Aberrantly expressed recoverin is functionally associated with G-protein-coupled receptor kinases in cancer cell lines.

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is an ocular manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome whereby immunological reactions toward recoverin (Rec), a retina-specific Ca(2+) binding protein, and its aberrant expression in tumor cells lead to the retinal degeneration. To elucidate functional roles of the aberrantly expression in cancer cells, we performed immunoprecipitation using anti-human Rec mAb. We observed co-precipitation of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and caveolin-1 with Rec from cell lysates of 293 or SSTW cells.

A high dietary intake of sodium glutamate as flavoring (ajinomoto) causes gross changes in retinal morphology and function.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of glutamate accumulation in vitreous on retinal structure and function, due to a diet high in sodium glutamate. Three different diet groups were created, consisting of rats fed on a regular diet (diet A), a moderate excess of sodium glutamate diet (diet B) and a large excess of sodium glutamate diet (diet C). After 1, 3 and 6 months of the administration of these diets, amino acids concentrations in vitreous were analyzed.

Antirecoverin antibody in the aqueous humor of a patient with cancer-associated retinopathy.

Purpose: To describe a patient with cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) in whom antirecoverin antibody was found in the aqueous humor.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: A 65-year-old man underwent resection of adenocarcinoma of the lung in June 1991 and noted deterioration of vision 10 months later.

Clinical roles of serum autoantibody against neuron-specific enolase in glaucoma patients.

In our recent papers, we found the presence of serum autoantibody against neuron specific enolase (NSE) in some glaucoma patients and suggested that this antibody might have significant roles in pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. In order to evaluate further the clinical roles of serum autoantibody against NSE in glaucoma, serum autoantibody against NSE was examined by western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 4 patients with ocular hypertension (OH) and 242 patients with glaucoma (normal tension glaucoma [NTG], 73 cases; primary open angle glaucoma [POAG], 169 cases), and the relationships between the titers of anti-NSE antibody and clinical characteristics were evaluated. The titers of anti-NSE antibody showed a regular decreasing pattern with deteriorating visual field losses and glaucoma stages in POAG, especially early and late stages.

[Molecular pathology of retinitis pigmentosa].

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is primary, chronic, and hereditary chorioretinal degeneration characterized by photopsia, progressive visual loss with ring scotoma, and impairment of dark adaptation. Although modern molecular biology and molecular genetics have identified many causative genes, the molecular pathophysiology of RP is not fully understood, and no effective treatments have been found yet. In recent studies using animal models of RP, new treatments have been devised and their clinical use is being considered.

A case of pseudoadenomatous hyperplasia of ciliary body epithelium successfully treated by local resection.

A case of pseudoadenomatous hyperplasia of ciliary body epithelium was reported in which malignant melanoma of ciliary body was suspected. Partial resection for histopathology was performed in conjunction with cataract extraction, anterior resection and photocoagulation. Histopathology of the tumor identified as pseudoadenomatous hyperplasia of ciliary body epithelium.

[Effect of tonometry on a glaucoma population study].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of tonometry in detecting the occurrence of glaucoma.

Methods: The subjects, 845 out of 3,488 residents aged 40 years or older, were examined according to standard protocols, including tonometry, slit lamp examination, fundus photography, and automatic perimetry as a recall examination. The intraocular pressure in each subject was measured by both Goldmann applanation tonometer(GAT) and noncontact tonometer CT-70 (NCT).

Preservation of retinal morphology and functions in royal college surgeons rat by nilvadipine, a Ca(2+) antagonist.

Purpose: The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat is the most extensively studied animal model for understanding the molecular pathology in inherited retinal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacologic effects of several Ca(2+) antagonists on the retinal degeneration of RCS rats.

Methods: Several Ca(2+) antagonists, diltiazem, nicardipine, nilvadipine, and nifedipine, were intraperitoneally administered and retinal morphology and functions analyzed.

A case of acute angle-closure glaucoma secondary to posterior scleritis in patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Background: Sturge-Weber syndrome has been known to be frequently associated with facial cutaneous angioma and ipsilateral glaucoma. However, as far as we know, no cases accompanied by acute angle-closure glaucoma have been reported in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Case: A 14-year-old boy with unilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma secondary to posterior scleritis associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome is described.

Clinical significance of serum antibody against neuron-specific enolase in glaucoma patients.

Purpose: In a recent study, we found the presence of serum autoantibody against neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in glaucoma patients. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate further the clinical significance of the presence of the serum antibody against NSE in glaucoma patients.

Methods: Serum autoantibody against NSE was examined by Western blot analysis in 143 patients with glaucoma (normal tension glaucoma [NTG], 45 cases; primary open angle glaucoma [POAG] 98 cases).

Autoantibody against neuron-specific enolase found in glaucoma patients causes retinal dysfunction in vivo.

Purpose: In our recent paper, we have reported the presence of serum autoantibody against neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients with glaucoma. The purpose of the present study was to investigate further the pathological effects of anti-NSE antibody on retina by comparing them with the effects induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA).

Methods: Either a glaucoma patient's serum or purified anti-NSE antibody, or 10-40 mM NMDA was intravitreously administered into Lewis rat eyes, and electrophysiological, histopathological, and biochemical evaluations were performed.