pathways. The induction of G1 arrest was mediated by the increase of p21 and p27, and also the decrease of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein levels. This study showed the potential anticancer activity of GGA. As this drug is already available in Japan for clinical use as an antiulcer/antigastritis agent, clinical trials will be designed to confirm its potential usefulness for cancer patients.

Antiangiogenic effect of a selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist.

BACKGROUND: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is reported to regulate cell growth in a wide variety of cell types in different carcinomas. 5-HT exerts complex actions on blood vessels, dependent on its interactions with a multiplicity of 5-HT receptors. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential antiangiogenic effect of mosapride citrate, a selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist, known to have prokinetic properties on the gastrointestinal tract. For this purpose, cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as an in vitro model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effect of mosapride citrate on the proliferative activity of HUVECs was assessed by the MTS assay. Then, the apoptosis and the cell cycle detection assays were performed. The effect of mosapride citrate on the ability of HUVECs to adhere and migrate on extracellular matrix proteins (ECMs), as well as their ability to form vascular-like structures on Matrigel was investigated. RESULTS: Mosapride citrate inhibited the proliferative activity of HUVECs, dependent on cell cycle arrest, and not on apoptosis. A dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle in mosapride-treated HUVECs was observed. Mosapride citrate also significantly inhibited the ability of HUVECs to migrate, but not to adhere on ECMs. Additionally, mosapride citrate dose-dependently inhibited the tube-like formation ability of HUVECs on matrigel, an important event in the process of angiogenesis. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrate the antiangiogenic activity of mosapride citrate in vitro and the possibility of its application as a new anti-cancer agent is suggested.

Id1/Id3 knockdown inhibits metastatic potential of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Id (inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation) proteins belong to the helix-loop-helix transcriptional regulatory factors, and play important roles in tumor development. Previously, we and others have shown that targeting Id in tumor cells could have important clinical implications. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Id inhibition in human pancreatic cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Id1 and Id3 were stably double-knockdown in human pancreatic cancer cell line MIA-Paca2 by means of RNA interference. Expression of Id and integrins were analyzed by flow-cytometry. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTS assay. Migration was measured by wound closure assay. Adhesion assay was performed to evaluate binding capacity for different extracellular matrix proteins. Finally, in vivo properties of tumor cells were observed in a mouse model of peritoneal metastasis. RESULTS: Id1/Id3 double-knockdown resulted in decreased ability of pancreatic cancer cells to proliferate and migrate. In addition, Id1/Id3 double-knockdown caused decreased expression of integrins alpha3, alpha6, and beta1, and consequently reduced adhesion of tumor cells to laminin. Finally, peritoneal metastases of Id1/Id3 double-knockdown tumor cells were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the Id proteins play a pivotal role in the development of peritoneal metastasis of pancreatic cancer, and consequently, their targeting would be a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Sulforaphane stimulates activation of proapoptotic protein bax leading to apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells.

Sulforaphane (SUL) is an isothiocyanate naturally present in widely consumed vegetables, particularly in broccoli. SUL has recently been focused as a result of its inhibitory effects on tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We used endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as an in vitro model to investigate the effect of SUL on the various steps of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from blood of normal human volunteers were plated on fibronectin-coated 100 mm dishes and incubated for 7 days. The viability of EPCs, treated with SUL at different doses, was assessed by MTS assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. To determine the relative contributions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 pathways to SUL-induced apoptosis, the effect of caspase inhibitors was determined. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2) was investigated by Western blot test. Finally, the effect of SUL on the ability of EPCs to form vascular-like structures on Matrigel was investigated. We clearly demonstrated that SUL induced the dose-dependent inhibition of EPCs' viability by induction of apoptosis. All caspases (caspase-3, -8, and -9) were activated during apoptosis induction by SUL, but the effect of caspase-9 was more prominent than that of caspase-8. Also, the expression of Bax was upregulated by SUL treatment. In addition to apoptosis induction, SUL dose-dependently inhibited the tube-like formation by EPCs on Matrigel. The present results demonstrate the antivasculogenic/antiangiogenic activity of SUL in vitro and open premise for the use of SUL as a multipotent anticancer agent that targets both cancer cells and the angiogenic endothelium.

