The synergistic effects of interleukin 2 and interleukin 7 on the proliferation and autologous tumor cell lysis of tumor-associated lymphocytes

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) has an ability to stimulate the proliferation of pre-B cells. It has been shown that IL-7 can also activate T lymphocytes. We here demonstrate that IL-7 in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2) can drive cell proliferation and enhance the autologous tumor cell lysis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and autologous mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture (MLTC)-derived effector cells (MLTC cells). These synergistic effects of IL-2 and IL-7 on the proliferation and the augmentation of autologous tumor cell lysis were found for both effector cells. These effects were inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to IL-2 or IL-7, and by a combination of both antibodies, significantly. In terms of phenotypical expression, CD3 positive cells comprised the vast majority of MLTC cells after culture in medium containing IL-2 and IL-7 with an increase of IL-2 receptor positive cells.Abbreviations CD cluster differentiation - IFN interferon - IL interleukin - JRU Japanese Reference Unit - LAK lymphokine activated killer - mAb monoclonal antibody - MLTC mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture - PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells - TILs tumor infiltrating lymphocytes     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its receptor in the corpus luteum of pregnant cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha receptors in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) during the gestation period. TNF-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha receptors were determined on bovine CL from pregnant cows at three stages: trimester I (fetal crown-rump length; 6-20 cm), trimester II (25-45 cm) and trimester III (50-80 cm). TNF-alpha mRNA was detected by an RT-PCR analysis in the CL of all stages of gestation. A Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of a high-affinity binding site (Kd; 5.1-6.9 nM) in the CL membranes collected at each stage of gestation. Furthermore, the concentrations of TNF-alpha receptors in the CL of trimesters I (24. 0 +/- 1.95 pmol/mg protein) and III (21.6 +/- 2.39 pmol/mg protein) of gestation were significantly higher than the concentration in trimester II (14.9 +/- 2.07 pmol/mg protein) (P < 0.05). These results indicate that TNF-alpha is locally produced and that TNF-alpha receptors are present in bovine CL during the gestation period, and suggest that TNF-alpha plays one or more roles as a paracrine factor in regulating bovine CL function during the entire gestation period.     

Changes in expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1, type-2 and glucocorticoid receptor mRNAs in porcine corpus luteum during the estrous cycle

The objective of the present study was to determine whether glucocorticoid (GC) and its receptor (GC-R) are expressed in the porcine corpus luteum (CL), and whether GC influences porcine luteal hormone production. The gene expressions of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11-HSD1), type 2 (11-HSD2), GC-R, and the concentrations of GC were determined in the CL of Chinese Meishan pigs during the estrous cycle. Moreover, the effects of GC on progesterone (P(4)), estradiol-17beta (E(2)), and prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha secretion by cultured luteal cells were investigated. Messenger RNAs of the 11-HSD1, 11-HSD2, and GC-R were clearly expressed in the CL throughout the estrous cycle. The 11-HSD1 mRNA level in the CL was higher at the regressed stage than at the other stages (P < 0.05), whereas 11-HSD2 mRNA was lower at the regressed stage than at the other stages (P < 0.05). GC-R mRNA level was higher at the regressed stages than at the other stages (P < 0.01). Concentrations of GC were lower in the regressed CL than in the other stages (P < 0.01). When the cultured luteal cells obtained from mid-stage CL (Days 8-11) were exposed to GC (50-5,000 ng/ml), P(4) and PGF2alpha secretion by the cells were reduced (P < 0.05), whereas GC had no effect on E(2) secretion by the cells. The overall results suggest that GC is regulated locally by 11-HSD1 and 11-HSD2 in the porcine CL. GC inhibits P(4) and PGF2alpha production from luteal cells via their specific receptors, implying GC plays some roles in regulating porcine CL function throughout the estrous cycle.     

Cortisol is a suppressor of apoptosis in bovine corpus luteum

Glucocorticoid (GC) acts as a modulator of physiological functions in several organs. In the present study, we examined whether GC suppresses luteolysis in bovine corpus luteum (CL). Cortisol (an active GC) reduced the mRNA expression of caspase 8 (CASP8) and caspase 3 (CASP3) and reduced the enzymatic activity of CASP3 and cell death induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon gamma (IFNG) in cultured bovine luteal cells. mRNAs and proteins of GC receptor (NR3C1), 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1), and HSD11B2 were expressed in CL throughout the estrous cycle. Moreover, the protein expression and the enzymatic activity of HSD11B1 were high at the early and the midluteal stages compared to the regressed luteal stage. These results suggest that cortisol suppresses TNF-IFNG-induced apoptosis in vitro by reducing apoptosis signals via CASP8 and CASP3 in bovine CL and that the local increase in cortisol production resulting from increased HSD11B1 at the early and midluteal stages helps to maintain CL function by suppressing apoptosis of luteal cells.     

