Ryo Kobayashi

Detection of lymphocytes productively infected with Epstein-Barr virus in non-neoplastic tonsils.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persists for life in the infected host. Little is known about EBV reactivation and regulation of virus persistence in healthy individuals. We examined tonsils of chronic tonsillitis patients to detect EBV transcripts, EBV genomes and lytic proteins. LMP1 transcripts were observed in 11 of 15 specimens and BZLF1 transcripts were detected in six. Multiple copies of EBV genome equivalents per cell, and ZEBRA- and viral capsid antigen-positive cells were also detected in tonsillar lymphocytes. These results indicate that EBV productively infected cells may survive in the face of immune surveillance in the tonsils. Thus, EBV replication may occur in tonsillar lymphocytes, and tonsillar lymphoid tissues may play a role in the maintenance of EBV load in vivo.

Clinicopathologic Study of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Sinonasal and Hard Palate Regions in 15 Japanese Cases

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the sinonasal region have been the subject of numerous studies. Previous reports have suggested that nasal lymphomas occurring in Orientals are mostly of the natural killer cell (NK)/T-cell phenotype which contrasts with the preponderance of the B-cell type in western populations. Recent studies indicated that NK/T-cell lymphoma constitutes the clinical condition of lethal midline granuloma. These reports led us to question whether all NK/T lymphomas are always lethal midline granuloma. We have investigated a series of 15 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the nasal and/or paranasal sinuses clinically, immunohistochemically and for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This study showed that the presence of EBV was common in nasal NK/T lymphoma, and this type of lymphoma was clearly highly frequent in other types of nasal lymphoma in our department. Moreover, in 4 cases of NK/T-cell lymphomas, the clinical features of lethal midline granuloma did not appear, indicating that NK/T lymphomas are not always lethal midline granuloma.

Epstein-barr virus diversity in immunocompetent healthy persons: reassessment of the distribution of genetic variants.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has many strains; however, it remains unclear whether a causal relationship exists between different regions and viral genetic variants in healthy persons. This study was designed to examine the relationship between EBV strains in tonsils and adenoids and peripheral blood lymphocytes of the same individuals using different measurements of EBV strain polymorphism. This study examined whether EBV contains two or three copies of a tandem repeat sequence in the first intron of the BZLF‐1 gene. The genotype of the virus from P3HR‐1, designated Z*, yielded a 415‐bp product, and this was distinguished from the smaller, 386‐bp product obtained with the B95‐8 virus, designated the Z genotype. Simultaneous sequence infections with Z and Z* genotypes were also detected in one of the tonsils examined, suggesting that more than one strain or variant of EBV genotype may be present in a specimen from the same subject. Co‐infection with Z and Z* was recognized in two subjects, so variation of the EBV gene may be seen in at least two different strains of EBV. It was seen that Z and Z* strain‐infected cells are constantly in flux through lymph nodes and/or the blood stream in healthy persons; therefore, these results indicated that EBV genome variants probably show no specific tissue distribution. J. Med. Virol. 86:301–305, 2014.

R043: Redox Regulation and Auto Antibodies in Meniere’s Disease

reflexes were recorded in 15 patients undergoing ESS and 15 patients undergoing ENT surgeries other than nose under general anesthesia. In animal study, various conditions causing orbit complications in ESS were simulated while doing ESS in rabbit nose. RESULTS: Miosis occurred in all 30 patients after induction of general anaesthesia. The light reflex was negative in all 30 patients after one hour of surgery. In ESS group, the recovery of pupillary reaction was faster than the control group. In animal study, direct application of high concentrated epinephrine to rabbit conjunctiva caused a mydriasis. Intraorbital injection of a large amount of rabbit blood caused mydriasis. CONCLUSION: Pupillary size and reflexes during ESS under general anesthesia to assess orbital injury is not feasible because of miosis induced by the anaesthetic agents. The best test to ensure an intact visual pathway is to assess the patient’s visual acuity separately after recovery from the general anesthesia. SIGNIFICANCE: The best test to ensure an intact visual pathway is to assess the patient’s visual acuity separately after recovery from the general anesthesia.

The cell functional control analysis of molecular chaperone in ménière’s Disease

Abstract Problem: To analyze the function of molecular chaperone under stress (free radical) in Meniere’s disease. Methods: We created lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) from lymphocyte of the patient who was diagnosed Meniere’s disease. We used H2O2 (free radical) as stressor. LCL was treated for 3 hours with H2O2 and ATP. Cell viability was examined using the MTT assay. The expression of molecular chaperone at protein and mRNA levels was analyzed with western blot and RT-PCR. The interaction between molecular chaperones was considered with LiquiChip of the Qiagen Company. We extracted phosphorylated protein in order to investigate the activation of molecular chaperone. Results: The viability of Meniere’s disease’s LCL treated with H2O2 was reduced to 58% after 3 hours, while the viability was maintained by ATP treatment. ATP exerted time- and dose-dependent cell viability. In addition, molecular chaperone was induced within 30 minutes at both protein and mRNA levels after ATP treatment, while H2O2 finally induced molecular chaperone after 3 hours. HSP27 was phoshorylated after ATP treatment. In addition, ATP induced protein-protein interaction and dynamic remodeling between molecular chaperones. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the early induction and dynamic remodeling of molecular chaperones by ATP treatment protect the cell from stress in Meniere’s disease. Significance: Our results indicate the importance of molecular chaperones and ATP treatment in Meniere’s disease. Support: None reported.