The IL-13/periostin/IL-24 pathway causes epidermal barrier dysfunction in allergic skin inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Barrier dysfunction is an important feature of atopic dermatitis (AD) in which IL-4 and IL-13, signature type 2 cytokines, are involved. Periostin, a matricellular protein induced by IL-4 or IL-13, plays a crucial role in the onset of allergic skin inflammation, including barrier dysfunction. However, it remains elusive how periostin causes barrier dysfunction downstream of the IL-13 signal. METHODS: We systematically identified periostin-dependent expression profile using DNA microarrays. We then investigated whether IL-24 downregulates filaggrin expression downstream of the IL-13 signals and whether IL-13-induced IL-24 expression and IL-24-induced downregulation of filaggrin expression are dependent on the JAK/STAT pathway. To build on the significance of in vitro findings, we investigated expression of IL-24 and activation of STAT3 in mite-treated mice and in AD patients. RESULTS: We identified IL-24 as an IL-13-induced molecule in a periostin-dependent manner. Keratinocytes are the main IL-24-producing tissue-resident cells stimulated by IL-13 in a periostin-dependent manner via STAT6. IL-24 significantly downregulated filaggrin expression via STAT3, contributing to barrier dysfunction downstream of the IL-13/periostin pathway. Wild-type mite-treated mice showed significantly enhanced expression of IL-24 and activation of STAT3 in the epidermis, which disappeared in both STAT6-deficient and periostin-deficient mice, suggesting that these events are downstream of both STAT6 and periostin. Moreover, IL-24 expression was enhanced in the epidermis of skin tissues taken from AD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The IL-13/periostin pathway induces IL-24 production in keratinocytes, playing an important role in barrier dysfunction in AD.

Serum periostin levels are correlated with progressive skin sclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Periostin, a matricellular protein, serves as a regulator of wound healing and fibrosis. The role of periostin in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine periostin levels in association with severity of skin fibrosis in patients with SSc. METHODS: Expression of periostin was immunohistochemically examined in skin obtained from patients with SSc and healthy controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to evaluate serum periostin levels in association with clinical characteristics in 56 patients with SSc [diffuse cutaneous SSc (dSSc), n=16; and limited cutaneous SSc (lSSc), n=40] and 66 healthy controls. RESULTS: Periostin was strongly expressed in the affected dermis from patients with SSc. Periostin was colocalized in α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1-positive endothelial cells in SSc dermis. Serum levels of periostin in patients with dSSc were markedly elevated compared with those in patients with lSSc and control subjects. Patients with lSSc had increased periostin levels compared with healthy controls. In addition, significantly higher levels of periostin were observed in patients with dSSc with disease duration ≤5 years compared with those with disease duration >5 years. Furthermore, the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score (MRSS) was positively correlated with periostin levels in patients with SSc. Serial analysis revealed a correlation between periostin and MRSS; namely, MRSS decreased in line with decreased periostin levels in some patients with dSSc as the disease progressed. CONCLUSION: An elevated periostin level in patients with SSc is associated with severity of skin sclerosis. Periostin may be a potential biomarker for progressive skin fibrosis in SSc.

Identification of the HLA-A24 peptide epitope within cytomegalovirus protein pp65 recognized by CMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Among cytomegalovirus (CMV) tegument proteins, phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) has been identified as the important target antigen of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against the virus. We synthesized seven CMV-pp65-derived peptides carrying an HLA-A24-binding motif, and investigated the ability of these peptides to induce CMV-specific CTL. We identified one nonamer peptide (pp65113-121; VYALPLKML) able to bind HLA-A24 and induce CTL responses in vitro in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from CMV-seropositive individuals. The peptide-specific CTLs generated were capable of recognizing pp65 expressed on CMV-infected fibroblasts as well as pp65113-121 peptide bound to the surface of C1R-A*2402 cells in an HLA-A24-restricted manner. The pp65113-121 peptide thus might be considered a synthetic peptide vaccine in HLA-A24-positive individuals.

Clinical use of capillary PCR to diagnose Mycoplasma pneumonia.

