Experience-Dependent Behavioral Plasticity in Avoiding Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Requires DAF-16/FOXO in the AIY Interneurons of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Bitterness and astringency are the aversive tastes in mammals. In humans, aversion to bitterness and astringency may be reduced depending on the eating experience. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity in preference to bitter and astringent tastants remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the preference plasticity to bitter and astringent tea polyphenols, including catechins and tannic acids, in the model animal Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans showed avoidance behavior against epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), tannic acid, and theaflavin. However, they displayed diminishing avoidance against EGCG depending on their EGCG-feeding regime at larval stages. Additionally, the behavioral plasticity in avoiding EGCG required the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO. Isoform-specific deletion mutant analysis and cell-specific rescue analysis revealed that the function of daf-16 isoform b in AIY interneurons is necessary for experience-dependent behavioral plasticity to EGCG.

Clinical utility of urinary mulberry bodies/cells testing in the diagnosis of Fabry disease.

Introduction: Variants in the galactosidase alpha (GLA) gene cause Fabry disease (FD), an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A (α-GAL) deficiency. Recently, disease-modifying therapies have been developed, and simple diagnostic biomarkers for FD are required to initiate these therapies in the early stages of the disease. Detection of urinary mulberry bodies and cells (MBs/MCs) is beneficial for diagnosing FD. However, few studies have evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of urinary MBs/MCs in FD. Herein, we retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic ability of urinary MBs/MCs for FD. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 189 consecutive patients (125 males and 64 females) who underwent MBs/MCs testing. Out of these, two female patients had already been diagnosed with FD at the time of testing, and the remaining 187 patients were suspected of having FD and underwent both GLA gene sequencing and/or α-GalA enzymatic testing. Results: Genetic testing did not confirm the diagnosis in 50 females (26.5%); hence, they were excluded from the evaluation. Two patients were previously diagnosed with FD, and sixteen were newly diagnosed. Among these 18 patients, 15, including two who had already developed HCM at diagnosis, remained undiagnosed until targeted genetic screening of at-risk family members of patients with FD was performed. The accuracy of urinary MBs/MCs testing exhibited a sensitivity of 0.944, specificity of 1, positive predictive value of 1, and negative predictive value of 0.992. Conclusions: MBs/MCs testing is highly accurate in diagnosing FD and should be considered during the initial evaluation prior to genetic testing, particularly in female patients.

Avoidance behavior and experience-dependent tolerance in response to bitter compounds in Caenorhabditis elegans.

This study investigates the mechanisms governing experience-dependent tolerance of bitter compounds in Caenorhabditis elegans. The nematodes showed an aversion to nicotinamide, MgCl2, isoleucine, and arginine in a Gα-dependent manner. Worms furthermore displayed diminished avoidance of MgCl2 upon MgCl2-preconditioning at the larval stages. AIY interneurons have been suggested to be involved in experience-dependent behavioral plasticity.

Immature Platelet Fraction and Its Kinetics in Neonates.

Thrombocytopenia is a common abnormality encountered in the neonatal period, and immature platelet fraction (IPF) may be an informative indicator of thrombopoiesis; however, data on IPF in neonates are scarce. To define reference intervals (RIs) and factors affecting IPF in neonates, we measured the IPF of 533 consecutive neonates. With a multiple regression analysis of 330 newborns with normal platelet counts at birth, premature delivery, neonatal asphyxia, intrauterine infection, chromosomal abnormalities, and respiratory disorders were identified as independent factors for IPF%. The RIs of IPF% and absolute IPF value in neonates were determined to be 1.3% to 5.7% and 3.2 to 14.5×10 9 /L, respectively. On day 14 after birth, IPF% increased to twice the value at birth and thereafter returned to the previous value on day 28. Reticulocyte counts, in contrast, were the lowest at day 14. IPF% was increased in 16 thrombocytopenic patients with various clinical conditions, especially those with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. IPF in neonates may be evaluated essentially based on the same RIs as in adults, although some precautions must be taken when evaluating IPF in neonates in the first 2 weeks of life. IPF may be useful for evaluating thrombopoiesis and thrombocytopenia in neonates.

Glass-patternable notch-shaped microwave architecture for on-chip spin detection in biological samples.

