Intake of omega-3 fatty acids contributes to bone mineral density at the hip in a younger Japanese female population.

This study investigated the relationships between intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty acids and bone mineral density in Japanese women aged 19 to 25 years. Intakes of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) were positively associated with peak bone mass at the hip. INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle factors such as physical activity and nutrition intake are known to optimize the peak bone mass (PBM). Recently, intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been reported to contribute to bone metabolism. In this study, the relationships of intakes of n-3 and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids with PBM were evaluated in Japanese female subjects. METHODS: A total of 275 healthy female subjects (19-25 years) having PBM were enrolled, and lumbar and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolic parameters were measured. Dietary intakes of total energy, total n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total n-6 fatty acids were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Physical activity information was also assessed. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age was 20.6 ± 1.4 years, and BMI was 21.2 ± 2.7 kg/m2. BMI and serum bone alkaline phosphatase contributed significantly to lumbar BMD on multiple regression analysis. Intake of n-3 fatty acids and physical activity were also significantly related to total hip BMD. Using EPA or DHA instead of total n-3 fatty acids in the model did not result in a significant result. CONCLUSION: Adequate total n-3 fatty acid intake may help maximize PBM at the hip.

Comparative effects of estrogen and raloxifene on B lymphopoiesis and bone loss induced by sex steroid deficiency in mice.

Estrogen deficiency caused by ovariectomy (OVX) results in a marked bone loss because of stimulated bone resorption. We have reported that OVX selectively stimulates B lymphopoiesis in mouse bone marrow, which is somehow related to bone resorption. Estrogen prevents both the increased B lymphopoiesis and the bone resorption caused by estrogen deficiency. Raloxifene also has a potent estrogenic activity for bone with minimal estrogenic activity for the uterus. To examine the effects of raloxifene on B lymphopoiesis and bone resorption, OVX mice were given either estrogen or raloxifene subcutaneously for 2-4 weeks using a miniosmotic pump. Reduced uterine weight in OVX mice was restored completely by 17beta-estradiol (E2). Some 300-fold higher doses of raloxifene increased uterine weight of OVX mice, but only slightly. The number of B220- positive pre-B cells was increased markedly in bone marrow after OVX. The increased B lymphopoiesis was prevented not only by E2 but by raloxifene. In OVX mice, the trabecular bone volume (BV) of the femoral distal metaphysis was reduced markedly, when measured by microcomputed tomography (microCT) scanning and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Both E2 and raloxifene similarly restored it. Like estrogen deficiency, androgen deficiency induced by orchidectomy (ORX) also resulted in a marked bone loss and increased B lymphopoiesis. Both E2 and raloxifene prevented the changes in ORX mice. These results indicate that both estrogen deficiency and androgen deficiency similarly stimulate B lymphopoiesis in mouse bone marrow, which accompany bone loss. Raloxifene exhibits estrogenic actions in bone and bone marrow to prevent bone loss and regulate B lymphopoiesis without inducing estrogenic action in the uterus.

The restoration of the antitumor T cell response from stress-induced suppression using a traditional Chinese herbal medicine Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41:Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang).

We previously reported that restraint stress impairs the antitumor immune responses through its suppressive effect on the Th1-type cytokine production from CD4+ T cells. In this study, we investigated a potential of Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41:Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang) to restore stress-induced immunosuppression. The oral administration of TJ-41 was able to improve a decreased cellularity in the lymph node and spleen and to improve an inhibition of tumor-specific Th1-type cytokine production, both of which were induced by repeated restraint stress in tumor-bearing mice. The oral administration of TJ-41 also induced a partial recovery of the antitumor cytolytic activity in the stress-burdened tumor-bearing mice. More importantly, the growth of tumors in stress-burdened preimmunized mice was obviously inhibited by TJ-41, and resulted in tumor-free state in 75% of the mice. Regarding the mechanisms by which TJ-41 restored the antitumor responses in stress-burdened mice, we found that the serum levels of corticosterone and interleukin-12 were normalized by TJ-41. In addition, the expression of CD80 and CD86, which both decreased in the stress-burdened mice, was restored to the normal level by TJ-41. Taken together, our results indicate that the oral administration of TJ-41 is able to restore the antitumor T cell responses in stress-burdened tumor-bearing mice by normalizing the serum corticosterone, interleukin-12 and the expression of costimulatory molecules.