Establishment and proteomic characterization of a novel cell line,NCC-UPS2-C1, derived from a patient with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is an aggressive mesenchymal malignancy requiring novel therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcome. Patient-derived cancer cell lines are an essential tool for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and development; however, there is a lack of patient-derived cell lines of UPS available for research. The objective of this study was to develop a patient-derived cell model of UPS. A cell line designated NCC-UPS2-C1 was established from the primary tumor tissue of an 84-yr-old female patient with UPS. The short tandem repeat pattern of NCC-UPS2-C1 cells was identical to that of the original tumor and distinct from that of any other cell lines deposited in public cell banks. NCC-UPS2-C1 cells were maintained as a monolayer culture for over 80 passages during 30 mo and exhibited spindle-like morphology, continuous growth, and ability for spheroid formation and invasion. Proteomic profiling using mass spectrometry and functional treemap analysis revealed that the original tumor and the derived NCC-UPS2-C1 cells had similar but distinct protein expression patterns. Our results indicate that a novel UPS cell line was successfully established and could be used to study UPS development and effects of anti-cancer drugs. However, the revealed difference between proteomes of the original tumor and NCC-UPS2-C1 cells should be further investigated to determine the appropriate applications of this cell line in UPS research.     

Olfactory Evoked Potential Produced by Electrical Stimulation of the Human Olfactory Mucosa

Most physiological studies of the human olfactory system haveconcentrated on the cortical level; the olfactory bulbar levelhas been studied rarely. We attempted to stimulate the humanolfactory mucosa by electrical pulse to detect the bulbar potentials.Electrical stimulation (2 mA, 0.5 ms) of the human olfactorymucosa evoked a change in potential recorded from the frontalsector of the head. A negative peak of the evoked potentialthat occurred at 19.4 ms (grand means, n = 5) after stimulationwas the clearest. The highest amplitude of the potential wasrecorded from the frontal sector of the head on the stimulatedside. Our findings were similar to the experimental resultsobtained from the olfactory bulbs of animals. This evoked potentialwas considered to be the human olfactory bulbar potential. Whenthe subjects were stimulated by applying electricity to theolfactory mucosa, no sensation of smell occurred even thoughevoked potentials were recorded. Evoked potentials were recordedonly when the stimulating electrode was located in the olfactorycleft. When the stimulating electrode was outside the olfactorycleft, the stimulation caused pain. The trigeminal nerve seemedto be stimulated by electricity. Olfactory evoked potentialsproduced by the electrical stimulation of the human olfactorymucosa should aid the research on human olfactory physiology,and may be applicable to clinical tests of olfactory dysfunction.Chem. Senses 22: 77–81, 1997.     

Histochemical features of the mucus of the surface epithelium of the rabbit oviduct]

Some cytochemical observations were made on the secretion of the mucocytes in the surface epithelium of the different regions of the rabbit oviduct in anoestrous. It was concluded that the mucocytes of the oviduct contained mucin which was neutral or acid in nature. The three regions of the rabbit oviduct contained carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharide, but sialomucin was found in the infundibulum and sulphomucin was demonstrated in the isthmus and ampulla.     

Current status of insecticide resistance in the small brown planthopper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laodelphax striatellus</Emphasis>, in Japan,Taiwan, and Vietnam

The small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus, is one of the most serious pest insects of rice plants. A large migration of the insects from overseas was reported in western parts of Japan in June 2008. Insecticide resistance to imidacloprid, fipronil and BPMC was compared among local populations in these western regions after migration. The insecticides were applied to the insects using a topical application method. In some populations, the resistance status coincided with that of the immigrant insects just after migration, i.e., resistance to imidacloprid but susceptibility to fipronil. In other populations, resistance was observed not only against imidacloprid but also fipronil. It is likely that the status of the latter populations resulted from intercrossing between domestic populations of the insects and migrants. Insecticide resistance was also assessed in other areas of northern and eastern parts of Japan. In general, these populations showed relatively low resistance, although resistance to fipronil was high in the eastern part of Japan where the density of domestic populations has recently increased. Insecticide susceptibilities were also assessed in several sites in Taiwan and the northern parts of Vietnam. Although susceptibilities differed among these sites or countries, they have recently seen a decline for all three insecticides.