Role of lipid raft components and actin cytoskeleton in fibronectin-binding, surface expression, and de novo synthesis of integrin subunits in PGE2- or 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated mastocytoma P-815 cells.

Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors essential for adhesion of non-adherent cells to extracellular ligands such as extracellular matrix components. The affinity of integrins for ligands is regulated through a process termed integrin activation and de novo synthesis. Integrin activation is regulated by lipid raft components and the actin structure. However, there is little information on the relationship between integrin activation and its de novo synthesis. Cancerous mouse mast cells, mastocytoma P-815 cells (P-815 cells) are known to bind to fibronectin through de novo synthesis of integrin subtypes by prostaglandin (PG) E2 stimulation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between lipid raft components and the actin cytoskeleton, and PGE2-induced P-815 cells adhesion to fibronectin and the increase in surface expression and mRNA and protein levels of αvß3 and αIIbß3 integrins. Cholesterol inhibitor 6-O-α-maltosyl-ß cyclodextrin, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins inhibitor phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and actin inhibitor cytochalasin D inhibited PGE2-induced cell adhesion to fibronectin, but did not regulate the surface expression and mRNA and protein levels of αv and αIIb, and ß3 integrin subunits. In addition, inhibitor of integrin modulate protein CD47 had no effect on PGE2- and 8-Br-cAMP-induced cell adhesion. These results suggest that lipid raft components and the actin cytoskeleton are directly involved in increasing of adhesion activity of integrin αIIb, αv and ß3 subunits to fibronectin but not in stimulating of de novo synthesis of them in PGE2-stimulated P-815 cells. The modulation of lipid rafts and the actin structure is essential for P-815 cells adhesion to fibronectin.

[Study of long-term water quality of stocked drinking water].

We examined changes in the quality of drinking water stockpiled under various conditions for emergency use. The results indicated that the change in the quality of the stocked water was influenced mainly by the preservation period and not by the amount of water in the bottle. To maintain water quality, the amount of residual chlorine is less important than using sufficiently sterilized water, bottles and caps in the bottling process. Washing the bottles with a small amount of boiling water was not sufficient to ensure complete inhibition of microbial growth.

Effect of 6-O-α-maltosyl-ß cyclodextrin and its cholesterol inclusion complex on cellular cholesterol levels and ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in mouse mastocytoma P-815 cells.

We have previously described 6-O-α-maltosyl-ß cyclodextrin (Mal-ßCD), which forms soluble inclusion complex with cholesterol. Here we further investigated the effect of Mal-ßCD and cholesterol/Mal-ßCD inclusion complex (CLM) on cellular cholesterol levels in a mouse mast cell line, mastocytoma P-815 cells (P-815 cells). Mal-ßCD removes cellular cholesterol forming inclusion complexes, while Mal-ßCD-induced lack of cellular cholesterol was replenished by the addition of CLM without cytotoxicity. Reduction and replenishment of cellular cholesterol in Mal-ßCD- and/or CLM-treated P-815 cells, respectively, were demonstrated by LC/MS and fluorescence microscopy with filipin III. CLM rather than free Mal-ßCD and free cholesterol was efficiently incorporated into P-815 cells and its incorporation was inhibited by incubation at low temperature, or with sodium azide and cytochalasin D. P-815 cells have been confirmed to express ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCA1, ABCG1, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), by Western blot and mRNA analysis. Cholesterol reduction by Mal-ßCD abolishes the mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1, but not of P-gp. Cholesterol loading by CLM restores the diminished ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA expression in Mal-ßCD-treated P-815 cells. However, both Mal-ßCD and CLM had no effect on P-gp activity measured by the rhodamine 123 efflux assay. These results indicate that alteration of cholesterol levels with Mal-ßCD or CLM led to down- or up-regulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in P-815 cells.

Bacteriological and chemical evaluation of overseas mineral waters.

