Myometrial relaxation of mice via expression of two pore domain acid sensitive K⁺ (TASK-2) channels

Myometrial relaxation of mouse via expression of two-pore domain acid sensitive (TASK) channels was studied. In our previous report, we suggested that two-pore domain acid-sensing K⁺ channels (TASK-2) might be one of the candidates for the regulation of uterine circular smooth muscles in mice. In this study, we tried to show the mechanisms of relaxation via TASK-2 channels in marine myometrium. Isometric contraction measurements and patch clamp technique were used to verify TASK conductance in murine myometrium. Western blot and immunehistochemical study under confocal microscopy were used to investigate molecular identity of TASK channel. In this study, we showed that TEA and 4-AP insensitive non-inactivating outward K⁺ current (NIOK) may be responsible for the quiescence of murine pregnant longitudinal myometrium. The characteristics of NIOK coincided with two-pore domain acid-sensing K⁺ channels (TASK-2). NIOK in the presence of K⁺ channel blockers was inhibited further by TASK inhibitors such as quinidine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, and extracellular acidosis. Furthermore, oxytocin and estrogen inhibited NIOK in pregnant myometrium. When compared to non-pregnant myometrium, pregnant myometrium showed stronger inhibition of NIOK by quinidine and increased immunohistochemical expression of TASK-2. Finally, TASK-2 inhibitors induced strong myometrial contraction even in the presence of L-methionine, a known inhibitor of stretch-activated channels in the longitudinal myometrium of mouse. Activation of TASK-2 channels seems to play an essential role for relaxing uterus during pregnancy and it might be one of the alternatives for preventing preterm delivery.

A Case of Congenital Laryngeal Atresia with Diaphragmatic Hernia / 대한주산의학회잡지

Congenital laryngeal atresia is a rare cause of airway obstruction that is almost always lethal within short period of time after birth unless diagnosed prenatally and emergency tracheostomy was performed. Other life-threatening anomalies such as tracheoesophageal fistula, gastrointestinal or urinary anomalies, and VATER syndrome are often associated with laryngeal atresia. Recently, we experienced a case of congenital laryngeal atresia with diaphragmatic hernia, ear and skull anomalies, not diagnosed prenatally, died of asphyxia due to intubation failure, and confirmed by autopsy. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) Concentration in the Serum of Patients with Ovarian Cysts for Differential Diagnosis of Endometrioma / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of serum concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) of patients with ovarian cysts for differential diagnosis of endometrioama. METHOD: From Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2004, preoperative serum MIF levels were assessed in 28 women with endometrioma, 32 with benign epithelial tumor, 23 with functional and simple cysts, 22 with benign mature cystic teratoma, and 25 women without ovarian tumor as control. MIF levels were determined using an ELISA (Quantikine Human MIF immunoassay, R&D Systems, Inc., USA). RESULTS: Mean MIF levels were higher in all groups with benign tumors than control (all p<0.01), but there was no significant difference between benign tumor groups (p=0.95). There was no significant correlation between MIF levels and tumor volume, body mass index (BMI) (p=0.635, 0.674 respectively) Serum MIF level had significant correlation with count of WBC and neutrophils (p=0.008, 0.024 respectively), but had no correlation with count of lymhocytes and monocytes (p=0.688, 0.294 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a marked increase in MIF concentrations in the peripheral blood of patients with endometrioma, but there was no significant difference with other benign tumors. Serum MIF level had significant correlation with count of WBC and neutrophils. These suggest serum MIF level has no usefulness for differential diagnosis of endometrioma from other benign ovarian cysts.

Cauda Equina Syndrome by Disc Prolapse after Caesarian Section Delivery / 대한주산의학회잡지

Cauda equina syndrome develops as rapidly progressive neurologic deficit of lower extremities and urogenital system often resulting in serious outcome such as complete irreversible paraparesis, therefore prompt diagnosis and decompression is mandatory. However, if it occurs after childbirth, it may be overlooked being regarded as symptoms related to pregnancy and delivery. We experienced a cauda equina syndrome by prolased disc in a 32-year-old woman just after Caesarian section who was managed with prompt decompressive surgery and achieved favorable result. Because of the importance of early detect and prompt decompression for cauda equina syndrome and possible occurrence at perinatal period, we report this case reviewing the literature especially concerning about changes of spine and disc during pregnancy and after delivery.

Functional and Phenotypic Characterization of Cord Blood-Derived Dendritic Cells / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

PURPOSE: Hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood are one of the useful resources for stem cell transplantation in the various adult and childhood diseases. Immunologic complications of transplantation, e.g., graft-vs-host disease, occur much less with transplantation of cord blood stem cells. Cord blood-derived dendritic cells (CB-DCs) are known to be different from adult peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells (PB-DCs) in immunologic characteristics. These phenomena might be related to the characteristics of hematopoietic cells in cord blood. Therefore, we analysed characteristics of dendritic cells, which are well-known immune-provoking cells, derived from cord blood precursors. METHODS: Dendritic cells were differentiated from plastic-adherent cord blood monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4. Immunophenotype was analysed by flow cytometry and expression of IDO (indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase), an enzyme expressed in immune-regulating or tolerogenic DCs, IL-12, IL-10 and IL-6 was measured by RT-PCR along in vitro differentiation. Changes in expression of cytokines and IDO after antibody engagement were also analysed. RESULTS: CB-DCs were very similar to PB-DCs in immunophenotype and expression of cytokines. But CB-DCs expressed IDO transcripts much earlier than PB-DCs during differentiation from precursors. Engagement of CB-DCs with DU-1 mAb induced upregulation of IDO and downregulation of IL-6. CONCLUSION: Although immunophenotype and cytokine expression pattern of CB-DCs were quite similar to those of PB-DCs, CB-DCs expressed IDO earlier than PB-DCs. This might be related to the phenomena that CB-DCs are less immunogenic or, sometimes, tolerance-inducing.

Angiotensinogen, Thermolabile Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase and Factor V Gene Variants among Korean Women with Preeclampsia, as Risk Factors / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To know the genotypic distributions of Angiotensinogen, Thermolabile Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) and Factor V Gene Variants, suggested as risk factors of preeclampsia, among Korean Women. METHODS: 113 preeclampsia patients and 70 normotensive pregnancy controls were evaluated. DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes, then PCR and restriction by appropriate enzymes were done to identify the single nucleotide polymorphism. The genotypic distributions of preeclampsia and the control group were compared. RESULTS: Nineteen of 113 women with preeclampsia (17%) and 14 of 72 with nulliparous preeclampsia (19%) were heterozygous for the angiotensinogen T704C mutation, and 94 of 113 women with preeclampsia (83%) and 58 of 72 women with nulliparous preeclampsia (81%) were homozygous. While 7/70 (10%) were heterozygous, and 59/70 (84%) were homozygous for the T704C mutation among the control subjects. The frequency of the MTHFR T677 allele was 36% in the preeclamptic group and 38% in the control group, and TT homozygosity was found in 26 preeclamptic women (23%) and in 13 controls (19%). No women were homozygous or heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation. CONCLUSION: Angiotensinogen T704C mutation is associated with preeclampsia in the Korean population. There was no association between the thermolabile variant of MTHFR and risk of preeclampsia in our study population. We observed no factor V Leiden mutation. We also suggested that a person with angiotensinogen T704C mutation plus MTHFR C677T variant does not have more of an increased risk for preeclampsia than with angiotensinogen T704C mutation only.