The secondary and tertiary structure of recombinant human acidic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (aFGF) has been characterized by a variety of spectroscopic methods. Native aFGF consists of ca. 55% beta-sheet, <em>20</em>% turn, 10% alpha-helix, and 15% disordered polypeptide as determined by laser Raman, circular dichroism, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the experimentally determined secondary structure content is in agreement with that calculated by the semi-empirical methods of Chou and Fasman (Chou, P. Y., and Fasman, G. C., 1974, Biochemistry 13, 222-244) and Garnier et al. (Garnier, J. O., et al., 1978, J. Mol. Biol. 1<em>20</em>, 97-1<em>20</em>). Using the Garnier et al. algorithm, the major secondary structure components of aFGF have been assigned to specific regions of the polypeptide chain. The fluorescence spectrum of native aFGF is unusual in that it is dominated by tyrosine fluorescence despite the presence of a tryptophan residue in the protein. However, tryptophan fluorescence is resolved upon excitation above 295 nm. The degree of tyrosine and tryptophan solvent exposure has been assessed by a combination of ultraviolet absorption, laser Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy; the results suggest that seven of the eight tyrosine residues are solvent exposed while the single tryptophan is partially inaccessible to solvent in native aFGF, consistent with recent crystallographic data. Denaturation of aFGF by extremes of temperature or pH leads to spectroscopically distinct conformational states in which contributions of tyrosine and tryptophan to the fluorescence spectrum of the protein vary. The protein is unstable at physiological temperatures. Addition of heparin or other sulfated polysaccharides does not affect the spectroscopic characteristics of native aFGF. These polymers do, however, dramatically stabilize the native protein against thermal and acid denaturation as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The interaction of aFGF with such polyanions may play a role in controlling the activity of this <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> in vivo.

To establish histologic criteria for a diagnosis of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), we investigated 69 peritoneal biopsy specimens histologically and immunohistochemically. The specimens included cases of EPS (n = 12), suspected cases of EPS without later manifestation (n = 5), cases of infectious peritonitis (n = <em>20</em>), cases of ultrafiltration failure (n = 25), and peritoneum at the start of peritoneal dialysis (n = 7). For each specimen, we evaluated these histologic parameters: fibrin deposition, mesothelial denudation, interstitial fibrosis, peritoneal <em>fibroblast</em> swelling, perivascular bleeding capillary angiogenesis, microvascular sclerosis, and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration. We also evaluated these immunohistochemical markers: macrophage migration inhibitory <em>factor</em> (MIF), <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (FGF), FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2), alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA), MIB1, and BCL2. The most characteristic histologic findings for EPS were fibrin deposition and <em>fibroblast</em> swelling. The presence of capillary angiogenesis and mononuclear cell infiltration were also associated with EPS. Expression of FGF, FGFR2, MIF, MIB1, and BCL2 in peritoneal <em>fibroblasts</em> was frequently observed in EPS. Our results suggest that fibrin deposition and peritoneal <em>fibroblast</em> activation or proliferation (or both) are useful findings for the early diagnosis of EPS. Careful histologic observation of the peritoneal biopsy after withdrawal of peritoneal dialysis is required for the early diagnosis and prevention of EPS.

The angiogenic properties of micron-sized (m-BG) and nano-sized (n-BG) bioactive glass (BG) filled poly(D,L lactide) (PDLLA) composites were investigated. On the basis of cell culture work investigating the secretion of vascular endothelial <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (VEGF) by human <em>fibroblasts</em> in contact with composite films (0, 5, 10, <em>20</em> wt %), porous 3D composite scaffolds, optimised with respect to the BG filler content capable of inducing angiogenic response, were produced. The in vivo vascularisation of the scaffolds was studied in a rat animal model and quantified using stereological analyses. The prepared scaffolds had high porosities (81-93%), permeability (k = 5.4-8.6 x 10⁻⁹ m²) and compressive strength values (0.4-1.6 MPa) all in the range of trabecular bone. On composite films containing <em>20</em> wt % m-BG or n-BG, human <em>fibroblasts</em> produced 5 times higher VEGF than on pure PDLLA films. After 8 weeks of implantation, m-BG and n-BG containing scaffolds were well-infiltrated with newly formed tissue and demonstrated higher vascularisation and percentage blood vessel to tissue (11.6-15.1%) than PDLLA scaffolds (8.5%). This work thus shows potential for the regeneration of hard-soft tissue defects and increased bone formation arising from enhanced vascularisation of the construct.