In the present study, serologic data were compared with data obtained by capillary PCR to establish the efficacy of capillary PCR for the determination of Mycoplasma infection in samples obtained from throat swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and sputum of patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia. We performed PCR analysis for Mycoplasma DNA on a total of 325 samples from 197 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and in whom Mycoplasma pneumonia was suspected. There were 68 PCR-positive specimens. Review of the differences in PCR positivity rates based on the site of specimen collection showed the highest rate of detection (28.6%) from throat swabs. From among the 31 patients with significantly elevated titers of serum Mycoplasma antibodies, the PCR results were positive for 25 patients. Thus, capillary PCR had a sensitivity of 80.6% (25 of 31). Five of the six false-negative results were from throat swab specimens. Moreover, testing (PCR) had been performed only once for these five patients with false-negative results. From among the PCR-positive findings from BALF specimens, there were no false-positive results. BALF specimens were very useful, except for the technical procedures and increased patient burden required to obtain these specimens. We suggest that the use of throat swab specimens in capillary PCR is much more suitable for diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumonia in routine clinical practice; however, careful throat swab specimen collection and an increase in the number of times that the PCR is performed are necessary to reduce the rate of false-negative results.

A rare portosystemic shunt detected by MRI and diagnosed by dynamic liver scintigraphy with Tc-99m phytate.

Although various types of portosystemic shunts with portal hypertension have been widely reported, a collateral circulation near the pancreas head is rare. The authors report a case of a rare portosystemic shunt surrounding the pancreatic head, which was diagnosed by dynamic liver scintigraphy using Ikoma's scintigraphic criteria for the presence of portosystemic shunts. According to these criteria, abnormal accumulation of radioactivity at various abdominal sites (not identified on static images after the dynamic study) on 6 or more continuous frames of 5-second intervals (i.e., for 30 seconds or more after the arterial phase) indicates the presence of a portosystemic shunt. If liver scintigraphy is performed on a patient with portal hypertension, the dynamic study is valuable in the detection and diagnosis of a portosystemic shunt.

Nitrotriazoles bearing sulfur-substituted side chains: preparation and characterization as hypoxic cell radiosensitizers.

A series of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole (NTA) derivatives with -(CH2)mC(= Y)NH(CH2)nZCH3(Y, Z = O or S; m = 1 or 2; n = 2 or 3) group in the side chain at the N-1 position of NTA and their fluorinated analogs were synthesized. Their physicochemical properties and radiosensitizing activities in vitro and in vivo were investigated with respect, particularly, to the effects of sulfur substitution on the side chain of triazoles. The sulfur substitution of the oxygen atom in the side chain of NTA derivatives increased the partition coefficient (P value), but had little effect on the one-electron reduction potential. The derivatives bearing a thioether group in the side chain were more effective in vitro on hypoxic EMT6/KU cells, but were less effective in vivo on SCCVII tumor than their oxygen analogs. The thioamide compounds showed almost the same or slightly higher sensitizing activities in vitro compared with their oxygen analogs.

Metabolic rate modification of nitrotriazole radiosensitizers by sulfur substitution of side chain.

The pharmacokinetic properties and radiosensitizing activities in vitro and in vivo of a series of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole (NTA) derivatives with a -CH2(C = Y)NH(CH2)nZCH3 (Y, Z = O or S; n = 2 or 3) group in the side chain at N-1 position of NTA were investigated with respect, particularly, to the effects of sulfur substitution in the side chain of NTA. The sulfur substitution for an oxygen atom in the side chain NTA radiosensitizers increased the rho value, but gave rise to little effect on the one-electron reduction potential. The derivatives bearing a thioether group (-CH2SCH3) in the side chain were slightly less effective both in vitro on hypoxic EMT6/KU cells and in vivo on SCCVII tumors than their oxygen analogs (-CH2OCH3). The thioether compounds tended to metabolize rapidly. The thioamide compound showed high sensitizing activity in vitro, but metabolized very slow.

Radioimmunoassay for serum levels of an anti-androgen TSAA-291 (Oxendolone) in rats.

