[Present status of peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Harada.
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Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a novel cytokine that was discovered from mouse embryoid bodies by means of expression cloning. It induces hypertrophy in cultured myocytes by activating a gp130 signaling pathway. To investigate the expression of the CT-1 gene in both normal adult and genetically hypertensive rats, we cloned rat CT-1 cDNA. The amino acid sequence is 94% identical to that of mouse CT-1. A significant amount of CT-1 mRNA was expressed in the ventricle of adult rats and also detected in the lung, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, stomach and urinary bladder. Northern blot analysis revealed that the CT-1 mRNA level is significantly augmented in the ventricle of 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats-stroke prone/Izm at a stage of established hypertension, suggesting a possible relevance of CT-1 to ventricular hypertrophy.
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A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a giant spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) causing heart failure and thoracic myelopathy. Angiography revealed that the spinal AVM had multiple feeding vessels branching from the 5th through 12th intercostal arteries. The drainage vein flowed to the azygos vein and superior vena cava. The AVM destroyed the 7th thoracic vertebra. The cardiac output was 16.7l/min and the shunt ratio was 64% before treatment. Embolization with cyanoacrylate was performed because the operation was considered to be associated with a significant risk of paraplegia and organ ischemia. The cardiac output decreased to 11.6l/min and the shunt ratio was reduced to 32%. After embolization the patient demonstrated no symptoms of either heart failure or sensory deficits. During embolization, provocative tests using sodium amytal and lidocaine with magnetic stimulation were also performed. The above findings suggest that provocative tests and magnetic stimulation are useful to predict paraplegia, which could result from embolization while, in addition, embolization is considered to be a useful treatment for multiple shunt and nidus in this region.
The contents of interleukin (IL)-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were measured in the brain (caudate nucleus, putamen, and cerebral cortex) from control and parkinsonian patients by highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentrations of IL-2 in the brain were in the order of pg/mg protein, and the values were significantly higher in the caudate and putamen from parkinsonian patients than those from control patients. However, the levels of IL-2 in the cerebral cortex showed no significant difference between parkinsonian and control patients. In contrast to IL-2, the bFGF levels in the brain were high and in the order of ng/mg protein, and there was no significant difference in the caudate and putamen between parkinsonian and control patients. Although both IL-2 and bFGF may play important roles in dopaminergic neurons as neurotrophic factors, IL-2 but not bFGF may relate to the compensatory response in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic regions in parkinsonian brain during progress of neurodegeneration.
The effect of a local injection with a streptococcal preparation OK432 on the antitumor vaccination with tumor cells was investigated. Natural killer (NK) cells, which were detected by anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), increased in the peritoneal exudate cells after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with syngeneic B16 melanoma cells. Furthermore, a concurrent i.p. injection with OK432 efficiently sustained the locally infiltrating NK cells. The OK432 treatment also sustained the augmented NK and lymphokine-activated killer activities in the peritoneal exudate cells. This treatment also increased the ability of the locally infiltrating NK cells to produce interferon gamma in response to the tumor cells. In addition, the concurrent i.p. injection with OK432 in combination with the tumor cells enhanced the capacity of the spleen cells to turn into anti-(B16 melanoma) cytotoxic T lymphocytes after in vitro restimulation. This augmenting effect of OK432 was dependent on NK cells. Moreover, the concurrent injection with OK432 at the time of anti-tumor vaccination significantly enhanced the protective immunity against B16 melanoma at the rechallenge. Taken together, these findings indicate that a concurrent local injection with OK432 in combination with tumor cells efficiently augments the antitumor vaccination effect, in part, by sustaining the locally infiltrating activated NK cells.
Peripheral blood stem and progenitor cells (PBSC and PBPC), which circulate at very low levels during steady-state hematopoiesis, show a transient but marked increase during hematologic recovery from marrow-suppressive chemotherapy. To ensure rapid and sustained hematologic engraftment after autologous PBSC transplantation, sufficient PBSC or PBPC must be infused. To confirm the utility of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in chemotherapy-induced PBSC mobilization, we investigated the effect of G-CSF on PBSC mobilization in leukemia and lymphoma patients. The study design was such that PBSC mobilization with and without G-CSF was assessed in the same patients. The results indicate that PBSC mobilization can be enhanced significantly when G-CSF is given during the recovery phase postchemotherapy. Interestingly, progenitor cells of different lineages could be mobilized by G-CSF. We subsequently investigated the effect of increasing G-CSF dose on PBSC mobilization during steady-state hematopoiesis in healthy adult donors. The results indicate that not only committed but also primitive progenitor cells are mobilized into the circulation in a dose-and time-dependent manner when G-CSF at 5, 10, or 15 micrograms/kg was given on each of 5 days and leukapheresis was performed on day 6. From our data we estimate that sufficient PBSC for engraftment after allogeneic PBSC transplantation can be collected on day 5 of administration of G-CSF at 10 micrograms/kg and by 10-1 leukapheresis on days 5 and 6. Furthermore, we found that some G-CSF-mobilized PBSC retained their self-renewal capability. These observations suggest that hematopoietic stem cells for allogeneic PBSC transplantation can be mobilized by short-term administration of relatively high-dose G-CSF.