We report a notch-shaped coplanar microwave waveguide antenna on a glass plate designed for on-chip detection of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs). A lithographically patterned thin wire at the center of the notch area in the coplanar waveguide realizes a millimeter-scale ODMR detection area (1.5 × 2.0 mm2) and gigahertz-broadband characteristics with low reflection (∼8%). The ODMR signal intensity in the detection area is quantitatively predictable by numerical simulation. Using this chip device, we demonstrate a uniform ODMR signal intensity over the detection area for cells, tissue, and worms. The present demonstration of a chip-based microwave architecture will enable scalable chip integration of ODMR-based quantum sensing technology into various bioassay platforms.

Real-time nanodiamond thermometry probing in vivo thermogenic responses.

Real-time temperature monitoring inside living organisms provides a direct measure of their biological activities. However, it is challenging to reduce the size of biocompatible thermometers down to submicrometers, despite their potential applications for the thermal imaging of subtissue structures with single-cell resolution. Here, using quantum nanothermometers based on optically accessible electron spins in nanodiamonds, we demonstrate in vivo real-time temperature monitoring inside Caenorhabditis elegans worms. We developed a microscope system that integrates a quick-docking sample chamber, particle tracking, and an error correction filter for temperature monitoring of mobile nanodiamonds inside live adult worms with a precision of ±0.22°C. With this system, we determined temperature increases based on the worms' thermogenic responses during the chemical stimuli of mitochondrial uncouplers. Our technique demonstrates the submicrometer localization of temperature information in living animals and direct identification of their pharmacological thermogenesis, which may allow for quantification of their biological activities based on temperature.

Acquired dysfibrinogenemia: monoclonal λ-type IgA binding to fibrinogen caused lower functional plasma fibrinogen level and abnormal clot formation.

We report a case of acquired dysfibrinogenemia with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance presenting λ-type IgA M protein. The patient showed lower functional (0.4 g/dL) and normal immunological fibrinogen (2.9 g/dL). To examine the cause of the false lower value of fibrinogen, we performed experiments using the patient's purified fibrinogen and IgA. Fibrinogen was purified from the patient's plasma; IgA was purified from plasma or serum by immunoaffinity chromatography. We performed thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), immunoblotting analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Fibrin polymerization in the patient's plasma was markedly reduced and SEM showed no fiber bundles or sponge-like structures. Purified IgA did not influence polymerization, whereas immunoprecipitated plasma with an anti-IgA (α-chain) antibody indicated normalization of polymerization and clot structure. Western blotting analysis revealed the presence of monoclonal λ-type IgA-bound fibrinogen, the proportion of which was significantly higher than normal control plasma using ELISA. Our results suggest that IgA M protein-bound fibrinogen is not normally converted into fibrin, but rather leads to formation of an aberrantly structured fragile clot. The patient's reduced plasma fibrinogen level was caused by the presence of IgA M protein-bound fibrinogen, not by IgA M protein alone.

The fibrous form of intracellular inclusion bodies in recombinant variant fibrinogen-producing cells is specific to the hepatic fibrinogen storage disease-inducible variant fibrinogen.

Fibrinogen storage disease (FSD) is a rare disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of fibrinogen in hepatocytes and induces liver injury. Six mutations in the γC domain (γG284R, γT314P, γD316N, the deletion of γG346-Q350, γG366S, and γR375W) have been identified for FSD. Our group previously established γ375W fibrinogen-producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and observed aberrant large granular and fibrous forms of intracellular inclusion bodies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether fibrous intracellular inclusion bodies are specific to FSD-inducible variant fibrinogen. Thirteen expression vectors encoding the variant γ-chain were stably or transiently transfected into CHO cells expressing normal fibrinogen Aα- and Bß-chains or HuH-7 cells, which were then immunofluorescently stained. Six CHO and HuH-7 cell lines that transiently produced FSD-inducible variant fibrinogen presented the fibrous (3.2-22.7 and 2.1-24.5%, respectively) and large granular (5.4-25.5 and 7.7-23.9%) forms of intracellular inclusion bodies. Seven CHO and HuH-7 cell lines that transiently produced FSD-non-inducible variant fibrinogen only exhibit the large granular form. These results demonstrate that transiently transfected variant fibrinogen-producing CHO cells and inclusion bodies of the fibrous form may be useful in non-invasive screening for FSD risk factors for FSD before its onset.

