Nucleases from Prevotella intermedia can degrade neutrophil extracellular traps.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by periodontal bacteria in subgingival plaque. These bacteria are able to colonize the periodontal region by evading the host immune response. Neutrophils, the host's first line of defense against infection, use various strategies to kill invading pathogens, including neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These are extracellular net-like fibers comprising DNA and antimicrobial components such as histones, LL-37, defensins, myeloperoxidase, and neutrophil elastase from neutrophils that disarm and kill bacteria extracellularly. Bacterial nuclease degrades the NETs to escape NET killing. It has now been shown that extracellular nucleases enable bacteria to evade this host antimicrobial mechanism, leading to increased pathogenicity. Here, we compared the DNA degradation activity of major Gram-negative periodontopathogenic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. We found that Pr. intermedia showed the highest DNA degradation activity. A genome search of Pr. intermedia revealed the presence of two genes, nucA and nucD, putatively encoding secreted nucleases, although their enzymatic and biological activities are unknown. We cloned nucA- and nucD-encoding nucleases from Pr. intermedia ATCC 25611 and characterized their gene products. Recombinant NucA and NucD digested DNA and RNA, which required both Mg2+ and Ca2+ for optimal activity. In addition, NucA and NucD were able to degrade the DNA matrix comprising NETs.

Characterization of L-cysteine desulfhydrase from Prevotella intermedia.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrogen sulfide is responsible for lysis of red blood cells and is a major compound for oral malodor. To clarify the production mechanism of hydrogen sulfide in Prevotella intermedia, we found an L-cysteine desulfhydrase gene (lcs) homologue on the genome database of P. intermedia ATCC25611 and characterized its gene product. METHODS: The lcs gene homologue cloned into pGEX6p-1 vector was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Lcs activity was assayed by detection of the reaction products (hydrogen sulfide and pyruvate) or its derivatives from L-cysteine. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to convert an amino acid of the Lcs molecule. RESULTS: The purified lcs gene product catalysed the degradation of L-cysteine to pyruvate, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide, indicating that the protein is L-cysteine desulfhydrase. The enzyme required pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as a cofactor, and it was highly active at pH 7.0 and completely inhibited by ZnCl(2). The K(m) and V(max) of the enzyme were 0.7 mm and 4.2 micromol/min/mg, respectively. Replacement of Tyr-59, Tyr-118, Asp-198, and Lys-233 with any of the amino acids resulted in the complete disappearance of Lcs activity, implying that these amino acids are essential for enzyme activity. In addition, hydrogen sulfide produced by this enzyme lysed sheep red blood cells and modified hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: These results show the enzymatic properties of L-cysteine desulfhydrase from P. intermedia ATCC25611 and also suggest that the Lcs enzyme, which produces hydrogen sulfide from L-cysteine, is closely associated with the pathogenesis of P. intermedia.

A searchable database for proteomes of oral microorganisms.

An online database of proteomes for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) gel data was constructed and it is now freely accessible through a web-based interface. Proteins from three oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans UA159, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans HK1651, and Porphyromonas gingivalis W83, whose genome databases are freely available, were separated by 2DE, and protein spots were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and identified. About 1000 spots from the gels of P. gingivalis W83 were extracted and analyzed by MALDI-TOF, and 330 proteins were identified. In addition, 160 of 240 spots of A. actinomycetemcomitans and 158 of 356 spots of S. mutans were identified. Information such as spot coordinates on the gels, protein names (predicted functions), molecular weights, isoelectroric points, and links to online databases, including Oral Pathogen Sequence Databases of the Los Alamos National Laboratory Bioscience Division (ORALGEN) and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) or The Institute Genomic Research (TIGR), were stored in tables accessible through the relational database management system MySQL on an Apache web server. To test for functionality of this database system, responses of S. mutans to environmental changes were analyzed using the database and 21 spots on the gel were identified as proteins whose expression had been increased or decreased by environmental pH change without in-gel trypsin digestion, protein extraction, or MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS (mass spectrometer) analysis. The identified proteins are agreement with those reported in previous papers on acid tolerance of S. mutans, demonstrating the usefulness of the system. This database is available at http://www.myamagu.dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~bioinformatics/index.html or http://www.bipos.mascat.nihon-u.ac.jp/index.html.