We experienced a case of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency observed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). This case was diagnosed as West syndrome by characteristic convulsion and the periodic hypsarrhythmia pattern of EEG. At the age of 11 months, the first examination of 1H MRS revealed a high peak of lactate, and the high concentration of lactate and pyruvate was confirmed in sampled cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Deficiency of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was finally diagnosed by genetic examination. Dichloroacetate was administered to the patient as therapy. Decrease of lactate in the brain was found by 1H MRS. Lactate and pyruvate in the CSF was also decreased. In accordance with the suspension of dichloroacetate, increase of lactate in the brain was detected and the convulsions reappeared. After readministration of dichloroacetate, the patient was almost symptom free and lactate in the brain and CSF had decreased to the normal extent. We considered that 1H MRS provides useful information for screening metabolic disorders of infants and assessing the efficacy of therapy.
We describe a patient with allergic granulomatous angitis who developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). A 44-year-old male had been suffering from bronchial asthma. On admission, laboratory tests revealed the presence of severe eosinophilia (21,500/microliters), elevation of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), high lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and low haptoglobin levels, in addition to moderate reticulocytosis. During admission, the patient showed almost simultaneous occurrence of vasculitis in the extremities, severe hemolysis and exacerbation of asthma in relation to the progression of eosinophilia. Both IgM and IgG autoantibodies were considered to be responsible for hemolysis. Interestingly, serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 were increased in association with eosinophilia and increased IgE production. These findings suggest that the AIHA in this patient is mediated or enhanced at least partly by high IL-4 and IL-5 production. Although AIHA in this syndrome is very rare, it should be considered as a clinical manifestation.
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We previously identified a receptor for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSFR) on platelet membranes, and reported that G-CSF enhanced ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Here, we investigated the priming effect of G-CSF on the hemostatic system in healthy volunteers given G-CSF. Following the administration of rhG-CSF (10 micrograms/kg for 30 min div) to 10 healthy volunteers, we found a significant elevation in the maximum platelet aggregation rate induced by ADP or collagen, thromboxane B2 level and amount of thrombin-antithrombin III complex. The D-D dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 showed no significant changes. These observations indicate that G-CSF administration may induce hypercoagulability in susceptible subjects. Therefore, patients or donors at risk of thrombosis or hypercoagulable state should be followed carefully after G-CSF administration.
A case of crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma is presented. Unlike previous cases, this patient presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of Weber-Christian disease. Biopsy of subcutaneous nodules showed numerous deposits of crystal-storing histiocytes with lymphoplasmacytic cells, the latter exhibiting light chain restriction (lambda-chain) with a predominance of immunoglobulin (Ig)G heavy chain. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of CDR-II* region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus confirmed monoclonality of the lymphoplasmacytic cells in the nodule. Electron microscopy showed polygonal-shaped amorphous crystals, characteristic of immunoglobulin in the histiocytic cells. Crystal-storing histiocytosis should be examined by immunohistochemical and DNA analysis to confirm or exclude the possibility of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.
BACKGROUND/METHODS: The role of vacuolar type H(+)-ATPases (v-ATPases) and pH gradient between the endocytic compartments and cytoplasm in the endocytosis of asialoglycoproteins was morphologically investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes using bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of v-ATPases. RESULTS: Fluorescent staining by acridine orange showed that bafilomycin A2 inhibited the acidification of the endocytic compartments. Uptake of gold-conjugated asialofetuin was significantly inhibited by bafilomycin A1. However, bafilomycin A1 did not significantly inhibit uptake of a fluid phase marker, horseradish peroxidase. The number of autophagic vacuoles increased after the bafilomycin A1 treatment. However, materials in the autophagic vacuoles were rapidly degraded after the removal of bafilomycin A1. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that: (a) v-ATPases are necessary for acidification of the endocytic compartments; (b) the pH gradient between the endocytic compartments and the cytoplasm which is generated by v-ATPases is necessary for the receptor-mediated endocytosis of asialoglycoproteins, and (c) v-ATPases may contribute to the degradation of the materials in autophagic vacuoles.
We investigated the role of an increased amount of B cells in the tumor-bearing state. The proportion of B cells increased concomitantly with tumor development in the regional lymph nodes (LN) of BALB/c mice bearing Meth A fibrosarcoma (Meth A). Tumor development was accompanied by an increased level of IgG antibodies against Meth A. CD4+ T cells of the regional LN in the early tumor-bearing stage produced significant levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 in response to in vitro stimulation with coated anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, whereas such capacities decreased in the late tumor-bearing stage. In a tumor-neutralizing assay, the growth of Meth A was significantly suppressed by a co-inoculation with splenic B cells from BALB/c mice in the late tumor-bearing state. This suppression of Meth A growth was tumor-specific and was abolished by the in vivo depletion of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. These findings thus suggest that tumor development was accompanied by an increase of B cells and tumor-specific IgG production, but such kinetic changes were not the result of a preferential activation of Th2 type CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, our results indicate that the increase of B cells in the tumor-bearing state has the potential to induce anti-tumor-specific T cell immunity.