Overseas and imported mineral waters were subjected to visual examination, tested for standard plate count and heterotrophic bacteria, and also analyzed to determine the concentrations of several anions and cations. Some products showed turbidity or color, and several had standard plate count and/or heterotrophic bacteria. One imported natural mineral water product had a high level of standard plate count, and the levels differed with the lot. Tests for total coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, fecal streptococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were negative on additional testing of samples having standard plate counts of more than 100. The fluoride concentration of one European region sample exceeded the production standard of the Food Sanitation Act in Japan (raw water: less than 2 mg/L) and most of the products lacked the warning labels which are mandatory for fluoride concentrations over 0.8 mg/L. These results indicate that none of the raw water for mineral waters was seriously polluted, but insufficient sterilization of the bottle or cap or contamination with air-borne microbes during the production process was probably responsible for the pollution. Attention needs to be paid to fair labeling, such as no sterilization/no sterile filtration and high fluoride concentration.

Physicochemical and biological properties of 2-O-α-D-galactosyl-cyclomaltohexaose (α-cyclodexterin) and -cyclomaltoheptaose (ß-cyclodextrin).

The physicochemical and biological properties of the new branched cyclomaltooligosaccharides (cyclodextrins; CDs), 2-O-α-D-galactosyl-cyclomaltohexaose (2-O-α-D-galactosyl-α-cyclodextrin, 2-Gal-αCD) and 2-O-α-D-galactosyl-cyclomaltoheptaose (2-O-α-D-galactosyl-ß-cyclodextrin, 2-Gal-ßCD), were investigated. The formation of inclusion complexes of 2-Gal-CDs with various kinds of guest compounds (clofibrate, cholesterol, cholecalciferol, digitoxin, digitoxigenin, and prostaglandin A(1)) was examined by a solubility method, and the results were compared with those of non-branched CDs and other 6-O-glycosyl-CDs such as 6-O-α-D-galactosyl-CDs, 6-O-α-D-glucosyl-CDs, and 6-O-α-maltosyl-CDs. The inclusion abilities of 2-Gal-αCD for clofibrate and prostaglandin A(1), and 2-Gal-ßCD for clofibrate, cholecalciferol, cholesterol, and digitoxigenin were markedly weaker than those of non-branched CD and other 6-O-glycosyl-CDs in each series, probably because of a steric hindrance caused by the α-(1→2)-galactoside linkage. The hemolytic activities of 2-Gal-CDs on human erythrocytes were the lowest among each CD series, and the compounds showed negligible cytotoxicity towards Caco-2 cells up to at least 100mM.

Induction of integrin ß3 in PGE2-stimulated adhesion of mastocytoma P-815 cells to the Arg-Gly-Asp-enriched fragment of fibronectin.

We previously demonstrated that prostaglandin (PG) E2 stimulates adhesion of mastocytoma P-815 cells (P-815 cells) to the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-enriched matrix via the PGE2 receptor subtype EP4 [Hatae N, Kita A, Tanaka S, Sugimoto Y, Ichikawa A. Induction of adherent activity in mastocytoma P-815 cells by the cooperation of two prostaglandin E2 receptor subtypes, EP3 and EP4. J Biol Chem 2003;278:17977-81]. Here we investigated the role of various integrin subtypes in the induction of adherent activity in PGE(2)-stimulated P-815 cells. FACS analysis showed that P-815 cells express high levels of integrin α4, α5, ß1 and ß2 subunits and moderate levels of integrin αIIb, αv, ß3 and ß7 subunits. When treated with PGE2, the EP4 agonist ONO-AE1-329 or the cell permeable cAMP analogue, 8-Br-cAMP, P-815 cells showed markedly increased cell surface expression of integrin αIIb, αv and ß3 subunits, and these expressions were significantly reduced by addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Along with increased cell surface expression, mRNA and protein levels of the integrin ß3 subunit, but not of integrin αIIb and αv subunits, were simultaneously elevated. On the other hand, adhesion of P-815 cells in response to PGE2 or 8-Br-cAMP was abolished by antibodies specific for integrin αv and ß3 subunits, but not by antibodies for integrin α4, α5, ß1, ß2 and ß7 subunits. Moreover, treatment with tirofiban, an integrin αIIbß3 antagonist, or eptifibatide, an integrin αvß3/αIIbß3 antagonist resulted in a decrease in adhesion of P-815 cells in response to PGE2 or 8-Br-cAMP. These results suggest that de novo synthesis of the integrin ß3 subunit plays a pivotal role in PGE2-induced adhesion of P-815 cells to the RGD-enriched matrix through EP4-mediated cAMP signaling.

Negative and positive ion mode LC/MS/MS for simple, sensitive analysis of sorbic acid.