Cell size variations of large granular lymphocyte leukemia: Implication of a small cell subtype of granular lymphocyte leukemia with STAT3 mutations.

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGL-L) has been morphologically defined as a group of lymphoproliferative disorders, including T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGL-L), chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells (CLPD-NK) and aggressive NK cell leukemia. We investigated the morphological features of LGL leukemic cells in 26 LGL-L patients in order to elucidate relationships with current classifications and molecular backgrounds. LGL-L cells were mostly indistinguishable from normal LGL. Patients with STAT3 SH2 domain mutations showed significantly smaller cells compared with patients without STAT3 mutations. Four patients with T-LGL-L showed smaller granular lymphocytes with a median diameter of less than 13µm, which were rarely seen in normal subjects. This small subtype of T-LGL-L was recognized among rather young patients and was associated with D661Y mutations in the STAT3 gene SH2 domain. In addition, all of them showed anemia including two cases with pure red cell aplasia. These results suggest the heterogeneity of T-LGL-L and a specific subtype with small variants of T-LGL-L.

Differences in the function and secretion of congenital aberrant fibrinogenemia between heterozygous γD320G (Okayama II) and γΔN319-ΔD320 (Otsu I).

BACKGROUND: We encountered two patients with hypodysfibrinogenemia and designated them as Okayama II and Otsu I. Although the affected residue(s) in Okayama II and Otsu I overlapped, functionally determined fibrinogen levels and the ratio of functionally to immunologically determined plasma fibrinogen levels were markedly different. METHODS: DNA sequence and functional analyses were performed for purified plasma fibrinogen. A recombinant protein was synthesized in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to determine the secretion of variant fibrinogens. RESULTS: A heterozygous A>G in FGG, resulting in γ320Asp>Gly for Okayama II, and a heterozygous deletion of AATGAT in FGG, resulting in the deletion of γAsn319 and γAsp320 (γΔN319-ΔD320) for Otsu I, were obtained. SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining revealed that the variant γ-chain was not clear in Okayama II, but was clearly present in Otsu I. The lag period for the fibrin polymerization of Okayama II was slightly slower than that of the normal control, whereas Otsu I fibrinogen indicated no polymerization within 30 min. Both variant γ-chains were synthesized in CHO cells and assembled into fibrinogen; however, the fibrinogen concentration ratio of the medium/cell lysate of γ320Gly was six-fold lower than that of γΔN319-ΔD320. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the plasma fibrinogen of Okayama II, constituted by a lower ratio of the variant γ-chain, led to the almost normal functioning of fibrin polymerization. However, the plasma fibrinogen of Otsu I, with a higher ratio of the variant γ-chain, led to marked reductions in fibrin polymerization.

Novel heterozygous dysfibrinogenemia, Sumida (AαC472S), showed markedly impaired lateral aggregation of protofibrils and mildly lower functional fibrinogen levels.

INTRODUCTION: We encountered a 6-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although no bleeding or thrombotic tendency was detected, routine coagulation screening tests revealed slightly lower plasma fibrinogen levels, as determined by functional and antigenic measurements (functional/antigenic ratio=0.857), suggesting hypodysfibrinogenemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA sequence and functional analyses were performed on purified plasma fibrinogen, and recombinant variant fibrinogen was synthesized in Chinese hamster ovary cells based on the results obtained. RESULTS: DNA sequencing revealed a heterozygous AαC472S substitution (mature protein residue number) in the αC-domain. AαC472S fibrinogen indicated the presence of additional disulfide-bonded molecules, and markedly impaired lateral aggregation of protofibrils in spite of slightly lower functional plasma fibrinogen levels. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed a thin fiber fibrin clot, and t-PA and plasminogen-mediated clot lysis was similar to that of a normal control. Recombinant variant fibrinogen-producing cells demonstrated that destruction of the Aα442C-472C disulfide bond did not prevent the synthesis or secretion of fibrinogen, whereas the variant Aα chain of the secreted protein was degraded faster than that of the normal control. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that AαC472S fibrinogen may cause dysfibrinogenemia, but not hypofibrinogenemia. The destruction and steric hindrance of the αC-domain of variant fibrinogen led to the impaired lateral aggregation of protofibrils and t-PA and plasminogen-mediated fibrinolysis, as well as several previously reported variants located in the αC-domain, and demonstrated the presence of disulfide-bonded molecules.