Plaunotol and geranylgeraniol induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Plaunotol, a kind of isoprenoid extracted from a Thai medical plant, plau-noi, is structurally similar to geranylgeraniol (GGOH), another isoprenoid reported to exert strong anticancer effects. Recently, we have reported on its inhibitory effects on tumor angiogenesis and direct effects on gastric cancer cells. Here, we aimed to test whether plaunotol could have some therapeutic effect on colon cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human colon cancer cell line DLD1 was used. Tumor cells were cultured in the presence of plaunotol or GGOH, and their proliferation was measured by MTS assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V and propidium iodide double-staining or terminal-deoxynucleotidyl assay. The activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 was analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis for PRRP cleavage. RESULTS: Plaunotol and GGOH strongly inhibited the proliferative activity of DLD1, dependent on induction of apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis by either plaunotol or GGOH was dependent on the activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-9 pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Plaunotol would be a potential anticancer agent against colon cancer, and since it is already available in Japan and Thailand for clinical use as an anti-ulcer/antigastritis agent, clinical trials will be designed to confirm the present findings.

Anti-angiogenic property of zoledronic acid by inhibition of endothelial progenitor cell differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Zoledronic acid (ZOL) is clinically available for the treatment of skeletal complications. In preclinical studies, strong anti-cancer activities against breast cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia were reported. It also inhibited the proliferation of cultured human endothelial cells, suggestive of an anti-angiogenic activity. Since ZOL has the tendency to accumulate in bone, we investigated the effect of ZOL on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which originate from the bone marrow, and play important roles in angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 7 d to differentiate into EPCs. Cells were treated without/with ZOL or with geranylgeraniol (GGOH). Their endothelial phenotype was confirmed by the expression of CD144 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and the tube-like formation ability on Matrigel (Becton Dickinson, Bedford, MA). Annexin V/propidium iodide staining was used to analyze apoptosis. RESULTS: ZOL treatment, even at low doses, from d 2 to 7 of culture resulted in impaired EPC differentiation and could be restored by co-treatment with GGOH. On the other hand, treatment of putative EPCs with ZOL at concentrations higher than 10 mum resulted in induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: ZOL dose-dependently inhibited the differentiation of EPCs, the effect being observed even at low drug levels. At high concentrations, ZOL also induced the apoptotic death of putative EPCs. Since GGOH restored the inhibitory effect of ZOL on EPCs differentiation, the effect of ZOL appears to be dependent on the inhibition of prenylation of small-G-proteins. From these findings, we conclude that ZOL could be a potential anticancer agent by inhibiting angiogenesis.

Epigallocatechin gallate affects human dendritic cell differentiation and maturation.

BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea catechin with the strongest biological activity, has been focused in recent years because of its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells, capable of priming naive T cells, and play the key roles in the activation of T-cell-mediated immune responses. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of EGCG on human monocyte-derived DCs (MODCs) and, consequently, on the T-cell-mediated immune response. METHODS: The induction of apoptosis, and the detailed phenotypic and functional changes of MODCs, generated by culture of peripheral blood monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, induced by EGCG was investigated and compared with the effects of dexamethasone. RESULTS: Epigallocatechin gallate induced apoptosis and affected the phenotype of the developing DCs. The expressions of CD83, CD80, CD11c, and MHC class II, which are molecules essential for antigen presentation by DCs, were downregulated by EGCG. EGCG also suppressed the endocytotic ability of immature DCs, whereas dexamethasone-treated DCs had higher endocytotic ability than control DCs. Most importantly, mature DCs treated with EGCG inhibited stimulatory activity toward allogeneic T cells while secreting high amounts of IL-10. CONCLUSION: Epigallocatechin gallate induces immunosuppressive alterations on human MODCs, both by induction of apoptosis and suppression of cell surface molecules and antigen presentation.

Pilot study of anti-angiogenic vaccine using fixed whole endothelium in patients with progressive malignancy after failure of conventional therapy.

Vaccines targeting tumour angiogenesis were recently shown to inhibit tumour growth in animal models. However, there is still a lack of information about the clinical utility of anti-angiogenic vaccination. Therefore, here, we aimed to test the clinical effects of a vaccine using glutaraldehyde-fixed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Six patients with recurrent malignant brain tumours and three patients with metastatic colorectal cancer received intradermal injections of 5x10(7) HUVECs/dose (in total 230 vaccinations). ELISA and flow cytometry revealed immunoglobulin response against HUVECs' membrane antigens. ELISPOT and chromium-release cytotoxicity assay revealed a specific cellular immune response against HUVECs, which were lysed in an effectors:targets ratio-dependent manner. Gadolinium-contrasted MRI showed partial or complete tumour responses in three malignant brain tumour patients. Except for a DTH-like skin reaction at the injection site, no adverse effect of vaccination could be observed. Our results suggest that the endothelial vaccine can overcome peripheral tolerance of self-angiogenic antigens in clinical settings, and therefore should be useful for adjuvant immunotherapy of cancer.

