Loss of IL-33 enhances elastase-induced and cigarette smoke extract-induced emphysema in mice

Background IL-33, which is known to induce type 2 immune responses via group 2 innate lymphoid cells, has been reported to contribute to neutrophilic airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its role in the pathogenesis of emphysema remains unclear. Methods We determined the role of interleukin (IL)-33 in the development of emphysema using porcine pancreas elastase (PPE) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in mice. First, IL-33(-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were given PPE intratracheally. The numbers of inflammatory cells, and the levels of cytokines and chemokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung homogenates, were analyzed; quantitative morphometry of lung sections was also performed. Second, mice received CSE by intratracheal instillation. Quantitative morphometry of lung sections was then performed again. Results Intratracheal instillation of PPE induced emphysematous changes and increased IL-33 levels in the lungs. Compared to WT mice, IL-33(-/-) mice showed significantly greater PPE-induced emphysematous changes. No differences were observed between IL-33(-/-) and WT mice in the numbers of macrophages or neutrophils in BAL fluid. The levels of hepatocyte growth factor were lower in the BAL fluid of PPE-treated IL-33(-/-) mice than WT mice. IL-33(-/-) mice also showed significantly greater emphysematous changes in the lungs, compared to WT mice, following intratracheal instillation of CSE. Conclusion These observations suggest that loss of IL-33 promotes the development of emphysema and may be potentially harmful to patients with COPD

Ultrastructu rSatludy on Malignant Eccrine Poroma with Specia lReference to Cell Junction

We reportjunctienal complex (alte rtiegdhtjunction ,desmosomes and gap junctio ni)n tumor cells of malignant eccrine porema (eccr ipnoreocarcinoma )in a 74-year-o lJdapanes ewoman. Histopathologicall y,the tumor consisted of irregular cords and lobule sef tumor cells infi]trat dienrgmis .The tumor cells varied from smaller round cells to larger bizarre-shaped gian tcells. Nuclear atypia and rnitosis were presentc dS.mall duct formation was recognized at some parts of tumor. Ultrastructur atlhle yt,umor cclls showed euchromatic nuclei with prominen tnucleoli, large amount of free polysomes, a few scattered tonofilaments ,and a few intracyteplas mciavcities. Moreover, small-sized desmosomes, tight junctio nansd gap junctio wnerse frequent loybserved. These juncti oconmapllex may represent that the tumor cells originated from the epithelial cells of eccrine duct ,und may facilita ttehe diagnosis of porocarcinom afrom invasive keretinocyti ctumors. This is the first repoTt ofjunctional complex in malignant eccrine poroma in the 1iterature.　　　　悪性エクリン管孔腫はエクリン管上皮細胞山来の稀な腫瘍で，表皮基底細胞癌などの皮膚腫瘍との鑑別が難しいことが多い．今回， 著者は74 歳女性の悪性エクリン管孔腫について組織学的並びに超微形態的に検討した．組 織学的に腫瘍細胞は不規則な索状あるいは小葉構造を呈し真皮内に浸潤していた．個々の腫瘍細胞は小円形細胞 から大型の不定形細胞まで存在し，核異型や核分裂像も認められた．小腺腔も．部で認められた．超微形態的に は，腫瘍細胞は核小体明瞭なユークロマチンに富む核を持ち，細胞質内には豊富な遊離ポリソーム，少量のトノフィラメントや一部で小腺腔が観察された．これに加え細胞接着装胃がしばしば観察された．この細胞接着装置の存在は腫瘍細胞が腺上皮由来であることを意味するもので，皮膚腫瘍のなかでエクリン管孔腫や悪性エクリン管孔腫の診断を容易にするものと考えられた，悪性エクリン管孔腫における細胞接着装置に関する報告は調べた限りでは始めての報告である

Aeration rate adjustment at night to prevent sinking syndrome-related death in the tiger grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Perciformes:Serranidae) larvae

The effects of different aeration rates at night to prevent sinking syndrome-related death (SSRD) of the tiger grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus were examined. The aeration rates were fixed at 300 mL min−1 at daytime (07:00–19:00 hours) and regulated to 0, 300 and 900 mL min−1 at night (19:00–07:00 hours). Larval survival, growth, feeding intake, sinking velocity, distribution and behaviour, stress level, surface tension-related death (STRD) and flow velocity distribution were assessed. The occurrence of SSRD in the tiger grouper was observed through the accelerated sinking velocity (Vl) (from 0.15 ± 0.09 cm s−1 at 4 days AH to 0.41 ± 0.09 cm s−1 at 12 days AH) coupled with larval passive swimming behaviour at night-time. On the final day of experiment (15 days AH), larvae reared in 900 mL min−1 at night had attained significantly higher (P < 0.05) survival (34.4 ± 5.5%), growth (5.8 ± 0.5 mm) and feeding intake (60.46 ± 6.98 ind. larva−1). A favourable flow field for the tiger grouper was produced in 900 mL min−1 at night-time, in which larvae were transported 15–25 cm above the tank bottom and 1.0 cm beneath the water surface. Under these night-time rearing conditions, larval stress level and number of STRD reared in 900 mL min−1 compared with those observed in 300 mL min−1 remained insignificant, indicating that strong turbulence of flow velocity was not detrimental for larvae. Our findings recommend aeration at 900 mL min−1 at night as this could improve larval survival by reducing SSRD