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Neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), are essential for development, function, and survival of peripheral sympathetic and sensory neurons. Most eosinophilic leukocytes in the human body are localized in mucosal tissues; however, the roles of eosinophils in human diseases are not fully understood. We found that human eosinophils constitutively express messenger RNA for NGF and NT-3, synthesize and store these proteins intracellularly, and continuously replenish them. Incubation of eosinophils with a transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D, for 8 hours completely depletes intracellular NGF and NT-3. New synthesis of NGF is enhanced by Fc-receptor-mediated stimuli, such as immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG immune complexes; in contrast, production of NT-3 is not affected by these stimuli. Notably, supernatants of eosinophils stimulated with IgA immune complex and interleukin 5 promote neurite extension of the PC-12 pheochromocytoma cell line; this effect is abolished by pretreatment of the supernatants with anti-NGF-neutralizing antibody. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, substantial amounts of NGF protein are also detected in the supernatants of stimulated eosinophils. Furthermore, in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, the concentrations of NGF in nasal secretions correlate with the magnitudes of eosinophilic inflammation in the airway, suggesting a potential clinical implication of eosinophil NGF. Our observations propose a new pathologic mechanism by which eosinophils may contribute to enhanced neurologic responses in patients with allergic diseases and other eosinophilic disorders. Alternatively, eosinophils may play important roles in maintenance and restoration of homeostatic functions of mucosal tissues through the pleitropic activities of NGF.

We report scattered indurated erythematous lesions that presented in an 18-year-old Japanese man with Kikuchi's disease (KD; histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis). A skin biopsy showed a proliferation of histiocytes and abundant nuclear debris without the presence of neutrophils, which is characteristic of KD. The specific dermatological and pathological details of KD have been yet to be fully described. In order to assess the typical skin features of KD better, we have reviewed all the previously well-documented reports of such lesions. As the clinical and histopathological cutaneous findings in KD are so heterogeneous, it is important that scattered indurated erythematous lesions should be included as one of the possible cutaneous manifestations of this disease.

The Fas antigen is a cell surface protein that can mediate apoptosis in many cell types. Although its physiological function is still unclear, recent evidence indicates that this surface molecule is involved in apoptosis in the immune system and the liver. The epidermis is an organ that undergoes terminal differentiation with the eventual death of keratinocytes, and it has been suggested that this is a specialized form of apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether or not the Fas antigen is involved in keratinocyte apoptosis. Immunoreactivity for the Fas antigen was found throughout the epidermis in normal human skin sections and cultured normal human keratinocytes, and mRNA for the Fas antigen was found to be constitutively expressed in normal epidermis and cultured normal keratinocytes by RT-PCR analysis. To determine whether the Fas antigen in keratinocytes is functional, we used a cytotoxic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the Fas antigen to induce apoptosis. This antibody did not induce apoptosis of cultured keratinocytes even though they expressed the Fas antigen. We then tested the ability of several cytokines (TGF beta, TNF alpha and IFN gamma) to induce Fas-mediated keratinocyte apoptosis. Only pretreatment with IFN gamma followed by the addition of the anti-Fas mAb induced apoptosis, as assessed by cell viability, morphological changes and ultrastructural characteristics, suggesting that constitutive expression of the Fas antigen is not sufficient to induce apoptosis in keratinocytes and that keratinocyte apoptosis via the Fas antigen-mediated mechanism may require the activation of keratinocytes by IFN gamma, which is thought to be produced by activated T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This study analyzed data from treatments of 385 cases of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) from 325 hospitals in Japan. Retinoid treatment was effective in 84.1% of patients, methotrexate in 76.2%, cyclosporine in 71.2%, oral PUVA therapy in 45.7%, and tonsillectomy in 16.7%. Short-term therapy with systemic corticosteroid for GPP during only the phase with severe systemic clinical findings may be also effective (75.4%). However, these treatments for GPP each differed in clinical effects, prognosis, and side effects. These findings may be useful in creating guidelines for treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis. Further studies based on these specific clinical effects are necessary.

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A system for the production of transgenic plants was developed for the Oriental hybrid lily, Lilium cv. Acapulco, by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. Filament-derived calli were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens strain EHA101/pIG121Hm, which harbored a binary vector carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase II, hygromycin phosphotransferase, and intron-containing beta-glucuronidase genes in the T-DNA region. Six hygromycin-resistant (Hyg(r)) culture lines were obtained from 200 calli by scratching them with sandpaper prior to inoculation and using NH(4)NO(3)-free medium for co-cultivation and a hygromycin-containing regeneration medium for selection. Hyg(r) culture lines regenerated shoots, which developed into plantlets following transfer to a plant growth regulator-free medium. All of these plantlets were verified to be transgenic by GUS histochemical assay and inverse PCR analysis.