Even when we successfully perform a total extirpation of glioblastoma macroscopically, we often encounter tumor recurrence. We examined seven autopsy brains, focusing on tumor cell infiltration in the peripheral zone of a tumor, and compared our findings with the MR images. There has so far been no report regarding mapping of tumor cell infiltration and DNA histogram by flow cytometry, comparing the neuroimaging findings with the autopsy brain findings. The autopsy brain was cut in 10-mm-thick slices, in parallel with the OM line. Tissue samples were obtained from several parts in the peripheral zone (the outer area adjacent to the tumor edge as defined by postcontrast MRI) and then were examined by H&E, GFAP, and VEGF staining. We defined three infiltrating patterns based on number of infiltrated cells as follows: A zone, 100%-60% of the cells infiltrated tumor cells compared with tumor cell density of the tumor mass; B zone, 60%-20%; C zone, 20%-0%. In the autopsy brain, the tumor was easily identified macroscopically. We found that (1) the tumor cells infiltrated the peritumoral area; and (2) tumor cell infiltration was detected over an area measuring from 6 to 14 mm from the tumor border in the A zone. When performing surgery on glioblastoma, a macroscopic total extirpation of the tumor as defined by the contrast-enhanced area in MRI is therefore considered to be insufficient for successfully reducing tumor recurrence.

Space flight produces an extreme environment with unique stressors, but little is known about how our body responds to these stresses. While there are many intractable limitations for in-flight space research, some can be overcome by utilizing gene knockout-disease model mice. Here, we report how deletion of Nrf2, a master regulator of stress defense pathways, affects the health of mice transported for a stay in the International Space Station (ISS). After 31 days in the ISS, all flight mice returned safely to Earth. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that the stresses of space travel evoked ageing-like changes of plasma metabolites and activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Especially, Nrf2 was found to be important for maintaining homeostasis of white adipose tissues. This study opens approaches for future space research utilizing murine gene knockout-disease models, and provides insights into mitigating space-induced stresses that limit the further exploration of space by humans.

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the production and secretion of hCG and human placental lactogen (hPL) by cultured placental tissues were investigated in relation to immunohistochemical measurements of cellular EGF receptor levels in the placenta. Explants of trophoblastic tissues obtained from normal early and term placentas were cultured in the presence or absence of EGF (100 ng/mL) with or without processing inhibitors (bacitracin, 1 mg/mL; colchicine, 100 microM; chloroquine, 100 microM) for 5 days, with EGF present for the first 2 days. Addition of EGF to the medium increased the release of hCG, hCG alpha, and hPL by the cultured early placental tissues. This EGF-stimulated hCG, hCG alpha, and hPL release was markedly inhibited by concomitant treatment with processing inhibitors. The time course of EGF effects indicated that the EGF-stimulated increase in hCG alpha secretion required a lag period of approximately 1 day, whereas significant increases in hCG and hPL secretion became apparent only after 3 days of EGF treatment. By contrast, in term placental tissues EGF stimulated only hCG alpha and hPL release, with a lag period of approximately 3 days. A possible direct action of EGF on the cultured placental tissues was reinforced by the immunohistochemical demonstration of EGF receptors in the placenta. When determined using the avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase method with monoclonal antibody to the mouse EGF receptor, EGF receptors were found predominantly on the syncytiotrophoblasts. Immunohistochemical measurements of cellular EGF receptor levels in the syncytiotrophoblasts revealed remarkably higher levels in early placenta compared to those in midterm and term placentas. Since EGF is likely to interact with its receptor, the lesser biological effects of EGF in cultures of term placental tissues may be due to the lower cellular EGF receptor levels in term placenta. These results demonstrate that EGF, via its receptors on the syncytiotrophoblasts, stimulates the release of both hCG and hPL in normal early placenta. They also suggest that EGF may play a significant role in the induction and regulation of the differentiated function of trophoblasts.

No abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the common autoimmune diseases with complex genetic components. To identify a gene(s) susceptible to SLE, we performed a case-control association study using genomewide gene-based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Japanese population. Here we report that an SNP (rs3748079) located in a promoter region of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor type 3 (ITPR3) gene on chromosome 6p21 was significantly associated with SLE in two independent Japanese case-control samples [P = 0.0000000178 with odds ratio of 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.51-2.35]. This particular SNP also revealed associations with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (P = 0.0084 with odds ratio of 1.23, 95% CI of 1.05-1.43) and with Graves' disease (GD) (P = 0.00036 with odds ratio of 1.57, 95% CI of 1.22-2.02). We found the binding of NKX2.5 specific to the non-susceptible T allele in the region including this SNP. Furthermore, an SNP in NKX2.5 also revealed an association with SLE (P = 0.0037 with odds ratio of 1.74, 95% CI of 1.19-2.55). Individuals with risk genotype of both ITPR3 and NKX2.5 loci have higher risk for SLE (odds ratio = 5.77). Our data demonstrate that genetic and functional interactions of ITPR3 and NKX2.5 play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SLE.