Selective effects of genistein, a soybean isoflavone, on B-lymphopoiesis and bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency.

Genistein, an isoflavone abundantly present in soybeans, has structural similarity to estrogen, suggesting that genistein may act as a phytoestrogen. To examine the possible role of genistein in hemopoiesis and bone metabolism, female mice were either sham-operated or ovariectomized (OVX), and selected OVX mice were administered genistein for 2-4 weeks (0.1-0.7 mg/day) or 17beta-estradiol (E2; 0.01-0.1 microg/day) s.c., using a miniosmotic pump (Alza Corp., Palo Alto, CA). In OVX mice, uterine weight declined but was completely restored by E2 administration. In contrast, genistein did not demonstrate a reversal of the OVX-induced uterine atrophy. The number of bone marrow cells markedly increased, 2-4 weeks after OVX, and most of these were B220-weakly positive pre-B cells. The increased B-lymphopoiesis was completely restored, not only by E2 but also by genistein administration. In OVX mice, the trabecular bone volume of the femoral distal metaphysis, measured by microcomputed tomography scanning and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, was markedly reduced; and genistein restored this, as did E2. These results indicate that genistein exhibits estrogenic action in bone and bone marrow, to regulate B-lymphopoiesis and prevent bone loss, without exhibiting estrogenic action in the uterus. Phytoestrogens may be useful for preventing bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency in females.

Involvement of both donor cytotoxic T lymphocytes and host NK1.1+ T cells in the thymic atrophy of mice suffering from acute graft-versus-host disease.

It has been reported that a dramatic decrease in the number of thymocytes (thymic atrophy) in mice suffering from acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is ascribed to glucocorticoids. In this study, we examined the possibility that cellular immune responses may thus be involved in thymic atrophy. In contrast to chronic GVHD mice, acute GVHD (C57BL/6 X DBA/2) F1 (BDF1) hybrid mice, which were injected intravenously with both spleen and lymph node cells from C57BL/6 mice, showed a dramatic decrease in the number of CD4 CD8 double-positive thymocytes 2 or 3 weeks after the induction of GVHD. A flow cytometric analysis revealed the donor-derived T cells with either CD4 or CD8 molecules to infiltrate the thymus of the mice undergoing acute GVHD for 10 days. In a cytolytic assay, such thymus-containing cells exhibited a cytolytic activity specific to the host cells. In addition, anti-H-2d cytolytic T cells showed a high level of cytolytic activity against BDF1 (H-2bXd) thymocytes, whereas they also showed a low level of cytolytic activity against C57BL/6 (H-2b) thymocytes, thus suggesting that the thymus-infiltrating donor-derived T cells killed the host thymocytes through both anti-H-2d-specific and non-specific mechanisms. Interestingly, a flow cytometric analysis revealed both the percentage and the absolute cell number of host-derived NK1.1+ CD3+ cells to increase in the thymus of mice suffering from acute GVHD for 10 days. In addition, they also showed the cytolytic activity against YAC-1 cells and the mRNA expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the thymus to be also significantly augmented on day 7 after the induction of acute GVHD. Collectively, our results indicate that the cellular immune responses such as donor cytotoxic T lymphocytes and host NK1.1+ T cells are therefore involved in the thymic atrophy of mice suffering from acute GVHD.

CD20-positive T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Although CD20 is considered to be a representative marker for B lymphocytes, the antigen is weakly expressed on a small subset of normal T lymphocytes. A 60-year-old man developed pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly due to clonal proliferation of atypical lymphocytes that were weakly positive for CD20. The leukaemic cells were also positive for T-cell antigens such as CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7, CD8 and T-cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta8 and for activation antigens such as CD38 and HLA-DR, but were negative for CD19, CD21, CD22, CD25. Southern blot analysis revealed rearrangement of the TCR-beta gene and a germline configuration of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. This is the first report of a case of clonal expansion of CD20dim T lymphocytes.

Antitumor vaccination effect of dendritic cells can be augmented by locally utilizing Th1-type cytokines from OK432-reactive CD4+ T cells.