<em>Factors</em> controlling relative flux rates of the de novo and salvage pathways of purine nucleotide biosynthesis during animal cell <em>growth</em> are not fully understood. To examine the relative role of each pathway for cell <em>growth</em>, three cell lines including CHO K1 (a wild-type Chinese hamster ovary <em>fibroblast</em> cell line), CHO ade -A (an auxotrophic cell line deficient of amidophosphoribosyltransferase (ATase), a presumed rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo pathway), and CHO ade -A transfected with human ATase cDNA (-A+hATase) resulting in 30-350% of the ATase activity of CHO K1, were cultured in purine-rich or purine-free media. Based on the enzyme activities of ATase and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase, the metabolic rate of the de novo and salvage pathways, the rate of cell <em>growth</em> (<em>growth</em> rate) in three cell lines under various culture conditions, and the effect of hypoxanthine infusion on the metabolic rate of the de novo pathway in rat liver, we concluded the following. 1) In -A+hATase transfectants, ATase activity limits the rate of the de novo pathway, which is closely linked with the <em>growth</em> rate. 2) Purine nucleotides are synthesized preferentially by the salvage pathway as long as hypoxanthine, the most essential source of purine salvage, can be utilized, which was confirmed in rat liver in vivo by hypoxanthine infusion. The preferential usage of the salvage pathway results in sparing the energy expenditure required for de novo synthesis. 3) The regulatory capacity of the de novo pathway (about <em>20</em>0%) was larger than that of the salvage pathway (about <em>20</em>%) with constant hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aldose reductase (AR) inhibition on posterior capsular opacification (PCO) with the use of a pig eye capsular bag model.

METHODS

Pig eye capsular bags were prepared by capsulorhexis and cultured in medium without or with AR inhibitors for 7 days. Immunostaining was performed in paraformaldehyde-fixed capsular bags to determine the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), beta-crystallin, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. The effect of AR inhibition on basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF)-induced mitogenic signaling in cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) was examined. Cell growth was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell counting, the expression of alpha-SMA, beta-crystallin, and ICAM-1 by Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis, protein kinases by Western blot analysis, and NF-kappaB activation by gel shift and reporter assays.

RESULTS

During culture of pig eye capsular bags, residual cells on both the anterior and the posterior capsule showed vigorous growth. Treatment with AR inhibitors significantly prevented the lens epithelial cell growth in capsular bags and expression of alpha-SMA, beta-crystallin, and ICAM-1. HLECs showed a dose-dependent response to BFGF, proliferation at lower concentrations (<20 ng/mL) and differentiation/transdifferentiation at higher concentrations (>50 ng/mL). Inhibition of AR also prevented the BFGF-induced activation of ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-kappaB in HLECs.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that AR is required for lens epithelial cell growth and differentiation/transdifferentiation in the capsular bags, indicating that inhibition of AR could be a potential therapeutic target in the prevention of PCO.

We present a fast protocol that can be used to obtain highly purified cultures of proliferating adult human and rat Schwann cells accessible for non-viral transfection methods. The use of enriched genetically modified adult Schwann cells is of interest in the context of autologous cell transplantation within nerve transplants for peripheral nerve repair. Cell preparation from pre-degenerated adult peripheral nerves is described, together with the use of melanocyte <em>growth</em> medium plus forskolin, <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-2 (FGF-2), pituitary extract and heregulin as a selective, serum-free culture medium and a subsequent cell enrichment step (cold jet). Proliferating adult Schwann cells can be efficiently genetically modified using optimized, non-viral electroporation protocols. The protocol results in Schwann cell cultures that are more than 90-95% pure, and transfection efficiencies vary depending on the initial cell constitution from <em>20</em> to 40%. The procedure takes up to 21 d, depending on the length of the pre-degeneration period.

BACKGROUND

Platelets are rich in mediators able to positively affect cell activity in wound healing. Aim of this study was to characterize the effect of different concentrations of human pooled allogeneic platelet lysate on human cells involved in the different phases of wound healing (inflammatory phase, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix secretion and epithelialization).