Recombinant γT305A fibrinogen indicates severely impaired fibrin polymerization due to the aberrant function of hole 'A' and calcium binding sites.

INTRODUCTION: We examined a 6-month-old girl with inherited fibrinogen abnormality and no history of bleeding or thrombosis. Routine coagulation screening tests showed a markedly low level of plasma fibrinogen determined by functional measurement and also a low level by antigenic measurement (functional/antigenic ratio=0.295), suggesting hypodysfibrinogenemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA sequence analysis was performed, and γT305A fibrinogen was synthesized in Chinese hamster ovary cells based on the results. We then functionally analyzed and compared with that of nearby recombinant γN308K fibrinogen. RESULTS: DNA sequence analysis revealed a heterozygous γT305A substitution (mature protein residue number). The γT305A fibrinogen indicated markedly impaired thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization both in the presence or absence of 1mM calcium ion compared with that of γN308K fibrinogen. Protection of plasmin degradation in the presence of calcium ion or Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro peptide (analogue for so-called knob 'A') and factor XIIIa-catalyzed fibrinogen crosslinking demonstrated that the calcium binding sites, hole 'a' and D:D interaction sites were all markedly impaired, whereas γN308Kwas impaired at the latter two sites. Molecular modeling demonstrated that γT305 is localized at a shorter distance than γN308 from the high affinity calcium binding site and hole 'a'. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that γT305 might be important for construction of the overall structure of the γ module of fibrinogen. Substitution of γT305A leads to both dysfibrinogenemic and hypofibrinogenemic characterization, namely hypodysfibrinogenemia. We have already reported that recombinant γT305A fibrinogen was synthesized normally and secreted slightly, but was significantly reduced.

γ375W fibrinogen-synthesizing CHO cells indicate the accumulation of variant fibrinogen within endoplasmic reticulum.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) storage disease (HERSD) associated with hypofibrinogenemia has been reported in patients with four types of heterozygous γ-chain variant fibrinogen in the C terminal region. Of interest, substitution of γR375W induced hypofibrinogenemia and HERSD, whereas γR375G induced dysfibrinogenemia. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the synthesis of variant fibrinogen and morphological characteristics, we established variant fibrinogen-producing cells and compared them with wild-type fibrinogen-synthesizing cells. METHODS: The fibrinogen γ-chain expression vectors coding γ375W and γ375G were altered by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Synthesis of fibrinogen (media and cell lysates) was measured by ELISA for each cloned cell line and morphological characteristics were observed by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The medium/cell lysate fibrinogen ratio of γ375W-CHO cells was markedly lower than that of the normal cells and γ375G-CHO cells. Immunostaining with anti-fibrinogen antibody showed only γ375W-CHO cells, but revealed two types of cells containing cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, scattered large-granular bodies and fibrous forms. Observation by confocal microscopy indicated that both inclusion bodies were colocalized with fibrinogen and ER-membrane protein; furthermore, transmission electron microscopic observation demonstrated dilatation of the ER by large-granular inclusion bodies and fibrous forms filled with regularly structured fibular materials within the dilated ER. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that assembled and non-secreted γ375W fibrinogen was accumulated in the dilated ER and aggregated variant fibrinogen was seen as regularly structured fibular materials, which was similar to the fingerprint-like pattern observed at inclusion bodies in patients' hepatocytes affected with HERSD.

Richter transformation in the brain from chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Richter syndrome (RS) involves the development of an aggressive lymphoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of RS. Extranodal RS occasionally occurs; however, isolated lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) of RS are rarely seen and the features have not been well described. We describe a Japanese patient who developed isolated involvements of the parenchyma of the CNS as a manifestation of RS two years after the initial diagnosis of CLL. DLBCL in the cerebrum was confirmed to be clonally related to the CLL cells by immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene analysis, utilizing the identical VH-D-J regions with additional mutations in the IGH variable region.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay was demonstrated in two hypofibrinogenemias caused by heterozygous nonsense mutations of FGG, Shizuoka III and Kanazawa II.