In order to enhance the antitumor vaccination effect of dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with class I tumor peptide, we tried to utilize the local cytokine help of CD4+ T cells reactive to a streptococcal preparation OK432. DC were prepared from murine bone marrow cells by culture with both granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor and interleukin(IL)-4. The peritumoral injections of OK432 induced OK432-reactive CD4+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes, and their in vitro production of interferon gamma was thus significantly enhanced by restimulation with OK432-pulsed DC. In addition, anti-P815 mastocytoma cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generated from the in vivo OK432-treated P815-draining lymph node cells only when the lymph node cells were restimulated in vitro with the DC pulsed with both P1A peptide and OK432. Moreover, the peritumoral injections of OK432 and the subsequent vaccination of the DC, pulsed with both OK432 and P1A peptide, significantly suppressed the growth of s.c. inoculated P815. Interestingly, a significant level of IL-12 was detected in the coculture supernatant of both OK432-pulsed DC and OK432-reactive CD4+ T cells. Collectively, our results suggest that the antitumor vaccination effect of DC pulsed with class I tumor peptide could thus be effectively augmented by locally utilizing the Th1-type cytokines from OK432-reactive CD4+ T cells.

Systemic administration of interleukin-12 can restore the anti-tumor potential of B16 melanoma-draining lymph node cells impaired at a late tumor-bearing state.

We investigated the effect of the systemic administration of interleukin (IL)-12 on the anti-tumor potential of tumor-draining lymph nodes (LNs). Tumor-draining LN cells on day 10 after s.c. inoculation of B16 melanoma showed a significant anti-tumor effect against established pulmonary metastases after in vitro expansion, whereas those on either day 20 or 30 exhibited an impaired anti-tumor potential. However, i.p. injections of IL-12 (0.5 microg) on days 18, 20 and 22 significantly increased the total number of tumor-draining LN cells on day 24 and, furthermore, restored their anti-tumor potential after in vitro expansion. In addition, i.p. injection of IL-12 (0.1 microg) on days 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 significantly suppressed the growth of s.c.-inoculated B16 melanoma and finally cured the tumors in 6 of 12 mice (50%), whereas dissection of the tumor-draining LNs on day 18, prior to the IL-12 treatment, decreased both the IL-12-induced anti-tumor effect and the percentage of cured mice (8.3%). Cured mice acquired a specific protective immunity. Collectively, our results indicate that the systemic administration of IL-12 can restore the immunotherapeutic potential of tumor-draining LNs, which was impaired at the late tumor-bearing state, and that the IL-12-induced systemic anti-tumor activity is preceded by the restoration of an anti-tumor response in tumor-draining LNs.

Characterization of B16 melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

A B16 melanoma-specific CD8+ T cell line (AB1) was established from the spleen cells of C57BL/6 mice cured of B16 melanoma with interleukin (IL)-12 treatment. The AB1 line exclusively used T cell receptor Vbeta11. The AB1 cells exhibited a cytolytic activity against both syngeneic B16 melanoma and allogeneic P815 mastocytoma, whereas a cold inhibition assay revealed specificity of the AB1 cells against B16 melanoma. Their lostability to kill a class I loss variant of B16 melanoma was restored by the transfection of H-2Kb gene. In addition, their interferon (IFN)-gamma production was significantly suppressed by the addition of anti-H-2Kb monoclonal antibody, and RT-PCR analysis showed that the AB1 line expressed the mRNA encoding IFN-gamma, but not IL-4 or IL-10. The experiment using synthetic peptides of tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) revealed that the AB1 cells could recognize TRP-2(181-188) peptide. Moreover, the AB1 cells showed an in vivo antitumor effect against established pulmonary metastases of B16 melanoma. Overall, these results indicate that the Tc1-type Vbeta11+ AB1 cells exert an antitumor activity against syngeneic B16 melanoma through recognition of TRP-2(181-188) peptide in an H-2Kb-restricted manner.

Expression of estrogen receptor beta in rat bone.

