No abstract

It has been demonstrated that several messenger RNA (mRNA) isoforms have been transcribed from the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene. In rats, it was reported that the novel exon, termed the exon V, exists between the exons 7 and 8, and the novel mRNA isoform (termed AFP-V mRNA) is synthesized using the exon V. In this study, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed and quantitative analysis was done on the AFP mRNA to identify the exon V and the AFP-V mRNA in humans. As a result, 2 novel exons, the exons VA and VB, were identified. Furthermore, 3 novel AFP mRNAs, the AFP-V1, -V2, and -V3 mRNA, were demonstrated to be expressed through alternative splicing. Expression of the AFP-V2 mRNA isoform and the wild-type mRNA was differentially regulated, implying that the AFP-V mRNA isoforms could be used in diagnosis and classification of hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian carcinoma.

summaryMicrochimeric fetal cells are present in the maternal body over a long period and thought to have the ability to colonize multiple tissues and organs. They are found in a wide range of maternal tissues aŠected with variety of diseases, thus, there is a possibility that they may contribute tissue repair and regeneration. To assess their possibility of use in regenerative medicine, we investigated whether fetal cells regenerate infracted maternal organs.We crossbred wild female mice with male transgenic mice, expressing enhanced green ‰uorescent protein (EGFP), and total hysterectomies were performed at the day 6 of pregnancies. On day 60 after the operations, the mice were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce multiple organs injuries. We also created the ischemic organ injury model ; myocardial infarction model and cerebral infarction model. Detection and quantiˆcation of fetal cells were then attempted in a variety of maternal organs via a ‰uorescent microscope and quantitative PCR ampliˆcation of the gfp transgene. Fetal cells were detected only in maternal bone marrow before maternal organs injuries were induced, however, they were detected not only in bone marrow but also in the maternal injured organs. Histological analysis showed that diŠerentiated fetal cells were observed and their morphological appearance was indistinguishable from their maternal counterparts.These results indicate that fetal cells sustained their population in the maternal bone marrow, may have contributed to the maternal tissue regeneration.