Activation of the maternally preset program of apoptosis by microinjection of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate in Xenopus laevis embryos.

The present study examines the effects on embryogenesis of microinjecting Xenopus laevis fertilized eggs with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), which induces hypomethylation of DNA, and 5-methyl-2'- deoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate (5-methyl-dCTP), which induces hypermethylation of DNA. Embryos injected with either one of these analogs cleaved normally until the mid-blastula stage, but underwent massive cell dissociation and stopped development at the early gastrula stage. Dissociated cells that appeared here were positive by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick end-labeling and contained fragmented nuclei with condensed chromatin. The DNA from these cells formed a "ladder" on electrophoresis. Furthermore, the induction of cell dissociation by 5-Aza-CdR and 5-methyl-dCTP was postponed by 2-3 h by co-injection of Bcl-2 mRNA and the normal metabolite (CdR and dCTP, respectively). Using a specific antibody against 5-methyl-cytosine, we confirmed that 5-Aza-CdR induces hypomethylation, whereas 5-methyl-dCTP induces hypermethylation in X. laevis embryos before the onset of cell dissociation. Incorporation of radioactive precursors revealed that synthesis of DNA, and also RNA, is inhibited significantly in both 5-Aza-CdR-injected and 5-methyl-dCTP-injected embryos. These results show that 5-Aza-CdR and 5-methyl-dCTP are incorporated into DNA and induce apoptosis, probably through alteration of DNA methylation coupled with inhibition of DNA replication and/or transcription.

Mesenchymal transcription factor Fkh6 is essential for the development and differentiation of parietal cells.

The role of transcription factor forkhead homologue 6 (Fkh6) gene expressed only in gastrointestinal mesenchymes on the differentiation of gastric epithelia was analyzed by inactivating the gene by targeting disruption. Gastric mucosa exhibited hyperplasias with disordered glandular structures in the absence of gene. Measurement of acid secretion in the isolated whole stomach demonstrated that both basal and stimulated secretions were severely suppressed in the Fkh6-/- stomach, while immunohistochemical studies showed that comparable numbers of parietal cells were differentiated in both wild-type and Fkh6-/- stomachs. Ultrastructurally Fkh6-/- parietal cells were furnished with developed intracellular canaliculi and many mitochondria, but their canaluculi were not enlarged nor fully connected to the luminal surface even when animals were treated with histamine, suggesting that Fkh6-/- parietal cells were far less responsive to acid secretion-inducing stimulations. Some parietal cells contained secretory granules positively stained with anti-pepsinogen antibodies, indicating that they retained characteristics of oxynticopeptic cells found in lower vertebrates. We thus concluded that Fkh6 plays essential roles for the development and differentiation of parietal cells via epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.

Overexpression of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activates the maternal program of apoptosis shortly after MBT in Xenopus embryos.

Overexpression of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) mRNA in 1- and 2-cell stage Xenopus embryos induces cell autonomous dissociation at the late blastula stage and developmental arrest at the early gastrula stage. The induction of cell dissociation took place "punctually" at the late blastula stage in the SAMDC-overexpressing cells, irrespective of the stage of the microinjection of SAMDC mRNA. When we examined the cells undergoing the dissociation, we found that they were TUNEL-positive and contained fragmented nuclei with condensed chromatin and fragmented DNA. Furthermore, by injecting Xenopus Bcl-2 mRNA together with SAMDC mRNA, we showed that SAMDC-overexpressing embryos are rescued completely by Bcl-2 and becometadpoles. These results indicatethat cell dissociation induced by SAMDC overexpression is due to apoptotic cell death. Since the level of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is greatly reduced in SAMDC-overexpressing embryos and this induces inhibition of protein synthesis accompanied by the inhibition of DNA and RNA syntheses, we conclude that deficiency in SAM induced by SAMDC overexpression activates the maternal program of apoptosis in Xenopus embryos at the late blastula stage, but not before. We propose that this mechanism serves as a surveillance mechanism to check and eliminate cells physiologically damaged during the cleavage stage.