A novel estrogen receptor, estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta), has recently been cloned from a rat prostate cDNA library. In bone, which is an important target tissue of estrogen, ER alpha has been reported to be present preferentially in osteoblasts, but the mechanism of action of estrogen in bone is still not known. In the present study, we examined expression of ERbeta mRNA in bone. Expression of ERbeta mRNA was evident in primary osteoblastic cells isolated from 1-day-old rat calvaria and rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8), and its level was higher than that of ER alpha mRNA. When osteoblastic cells were cultured for 28 days to induce differentiation into mature osteoblasts capable of forming bone nodules, ERbeta mRNA was constantly and highly expressed during the entire culture period. In contrast, the level of ER alpha mRNA was very low at the beginning of culture and it gradually increased during the differentiation of osteoblastic cells. Various tissues including bone were isolated from 8-week-old rats of both sexes, and total RNA was extracted to compare the tissue distribution of expression levels of ERbeta mRNA. In cancellous bone of the distal femoral metaphysis and lumbar vertebra, expression of ERbeta mRNA was obvious, and its level was equivalent to those in the uterus and testis, but lower than those in the ovary and prostate. The level of ERbeta mRNA in femoral cortical bone was lower than that in cancellous bone. There was no appreciable differences between female and male rats in the distribution and expression levels of ERbeta mRNA in bone. These results indicate that ERbeta mRNA is highly expressed in osteoblasts in rat bone, suggesting that there is a distinct mechanism of estrogen action mediated by ERbeta in bone.

Increased B-lymphopoiesis by interleukin 7 induces bone loss in mice with intact ovarian function: similarity to estrogen deficiency.

Estrogen deficiency caused by ovariectomy (OVX) results in a marked bone loss due to stimulated bone resorption by osteoclasts. During our investigations of the pathogenesis of bone loss in estrogen deficiency, we found that OVX selectively stimulates B-lymphopoiesis which results in marked accumulation of B220-positive pre-B cells in mouse bone marrow. To examine the possible correlation between stimulated B-lymphopoiesis and bone loss, 8-week-old female mice were treated with interleukin (IL) 7, which stimulates B-lymphopoiesis in bone marrow. We also examined bone mass in IL-7 receptor-knockout mice that exhibit marked suppression of B-lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow. The increased B-lymphopoiesis induced by IL-7 administration resulted in marked bone loss by stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption in mice with intact ovarian function. The changes in both B-lymphopoiesis and bone mass in IL-7-treated female mice were similar to those in age-matched OVX mice. In contrast, the trabecular bone volume of the femur was greatly increased in both female and male IL-7 receptor-knockout mice when compared with the respective wild-type and heterozygous littermates. These results show that the perturbation of B-lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow is closely linked to the change in bone mass. We propose here that the increased B-lymphopoiesis due to estrogen deficiency is involved in the mechanism of stimulated bone resorption.

Immunosuppressive activity of cloned natural killer (NK1.1+) T cells established from murine tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

To elucidate the role of NK1.1+ T cells in the antitumor immune response, we established cloned NK1.1+ T cell lines from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of B16 melanoma, and examined their mode of action in generating antitumor effector T cells both in vitro and in vivo. An NK1.1+ T cell clone (TM4.2) was phenotypically CD3+ TCR-alphabeta+ CD4- CD8- NK1.1+, and CD28+. The TM4.2 cells suppressed the in vitro generation of anti-B16 melanoma CTLs, but not the effector function of CTLs. The results using a transwell membrane suggested that their suppressive activity was mediated by both soluble factors and a direct cell to cell interaction. As for the soluble factors, the suppressive activity of the culture supernatant of TM4.2 cells was neutralized by anti-TGF-beta mAb, and the TM4.2 cells actually produced a considerable amount of TGF-beta. On the other hand, the TM4.2 cells showed a high level of cytolytic activity against B cell blasts and CD80-transfected P815, and such cytolytic activity was reduced by the addition of anti-CD80 mAb. In addition, NK1.1+ T cells in the freshly isolated TIL were revealed to express CD28. Furthermore, the TM4.2 cells suppressed the in vitro generation of anti-allo CTLs irrespective of the MHC haplotype. Finally, the TM4.2 cells suppressed the in vivo antitumor immune response. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NK1.1+ T cells in TIL show immunosuppressive activity in the antitumor immune response through the production of TGF-beta and the preferential cytolysis of B7-expressing cells.

