Expression of P-glycoprotein, encoded by the human MDR] gene, results in cross-resistance to many lipophilic cytotoxic drugs (multidrug resistance). P-glycoprotein is believed to function as an energy-dependent efflux pump that is responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrugresistant cells. Previous work showed that preferential resistance to colchicine in a colchicine-selected multidrug-resistant cell line was caused by spontaneous mutations in the MDRI gene that resulted in a Gly-185Val-185 substitution in P-glycoprotein. We have now compared transfectant cell lines expressing either the wild-type Gly-185 or the mutant Val-185 P-glycoprotein with regard to their levels of resistance to and accumulation and binding of different drugs. In cells expressing the mutant protein, increased resistance to colchicine and decreased resistance to vinblastine correlated with a decreased accumulation of colchicine and increased accumulation of vinblastine. Expression of the mutant P-glycoprotein also resulted in significantly increased resistance to epipodophyllotoxin and decreased resistance to vincristine and actinomycin D; smaller changes in resistance were observed for several other drugs. Unexpectedly, the mutant P-glycoprotein showed increased binding of photoactive analogs of vinblastine and verapamil and the photoactive compound azidopine and decreased binding of a photoactive colchicine analog. These results suggest that the Gly-185 --Val-185 substitution affects not the initial drug-binding site of P-glycoprotein but another site, associated with the release of P-glycoprotein-bound drugs to the outside of the cell.

We have demonstrated that LPA (lysophosphatidic acid)-induced IL (interleukin)-8 secretion was partly mediated via transactivation of EGFR [EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor] in HBEpCs (human bronchial epithelial primary cells). The present study provides evidence that LPA-induced transactivation of EGFR regulates COX (cyclo-oxygenase)-2 expression and PGE(2) [PG (prostaglandin) E(2)] release through the transcriptional factor, C/EBPbeta (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta), in HBEpCs. Treatment with LPA (1 microM) stimulated COX-2 mRNA and protein expression and PGE(2) release via G(alphai)-coupled LPARs (LPA receptors). Pretreatment with inhibitors of NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB), JNK (Jun N-terminal kinase), or down-regulation of c-Jun or C/EBPbeta with specific siRNA (small interference RNA) attenuated LPA-induced COX-2 expression. Downregulation of EGFR by siRNA or pretreatment with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1478, partly attenuated LPA-induced COX-2 expression and phosphorylation of C/EBPbeta; however, neither of these factors had an effect on the NF-kappaB and JNK pathways. Furthermore, LPA-induced EGFR transactivation, phosphorylation of C/EBPbeta and COX-2 expression were attenuated by overexpression of a catalytically inactive mutant of PLD2 [PLD (phospholipase D) 2], PLD2-K758R, or by addition of myristoylated PKCzeta [PKC (protein kinase C) zeta] peptide pseudosubstrate. Overexpression of the PLD2-K758R mutant also attenuated LPA-induced phosphorylation and activation of PKCzeta. These results demonstrate that LPA induces COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production through EGFR transactivation-independent activation of transcriptional factors NF-kappaB and c-Jun, and EGFR transactivation-dependent activation of C/EBPbeta in HBEpCs. Since COX-2 and PGE(2) have been shown to be anti-inflammatory in airway inflammation, the present data suggest a modulating and protective role of LPA in regulating innate immunity and remodelling of the airways.

Data on chromosomal mosaicism was collected retrospectively on 12 386 amniotic fluid samples cultured over a 10 year period in 14 Canadian centres. Level I mosaicism (a single abnormal cell--excluding single cell monosomy) was encountered in 863 cases (7.1 per cent). Level II mosaicism (multiple cells with the same abnormality in a single flask or colony) was encountered in 138 cases (1.1 per cent). Level III mosaicism (multiple cells distributed over multiple flasks or colonies) was encountered in 34 cases (0.3 per cent). Analysis of the details of these cases allowed five major conclusions to be drawn: (1) Single cell abnormalities should not be taken as an indication of true fetal mosaicism. Only rarely will this interpretation prove to be incorrect. (2) Mosaicism involving multiple cells confined to a single flask should not be regarded as an indication of true fetal mosaicism. Only occasionally will this interpretation prove to be incorrect. (3) Mosaicism involving multiple cells distributed over more than one flask should be regarded as a strong indication of true fetal mosaicism. Sixty per cent will be confirmed by karyotype analysis of the fetus or infant. (4) Mosaicism of the XX/XY type is usually due to maternal cell contamination. Occasionally it can be a female fetus with XY cells from an unknown source. (5) The in situ or colony method of chromosome analysis has no clear advantage over the flask method for either the detection of true fetal mosaicism or for the ability to distinguish true mosaics from false positives.

Niemann-Pick Type C1 (NPC1) is a late endosomal/lysosomal transmembrane protein involved in the cellular transport of glycosphingolipids and cholesterol that is mutated in a majority of patients with Niemann-Pick C neurodegenerative disease. We found that NPC1-deficient mice lacked Vα14-Jα18 NKT cells, a major population of CD1d-restricted T cells that is conserved in humans. NPC1-deficient mice also exhibited marked defects in the presentation of Sphingomonas cell wall Ags to NKT cells and in bacterial clearance in vivo. A synthetic fluorescent α-glycosylceramide analog of the Sphingomonas Ag trafficked to the lysosome of wild-type cells but accumulated in the late endosome of NPC1-deficient cells. These findings reveal a blockade of lipid trafficking between endosome and lysosome as a consequence of NPC1 deficiency and suggest a common mechanism for the defects in lipid presentation and development of Vα14-Jα18 NKT cells.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in mammalian cells is associated with the expesi of the MDRI gene encoding P-glycoproten (P-gp)