Isolation and characterization of a novel liver-specific gene, hepassocin, upregulated during liver regeneration.

By differential cDNA cloning coupled with Xenopus oocyte expression screening, we isolated a cDNA encoding a novel protein, termed 'hepassocin', the expression of which is upregulated in the regenerating rat liver. The cDNA contained a single open reading frame encoding a protein of 314 amino acids (ca. 34 kDa), including 24 amino acids of signal sequence. The protein expressed from the cDNA in Verots cells had activity to stimulate DNA synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes and was of 66 kDa or 34 kDa, under non-reducing or reducing conditions, respectively. Using an affinity column conjugated with the antibody raised against a peptide in a hydrophilic region, we purified hepassocin from the rat liver: it had a DNA synthesis-stimulating activity in hepatocytes. The hepassocin obtained here was 66 kDa, and the 34 kDa protein obtained under reducing conditions contained five cysteine residues, indicating that hepassocin is active as a homodimer. Northern blot analysis revealed that hepassocin mRNA (1.4 kb in length) occurred only in the liver, and in situ hybridization studies revealed its presence in parenchymal hepatocytes but not in endothelial cells. Furthermore, the expression of hepassocin mRNA was upregulated during compensatory hyperplasia after partial hepatectomy and regeneration after galactosamine treatment in the rat liver. These results suggest that hepassocin plays an important role in stimulating liver cell growth, through an autocrine mechanism.

Maternal program of apoptosis activated shortly after midblastula transition by overexpression of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in Xenopus early embryos.

When we studied polyamine metabolism in Xenopus embryos, we cloned the cDNA for Xenopus S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), which converts SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), the methyl donor, into decarboxylated SAM (dcSAM), the aminopropyl donor, and microinjected its in vitro transcribed mRNA into Xenopus fertilized eggs. We found here that the mRNA injection induces a SAM deficient state in early embryos due to over-function of the overexpressed SAMDC, which in turn induces inhibition of protein synthesis. Such embryos developed quite normally until blastula stage, but stopped development at the early gastrula stage, due to induction of massive cell dissociation and cell autolysis, irrespective of the dosage and stage of the mRNA injection. We found that the dissociated cells were TUNEL-positive, contained fragmented nuclei with ladder-forming DNA, and furthermore, rescued completely by coinjection of Bcl-2 mRNA. Thus, overexpression of SAMDC in Xenopus embryos appeared to switch on apoptotic program, probably via inhibition of protein synthesis. Here, we briefly review our results together with those reported from other laboratories. After discussing the general importance of this newly discovered apoptotic program, we propose that the maternal program of apoptosis serves as a surveillance mechanism to eliminate metabolically severely-damaged cells and functions as a 'fail-safe' mechanism for normal development in Xenopus embryos.