Characteristics of proteoglycans associated with cell membrane of ascites Tawa sarcoma cells.

We investigated the biochemical characteristics of cell membrane-associated proteoglycans extracted from ascites Tawa sarcoma cells. Proteoglycans were extracted with 4 M Gdn-HCl, and purified by DEAE-Sephacel. The extract sample was fractionated into two proteoglycan fractions, TC-I and TC-II, and eluted at salt concentrations of approximately 0.35 M and 0.45 M NaCl, respectively, by HPLC ion exchange chromatography using a Bio-Scale DEAE 5 column in 7 M urea. After HPLC gel filtration using a TSK gel G 6000 PW column, the fractions were further analysed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Octyl-Sepharose in 4 M Gdn-HCl. Since TC-I displayed hydrophobic properties while TC-II was non-hydrophobic, the former was regarded as the proteoglycan associated with the cell membrane. Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis confirmed that both TC-I and TC-II contained only heparan sulfate as a sugar chain, and that the degree of sulfation of TC-I and TC-II was lower than that for normal tissue. Immunoblotting with monoclonal antibody HepSS-1 showed that TC-I and TC-II contained two heparan sulfate proteoglycans with Mr of about 30 kDa and 45 kDa, respectively. These results indicate that the proteoglycan associated with the cell membrane of ascites Tawa sarcoma cells is a small and undersulfated-heparan sulfate proteoglycan.

IL-13 and IL-4 inhibit bone resorption by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2-dependent prostaglandin synthesis in osteoblasts.

Activated T cells secrete the cytokine IL-13, which regulates inflammatory and immune responses. To explore the role of IL-13 in bone metabolism, we examined the effects of the cytokine on bone resorption and PG synthesis in osteoblasts. IL-13 suppressed the bone-resorbing activity stimulated by IL-1 alpha, which was determined by the release of 45Ca from prelabeled mouse long bones. Histologic examinations revealed that IL-1 alpha markedly stimulated bone resorption with increased osteoclast recruitment, and that the simultaneous addition of IL-13 considerably inhibited it. The gamma-chain of IL-2 receptors may be functionally involved in the signal transduction of not only IL-2, but also IL-4, IL-7, and IL-13. Of these cytokines, IL-4 similarly suppressed IL-1 alpha-induced bone resorption, but IL-2 and IL-7 did not. Both IL-13 and IL-4 inhibited PGE2 production stimulated by IL-1 alpha in long bone cultures. Suppression of IL-1 alpha-induced bone resorption by IL-13 and IL-4 was recovered by adding exogenous PGE2 to the long bone cultures. Neither IL-4 nor IL-13 further inhibited IL-1 alpha-induced bone resorption in the presence of indomethacin. To examine the effects of IL-13 on PG synthesis, we measured the mRNA levels of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase (COX-1) and inducible COX (COX-2) in mouse osteoblast-like cells. IL-1 alpha markedly stimulated the mRNA expression of COX-2, but not that of COX-1. Both IL-13 and IL-4 dose-dependently suppressed the IL-1 alpha-induced stimulation of both COX-2 mRNA expression and PGE2 synthesis. A small increase (1.7-fold) in cPLA2 mRNA levels was detected in the cultures with IL-1 alpha, but the expression was not affected by IL-13 or IL-4. These results indicated that IL-13 and IL-4 inhibit bone resorption by suppressing COX-2-dependent PG synthesis in osteoblasts.

Endogenous bone-resorbing factors in estrogen deficiency: cooperative effects of IL-1 and IL-6.

