T Cell Immunoglobulin Mucin Domain (TIM)-3 Promoter Activity in a Human Mast Cell Line

T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain (TIM)-3 is an immunomodulatory molecule and upregulated in T cells by several cytokines. TIM-3 also influences mast cell function but its transcriptional regulation in mast cells has not been clarified. Therefore, we examined the transcript level and the promoter activity of TIM-3 in mast cells. The TIM-3 transcript level was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and promoter activity by luciferase reporter assay. TIM-3 mRNA levels were increased in HMC-1, a human mast cell line by TGF-beta1 stimulation but not by stimulation with interferon (IFN)-alpha, IFN-lambda, TNF-alpha, or IL-10. TIM-3 promoter -349~+144 bp region relative to the transcription start site was crucial for the basal and TGF-beta1-induced TIM-3 promoter activities in HMC-1 cells. TIM-3 promoter activity was increased by overexpression of Smad2 and Smad4, downstream molecules of TGF-beta1 signaling. Our results localize TIM-3 promoter activity to the region spanning -349 to +144 bp in resting and TGF-beta1 stimulated mast cells.

Identification of CCL1 as a Gene Differentially Expressed in CD4+ T Cells Expressing TIM-3

BACKGROUND: T cell immunoglobulin mucin containing molecule (TIM)-3 is expressed in differentiated Th1 cells and is involved in the suppression of the cytokine production by these cells. However, the regulation of the expression of other T cell genes by TIM-3 is unclear. Herein, we attempted to identify differentially expressed genes in cells abundantly expressing TIM-3 compared to cells with low expression of TIM-3. METHODS: TIM-3 overexpressing cell clones were established by transfection of Jurkat T cells with TIM-3 expression vector. For screening of differentially expressed genes, gene fishing technology based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using an annealing control primer system was used. The selected candidate genes were validated by semi quantitative and real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The transcription of TIMP-1, IFITM1, PAR3 and CCL1 was different between TIM-3 overexpressing cells and control cells. However, only CCL1 transcription was significantly different in cells transiently transfected with TIM3 expression vector compared with control cells. CCL1 transcription was increased in primary human CD4+ T cells abundantly expressing TIM-3 but not in cells with low expression of TIM-3. CONCLUSION: CCL1 was identified as a differentially transcribed gene in TIM-3-expressing CD4+ T cells.

Improved Imaging of the Cervico-Thoracic Junction in Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: To reduce beam hardening artifacts caused by the shoulder joint, we explored new and unique methods to improve the quality of images, such as varying the injection site and changing the position of patients (swimmers position). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifth-four patients underwent neck CT examinations performed in routine and swimmers position and with a 64-slice MDCT scanner in spiral scanning. To examine the difference due to the injection sites of contrast material, subjects were divided into right- and left-side groups. For the evaluation of images, we carried out a subjective and objective assessment based on radiologists' ratings and noise measurement. RESULTS: Images of the lower neck in the swimmers position exhibited less hardening and streak artifacts. The subjective and objective evaluations showed that the swimmers position received higher rating by radiologists and had lower noise level than that of routine position. The swimmers position was the most effective for the diagnosis of the cervico-thoracic junction area. As for the injection site, we obtained better images by an injection of contrast material in the right arm than in the left. CONCLUSION: CT examination of the lower neck in the swimmers position may improve the quality of image and the effectiveness of diagnosis. The injection of a contrast material to the right side rather than the left side reduced foreign body artifacts.

A Case of Intramedullary Spinal Neurilemmoma

A rare case of intramedullary neurilemmoma of the spinal cord has been reported. A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital, on 4th July, 1982, because of weakness of legs and difficulty of urination. Neurological examination revealed motor weakness of the both lower extremities with muscle atrophy. Sensory examination showed hypesthesia below the level of L3 dermatome of the right side and of L4 dermatome of the left. All deep tendon reflexes of the lower extremities were abolishes and Lasehue's sign was not appeared. Manometric Queckenstedt's test showed a complete block, with CSF protein of 460 mg/dl. Pantopaque myelogram demonstrated a complete block at the midportion of L1 spine. Total removal of the intramedullary tumor which was located in the dorsal column of the thoracolumbar segment was performed. The tumor was 4.0x1.5x1.0 cm in size and it proved to be an Antoni-A type neurilemmoma histologically. Only 20 similar cases have been published so far and summarized on Table 1, including our case. The relevant literature was reviewed.

Varicose Vein Caused by Giant Hydronephrosis Associated with Horseshoe Kidney / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A case of horseshoe kidney associated with giant hydronephrosis and varicose vein was presented with a brief review of the literature. This case was discovered incidentally. The patient was managed by division of isthmus and right nephrectomy with good result.

A Case of Crossed Renal Ectopia / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A 71 years old housewife with epidermoid carcinoma of cervix was diagnosed as crossed renal ectopia (probably with fusion) incidentally by intravenous pyelography during baseline study of cervical carcinoma.