Apoptosis induction by p38 MAPK inhibitor in human colon cancer cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPKs) function in a wide variety of signaling pathways. However, the role of p38s is cell type- and stimulus-dependent. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of p38 MAPK inhibitor on human colon cancer cells. METHODOLOGY: The effect of p38 MAPK inhibitor, FR167653, on DLD-1 and SW480 was investigated related to cell proliferation, apoptosis induction and caspase activity. Additionally, the effect of FR167653 on colon cancer cell migration, MMPs production and ability to adhere to extracellular matrix was investigated. RESULTS: Inhibitor of p38 MAPK dose-dependently suppressed the proliferative activity of both cell lines, and increased the induction of cell apoptosis. The caspase-3, 8, and 9 activities were accompanied in the pathway. Neither cell migration, MMPs production, nor the ability to adhere extracellular matrix were affected by FR167653. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibitor of p38 MAPK suppressed the proliferation of colon cancer cells by induction of cell apoptosis through the caspase activation. The present results suggest the pro-oncogenic role ofp38 in colon cancer, and its inhibition would be a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.

Effects of down-regulating the Id genes in human colorectal cancer cells on early steps of haematogenous metastasis.

Id genes (inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation) play important roles in tumour growth. We have previously described crucial roles of Id gene over-expression in endothelial cells for tumour angiogenesis. Here, we have evaluated direct effects of Id gene down-regulation on tumour cells, namely on cell proliferation, motility, and adhesion to lung microvasculature during haematogenous metastasis. For this purpose, Id genes were stably down-regulated by RNA interference in human colorectal cancer cells. These cells showed delayed proliferation, inhibited motility and decreased expression of integrin alpha6 and consequently reduced adhesion to lung microvasculature in mice. Static adhesion assays and laminar flow assays revealed decreased laminin binding capacity of these cells, and blocking experiments confirmed that it could be attributed to decreased expression of integrin alpha6. The present results indicate important roles of Id genes in tumour cells during early steps of haematogenous metastasis and suggest dual effects from their therapeutic inhibition.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) enhances the metastatic potential of human colon carcinoma DLD1 cells through LPA1.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid mediator with diverse effects on various cells. Here, we investigated the effects of LPA on human colon carcinoma DLD1 cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that DLD1 highly expressed LPA1/Edg-2 but showed only low expression of LPA2/Edg-4 and no expression of LPA3/Edg-7 at the mRNA level. Western blot analysis revealed that DLD1 cells highly expressed LPA1 at the protein level. Using the Boyden chamber assay, LPA markedly increased DLD1 cell migration at concentrations as low as 10 nM, with maximum stimulation at 100 nM (3.6-fold increase). Checkerboard analysis indicated that LPA stimulated both the chemotactic and chemokinetic migration of DLD1 cells. LPA induced a dose-dependent increase in the proliferation of DLD1 cells (3.2-fold increase at 20 microM). Furthermore, LPA stimulated DLD1 cell adhesion to collagen type I (2.0-fold increase at 10 microM) and also stimulated the secretion of both vascular endothelial growth factor (1.4-fold increase at 20 microM) and interleukin 8 (19-fold increase at 20 microM) by ELISA. In contrast, as for matrix metalloproteinase, LPA had no significant effect on pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 secretion and its activation, as measured by Western blot analysis. Thus, LPA, at concentrations that are present physiologically, enhanced DLD1 cell migration, proliferation, adhesion, and secretion of angiogenic factors, all of which are crucial for cancer metastasis. In comparison, other human colon carcinoma cells (HT29 and WiDR) exclusively expressed LPA2. LPA enhanced their proliferation and secretion of angiogenic factors, whereas LPA did not enhance migration or adhesion. Our results suggest that LPA acts as a potent stimulator of colon cancer progression, although the binding to LPA1 and LPA2 induces slightly different responses.

A novel method for isolation of endothelial cells and macrophages from murine tumors based on Ac-LDL uptake and CD16 expression.