We report two novel hypofibrinogenemias, Shizuoka III and Kanazawa II, which are caused by heterozygous mutations in FGG. Shizuoka III showed c.147delT and 147_149insACA in FGG exon 3 and a subsequent frameshift mutation, resulting in mature protein γ23X (native protein: γ49X), and Kanazawa II showed c.1205G>A in FGG exon 9, resulting in γ376X (native protein: γ402X). To determine whether the truncated γ-chains, γ23X and γ376X, were synthesized and participated in the assembly of fibrinogen, mutant-type cDNA vectors were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Significant levels of mutant fibrinogen were not detected by ELISA in the culture media and cell lysates. Immunoblot analysis of cell lysates revealed that the mutant γ-chain of γ376X was observed but intact fibrinogen was not. On the other hand, mutant γ-chain was not observed in γ23X-expressing cells. To demonstrate the involvement of the mechanisms of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), we cloned wild- and mutant-type mini-genes containing γ23 or γ376 codon and transfected these into CHO cell lines in the absence or presence of cycloheximide as an NMD inhibitor. mRNA levels were determined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR in CHO cells. In the absence of cycloheximide, levels of mRNAs transcribed from the mutant gene were lower than from the wild-type gene whereas, in the presence of cycloheximide, levels of mRNAs transcribed from the mutant gene increased dose-dependently. Finally, these results demonstrated that mRNAs containing γ23X or γ376X are degraded by the NMD system and translation of the truncated γ-chain polypeptide decrease in patients' hepatocytes, resulting in hypofibrinogenemias.

siRNA down-regulation of FGA mRNA in HepG2 cells demonstrated that heterozygous abnormality of the Aα-chain gene does not affect the plasma fibrinogen level.

INTRODUCTION: We encountered two afibrinogenemia patients with homozygous and compound heterozygous FGA mutation. Of interest, the patients' parents, who are heterozygous, had normal levels of plasma fibrinogen; thus, we hypothesized that liver FGA mRNA levels were higher than those of FGB and/or FGG mRNA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To test the hypothesis, we quantitated mRNA levels of a normal liver and a human hepatocyte cell line, HepG2 cells, and performed siRNA-mediated down-regulation of the fibrinogen gene in HepG2 cells. mRNA levels were determined using real-time quantitative RT- PCR for three normal livers and HepG2 cells. Down-regulation of FGA, FGB, or FGG in HepG2 cells was performed by the addition of siRNA corresponding to each of the three genes, and the mRNA levels determined in the cells and the secreted fibrinogen concentration in media. RESULTS: The mRNA level of normal human liver was FGA=FGB>FGG and the FGG mRNA level was about 2-fold lower than the others, that of HepG2 cells was FGA>FGG>FGB and FGA mRNA was approximately 2- or 4-fold higher than FGG mRNA and FGB mRNA. When FGA, FGB, or FGG mRNA expression levels were down-regulated by nearby 50%, fibrinogen concentrations in media were 78%, 49%, or 57% of the control, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that FGG mRNA levels limit fibrinogen expression in normal liver and HepG2 cells and that 50% reduction of FGA mRNA levels would not limit fibrinogen expression in normal liver and HepG2 cells.

[Comparison of fibrinogen synthesis and secretion between novel variant fibrinogen, nagakute (gamma305Thr --> Ala), and other variants located in gamma305-308 residues].

We found and identified a novel heterozygous dysfibrinogenemia with gammaT305A (ACA --> GCA) mutation in a 6-month old boy. Since his plasma antigenic concentration of fibrinogen was 1.12g/l and less than the lower limit of the reference interval, we guessed that the production of a variant fibrinogen might be a partial defect. To clarify this speculation, we altered the gamma-chain expression vector, transfected it into Chinese Hamster Ovary(CHO) cells, and synthesized recombinant gammaT305A fibrinogen alongside three other variant fibrinogens, gammaS306P, gammaH307Y, and gammaN308K, and the wild type (gammaN) fibrinogen. Fibrinogen concentration ratio of culture media/cell lysates decreased in the order of gammaT305A-, gammaS306P-, gammaH307Y-CHO cells, all three being lower in comparison to the gammaN-CHO cells. Western blotting analyses indicated that all of variant gamma-chains were assembled into fibrinogen molecules in the cells. These data indicate the possibility that secretion of gamma T305A-fibrinogen is slightly impaired and variant fibrinogen is accumulated in the cell. Of interest, the secretion of gammaH307Y-fibrinogen was decreased the most, whereas that of the gammaN308K-CHO cells was not affected. The tertiary structure of the yC nodule indicated that gamma305T-gamma307H residues are located in the inside of the nodule. In contrast, that of gamma308N is located on surface of the nodule. In conclusion, our results showed the variant fibrinogen, gammaT305A, has characteristics not only of dysfibrinogenemia, but also might be hypofibrinogenemia, namely, hypo/dysfibrinogenemia. Furthermore, gamma306S-gamma307H residues of the gammaC nodule play crucial roles for protein synthesis and fibrin polymerization.