RESULTS

Platelet lysate effect was studied on endothelial cells, monocytes, <em>fibroblasts</em> and keratinocytes, in terms of viability and proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, tissue repair pathway activation (ERK1/2) and inflammatory response evaluation (NFκB). Results were compared both with basal medium and with a positive control containing serum and <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em>. Platelet lysate induced viability and proliferation at the highest concentrations tested (10% and <em>20</em>% v/v). Whereas both platelet lysate concentrations increased cell migration, only <em>20</em>% platelet lysate was able to significantly promote angiogenic activity (p<0.05 vs. control), comparably to the positive control. Both platelet lysate concentrations activated important inflammatory pathways such as ERK1/2 and NFκB with the same early kinetics, whereas the effect was different for later time-points.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest the possibility of using allogeneic platelet lysate as both an alternative to growth factors commonly used for cell culture and as a tool for clinical regenerative application for wound healing.

Dermal <em>fibroblasts</em> exposed to low oxygen tension show upregulated synthesis of transforming <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), an established stimulatory peptide in the formation of extracellular matrix proteins. In this report, procollagen synthesis was measured in cultures of confluent adult human dermal <em>fibroblasts</em> exposed to either standard (<em>20</em>%) or low (2%) oxygen tension. By Northern blot analysis the steady state levels of alpha 1 (I) procollagen mRNA were increased by 75 to 150% of control (standard oxygen) as early as 12 hours and more than <em>20</em>0% 96 hours after exposure of cells to low oxygen. Similar increases in procollagen mRNA levels were obtained in hypoxic <em>fibroblast</em> cultures in a collagen lattice. The stimulatory effect of hypoxia on procollagen mRNA levels in <em>fibroblast</em> monolayers was diminished by antibodies to TGF-beta, and could not be augmented further by the addition of TGF-beta 1, evidence that hypoxic <em>fibroblasts</em> may already be maximally stimulated by TGF-beta 1. We conclude that low oxygen tension enhances steady state mRNA levels of alpha 1 (I) procollagen, and that this effect is mediated at least in part by TGF-beta 1.

We examined the effect of interleukin-6 (human recombinant) on glutamate-induced neuronal death of cultured <em>20</em>-day fetal rat hippocampal neurons. After 7 days in culture, the hippocampal neurons were markedly degenerated by the addition of L-glutamate and also N-methyl-D-aspartate. The neuronal death was prevented by the addition of MK801, a potent N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist. Interleukin-6 at the concentration of 50 ng/ml has a significant preventive effect on the glutamate-induced neuronal death. Basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> at the concentration of 100 ng/ml gave also significant protective effect on hippocampal neurons, but nerve <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> was ineffective in preventing the toxicity. It has been postulated that glutamate plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neuronal death such as ischemia and the various neurological diseases. Interleukin-6 might have somewhat physiological or pathological role in these events.

In rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) cells, which express osteoblastic features in culture, basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (bFGF) reduces the level of alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin mRNA and increases osteopontin mRNA, independent of <em>growth</em> stimulation. The <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (FGF) effects are dose dependent (EC50 about 6 pM) and are detected 24 h after addition of the <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>. bFGF also reduces parathyroid hormone-stimulatable adenylate cyclase and alkaline phosphatase activity in these cells. Concomitant treatment with pertussis toxin (<em>20</em> ng/ml) opposes the FGF effects. Although cyclic AMP elevating agents mimic pertussis toxin action on some parameters, they produce opposite effects on others, indicating that antagonism between pertussis toxin and bFGF is not mediated by cyclic AMP. bFGF caused a small reduction in steady state NAD-dependent ADP-ribosylation and had no detectable effects on the steady-state levels of the Gi alpha (alpha subunit of the inhibitory G protein) 1, 2, and 3, visualized with specific antibodies in these cells. Although the site of interaction of pertussis toxin and FGF remains to be determined, the findings presented here suggest separate control of <em>growth</em> and differentiation by bFGF and show that pertussis toxin treatment can modulate differentiation in these cells, presumably via Gi proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

A new case of familial tumoral calcinosis (FTC)/hyperostosis-hyperphosphatemia syndrome (HHS) due to a novel compound heterozygous mutation in N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 3 (GALNT3) and with new phenotypic findings is presented. The response in serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) to medical treatment is detailed. This case expands the genotype and phenotype of FTC/HHS and gives insight into its treatment and pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND

FTC and HHS are caused by mutations in FGF23, GALNT3, or KLOTHO. They are characterized by hyperphosphatemia, increased phosphate reabsorption, and elevated or inappropriately normal serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-D(3)); FTC is associated with calcific masses, and HHS with diaphyseal hyperostosis.