Estrogen deficiency causes a marked bone loss by stimulating osteoclastic bone resorption. To explore the endogenous bone-resorbing factors involved in estrogen deficiency, we examined the bone-resorbing activity present in the supernatant fraction of mouse bone marrow collected from ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Adding bone marrow supernatants at 20-80% to organ cultures of mouse long bones dose-dependently stimulated bone resorption. The endogenous bone-resorbing activity present in bone marrow supernatants from OVX mice was much higher than that from sham-operated mice 2-4 weeks after surgery, and it was significantly diminished by indomethacin in vitro. Anti-IL-1 alpha antibody completely neutralized the bone-resorbing activity present in bone marrow supernatants from OVX mice. Antibodies against IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-6 receptors also neutralized it, but partially. The concentration of IL-1 alpha measured by ELISA was much higher in bone marrow supernatants than in sera, but it was not appreciably changed before or after OVX. The concentration of IL-1 beta in bone marrow supernatants from OVX mice was less than the detection limit. OVX stimulated IL-1 activity in bone marrow supernatants measured by means of the proliferation of thymocytes. However, the level of IL-1 alpha present in bone marrow supernatants from OVX mice was insufficient to stimulate bone resorption. Compared with the serum concentration, bone marrow supernatants contained a much higher level of IL-6 as well, and it was further increased by OVX. However, IL-6 alone present in bone marrow supernatants from OVX mice again did not stimulate bone resorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

AG dinucleotide insertion in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease lacking cytosolic 67-kD protein.

The 67-kD cytosolic protein (p67-phox) is an essential component of the superoxide-generating system in phagocytes, and its defect is known to cause chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). We sequenced p67-phox cDNA from one of seven patients found in Japan and his parents. In the patient's cDNA, homozygous AG dinucleotide insertion at position 399 (or 401) was found together with three other homozygous substitutions in a coding region (A-542 to G, T-895 to C and A-983 to G) compared with the sequence reported for HL-60 cells. In cDNA from his parents, the AG insertion was found to be heterozygous. In contrast, the other three substitutions were found homozygously in his father's specimen and the latter two in his mother's specimen. The substitution of A-542 to G was heterozygous in his mother's cDNA. The AG insertion would induce a frame shift and bring about a stop codon at the position of 433. However, the other three differences would give insignificant changes for the protein function, if any, because the substitutions of A-542 to G and A-983 to G result in the conservative amino acid transitions, ie, Lys-180 to Arg and Lys-327 to Arg, and that of T-895 to C no amino acid change. Neutrophils from the patients completely lacked superoxide generating activity whereas those from his parents generated substantial amounts of superoxide anion upon stimulation. Thus, it is concluded that the AG dinucleotide insertion is responsible for the disease in this patient.

Estrogen deficiency stimulates B lymphopoiesis in mouse bone marrow.

We have found that an estrogen deficiency causes a marked increase in bone marrow cells. To examine the effect of estrogen on hemopoiesis, we characterized the increased population of bone marrow cells after ovariectomy (OVX). In OVX mice, the percentage of myeloid cells and granulocytes was decreased, whereas that of B220-positive B lymphocytes was selectively increased 2-4 wk after surgery. The total number of myeloid cells and granulocytes did not change appreciably, but that of B220-positive cells was greatly increased by OVX. When OVX mice were treated with estrogen, the increased B lymphopoiesis returned to normal. B220-positive cells were classified into two subpopulations, B220low and B220high. The majority of the B220low cells were negative for the IgM mu chain, whereas most of the B220high cells were mu-positive. OVX selectively increased the precursors of B lymphocytes identified by B220low. mu-negative phenotype, suggesting that an estrogen deficiency stimulates accumulation of B lymphocyte precursors. When bone marrow-derived stromal cells (ST2) were pretreated with estrogen then co-cultured with bone marrow cells in the presence of estrogen, the stromal cell-dependent B lymphopoiesis was greatly inhibited. The present study suggests that estrogen plays an important role in the regulation of B lymphocyte development in mouse bone marrow.

Transurethral neodymium:YAG laser surgery for bladder tumors.

Forty-five patients with 63 bladder tumors were treated with transurethral neodymium: YAG laser irradiation. The operation was performed under lumbar or local anesthesia, the bladder being irrigated with a 10 per cent urigal solution. A five-second beam of 50 watt electric power was chosen as one unit of irradiation, and 5 to 50 units of irradiation were utilized for one operation. Forty-one tumors were completely resected with laser irradiation alone. In the other 22 tumors, electroresection or partial cystectomy was undertaken after the laser irradiation. Pronounced complications did not develop in any of the patients. Perforation was not experienced in our series. The bleeding at irradiation was minimal. Laser surgery through endoscopy thus represents a promising approach for the treatment of bladder tumors.