Effect of enucleation on the expression of c-Fos protein in the supraoptic nucleus of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata).

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of one eye enucleation on the expression of c-Fos protein in the hypothalamus of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata). Compared with an intact monkey, significantly increased numbers of c-Fos positive neurons were observed in the supraoptic nuclei on both sides at 1 h after eye enucleation. This maximal c-Fos expression then started to decrease at 3 h after eye enucleation. Furthermore, by a dual-labeled immunocytochemical study, the c-Fos immunoreactivity was found mainly in the vasopressinergic but not in the oxytocinergic neurons within the supraoptic nucleus. These results suggest that vasopressinergic but not oxytocinergic neurons within the supraoptic nucleus may have critical roles in the stimulation of this nucleus in response to eye enucleation.

MUC1 and sialoglycan expression associated with cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration in eyelid malignant tumors.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the relation between infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the expression of MUC1 and sialoglycans in malignant eyelid tumors. METHODS: The distribution of MUC1, Maackia amurensis lectin-II (MAL-II)-recognized sialoglycan, and CD8-positive T lymphocytes was examined histochemically in 14 patients with malignant eyelid tumors: three squamous cell carcinomas, six sebaceous gland carcinomas, and five basal cell carcinomas. The density of CD8-positive cells was examined and correlated with MUC1 and sialoglycan expression. RESULTS: MUC1 was identified in squamous cell carcinoma and sebaceous gland carcinoma, but not in basal cell carcinoma. CD8-positive cells were more densely distributed in those squamous cell and sebaceous gland carcinoma cases that were more intense in MUC1 expression and weaker in MAL-II binding. Tumors with a strong expression of both MUC1 and MAL-II-bound sialoglycans showed few CD8-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: MUC1 with few sialoglycans is likely to induce an intense infiltration of CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes in eyelid cancers.

External dacryocystorhinostomy combined with mucosal grafting and magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To facilitate understanding of the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in nasolacrimal obstructive diseases and to determine the indication for external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) combined with mucosal grafting. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the correlation between MRI images and surgical findings in 13 consecutive patients with swollen lacrimal sacs because of obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct or lacrimal sac. They were treated at the Kagoshima University Hospital between June 1999 and May 2001. RESULTS: A simple procedure of external DCR was performed in 9 cases, and a procedure combined with mucosal grafting was performed in 4 cases (age range, 51-88 years). Surgical findings in the fibrous region of the lacrimal sac corresponded to the hyperintense signal on MRI T(1)-weighted (T1W) images, more remarkably after enhancement. Surgical findings in the granulomatous sac and proteinaceous contents corresponded to the isointense areas on T2W images. Cases with thin sac were treated by standard DCR, whereas cases with thick, fibrous and granulomatous sac were treated by external DCR combined with mucosal grafting. CONCLUSIONS: The MRI images provide a useful preoperative determination for indications of external DCR combined with mucosal grafting.

Mucin-like glycoprotein associated with photoreceptor cells in the postnatal developing rat retina.

PURPOSE: To examine the developmental expression of mucin-like glycoprotein associated with photoreceptor cells (MLGAPC), and to confirm that MLGAPC with a relative mass of 120 and 135 kD correspond to the cone and rod types, respectively. METHODS: We isolated the cDNA of the core protein of rat MLGAPC, prepared an anti-rat MLGAPC core protein antibody and then examined the expression of the MLGAPC core protein in postnatal developing rat retinas by means of Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: On postnatal early days when cone photoreceptor cells were thought to be developing, MLGAPC was detected as a single band of 120 kD and was found to be positive in the apical portion of the neuroblastic layer. After postnatal day 7, when rod photoreceptor cells were developing, MLGAPC was detected as a minor band of 120 kD and an additional major band of 135 kD and was present throughout the differentiated photoreceptor and outer plexiform layers. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings revealed the developmental expression of MLGAPC and confirmed that MLGAPC of 120 and of 135 kD correspond to the cone and rod types, respectively. This demonstration is advantageous for studying the physiological roles of MLGAPC in the photoreceptor and outer plexiform layers, since the cone- and rod-associated glycoproteins should be investigated separately.

Further characterization of human mucin-like glycoprotein associated with photoreceptor cells by its introduction into Y79 retinoblastoma cells.

PURPOSE: To understand the function of a mucin- like glycoprotein associated with photoreceptor cells (MLGAPC), MLGAPC-transfected Y79 retinoblastoma cells were analyzed biochemically and morphologically. METHODS: The cDNA for the core protein of human MLGAPC was isolated, cloned into a mammalian expression vector, pCAGGSneo, and then transfected into Y79 retinoblastoma cells. The cells and the medium were analyzed by means of Western blotting, and the morphology of the transfectants and parental cells was compared. RESULTS: Western blot analysis of the culture medium revealed that the transfectants secreted MLGAPC into the medium. Lectin blot analysis of MLGAPC in the medium showed that it had a binding site for Maackia amurensis lectin II. No morphological difference was detected between the transfectants and parental cells. CONCLUSIONS: As expected from the deduced amino acid sequence of MLGAPC, it was secreted into the medium. The secreted MLGAPC was found to carry sialoglycans (rod type). The expression of MLGAPC had no effect on the adhesion or morphology of the cultured cells, which suggests that its interaction with other components may be required for these effects.