METHODS

A 36-year-old woman presented with abnormal dental X-rays at age 12 and was hyperphosphatemic at 22. She underwent radiographic, biochemical and genetic testing, and medical treatment.

RESULTS

Serum phosphorus was 7.3 mg/dL (2.5-4.8), TmP/GFR 6.99 mg/100 mL (2.97-4.45), 1,25-D(3) 35 pg/mL (22-67). Radiographs revealed tooth anomalies, thyroid cartilage calcification, calcific masses in vertebral spaces, calcification of the interstitial septa of the soft tissue in the lower extremities, and cortical thickening of the long bones. Her total hip Z score was 1.9. C-terminus serum FGF23 was 1,210 RU/mL (20-108), but intact FGF23 was 7.4 pg/mL (10-50). DNA sequencing determined she was a compound heterozygote for mutations in GALNT3. Treatment with niacinamide and acetazolamide decreased TmP/GFR and serum phosphate, which was paralleled by a decrease in serum C-terminus FGF23.

CONCLUSIONS

This case broadens the spectrum of phenotypic and genotypic features of FTC/HHS and suggests treatments to decrease renal phosphate reabsorption in the setting of a low intact FGF23.

A new sharply pH- and temperature-responsive hydrogel system was designed for delivering drugs to regions of local acidosis, as found in wound healing, tumor sites, or sites of ischemia. The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique was used to synthesize copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) and propylacrylic acid (PAA) with feed ratios of PAA between 0 and <em>20</em> mol %. The pH-responsive viscoelastic properties of these materials as a function of pH and temperature were quantified by rheometry. At physiologic pH (7.4) and 5 wt %, the polymer did not form gels but rather remained soluble at temperatures as high as 50 degrees C. At lower pH values (pH ca. 5.5 and below), the polymer was liquid at <em>20</em> degrees C, but exhibited a sol-gel phase transformation with increasing temperature and existed as a physical gel at 37 degrees C. Incorporation of the hydrophobic monomer, butyl acrylate, into the random copolymer raised the pH of gel formation to greater than 6.0 at 37 degrees C. Drug loading studies demonstrated that p(NIPAAm-co-PAA) hydrogels are able to maintain the bioactivity of basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> following storage in hydrogel for 40 h and can provide sustained pH-dependent release of vascular endothelial <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> over a period of at least three weeks. This hydrogel system will thus gel at controllable acidic pH values upon injection, and is designed to undergo gradual dissolution as it performs its drug delivery function and the ischemic site returns to physiological pH.

The overall goal was to describe the importance of <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> (FGFs) during development of the bovine embryo. An inhibitor of FGF receptor kinase activity (SU5402) was used to examine whether FGF signaling is required for embryo development. Addition of <em>20</em> μM SU5402 on Day 0 (Day of IVF) reduced (P = 0.04) the percentage of oocytes becoming blastocysts on Day 7 compared to controls (5.9 ± 2.1 vs 16.9 ± 2.4; average ± SEM). Also, Day-8 blastocysts placed into individual culture drops of medium containing SU5402 tended to have decreased (P = 0.08) blastomere numbers at Day 11 (211.1 ± 27.5 vs 297.8 ± 25.0). A second series of studies determined if supplemental FGF2 enhances development in vitro. There was no effect of FGF2 on cleavage or blastocyst development rates when 5 or 100 ng/mL FGF2 was provided immediately after fertilization. Also, FGF2 supplementation beginning on Day 5 post-fertilization did not significantly affect blastocyst rates or the number of trophoblast and inner cell mass cells. However, addition of 500 ng/mL FGF2 at both Day 0 and Day 4 increased (P = 0.03) the percentage of oocytes that became blastocysts on Day 7 compared with controls (27.4 ± 1.3 vs 19.7 ± 1.3). In a final study, the thermal-protective ability of FGF2 was examined by adding FGF2 1 h before exposing Day 5 embryos to heat shock. Addition of FGF2 did not significantly influence embryo thermal-tolerance. In conclusion, FGF receptor activation was important for optimal blastocyst formation and FGF2 supplementation increased bovine blastocyst formation when provided at high concentrations.