A simple radioimmunoassay method was established to determine serum levels of a steroidal anti-androgen, TSAA-291 (Oxendolone, 16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one) utilizing ether-extract of serum. Using an antiserum raised against TSAA-291-3-oxime-BSA conjugate in a rabbit, a standard curve was obtained in the assay range from 30 pg to 12 ng/tube. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were calculated to be 11 and 21%, respectively. Recovery rate of unlabeled TSAA-291 was 84%. Cross-reaction with endogenous steroids was less than 0.2%. TSAA-291 estimates were compared with those determined after further purification on a Celite column, or with those assayed with a gas-liquid chromatograph. The difference between these estimates was less than 16 and 25%, respectively, suggesting little contribution of the metabolites of TSAA-291 to the estimates by the radioimmunoassay. After successive treatments of male rats with TSAA-291 in an aqueous suspension in daily doses of 5, 15 and 50 mg/kg body weight for two weeks, serum TSAA-291 levels were determined by the radio immunoassay and calculated to be 22.7, 76.9 and 194.9 ng/ml, respectively.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. VII. On the mechanism of anti-androgenic action of 16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one (TSAA-291).

The mechanism of anti-androgenic action of a steroidal compound, TSAA-291, was summarized and discussed in reference to its drug-designing and structure-activity relationship. The target of the drug-design was to obtain a substance which is inactive in androgenic activity and is capable of antagonistically competing with androgen for the receptor. With this intention, the androgen molecule was rendered with a steric hindrance influencing upon the functional 17 beta-hydroxy group. Introduction of a bulky group at the steroidal position-13 or -16 led to anti-androgenic properties. Intense steric hindrance by introducing an enormously bulky group or complete elimination of the 17 beta-hydroxy group rather decreased the anti-androgenic activity. Of these anti-androgens thus synthesized, TSAA-291 proved to be the most active in the anti-androgen assay and also antagonistic against the uptake of [3H]testosterone by the rat ventral prostate.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. II. Manifestation of the anti-androgenic action of a steroid ester TSAA-330 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one caproate) and elucidation of its long-lasting mechanism using a simple steroid determination technique.

Using a simple steroid determination technique, in situ steroid absorption from a subcutaneously injected sesame oil solution in rats was pursued following the time-course changes in the steroid concentration. Based on the knowledge thus obtained, the anti-androgenic effect of a steroidal compound, TSAA-330, could be manifested in the subcutaneous route. (1) Anti-androgenic steroid TSAA-291 and its esters in the subcutaneously injected sesame oil solution were selectively absorbed into the general circulation at different rates according to their chemical nature and structures, while the oil itself remained at the injected site for a considerably long period. At the injected site where subcutaneous doses of steroids molar equivalent to 50 mg of TSAA-291 were administered in 5 ml/rat of sesame oil, TSAA-291 decreased to the level of 10% of the initial concentration on the 4th day. TSAA-328 decreased slowly to the 50% and 20% levels on the 7th and 21st day, respectively. TSAA-335 decreased more slowly to the 50% level on the 14th day. TSAA-330 decreased most slowly only to the 70% level on the 49th day. (2) A single subcutaneous administration of 200 mg of TSAA-330 suppressed the weight increase of the accessory sex organs caused by a single subcutaneous injection of testosterone caproate (10 mg) in the immature orchiectomized rat. The suppressive effect was obvious from 2 weeks after the administration, and seemed to last for more than two weeks. The levator ani weight was not affected by the administration of TSAA-330. (3) Dose-dependent inhibitions of the accessory sex organs were obtained three weeks after a single subcutaneous administration of 50 to 400 mg of TSAA-330 in the adult male rat. (4) Daily oral administrations of 50 mg of TSAA-291 or TSAA-330 to the adult male rat for 8 days resulted in depression of the accessory sex organs to almost the same extent obtained with either agent. One week after the last administration, however, the weight of the accessory sex organs of the TSAA-291-administered animals recovered to almost the comparable level with the control, whereas a significant after-effect of the inhibition was still evident in the TSAA-330-administered animals.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. III. Hormonal spectra of anti-androgen TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) and its derivatives.

