Double filtration plasmapheresis enhances neutrophil chemotactic responses in hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.

The patient, a 32-year-old male, was diagnosed as having hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome and was subsequently treated with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). The patient showed a defective chemotaxis with reference to polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the presence of chemotactic inhibitor in his serum. By the fifth treatment with DFPP, chemotactic responses had improved, and there was no further evidence of chemotactic inhibitor in his serum.

Characterization of the promoters of the guinea pig neutrophil cationic peptide-1 and -2 genes.

Guinea pig neutrophils contain the antimicrobial cationic peptides GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 in the granules. To understand the regulation of the gene expression, the promoters for the GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 genes were characterized. Sequencing analysis of the genomic clones showed that the nucleotide sequences of the 5'-upstream regions (1.

Analysis of the NADPH oxidase components during differentiation of HL-60 cells to eosinophilic lineage.

HL-60 cells were induced to differentiate into eosinophil-like cells with sodium butyrate after passage under mild alkaline condition. The differentiating cells gradually possessed the Luxol-fast-blue (LFB) staining-positive granules and the capacity to produce superoxide. The increase in the amounts of cytochrome b-558 paralleled the superoxide anion generating activity.

Biliary glycoprotein mRNA expression is increased in primary lung cancer, especially in squamous cell carcinoma.

Biliary glycoprotein (BGP), a member of the carcinoembryonic antigen gene family, is a cell surface glycoprotein that has both a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. BGPs consist of at least four isoforms (BGPa, b, c, and d) and function in vitro as Ca(2+)-dependent homotypic intercellular adhesion molecules. The mRNA expression of BGP gene was investigated in specimens of primary and metastatic cancer tissues from 15 patients with primary lung cancer (six squamous cell carcinomas, five adenocarcinomas, and four small cell carcinomas).

Purification of the antibacterial fragments of guinea-pig major basic protein.

In this study, we tried to purify the antibacterial fragments of guinea-pig major basic protein (MBP) using Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity of MBP was not affected by the pyridylethylation, suggesting that the disulfide bonds were not necessary for the antibacterial activity. When pyridylethylated-MBP was digested with alpha-chymotrypsin, the four potent antibacterial fragments (fragment V (Arg105-Tyr119), fragment IX (Thr1-Phe67), fragment X (Ile54-Leu97) and fragment XIII (Arg25-Phe67)) were isolated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Guinea-pig neutrophil cationic peptides are encoded by at least three kinds of mRNA transcripts.

1. cDNA clones encoding antimicrobial guinea-pig neutrophil cationic peptides, GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 were isolated from a bone marrow cell cDNA library. 2.

Isolation and characterization of the neutrophil-binding proteins for platelet-derived adherence-inhibiting factor.

Guinea pig neutrophils adhered to adherence-inhibiting factor (AIF)-coated plastic; the adherence was completely inhibited by the addition of AIF, but partly inhibited by type IV collagen. Binding of 125I-labeled AIF to neutrophils was inhibited by unlabeled AIF, but partly inhibited by type IV collagen. Scatchard analysis showed that neutrophils have two classes of binding sites for AIF, high-affinity binding sites (kd = 5.

Purification of the 260 kDa cytosolic complex involved in the superoxide production of guinea pig neutrophils.

A 260 kDa cytosolic complex (SP-1) was purified from guinea pig neutrophils. SP-1 was composed of 63 kDa, 47 kDa and 39 kDa proteins. The 63 kDa and 47 kDa proteins proved to correspond to human p67phox and p47phox by Western blot analysis, whereas Western blot and amino acid sequence analyses revealed that the 39 kDa protein was a novel protein.

Effect of methylprednisolone on transforming growth factor-beta, insulin-like growth factor-I, and basic fibroblast growth factor gene expression in the kidneys of NZB/W F1 mice.

The present study was carried out to determine whether transforming growth factor-beta, insulin-like growth factor-I and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA levels were correlated with disease activity in NZB/W F1 mice, an animal model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Levels of mRNA for these three growth factors increased significantly as nephritis progressed in these mice. At 48 weeks of age, transforming growth factor-beta, insulin-like growth factor-I, and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA levels showed a 11- (p < 0.

mRNA expression of growth factors in glomeruli from diabetic rats.

Evaluations of glomerular mRNA levels encoding for PCNA, TNF-alpha, PDGF-A and -B chains, TGF-beta, IGF-I, bFGF, and EGF were made at 4, 12, and 24 wk after injection of STZ in Sprague-Dawley rats. The mRNA levels for PCNA, TNF-alpha, PDGF-B chain, TGF-beta, and bFGF increased with age in STZ-induced diabetic rats. At 24 wk after STZ injection, mRNA levels for PCNA, TNF-alpha, PDGF-B chain, TGF-beta, and bFGF were increased 3.

Low-protein diet attenuates increased gene expression of platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta in experimental glomerular sclerosis.

The present study was designed to assess whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and -B chain and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) mRNA expression in glomeruli are affected by a low-protein (6%) diet during the course of focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS). Puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) was injected intraperitoneally in rats, and the right kidney was removed on day 22. The nephrotic rats received successive intraperitoneal injections of PAN on days 27, 34, and 41.