Analysis of specific properties of tumor endothelium should be useful for development of novel antiangiogenic strategies. However, the isolation of pure endothelial cells from tumor tissues is still a fundamental problem. In this study, we have attempted to develop a reliable method for the isolation of endothelial cells from murine tumors. We found that the labeling with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-acetylated-low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL), commonly used for this purpose, can result in the contamination of isolated endothelium by macrophages due to the overlapping staining patterns of these two distinct cell types. Therefore, we chose the CD16, which is expressed on macrophages but not endothelial cells, to better distinguish them when labeled with Dil-Ac-LDL. By using this method, we obtained pure populations of endothelial cells and macrophages from murine colorectal cancer tissues, showing characteristic morphological and functional properties of the either cell type. The endothelial cells were long spindle-shaped, spread on gelatin, formed tube-like structures on Matrigel and expressed MECA-32 but not CD68. In contrast, the macrophages were round-shaped, partially spread on gelatin, formed unorganized aggregates on Matrigel and expressed CD68 but not MECA-32. The additional analysis of normal and tumor tissues revealed a positive correlation between the relative numbers of tumor endothelial cells and macrophages, calculated as % total cells, as well as the respective relative number and tumor weight. The present method is hoped to be useful for the evaluation of tumor angiogenesis and antitumor immunity.

Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is reported to be highly expressed in tumors and inflammatory tissues, but its expression and role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still unclear. In this study we examined the location and tissue density of cells immunoreactive for PD-ECGF in the colonic mucosa of IBD. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections of colonic tissue from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) were immunostained for PD-ECGF. As controls, noninflamed mucosa of IBD, as well as normal colonic mucosa from patients with colorectal cancer, were used. Also, cancer tissues were evaluated. In addition, changes in the expression of PD-ECGF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) after treatment with inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors, as well as after coculture with colon cancer cell lines, were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In normal colonic mucosa and noninflamed mucosa of IBD, PD-ECGF expression was negligible. In inflamed colonic mucosa, strong expression was observed, predominantly in macrophages and fibroblasts. Vascular endothelial cells of the inflamed colonic mucosa, but not of normal colonic mucosa or of neoplastic tissues, stained for PD-ECGF, and the microvessel density was significantly increased in the severely inflamed mucosa. Flow cytometry demonstrated that PD-ECGF was constitutively expressed in HUVEC. Inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increased its expression, whereas basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) decreased it. Coculture with colon cancer cell lines in direct contact, but not in those without contact, also resulted in an important decrease in the expression of PD-ECGF in HUVEC. CONCLUSIONS: Autocrine production of PD-ECGF by endothelial cells may be a mechanism of inflammatory angiogenesis, but not tumor angiogenesis, and may be particularly important for the maintenance of damaged vasculature in IBD.

Plasminogen deficiency attenuates postnatal erythropoiesis in male C57BL/6 mice through decreased activity of the LH-testosterone axis.

Novel roles for the serine protease plasmin have been implicated recently in physiological and pathological processes. However, whether plasmin is involved in erythropoiesis is not known. In the present study, we studied the consequences of plasminogen deficiency on erythropoiesis in plasminogen-deficient (Plg knockout [KO]) mice. Erythroid differentiation was attenuated in male Plg KO mice and resulted in erythroblastic accumulation within the spleen and bone marrow, with increased apoptosis in the former, erythrocytosis, and splenomegaly, whereas similar erythropoietic defect was less prominent in female Plg KO mice. In addition, erythrocyte lifespan was shorter in both male and female Plg KO mice. Erythropoietin levels were compensatory increased in both male and female Plg KO mice, and resulted in a higher frequency of burst-forming units-erythroid within the spleen and bone marrow. Surprisingly, we found that male Plg KO mice, but not their female counterparts, exhibited normochromic normocytic anemia. The observed sex-linked erythropoietic defect was attributed to decreased serum testosterone levels in Plg KO mice as a consequence of impaired secretion of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) under steady-state condition. Surgical castration causing testosterone deficiency and stimulating LH release attenuated erythroid differentiation and induced anemia in wild-type animals, but did not further decrease the hematocrit levels in Plg KO mice. In addition, complementation of LH using human choriogonadotropin, which increases testosterone production, improved the erythropoietic defect and anemia in Plg KO mice. The present results identify a novel role for plasmin in the hormonal regulation of postnatal erythropoiesis by the LH-testosterone axis.

Plaunotol induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Although some isoprenoids, such as taxans and geranylgeraniol (GGOH), have been reported to have strong anticancer activities, the effect of plaunotol, the isoprenoid extracted from the leaves of Plau-noi, on cancer has not yet been evaluated. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of plaunotol on gastric cancer cell lines. Three gastric cancer cell lines, namely MKN-45, MKN-74 and AZ-521 were used. Plaunotol was tested at 10, 20, 30 and 40 micromol/L. Plaunotol dose-dependently inhibited the growth of all gastric cancer cells, dependent on the induction of apoptosis. Caspases-8, -9 and -3, were found to be activated in the apoptotic cells. The expression of Bax protein was increased, but Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein expressions were not significantly affected. Plaunotol should be a promising new antitumor agent, and since it is already available for clinical use in Japan, its anticancer properties should be confirmed in clinical trials.