For the purpose of obtaining hormonal spectra of anti-androgen TSAA-291 and its derivatives, a variety of endocrine characteristics were studied. (1) Androgenic and anabolic activity : Subcutaneous administration of anti-androgen TSAA-291 and its acetate, TSAA-328, to the immature orchiectomized rat resulted in significant weight increase of the levator ani but in only a nominal response of seminal vesicles and prostates even at a large daily dose of 9.6 mg. The resultant anabolic/androgenic ratio was estimated to be extremely high. (2) Oestrogenic activity : Uterine weight in response to these anti-androgens were sluggishly dose-dependent, and the maximal plateau response remained considerably lower than that induced by oestradiol-17 beta. The oestrogenic activity of these anti-androgens was estimated to be 1/200 000 or less as that of oestradiol-17 beta. A single subcutaneous dose of 100 mg of TSAA-291 or its caproate, TSAA-330, did not induce the vaginal cornification in the adult ovariectomized rat. (3) Anti-oestrogenic activity : Antagonistic effect of these anti-androgenic compounds on the uterine weight response to oestradiol-17 beta was found in the immature ovariectomized rat. A single subcutaneous dose of 100 mg of TSAA-291 or TSAA-330 also induced the antagonism against the cornification caused by daily treatments with 1 microgram oestrone in the adult ovariectomized rat. (4) Progestational activity : These anti-androgenic compounds proved to be less active than progesterone in the McPhail's test. (5) Anti-inflammatory activity : Daily subcutaneous dose of 20 mg of TSAA-291 for 6 days did not significantly depress the weight of granuloma developed around the cotton-pellet implanted in the young male rat. TSAA-291 did not affect the anti-inflammatory action of 1/6 mg of prednisolone phosphate. Combination of both agents seemed to be effective in enhancing the anti-androgenic action of TSAA-291, whereas prednisolone phosphate alone rather increased the weight of the accessory sex organs. (6) Liver glycogen deposition activity : Daily intramuscular doses up to 38.4 mg of TSAA-291 for 5 days did not increase the liver glycogen level in the adrenalectomized rat.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. IV. Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) on the secretion of gonadotrophins.

Effects of the anti-androgen TSAA-291 on the gonadotrophin secretion were studied. (1) A single subcutaneous or oral administration of TSAA-291 and its caproate induced the ovulation in the proestrous rat of which the spontaneous ovulation was blocked by the treatment with chlorpromazine. (2) A single subcutaneous administration of TSAA-291 at 2.4 mg/kg to the adult male rat induced only a slight elevation in the serum LH and FSH levels at 30 min after the administration. Successive intramuscular administrations of TSAA-291 to the adult male rat for 2 or 4 weeks resulted in significant decreases in the serum LH and FSH levels at high dose levels. A dose-dependent decrease in the serum LH level but not FSH level was observed in the orchiectomized rat. (3) Successive intramuscular administrations of TSAA-291 at high dose levels to the male rat suppressed the plasma testosterone level in the testicular venous blood and general circulation.

Anti-androgen TSAA-291. I. Anti-androgenic effects of a new steroid TSAA-291 (16 beta-ethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-oestren-3-one) and its derivatives.

Anti-androgenic properties of newly synthesized steroidal compounds, TSAA-291 and its derivatives, were studied in the rat. (1) Subcutaneous administrations of TSAA-291 and TSAA-272 were effective in depressing the weight of seminal vesicles and ventral and dorsal prostates in the adult rat. (2) TSAA-291, TSAA-328 and TSAA-272 were shown to be anti-androgenic by the subcutaneous or oral route in the immature castrated male rat treated with testosterone propionate. The dose-response curves of all the test agents expressed in terms of percentage inhibition were approximately parallel to each other. Cyproterone acetate depressed the weight of levator ani muscle dose-dependently, whereas TSAA-291, TSAA-328 and TSAA-330 did not inhibit the muscle weight in a dose range sufficiently effective in inhibiting the weight of seminal vesicles and ventral and dorsal prostates. (3) TSAA-291 was also anti-androgenic against androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. (4) Local administration of the anti-androgenic compounds into the left seminal vesicle or left testis of the young adult rat depressed the weight of the seminal vesicle or testis on the treated side as compared with the vehicle-injected contra-lateral side.