The effects of S1319, a novel marine sponge-derived beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, on IgE-mediated activation of human cultured mast cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of S1319 (4-hydroxy-7-[1-(1-hydroxy-2-methylamino) ethyl]-1,3-benzothiazol-2(3H)-one acetate), a novel beta2-adrenoceptor selective agonist derived from marine sponge, to inhibit IgE-mediated activation of human cultured mast cells (HCMC) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the effect of S1319 (racemate) on tryptase release and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in HCMC generated from human cord blood cells, after cross-linking of high affinity immunoglobulin E receptors (FcepsilonRI), compared with those of the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol (R-isomer), the selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, salbutamol (racemate), and the selective and long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, formoterol (racemate). We also evaluated the effect of S1319 on the intracellular cAMP level, inositol phosphate production and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in HCMC. RESULTS: S1319 and beta-adrenoceptor agonists inhibited the IgE-mediated release of tryptase. Approximate IC50 values of S1319, formoterol, isoproterenol and albuterol for the inhibition of tryptase release were 0.51+/-0.12, 0.15+/-0.1, 0.80+/-0.09, and 28+/-32.4 nM, respectively. S1319 and beta-adrenoceptor agonists also inhibited TNF-alpha production by HCMC in a concentration-dependent manner. Approximate IC50 values of S1319, formoterol and isoproterenol for the inhibition of TNF-alpha production were 0.19+/-0.03, 0.28+/-0.02 and 0.32+/-0.03 nM, respectively. S1319 caused a concentration-dependent increase in total cell cyclic AMP levels in HCMC. On the other hand, S1319 inhibited the accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and IgE-mediated protein tyrosine phosphorylation of 42-kDa protein, p42 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK-2). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that S 1319 and beta-adrenoceptor agonists are potent inhibitors of the IgE-mediated release of mediators from HCMC.

Epidermal growth factor stimulates proliferation of mouse uterine epithelial cells in primary culture.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of growth factors that are thought to mediate the stimulatory effects of estrogen on the proliferation of uterine epithelial cells. The present study was attempted to obtain direct evidence for the mitogenic effects of EGF on uterine epithelial cells, and to prove that EGF and EGF receptors are expressed in these cells. Mouse uterine epithelial cells were isolated from immature female mice and cultured with or without EGF for 5 days. EGF (1 to 100 ng/ml) significantly increased the number of uterine epithelial cells, and the maximal growth (141.9+/- 8.3% of controls) was obtained at a dose of 10 ng/ml. In addition, EGF (0.1 to 100 ng/ml) increased the number of DNA-synthesizing cells immunocytochemically detected by bromodeoxyuridine uptake to the nucleus. Northern blot analysis revealed that the uterine epithelial cells expressed both EGF mRNA (4.7 kb) and EGF receptor mRNAs (10.5, 6.6, and 2.7 kb) These results suggest that the proliferation of uterine epithelial cells is regulated by the paracrine and/or autocrine action of EGF. Our previous study demonstrated the mitogenic effect of IGF-I on uterine epithelial cells. To examine whether the EGF- and IGF-I signaling act at the same level in the regulation of the proliferation of uterine epithelial cells, the cultured cells were simultaneously treated with IGF-I and EGF. IGF-I was found to additively stimulate the mitogenic effects of EGF, suggesting that the EGF-induced growth of uterine epithelial cells is distinct from IGF-I-induced growth.

Tracheal relaxing effects and beta2 adrenoceptor selectivity of S1319, a novel sponge-derived bronchodilator agent, in isolated guinea-pig tissues.

1. S1319 (4-hydroxy-7-[1-(1-hydroxy-2-methylamino)ethyl]-1, 3-benzothiazol-2(3H)-one acetate), a novel non-catecholamine beta-adrenoceptor agonist, has been compared with isoprenaline, salbutamol and formoterol for activity in vitro on a range of beta-adrenoceptor containing preparations from guinea-pig. 2. S1319, like isoprenaline, salbutamol and formoterol, relaxed preparations of guinea-pig trachea (contracted by histamine) in a concentration-dependent manner. The relaxing activity of S1319 appeared to be more potent than that of isoprenaline and salbutamol, and similar to that of formoterol (pD2 values of 10.58+/-0.03 vs 7. 60+/-0.01, 7.50+/-0.01 and 10.52+/-0.04, respectively), and was blocked by the beta2-adrenoceptor selective antagonist (ICI 118,551). The intrinsic activity of S1319 was close to 1.0. 3. In the beta1-adrenoceptor containing preparations, guinea-pig right and left atria, a monophasic inotropic response of S1319 was observed. The pD2 value of S1319 for left atrial and right atrial inotropism was 6.70+/-0.15 and 7.81+/-0.01, respectively. 4. The selectivity ratio (trachea/left atrial inotropism) of S1319, formoterol, salbutamol and isoprenaline was 8523, 284, 4.8 and 0.45, respectively. The relative selectivity ratio of S1319 was 18743, 1858 and 30 times greater than that of isoprenaline, salbutamol and formoterol, respectively. 5. Relaxant responses of guinea-pig trachea to S1319 declined rapidly when the agonist was washed from the tissues, with complete recovery within 30 min. The duration of action of S1319 was similar to that of isoprenaline and less than that of salbutamol and formoterol. 6. In summary, S1319, a sponge-derived beta-adrenoceptor agonist, is a potent and selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist with a short-duration of action in isolated guinea-pig tracheas.