In recent years a role has been recognized for <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (FGF)-2 in the pathogenesis of demyelination and the failure of remyelination in experimental models of multiple sclerosis (MS). FGF-2 levels were determined using a sensitive immunoassay in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of <em>20</em> patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), 40 patients with relapsing-remitting (R-R) MS, and 30 patients with secondary progressive (SP) MS, correlated with MRI measures. Control CSF samples were obtained from <em>20</em> subjects who underwent lumbar puncture for diagnostic purposes and for whom all instrumental and laboratory analyses excluded systemic and nervous system diseases. FGF-2 levels in the CSF of MS and CIS patients were significantly higher than controls (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). The highest levels were detected in R-R MS patients during relapse and in SP MS patients with an increase of 1 point in EDSS scores in the last 6 months. A significant correlation was found in SP MS patients with lesional load (R=0.43, P<0.01) but not with parenchymal fractions as measures of brain atrophy. A slight increase in serum FGF-2 levels was also found in R-R MS patients during relapse with gadolinium enhancing lesions and in SP patients with disability progression. These findings support the implication of FGF-2 in the pathogenesis of MS and concur with recent reports of the involvement of FGF receptor signalling in the disruption of myelin production in differentiated oligodendrocytes and in the loss of adult oligodendrocytes and myelin in vivo due to FGF-2.

The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) activates thermogenesis by uncoupling electron transport from ATP synthesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) mitochondria. Although T3 can induce thermogenesis by sympathetic innervation, little is known about its cell autonomous effects on BAT mitochondria. We thus examined effects of T3 on mitochondrial activity, autophagy, and metabolism in primary brown adipocytes and BAT and found that T3 increased fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial respiration as well as autophagic flux, mitophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Interestingly, there was no significant induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) despite high mitochondrial respiration and UCP1 induction by T3. However, when cells were treated with Atg5 siRNA to block autophagy, induction of mitochondrial respiration by T3 decreased, and was accompanied by ROS accumulation, demonstrating a critical role for autophagic mitochondrial turnover. We next generated an Atg5 conditional knockout mouse model (Atg5 cKO) by injecting Ucp1 promoter-driven Cre-expressing adenovirus into Atg5Flox/Flox mice to examine effects of BAT-specific autophagy on thermogenesis in vivo. Hyperthyroid Atg5 cKO mice exhibited lower body temperature than hyperthyroid or euthyroid control mice. Metabolomic analysis showed that T3 increased short and long chain acylcarnitines in BAT, consistent with increased β-oxidation. T3 also decreased amino acid levels, and in conjunction with SIRT1 activation, decreased MTOR activity to stimulate autophagy. In summary, T3 has direct effects on mitochondrial autophagy, activity, and turnover in BAT that are essential for thermogenesis. Stimulation of BAT activity by thyroid hormone or its analogs may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity and metabolic diseases. Abbreviations: ACACA: acetyl-Coenzyme A carboxylase alpha; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; Acsl1: acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1; ATG5: autophagy related 5; ATG7: autophagy related 7; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; BAT: brown adipose tissue; cKO: conditional knockout; COX4I1: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4I1; Cpt1b: carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b, muscle; CQ: chloroquine; DAPI: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DIO2: deiodinase, iodothyronine, type 2; DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium; EIF4EBP1: eukaryotic translation initiation <em>factor</em> 4E binding protein 1; Fabp4: fatty acid binding protein 4, adipocyte; FBS: fetal bovine serum; FCCP: carbonyl cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone; FGF: <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>; FOXO1: forkhead box O1; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GFP: green fluorescent protein; Gpx1: glutathione peroxidase 1; Lipe: lipase, hormone sensitive; MAP1LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; mRNA: messenger RNA; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; NAD: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; Nrf1: nuclear respiratory <em>factor</em> 1; OCR: oxygen consumption rate; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; PPARGC1A: peroxisome proliferative activated receptor, gamma, coactivator 1 alpha; Pnpla2: patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2; Prdm16: PR domain containing 16; PRKA: protein kinase, AMP-activated; RPS6KB: ribosomal protein S6 kinase; RFP: red fluorescent protein; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SD: standard deviation; SEM: standard error of the mean; siRNA: small interfering RNA; SIRT1: sirtuin 1; Sod1: superoxide dismutase 1, soluble; Sod2: superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; T3: 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine; TFEB: transcription <em>factor</em> EB; TOMM<em>20</em>: translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane <em>20</em>; UCP1: uncoupling protein 1 (mitochondrial, proton carrier); ULK1: unc-51 like kinase 1; VDAC1: voltage-dependent anion channel 1; WAT: white adipose tissue.

