Effect of benzylic oxygen on the cytotoxic activity for colon 26 cell line of phenolic lignans

The cytotoxic activity for colon 26 cell line of matairesinol, oxidized matairesinol, 9,9'-epoxylignan and oxidized 9,9'-epoxylignan were examined. (-)-Matairesinol (Mat 1) showed greatest cytotoxic activity (LC(50)=9 microg/ml) of the lactone-type lignans. 7,7'-Oxomatairesinol having same steric configuration as that of (-)-matairesinol showed greater activity (LC(50)=25 microg/ml) than hydroxy or mono-oxomatairesinol. The activities of 9,9'-epoxylignan and 7,7'-oxo-9,9'-epoxylignan having same steric configurations as (-)-matairesinol were weaker than that of corresponding matairesinols. Different activity levels were observed between enantiomers.     

Novel carbohydrate-binding activity of bovine liver beta-glucuronidase toward lactose/N-acetyllactosamine sequences

Beta-glucuronidase is a lysosomal enzyme that plays an essential role in normal turnover of glycosaminoglycans and remodeling of the extracellular matrix components in both physiological and inflammatory states. The regulation mechanisms of enzyme activity and protein targeting of beta-glucuronidase have implications for the development of a variety of therapeutics. In this study, the effectiveness of various carbohydrate-immobilized adsorbents for the isolation of bovine liver beta-glucuronidase (BLG) from other glycosidases was tested. Beta-glucuronidase and contaminating glycosidases in commercial BLG preparations bound to and were coeluted from adsorbents immobilized with the substrate or an inhibitor of beta-glucuronidase, whereas beta-glucuronidase was found to bind exclusively with lactamyl-Sepharose among the adsorbents tested and to be effectively separated from other enzymes. Binding and elution studies demonstrated that the interaction of beta-glucuronidase with lactamyl-Sepharose is pH dependent and carbohydrate specific. BLG was purified to homogeneity by lactamyl affinity chromatography and subsequent anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lactose was found to activate beta-glucuronidase noncompetitively, indicating that the lactose-binding site is different from the substrate-binding site. Binding studies with biotinyl glycoproteins, lipids, and synthetic sugar probes revealed that beta-glucuronidase binds to N-acetyllactosamine/lactose-containing glycoconjugates at neutral pH. The results indicated the presence of N-acetyllactosamine/lactose-binding activity in BLG and provided an effective purification method utilizing the novel carbohydrate binding activity. The biological significance of the carbohydrate-specific interaction of beta-glucuronidase, which is different from the substrate recognition, is discussed.     

Interleukin-21 triggers both cellular and humoral immune responses leading to therapeutic antitumor effects against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-21 (IL-21) plays important roles in the regulation of T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells. We hypothesized that the cytokine may provide a novel immunotherapy strategy for cancer by stimulating both Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In this context, antitumor immunity induced by IL-21 was examined in mice bearing subcutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). METHODS: A plasmid vector encoding murine IL-21 was injected intravenously into mice with pre-established HNSCC tumors, either alone or in combination with a vector construct expressing IL-15. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and NK killing activities were evaluated by chrome release assays, while HNSCC-specific antibody was examined by flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS: Significant antitumor effects were obtained by repeated transfection with either the IL-21 or the IL-15 gene. Co-administration of both cytokine genes resulted in increased suppression of tumor growth, significantly prolonging the survival periods of the animals. Thirty percent of the tumor-bearing mice that received the combination therapy survived for more than 300 days, completely rejecting rechallenge with the tumor at a distant site. IL-21 induced significant elevation of HNSCC-specific CTL activity, while IL-21 and IL-15 augmented NK activity in an additive manner. IL-21 gene transfer also promoted the production of tumor-specific IgG. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo transduction of the IL-21 gene elicits powerful antitumor immunity, including both humoral and cellular arms of the immune response, and results in significant suppression of pre-established HNSCC. Co-transfer of the IL-15 gene further improved the therapeutic outcome, mainly by augmenting NK tumoricidal activity. The biological effects of IL-21 may be in sharp contrast to those of conventional Th1 and Th2 cytokines, suggesting intriguing implications of this cytokine for the classical concept of Th1 vs. Th2 paradigm.     

Expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase but not prevention by its gene ablation of hepatocarcinogenesis with fibrosis caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats and mice.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and effects of iNOS gene ablation on the hepatocarcinogenesis associated with fibrosis caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet, were examined in male F344 rats and C57BL/6J wild-type and iNOS-/- mice. Western blot, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses revealed increased expression of iNOS protein and mRNA in the livers of rats and wild-type mice fed a CDAA diet for 12-80 weeks, associated with elevated serum NO(x) and liver nitrotyrosine levels. iNOS-/- mice demonstrated greater liver injury and fibrosis in the early stage than their wild-type counterparts, but this did not significantly affect the incidence and multiplicity of altered foci, adenomas and hepatocellular carcinomas in spite of immunohistochemical iNOS expression in these lesions. Results suggested no major determinant roles of the expressed iNOS in the development of liver tumors caused by the CDAA diet.     

Disturbed secretion of mutant adiponectin associated with the metabolic syndrome

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein, consists of collagen-like fibrous and complement C1q-like globular domains, and circulates in human plasma in a multimeric form. The protein exhibits anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic activities. However, adiponectin plasma concentrations are low in obese subjects, and hypoadiponectinemia is associated with the metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. We have recently reported a missense mutation in the adiponectin gene, in which isoleucine at position 164 in the globular domain is substituted with threonine (I164T). Subjects with this mutation showed markedly low level of plasma adiponectin and clinical features of the metabolic syndrome. Here, we examined the molecular characteristics of the mutant protein associated with a genetic cause of hypoadiponectinemia. The current study revealed (1) the mutant protein showed an oligomerization state similar to the wild-type as determined by gel filtration chromatography and, (2) the mutant protein exhibited normal insulin-sensitizing activity, but (3) pulse-chase study showed abnormal secretion of the mutant protein from adipose tissues. Our results suggest that I164T mutation is associated with hypoadiponectinemia through disturbed secretion into plasma, which may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome.     

Role of adiponectin in preventing vascular stenosis. The missing link of adipo-vascular axis

Obesity is more linked to vascular disease, including atherosclerosis and restenotic change, after balloon angioplasty. The precise mechanism linking obesity and vascular disease is still unclear. Previously we have demonstrated that the plasma levels of adiponectin, an adipose-derived hormone, decreases in obese subjects, and that hypoadiponectinemia is associated to ischemic heart disease. In current the study, we investigated the in vivo role of adiponectin on the neointimal thickening after artery injury using adiponectin-deficient mice and adiponectin-producing adenovirus. Adiponectin-deficient mice showed severe neointimal thickening and increased proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in mechanically injured arteries. Adenovirus-mediated supplement of adiponectin attenuated neointimal proliferation. In cultured smooth muscle cells, adiponectin attenuated DNA synthesis induced by growth factors including platelet-derived growth factor, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, and EGF and cell proliferation and migration induced by HB-EGF. In cultured endothelial cells, adiponectin attenuated HB-EGF expression stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha. The current study suggests an adipo-vascular axis, a direct link between fat and artery. A therapeutic strategy to increase plasma adiponectin should be useful in preventing vascular restenosis after angioplasty.     

Water-soluble constituents of caraway: aromatic compound,aromatic compound glucoside and glucides

From the water-soluble portion of the methanolic extract of caraway (fruit of Carum carvi L.), an aromatic compound, an aromatic compound glucoside and a glucide were isolated together with 16 known compounds. Their structures were clarified as 2-methoxy-2-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol, junipediol A 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and L-fucitol, respectively.     

Hyaluronan synthesis by anaplastic large cell lymphoma with massive lymphomatous effusion. A case report

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronan (HA) synthesis is frequently observed in malignant mesothelioma cells, whereas it is rarely found in lymphoma cells. Previous studies have reported that a high HA concentration in the serum was related to poor prognosis in lymphomas, although the mechanism was not elucidated. We recently encountered a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma with an HA-rich, massive, lymphomatous effusion. Several studies were performed to clarify the character of this unusual lymphoma and to observe whether the lymphoma cells synthesized HA. CASE: A 59-year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain. Radiologic studies revealed a pleural effusion and paraaortic lymph node swelling. A biopsied specimen was compatible with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Detailed cytologic observations revealed that the lymphoma cells in the pleural effusion had alcian blue-positive, productive material in the prominent Golgi area and microvillous structures on the surface. Further studies found that most of the lymphoma cells had HA-binding protein and expressed CD44 antigen, a receptor for HA. In addition, the HA concentration in the supernatant of the primary culture cells was extremely high and increased time dependently. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the lymphoma cells synthesized and released HA. Interactions of the released HA and CD44 on the surface might play an important role in the peculiar serosal growth of lymphoma cells.