Sorbic acid (SA: CH(3)-CH=CH-CH=CH-COOH) is one of the widely used food preservatives, although there have been some reports of its toxic activity, for example, on DNA and skin cells. In order to examine the effects of SA on mammalian tissues, we have developed a highly sensitive analytical method using LC/MS/MS with positive and negative ion mode electrospray ionization (ESI). In a previous study, we found that a nonacidic eluent offers better ionization efficiency than acids or their ammoniun salts. However, optimal results could not be obtained because the anion form of SA is poorly retained on a conventional reversed phase column. To resolve this problem, we chose a new type of column and used high-resolution mass spectrometry and positive ion mode analysis. There have only been a few reports using these methods in the positive mode, for example derivatized SA, because acid compounds such as SA are usually used in the negative ion mode. However, a new type of low-carbon-content and polar-endcapped C18 phase column was developed for better separation of SA from the matrix. High-resolution selected reaction monitoring (SRM) gave the best signal to noise ratio in normal-resolution SRM. In the positive ion mode, the CH(3)OH-0.05% HCOOH/0.1% CH(3)COOH eluent system yielded the best ionization efficiency. We propose a highly sensitive and simple analysis using a two-ion-mode ESI SRM method. Such systems should allow quantification of the amount of SA in or around the cells, without the need for pretreatment such as solid phase extraction.

Sensitive and simple analysis of sorbic acid using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Sorbic acid (SA: CH(3)-CH=CH-CH=CH-COOH) and its salts are widely used as preservatives in foodstuff because of their growth inhibitory effects on mold, yeast and a wide range of bacteria. However, it is still unclear whether SA and its salts are actually incorporated in these organisms and a higher organisms like mammalian cells. Acidic compounds such as SA are usually analyzed by HPLC with eluents containing acetic acid, formic acid and their ammonium acetates, but such acidic buffers may suppress the ionization efficiency of the acidic compounds in negative-mode electrospray ionization (ESI). In this study, we present a sensitive and simple method for analysis of SA by HPLC with non-acidic solvents such as CH(3)CN/CH(3)OH-H(2)O by negative ion mode ESI-LC/MS. As a result, SA at less as 30 fmol was selectively determined by the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. It was defined as the peak area with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3. Good linearity was obtained in the range from 55 fmol (S/N 3) to 500 fmol (r(2)=0.9968) for SA by using LC/MS with the SRM mode. We also show that the method is useful to analyze SA level in the cytosol of mastocytoma cells, which were pretreated with SA. These results suggest the applicability of this method for the highly sensitive determination of SA in the mammalian tissues and cells.

Physicochemical and biological properties of 6(1),6(3),6(5)-tri-O-alpha-maltosyl-cyclomaltoheptaose (6(1),6(3),6(5)-tri-O-alpha-maltosyl-beta-cyclodextrin).

A unique multibranched cyclomaltooligosaccharide (cyclodextrin, CD) of 6(1),6(3),6(5)-tri-O-alpha-maltosyl-cyclomaltoheptaose [6(1),6(3),6(5)-tri-O-alpha-maltosyl-beta-cyclodextrin, (G(2))(3)-betaCD] was prepared. The physicochemical and biological properties of (G(2))(3)-betaCD were determined together with those of monobranched CDs (6-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-cyclodextrin (G(1)-alphaCD), 6-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-cyclodextrin (G(1)-betaCD), and 6-O-alpha-maltosyl-beta-cyclodextrin (G(2)-betaCD)). NMR spectra of (G(2))(3)-betaCD were measured using various 2D NMR techniques. The solubility of (G(2))(3)-betaCD in water and MeOH-water solutions was extremely high in comparison with nonbranched betaCD and was about the same as that of the other monobranched betaCDs. The formation of an inclusion complex of (G(2))(3)-betaCD with stereoisomers (estradiol, retinoic acid, quinine, citral, and glycyrrhetinic acid) depends on the cis-trans isomers of guest compounds. The cis isomers of estradiol, retinoic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid were included more than their trans isomers, while the trans isomers of citral and quinine fit more tightly than their cis isomers. (G(2))(3)-betaCD was the most effective host compound in the cis-trans resolution of glycyrrhetinic acid. Among the branched betaCDs, (G(2))(3)-betaCD exhibited the weakest hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes and showed negligible cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells up to 200 microM. These results indicate unique characteristics of (G(2))(3)-betaCD in some biological responses of cultured cells.