S1319: a novel beta2-andrenoceptor agonist from a marine sponge Dysidea sp.

In the course of screening of potential leads for beta2-receptor agonists, we found a novel beta2-adrenoceptor selective agonist, S1319, from a marine sponge Dysidea sp. The active compound was isolated and structurally characterized as 4-hydroxy-7-[1-(1-hydroxy-2-methylamino)ethyl]-1,3-benzothiazole-2(3H)-o ne, a new member of the beta2-adrenoceptor agonist. This is the first example of a sponge-derived beta2-adrenoceptor agonist.

Terreic acid, a quinone epoxide inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) plays pivotal roles in mast cell activation as well as in B cell development. Btk mutations lead to severe impairments in proinflammatory cytokine production induced by cross-linking of high-affinity IgE receptor on mast cells. By using an in vitro assay to measure the activity that blocks the interaction between protein kinase C and the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk, terreic acid (TA) was identified and characterized in this study. This quinone epoxide specifically inhibited the enzymatic activity of Btk in mast cells and cell-free assays. TA faithfully recapitulated the phenotypic defects of btk mutant mast cells in high-affinity IgE receptor-stimulated wild-type mast cells without affecting the enzymatic activities and expressions of many other signaling molecules, including those of protein kinase C. Therefore, this study confirmed the important roles of Btk in mast cell functions and showed the usefulness of TA in probing into the functions of Btk in mast cells and other immune cell systems. Another insight obtained from this study is that the screening method used to identify TA is a useful approach to finding more efficacious Btk inhibitors.

Effect of interleukin-3, interleukin 5 and hyaluronic acid on cultured eosinophils derived from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that cultured eosinophils can be generated from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCMC) in the presence of interleukin (IL)-3 and IL-5 in vitro. Other reports have indicated that cellular adhesion to hyaluronic acid (HA) enhances the proliferation of cultured eosinophils derived from CD34+ cells purified from UCMC. The aim of this study was to obtain large numbers of mature eosinophils from UCMC using IL-3, IL-5 and HA, and to investigate their functions. METHODS: We examined several combinations of IL-3 and IL-5 and their effect on eosinophil development from UCMC in HA-coated on non-coated flasks. We also examined whether cultured eosinophils degranulated eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) induced by secretory immunoglobulin A conjugated to sepharose beads (sIgA-beads) and responded to eotaxin. RESULTS: Culture with HA-coated flasks for 35 days (in the presence of IL-3 and IL-5, with IL-3 omitted after day 14 of culture) caused a 11.2-fold augmentation in the proliferation of UCMC. On day 35 of the culture, 98% of cultured cells were eosinophils judging from May-Grünwald and Giemsa staining and transmission electron micrographs. The EDN content of the cultured eosinophils on day 35 was 156 ng/105 cells. Cultured eosinophils degranulated EDN induced by sIgA-beads and responded to eotaxin by chemotaxis and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. CONCLUSION: We found a useful culture system to obtain large numbers of eosinophils derived from UCMC, which may facilitate the investigation of eosinophil function, since there was no significant difference in response to sIgA-beads and eotaxin between cultured and peripheral eosinophils.