We report here our experience in achieving remission in a <em>20</em>-year-old man with pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) with atypical endotheliomatosis following therapy with doxycycline. PCH is a rare disorder characterized by proliferating capillaries that invade the pulmonary interstitium and alveolar septae, and occlude the pulmonary vasculature. The patient's symptoms, lung function, and radiographic findings had worsened despite treatment with both prednisone and alpha-interferon. He was considered to be a candidate for transplantation. Given the elevated levels of basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (bFGF) in urine and the capillary proliferation noted on biopsy specimens, we elected to treat the patient with doxycycline, a matrix metalloproteinase and angiogenesis inhibitor. Following several weeks of therapy, a gradual resolution of symptoms was noted, with normalization of pulmonary function test results and urine bFGF levels. After 18 months of therapy, the patient remains in complete remission.

The marked and rapid increase of hepatocyte <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (HGF) mRNA in the intact lung of rats after partial hepatectomy or unilateral nephrectomy suggests the existence of a humoral <em>factor</em> mediating a signal of injury to distal organs and may induce the expression of HGF gene in these organs. We have now identified a proteinous <em>factor</em> in the sera of rats with injury of liver or kidney that increases HGF mRNA in the intact lung. When the serum of rats with liver insult caused by partial hepatectomy or ischemic treatment was injected i.p. into normal noninjured rats, it induced a marked HGF mRNA expression in the lung of the recipient rats. The addition of serum from rats with various hepatic or renal injuries to MRC-5 human embryonic lung <em>fibroblasts</em> in culture also led to the induction of HGF mRNA expression, so that the production of HGF by MRC-5 cells after treatment with the sera was remarkably increased in the culture medium. However, serum from the normal intact rat induced no HGF production and no HGF mRNA in the lung in vivo and lung <em>fibroblasts</em> in vitro. This <em>factor</em>, which increases HGF production, was purified greater than <em>20</em>0-fold from sera of CCl4-treated rats. The <em>factor</em> proved to be an acid- and heat-stable protein with an apparent molecular mass of 10-<em>20</em> kDa in SDS/PAGE. Its activity markedly increased within 3-6 hr in the plasma of rats after various treatments that injured the liver or kidney. These results suggest that the <em>factor</em> specifically appears in the blood of rats with organ injury and may be involved in organ regeneration through the potential to increase the synthesis of HGF. Since the <em>factor</em> seems to mediate various organ injuries, we named it "injurin."

The permissive effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) on in vitro <em>growth</em> and differentiation of fetal human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have been studied. <em>Factors</em> which enhanced the effect of ECM to support cell division were also examined, including <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em>, culture media, and serum requirement. Under the specific culture conditions we have defined, it is possible to propagate these RPE cells at low density (less than <em>20</em> cells/mm2) with excellent <em>growth</em> properties for greater than 72 doublings (fourteen passages) in serial culture. Later-passaged cells maintained the morphological appearance of early-passaged cultures. ECM produced by bovine corneal endothelial cells was by far the most predominant <em>factor</em> in promoting rapid cell proliferation and viability over repeated passaging. Basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (bFGF) exerted a substantial effect on the rate of cell division at different serum concentrations on plastic dishes. In addition, this <em>factor</em> showed profound synergistic effect when RPE cells were maintained on ECM, both in the preservation of cell morphology and also in long term viability. Other <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em>, such as epidermal <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (EGF) and transforming <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-beta (TGF-B), were also tested, but EGF effects were less prominent than those observed with bFGF, and TGF-B had an inhibitory effect at high concentrations. The ability to obtain a relatively large number of human RPE cells in vitro which preserve the appearance of early passage cells may provide useful opportunities to study the physiological properties and pathological alterations involving this important cell type.