Characteristics of lipolysis in white adipose tissues of SHR/NDmc-cp rats, a model of metabolic syndrome.

This study shows the characteristics of hormone-dependent lipolysis in white adipose tissues from corpulent spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/NDmc-cp(cp/cp)). The glycerol-releasing activity on addition of norepinephrine (NE) and corticotropin (ACTH) was diminished in slices of epididymal, retroperitoneal, and mesenteric adipose tissues from cp/cp rats compared with those from Wistar Kyoto rats and lean spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR/NDmc-cp(+/+)). 8-Bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate had a slight effect on lipolysis in epididymal, retroperitoneal, and mesenteric adipose tissues from cp/cp rats, and addition of NE and ACTH resulted in a slight accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in epididymal adipose tissue from cp/cp rats. Therefore, the alteration of hormone-dependent lipolysis-related genes was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. It was found that the expression of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor, hormone-sensitive lipase, and perilipin messenger RNAs was limited in epididymal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous adipose tissues from cp/cp rats compared with +/+ rats. These results indicate that in white adipose tissue from cp/cp rats, the diminished lipolytic response to NE and ACTH may be caused by impaired expression of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor, hormone-sensitive lipase, and perilipin.

Isolation and characterization of two positional isomers of novel heterogeneous branched cyclomaltohexaoses (alpha-cyclodextrins) having a D-galactobiosyl residue on the side chain.

Transgalactosylated products, 2-O-alpha-D-galactobiosyl-cyclomaltohexaoses (alpha-cyclodextrins, alphaCDs), were synthesized by alpha-galactosidase from coffee bean using melibiose and alphaCD as a donor substrate and an acceptor, respectively. Two positional isomers of 2-O-alpha-galactobiosyl-alphaCDs were isolated and purified by HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by FABMS and NMR spectroscopies, as well as by an enzymatic degradation method. The chromatographic behavior of these novel galactosylated alphaCDs was compared on three HPLC columns with different separation modes.

[Evaluation of nickel allergy in mice].

This study was performed to establish a convenient mouse model for the evaluation of nickel allergy. For sensitization, 0.2 g of nickel sulfate in petrolatum was applied 4 times every other day to the shaved dorsal skin. Seven days after the first application of the nickel sulfate salt sample, the antigen-specific metal allergy reaction was estimated based on the swelling response of the footpad injected with 20 microliters of nickel sulfate salt in saline. Percutaneously applied nickel powder in petrolatum, as well as the original nickel salt sample, induced a significant nickel allergy reaction. Therefore, it is suggested that this system is applicable for the evaluation of antimetal allergic substances.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of hydroxylamine and related compounds.

The anti-inflammatory activities of several novel oximes and O-acyl oximes that we synthesized have been reported based on carrageenan-induced rat foot-pad swelling assay and histamine-induced rat vascular permeability assay. A cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 inhibitory effect has also been reported for 4'-piperidinoacetophenone and 4'-morpholinoacetophenone oximes and their O-acyl derivatives. To further search for more effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic drugs, 1-hydroxylamino-1-(4'-piperidinophenyl) ethane (P-HA) and 1-hydroxylamino-1-(4'-morpholinophenyl) ethane (M-HA) were synthesized from the corresponding oximes with sodium cyanoborohydride, and N,O-diacetyl hydroxylamines (P-HA-Ac and M-HA-Ac) were prepared from these hydroxylamines using acetyl chloride. These hydroxylamines and N,O-diacetyl hydroxylamines clearly exhibited inhibitory effects on mouse carrageenan-induced foot-pad swelling induced by oral administration (150, 37.5 mg/kg). An oral dose of P-HA-Ac (150 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the mouse anaphylactic reaction to ovalbumin measured by the abdominal wall (AW) method. Percutaneous administration of P-HA and M-HA significantly inhibited 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (type IV) in mice at a dose of 0.5 and 0.1 mg/ear, respectively. All tested hydroxylamines and N,O-diacetyl hydroxylamines clearly inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme activities with IC(50) values of 1.9-28.7 and 1.6-2.9 micro M against COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. Hydroxylamines (P-HA and M-HA) also showed a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory effect.