[Functional analysis for dysfibrinogenemias, Toyama and Adachi, which have a mutation of Aalpha16Arg-->His (CGT-->CAT) with aberrant fibrinopeptide A release].

We found and identified four heterozygous dysfibrinogenemias with AalphaR16H(CGT-->CAT) mutation in two families by coagulation tests and direct sequence analysis for PCR-amplified DNA fragments. Two dysfibrinogens were designated as fibrinogen Toyama and Adachi, according to the place of residence of proposituses, respectively. Patients' fibrinogen purified from plasma using immunoaffinity-chromatography was subjected to thrombin- or batroxobin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization, fibrinopeptide A (FPA) release, and clottability test. AalphaR16H-fibrinogen showed impaired thrombin or batroxobin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization in comparison with normal control fibrinogen. It is interesting that the period of protofibril formation of Toyama propositus was longest in those of four affected people. The clottability of AalphaR16H-fibrinogen was 66-70% with thrombin and higher than with batroxobin, 35-50%. In the same condition with fibrin polymerization, thrombin and batroxobin did not cleave the Aalpha16H-17G peptide-bonding, resulting in no release of variant FPA. From these results, we speculated that elongation of the two-stranded protofibril formation would be terminated by participation of the heterodimer fibrinogen molecules composed with a normal and an aberrant Aalpha-chain, and it would result in a decrease in fibrin polymerization. We speculated that the difference in the extent of impairment of fibrin polymerization among the patients might be caused by the different amount of heterodimers. Moreover, we also speculated that batroxobin-induced clottability was lower than thrombin-induced clottability, because batroxobin cannot induce the so-called "B-knob-b-hole" interaction, which enhances fibrin formation.

Molecular analysis of afibrinogenemic mutations caused by a homozygous FGA1238 bp deletion, and a compound heterozygous FGA1238 bp deletion and novel FGA c.54+3A>C substitution.

We identified two afibrinogenemic girls in two Japanese families and performed molecular analysis to clarify the mechanisms of fibrinogen defects. Genetic analyses were performed by PCR amplification of the fibrinogen gene and DNA sequence analysis. To analyze the mechanisms of mature fibrinogen defects in plasma, we cloned minigenes from the proposita's PCR-amplified DNA, transfected them into CHO cells, and sequenced the cDNA amplified with the RT reaction followed by PCR. Sequence analyses indicated that one was caused by a homozygous 1238 bp deletion of the fibrinogen Aα-chain gene (FGAΔ1238) and the other was a compound heterozygous FGAΔ1238 and novel FGA c.54+3A>C substitution. The minigene corresponding to FGAΔ1238 generates two aberrant mRNAs, both of which may induce a frameshift and terminate prematurely. In contrast, the minigene corresponding to FGA c.54+3A>C generates two aberrant mRNAs, one of which may induce a frameshift and terminate prematurely, and the other uses a cryptic 5' splice site in exon 1, resulting in the deletion of six amino acids in signal peptides. Molecular analyses of both genetic variants suggest that the lack of a mature Aα-chain, impaired assembly, and/or secretion of the fibrinogen molecule may lead to afibrinogenemia.

[Case with intrauterine fetus death: interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization using buccal cells is useful for examining chromosomal abnormalities when placental villus not available].

The proband was a male fetus who died at 18 weeks of gestation. The fetus had growth retardation, hydrocephalus, exophthalmos, and micrognathia. The placental villus was not available. We performed interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using buccal cells of the fetus. The FISH using centromere specific probes for chromosome 7, 8 and 18, and RB1 gene (13q14)-specific probe showed three signals for each chromosome. The sex chromosome composition was XXY by FISH using centromere-specific probes for X and Y chromosomes. Thus, the fetus was diagnosed with triploidy syndrome. This report suggested that interphase FISH using buccal cells is useful for examining chromosomal abnormalities in intrauterine fetal death when placental villus is not available.