Sulochrin inhibits eosinophil activation and chemotaxis.

OBJECTIVE: Because eosinophils likely play important roles in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, specific inhibitors of eosinophils may be desirable to treat such diseases. To evaluate the capacity of a novel compound, sulochrin, as an inhibitor of eosinophilic inflammation, we examined the effects of this compound on various effector functions of eosinophils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the effects of sulochrin on degranulation of human eosinophils stimulated with platelet-activating factor (PAF) or Sepharose 4B beads coated with secretory IgA (sIgA) or IgG. The effects of sulochrin on other effector functions of human eosinophils, including superoxide anion (O2-) production, leukotriene (LT) C4 release, and interleukin (IL)-8 production induced by sIgA-beads were also studied. Finally, using PAF and LTB4 as chemoattractants, we evaluated the potency of sulochrin to inhibit eosinophil migration in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Sulochrin inhibited EDN release by eosinophils stimulated with sIgA-beads. IgG-beads and PAF in a concentration-dependent manner; IC50 values were 0.75 microM, 0.30 microM and 0.03 microM. Eosinophil O2- production, LTC4 release, and IL-8 production were also inhibited by sulochrin. Furthermore, PAF-induced chemotaxis of human eosinophils and LTB4-induced chemotaxis of guinea pig eosinophils were abolished by 1 microM of sulochrin. Finally, sulochrin potently inhibited LTB4-induced infiltration of eosinophils into the skin of guinea-pig in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sulochrin is a potent inhibitor of various effector functions of eosinophils. Sulochrin and its derivatives may be useful in the development of therapeutic approaches for patients with allergic diseases.

Cloning and expression of an alpha-2,8-polysialyltransferase (STX) from Xenopus laevis.

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a carbohydrate structure found on neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAM). Two polysialyltransferases (polySiaTs) that catalyze synthesis of polySia have been described, and designated PST-1/PST/ST8SiaIV and STX/ST8SiaII. We cloned a polySiaT (xSTX) from a nonmammalian vertebrate, Xenopus laevis . xSTX had 80% amino acid similarity to the rat STX. This clone induced polySia expression when transfected into polySia-negative COS-1 cells. Northern blot analysis of whole embryos at different stages of development revealed that xSTX mRNA was most abundantly expressed in premetamorphic stages. The relative level of xSTX and N-CAM mRNAs was also examined and found to change in parallel to the extent of polysialylation on N-CAM. In adult tissues, the expression of xSTX mRNA was restricted to brain, eye and heart, which also expressed polySia. These results suggest that xSTX is the major enzyme responsible for the synthesis of polysialylated N-CAM in embryos at certain stages of development and also in adult tissues.

Induction of precocious pepsinogen synthesis by glucocorticoids in fetal rat gastric epithelium in organ culture: importance of mesenchyme for epithelial differentiation.