Cloning and characterization of the guinea pig neutrophil cationic peptide-1 and -2 genes.

Guinea pig neutrophils contain the antimicrobial cationic peptides GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 in the granules. Using cDNA probes, four different GNCP gene clones were isolated from a guinea pig genomic library. Two clones encoded GNCP-1 and other two clones encoded GNCP-2.

Messenger RNA expression for growth factors in glomeruli from focal glomerular sclerosis.

Focal glomerular sclerosis was induced in rats by chronic injections of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) on Days 0, 27, 34, and 41 and by unilateral nephrectomy on Day 22. Rats were sacrificed on Days 0, 8, and 20 (acute phase) and on Days 48, 60, and 80 (sclerotic phase). The percentage of sclerosing glomeruli was 16.

Growth factor gene expression in kidney of murine polycystic kidney disease.

The DBA/2FG-pcy mouse has a form of slowly progressive kidney disease that appears similar in many respects to that seen in the autosomal dominant form of human polycystic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to examine the mRNA expression of growth-related proteins in kidney obtained from DBA/2FG-pcy mice and control DBA/2 mice at 8, 16, and 30 wk of age. The mRNA levels encoding for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and PDGF-B chains, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were increased with the progression of cystic lesions in the kidneys of DBA/2FG-pcy mice.

Differential expression of the platelet-derived growth factor-A and -B genes during maturation of monocytes to macrophages.

1. Regulation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and -B gene expression was studied using resting monocytes, in vitro matured monocytes and alveolar macrophages. 2.

Activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in IgA nephropathy express platelet-derived growth factor B-chain messenger RNA.

We investigated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A- and B-chain messenger RNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells or T cells obtained from 26 patients with IgA nephropathy and 15 healthy age-matched control subjects. Most patients with IgAN (88%) showed elevated PDGF B-chain expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells; no PDGF B-chain expression was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of normal control subjects. In T cells from both patients with IgAN and normal control subjects, however, PDGF B-chain messenger RNA expression was not detected.

Structure of the guinea pig neutrophil cationic peptide gene.

Guinea pig neutrophils contain the antimicrobial cationic peptides GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 in the granules. In this study, the GNCP gene was isolated, and the structure was characterized. Using cDNA probes, one phage clone was isolated from a guinea pig genomic library.

Evaluation of the expression of the cationic peptide gene in various types of leukocytes.

To understand the regulation of the production of antimicrobial cationic peptide (CP) in leukocytes, expression of the CP gene was evaluated in various types of leukocytes using guinea pig neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes and bone marrow cells. Acid-urea PAGE and SDS-PAGE/immunoblot analyses showed that CP was present in neutrophils and bone marrow cells, but not in other leukocytes. Northern blot and transcription run-off analyses revealed that only bone marrow cells expressed CP mRNA and transcribed the CP gene.

Purification of the 28.5 kDa cytosolic protein involved in the activation of NADPH oxidase from guinea pig neutrophils.

We tried to purify a new protein component required for the activation of NADPH oxidase from the guinea pig neutrophil cytosolic fraction which did not contain p47phox and p67phox, using HAC-5CP, IEC-QA and Superose 12HR columns. The NADPH oxidase-activating activity was separated into three fractions on IEC-QA anion-exchange HPLC. However, when each of the fractions was purified by Superose 12HR gel filtration, the active fraction eluted at the same position, and was found to contain a common protein with a molecular weight of 28.

Renal platelet-derived growth factor gene expression in NZB/W F1 mice with lupus and ddY mice with IgA nephropathy.

The present study was carried out to determine how platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and -B chain mRNA expression correlate with disease activity in the renal cortex of NZB/W F1 mice, a model of systemic lupus erythematosus, and ddY mice, a model of IgA nephropathy. The PDGF-A and -B chain mRNA levels increased significantly as nephritis progressed in NZB/W F1 mice. In the renal cortex of ddY mice, however, the PDGF mRNA levels increased slightly with age.

Abnormal regulation of insulin-like growth factor gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with IgA nephropathy.

We investigated insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T cells obtained from 31 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), 43 patients with other types of glomerulonephritis and 16 health age-matched controls. The majority of patients with IgAN showed elevated IGF-I and -II mRNA expression in PBMC, while no IGF-I and -II mRNA expression was detected in PBMC obtained from patients with other types of glomerulonephritis or normal controls. In T cells obtained from IgAN, other types of glomerulonephritis and normal controls, however, IGF-I and -II mRNA expression was not detected.

Characterization of cDNA clones encoding guinea pig neutrophil cationic peptides.

cDNA clones encoding antimicrobial guinea pig neutrophil cationic peptides GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 were isolated from a bone marrow cell cDNA library. Analysis of these clones indicated that both GNCPs were produced as precursor proteins comprising 93 amino acid residues, which were composed of signal sequences (N-terminal 19 residues), pro-peptide sequences (43 residues) and mature GNCP sequences (31 residues). The deduced amino acid sequences showed that there were only two amino acid differences between GNCP-1 and GNCP-2, one in the pro-peptide region and one in the mature peptide region.