Using two- and three-color flow cytometry, we investigated the surface makers of regional lymph node lymphocytes (RLNL) in 54 patients with primary lung cancer in order to determine whether or not RLNL are in an activation state when compared with the corresponding peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) for the purpose of clarifying the characteristics of RLNL. RLNL showed a cell composition that was different from the corresponding PBL with a high proportion of CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells and CD20+ (B) cells as well as a low proportion of CD8+ cells and CD16+ (NK) cells. RLNL also contained a significantly higher proportion of CD45RO+ T cells and a lower proportion of CD45RA+ T cells in comparison to the corresponding PBL. Furthermore, we explored the activation-related molecules such as the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha chain, the IL-2R beta chain, HLA-DR and leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) on CD4+ and CD8+ cells. The data showed that the expression of CD45RO, the IL-2R alpha chain, HLA-DR on CD4+ cells, and those of CD45RO and HLA-DR on CD8+ cells were significantly higher in RLNL than in PBL. On the other hand, PBL showed a higher expression of the IL-2R beta chain and LFA-1 only on CD8+ cells, which are thought to include CD8+ NK cells. When these activation related molecules were analyzed on CD45RO+ T cells, which are thought to be memory T cells, then the expression of the IL-2R alpha chain, HLA-DR on CD4+CD45RO+ cells and HLA-DR on CD8+CD45RO+ cells were significantly higher in RLNL than in PBL. Lastly, we analyzed the surface molecules according to such clinical factors as metastasis to the lymph nodes and the stage of lung cancer. Interestingly, RLNL with lymph node metastasis showed an increase in the percentage of CD20+ cells and a decrease in the percentage of CD4+ cells in comparison to those with benign lung disease, while these differences were not observed in PBL. The expression of ++CD45RO and LFA-1 on CD4+ and LFA-1 on CD8+ cells on RLNL in stage I + II is significantly higher in comparison with benign lung disease. Furthermore, RLNL in stage III + IV revealed the reduced expression of CD45RO, HLA-DR and LFA-1 on both CD4+ and CD8+ cells compared with those in stage I + II. These results thus demonstrated that RLNL were in a more activated state, particularly in stages I + II, than PBL. Whether these activation states in RLNL are directed against autologous tumor cells or not can hopefully be elucidated after the completion of further ongoing studies.
Natural killer (NK) cells, which infiltrated the tumor site, were examined for their effects on the in vivo priming of tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. CD8+ T cells were responsible for the activity of B16 melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The in vivo depletion of NK cells with anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), prior to B16-immunization, significantly decreased the capacity of the spleen cells (s.c.) to generate B16-specific CTL after in vitro restimulation. However, the CD8+ T cells of the s.c. from NK cell-depleted and subsequently B16-immunized mice increased their potential to become B16-specific CTL compared with those from the B16-immunized mice. The tumor-infiltrating NK cells showed a low but significant degree of CTL activity against B16. In addition, the disrupted B16 melanoma cells demonstrated less of an ability to in vivo prime the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. These findings thus suggest the possibility that the quick disruption of tumor cells by tumor-infiltrating NK cells consequently interfered with the in vivo priming of the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. On the other hand, the CD4+ T cells of the s.c. from NK cell-depleted and subsequently B16-immunized mice showed less of a capacity to induce the tumor-specific CTL compared with those from B16-immunized mice. In addition, the delayed-type hypersensitivity response against B16 was significantly diminished by the in vivo depletion of NK cells prior to B16-immunization. These findings thus suggest that NK cells have a promoting effect on the in vivo priming of CD4+ T cells. Overall, however, our findings indicate that early-appearing tumor-infiltrating NK cells have an opposite effect on the in vivo priming of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells.
Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) occasionally suffer from symptoms of xerostomia and xerophthalmia, which are also features of Sjógren's syndrome (SS). To identify differences in the glandular involvement between cGVHD and SS, we measured the proportions of infiltrating lymphocyte subsets and the expression of HLA-DR antigen and cell adhesion molecules in labial salivary glands (LSG). In cGVHD, more than 90% of the infiltrating lymphocytes were T cells with a slight predominance of CD8+ over CD4+ cells. In SS, CD4+ cells were predominant, and B cells accounted for 10-30% of the infiltrating lymphocytes. Ductal epithelial cell associated with lymphocytic infiltration expressed HLA-DR antigen in both cGVHD and SS. In SS alone, HLA-DR antigen expression also occurred without associated lymphocytic infiltration. The expression of adhesion molecules on ductal epithelial cells, especially vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, was more intense in SS than in cGVHD, while that on endothelial cell was similar in cGVHD and SS. These data suggest that the pathogenesis of glandular involvement of cGVHD is different from that of SS.
Initial treatment with androgen (metenolone acetate) alone for 19 weeks had no effect in a 45-year-old Japanese female with refractory anemia (RA). The patient achieved trilineage hematologic recovery after addition of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) to the androgen therapy. Anemia progressed after the cessation of metanolone acetate, but was effectively treated by the readministration of metenolone acetate. Thus, the androgen therapy in combination with hematopoietic growth factors such as G-CSF and/or Epo may be effective in patients with RA.