Glucocorticoids significantly affect both proliferation and differentiation of gastric epithelial cells in vivo. Here we examined the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids on the cells in vitro, with special reference to the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. When 16.5-day fetal rat gastric explants were maintained in organ culture, the epithelial cells began to invaginate into mesenchyme on days 3 to 4, and formed glandular structures on days 5 to 6 in culture. Immunohistochemical analysis with specific antibodies revealed that pepsinogen-synthesizing cells first appeared on day 2, and they increased in number with epithelial morphogenesis to about 20%-30% of total epithelial cells on days 4 to 6, and that these cells were localized at the base of glandular structures in control media. When the explants were treated with hydrocortisone (1 microgram/ml), epithelial morphogenesis was mostly suppressed, but epithelial cytodifferentiation was significantly stimulated, indicating that epithelial morphogenesis is not necessary for their cytodifferentiation. In glucocorticoid-treated explants, pepsinogen-synthesizing cells first appeared on day 1, and more than 90% of the cells were positively stained with the antibodies from days 3 to 5 in culture. Biochemical analysis showed that much higher acid protease activity could be detected in glucocorticoid-treated explants than in controls from days 2 to 6 in culture, and analysis by zymography indicated that the synthesis of pepsinogen 1 but not cathepsin E was stimulated by the hormone. Northern blotting analysis showed that the level of pepsinogen 1 mRNA was greatly increased by glucocorticoids. Examination of the effect of the hormone on the epithelial proliferation showed that hydrocortisone (1 microgram/ml) significantly inhibited the epithelial growth from days 1 to 3 in culture. To investigate the role of epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in the glucocorticoid-induced differentiation of the gastric epithelial cells, effects of the hormone on the proliferation and differentiation of the cells in the absence of mesenchyme were examined, using a recently established primary culture system. The epithelial cells synthesized cathepsin E but not pepsinogen in cell culture, irrespective of glucocorticoid treatment, and the level of acid protease activity was not affected by the hormone, indicating that mesenchyme is necessary for the hormone to induce pepsinogen gene expression in the epithelial cells. In the cell culture system, glucocorticoids did not inhibit but significantly stimulated epithelial proliferation. This suggests that the hormone indirectly inhibited epithelial proliferation in organ culture, probably via mesenchyme. The mechanism of action of glucocorticoids on the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in the fetal glandular stomach is discussed.

Inhibitory effect of adenosine on degranulation of human cultured mast cells upon cross-linking of Fc epsilon RI.

Adenosine is a potent bronchoconstricting agent that is released by activated mast cells and hypoxic lung tissue. However, both inhibition and stimulation of mediator release from human lung mast cells by adenosine have been described, and this discrepancy seems to be due to contaminating cells or the effects of enzymatic treatment. We, therefore, investigated the effects of adenosine and its receptor-specific analogues on human cultured mast cells (HCMC). Adenosine inhibited Fc epsilon RI-mediated tryptase release from HCMC in a dose-dependent manner, and this inhibitory effect was completely blocked by the A2a receptor antagonist ZM241385. The specific agonist of A2a adenosine receptors CGS21680 inhibited the release of tryptase more potently than A1 and A3 agonists, and A2a receptor mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, suggesting the involvement of A2a receptors in the inhibitory effects of adenosine. In addition, adenosine increased intracellular cAMP level in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited protein tyrosine phosphorylation including that of ERK-2. These results suggest that adenosine acts via A2 receptors to inhibit Fc epsilon RI-mediated mediator release from human mast cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor activator: a possible regulator of morphogenesis during fetal development of the rat gastrointestinal tract.

The role played by the hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) during morphogenesis of the gastrointestinal tract was investigated in fetal rats between days 16 and 21 of gestation. By our recently established method using chelation and dissecting microscope, samples could be separated into epithelium and mesenchyme, essentially without cross-contamination. The expression of the gene for HGFA together with those for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, c-met, was investigated in each tissue element by RT-PCR. In the fetal rat gastrointestinal tract, mRNA signals for the HGFA gene were observed only in epithelia expressing c-met mRNA. In contrast, expression of HGF mRNA was limited to the mesenchymal elements, indicating the presence of a local HGF system in the gastrointestinal tract; an inactive form of HGF (proHGF) is secreted from the mesenchyme and then cleaved into the active form by HGFA secreted by the target epithelia. During the period of morphogenesis and histodifferentiation in the gastrointestinal tract, enhanced expression of the genes for HGF and its receptor/c-met was evident, with elevated HGFA mRNA level observed throughout the gastrointestinal tract except in the forestomach, where mRNA expression was barely detectable. These results strongly suggest the possibility that morphogenesis of the gastrointestinal tract is regulated not only by a local increase in production of HGF, but also by enhanced proteolytic activation of proHGF. Thus, it is probable that locally synthesized HGFA plays a significant role as a regulator of the morphogenic action of HGF during gastrointestinal tract development.