Major features of a long-standing inflammation in the kidney are vascular proliferation, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, leading to a gradual deterioration of the renal function. In this study we have investigated the expression of B-type receptors for platelet-derived <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (PDGF) in frozen sections from normal and inflamed kidneys. Immunohistochemical techniques, employing two monoclonal antibodies specific for PDGF B-type receptors, were used. The specimens investigated were 15 kidneys removed by transplantectomy because of chronic rejection, <em>20</em> cases of glomerulonephritis with crescent formation, mesangial proliferation or non-proliferative glomerulonephritis, and six normal kidneys. In parallel we characterized cellular infiltrates and class II transplantation antigen expression in the inflamed kidneys. An enhanced PDGF receptor expression was found on intimal cells and on smooth muscle cells of the proliferating vessels, on glomerular cells in glomeruli with mesangial proliferation, and on <em>fibroblast</em>-like cells in the proximity of clusters of infiltrating macrophages and T-lymphocytes of the interstitial tissue. Induction of PDGF receptor expression may render cells responsive to stimulation by PDGF, released from PDGF-producing cells, such as activated macrophages and from platelets. Our data suggest that PDGF is involved in the proliferation of mesenchymal cells that is seen in rejected kidney transplants and glomerulonephritis.

Human neural precursor cell cultures (neurospheres) were established from fetal brain tissues of 15-<em>20</em> gestation weeks and propagated for over a year in the presence of epidermal <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>, basic <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> and leukemia inhibitory <em>factor</em>. Neurospheres were differentiated without the presence of above <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> to follow the development of oligodendroglia. Oligodendroglial progenitors, identified by their bipolar morphology and expression of platelet-derived <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> receptor-alpha (PDGFRalpha), emerged from spheres as early as 1 DIV; O4+ cells with bipolar to multipolar processes were observed at 3 DIV whereas O1+ multiprocess-bearing oligodendroglia did not appear until 5-7 DIV. They further differentiated to myelin basic protein-expressing oligodendrocytes after 2-3 weeks in culture. Thus, human oligodendroglial maturation in vitro follows the same pathway as rat cells but takes twice as long as their rodent counterparts. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation indicated that PDGFRalpha-expressing cells but not O4+ oligodendroglia proliferated. More oligodendroglial progenitors incorporated BrdU and more O4+ cells survived when they were in contact with neurons and astrocytes than when they developed beyond the astrocyte layer. In addition, oligodendroglia on astrocytes had a complex process branching whereas those <em>growing</em> beyond astrocyte layer often formed membrane sheaths. Thus the survival, proliferation and maturation of oligodendroglia are influenced by other cell types.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic <em>factor</em> (GDNF), a sequence-related <em>factor</em> of the transforming <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>-beta family, has been identified as a potent neurotrophic <em>factor</em> for a variety of neuronal cell populations. At present, it is still unknown whether human gliomas in vivo are also capable of producing GDNF. We studied the expression of GDNF in 14 human glioblastomas, 1 gliosarcoma and 5 astrocytomas. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the amount of GDNF was quantified in human gliomas and compared to GDNF-expression in C6 glioma cells, mouse <em>fibroblasts</em> and normal human and rat brain. Mean concentration of GDNF in gliomas was 937 +/- 140 pg GDNF/g tissue (n = <em>20</em>). C6 cells revealed the highest expression levels of 2,837 +/- 813 pg/g, whereas mouse 3T3 <em>fibroblasts</em> showed no detectable GDNF protein. Mean GDNF tissue levels in normal human and rat brain were significantly lower. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, GDNF mRNA was detected in human gliomas and in rat C6 cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong GDNF- and GDNF receptor-alpha 1-expressing tumor cells in human glioma tissue. These results show that glial tumors, even in the most dedifferentiated form of glioblastoma, express GDNF at concentrations up to five times higher compared to normal human brain. This overexpression of GDNF may be of biological relevance for proliferation of glial tumors in humans.

We have tested the histamine releasing properties and priming abilities of a wide range of recombinant or purified cytokines and <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> on the basophils of <em>20</em> subjects (10 atopic and 10 nonatopic). We found that monocyte chemotactic and activating <em>factor</em>/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCAF/MCP-1), RANTES, human macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha and human inflammatory protein-1 beta, Connective tissue activating peptide III and Neutrophil Activating Peptide-2 (NAP-2) cause histamine release from basophils and are all members of the intercrine/chemokine family. MCAF/MCP-1 was as potent as anti-IgE or C5a and it is clearly the major contributor to histamine releasing <em>factor</em> activity. RANTES was the second major histamine releasing <em>factor</em> among the positive cytokines. Both MCAF/MCP-1 and RANTES are present in conditioned mononuclear cell media and can be separated using Mono Q anion exchange chromatography. We also demonstrated that RANTES has unusual chromatographic properties in spite of its isoelectric point of>> 9.0 because it is largely found in peak-2 of the Mono Q column rather than peak-1 in which intercrines such as MCAF/MCP-1, IL-8, and connective tissue activating peptide III are found. All other cytokines and <em>growth</em> <em>factors</em> tested were negative, with the exception of IL-3, which caused histamine release in a subpopulation of subjects, and also primed basophils for release by anti-IgE. Other basophil primers for anti-IgE-dependent histamine release were IL-5, mast cell <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> (c-kit ligand), and insulin-like <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> II. Using specific neutralizing antibodies we have shown that MCAF/MCP-1, RANTES, and IL-3 contribute significantly to the activity found in mononuclear cell culture supernatants. Granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, IP-10, I-309, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IgE-binding <em>factor</em>, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta 1, <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>, epidermal <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em>, and endothelial cell <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> were negative for direct histamine release and as primers of basophils. Our results indicate that cytokines belonging to the intercrine/chemokine family are major constituents of the activity known as "histamine releasing <em>factor</em>" found in MNC supernatants.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify whether synovial cell proliferation indicates an imbalance in production between angiogenic growth factors and angiogenesis inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we investigated the production of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as representative angiogenic growth factors and endostatin as a representative angiogenesis inhibitor.

METHODS

The b-FGF, VEGF, and endostatin levels in 90 samples of peripheral blood (PB) and 15 samples of joint fluid obtained from patients with RA and 30 samples of PB and 10 samples of joint fluid from patients without RA, including 20 patients with inflammatory arthritis without purulent arthritis, and 10 patients with osteoarthritis were measured by ELISA. VEGF and endostatin levels in blood samples from 22 patients with RA were measured at 2 points: before and 4 or 5 months after the commencement of medication.

RESULTS

The b-FGF and VEGF levels in the PB and joint fluid samples from patients with RA were markedly elevated compared to samples from patients without RA. In contrast, endostatin levels in PB and joint fluid samples from patients with RA were almost the same as in the samples from patients without RA. VEGF levels in blood samples obtained 4 or 5 months after the commencement of medication (combination of prednisolone 5 mg/day and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs: either bucillamine 100 mg/day or salazosulfapyridine 1,000 mg/day) were significantly decreased from 27.1 +/- 8.5 pg/ml in samples obtained before commencement of medication to 18.1 +/- 16.2 pg/ml. Endostatin levels in the corresponding samples were significantly increased, from 31.5 +/- 7.0 to 57.1 +/- 22.8 ng/ml [correction].

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reveal significant differences in b-FGF and VEGF levels in PB and joint fluid samples, but no difference in endostatin levels, between patients with RA and those without RA, suggesting that angiogenesis in RA occurs as a result of an imbalance in production between angiogenic growth factors and angiogenesis inhibitors.

Genetic variation in <em>fibroblast</em> <em>growth</em> <em>factor</em> <em>20</em> (FGF<em>20</em>) has been associated with risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Functional evidence suggested the T allele of one SNP, rs127<em>20</em><em>20</em>8 C/T, altered PD risk by increasing FGF<em>20</em> and alpha-synuclein protein levels. Herein we report our association study of FGF<em>20</em> and PD risk in four patient-control series (total: 1,262 patients and 1,881 controls), and measurements of FGF<em>20</em> and alpha-synuclein protein levels in brain samples (nine patients). We found no evidence of association between FGF<em>20</em> variability and PD risk, and no relationship between the rs127<em>20</em><em>20</em>8 genotype, FGF<em>20</em> and alpha-synuclein protein levels.