Tomoko Akutsu

Evaluation of mRNA-based approach for identification of saliva and semen

Multiplex mRNA profiling by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been reported in the last few years as a new approach for the identification of body fluids. We have also demonstrated the feasibility of identifying body fluids by using a real-time RT-PCR assay. Statherin (STATH) and histatin (HTN3), the selected genes for saliva, and protamin 2 (PRM2) and semenogelin 1 (SEMG1), those selected for semen, showed high specificity to these body fluids. Thus, the sensitivity and specificity of target genes were examined in body fluid stains. All target genes were detected in 0.1 microL 6-day-old stains, and showed high specificity in 7-day-old 30 microL stains. Furthermore, the stability of HTN3 in saliva stains was examined under various environmental conditions over time. The results showed that the degradation of mRNA in the stains was highly affected by wet conditions, and that light was also an important factor. However, mRNA was detectable in an older saliva stain (6 years old) and in an older semen stain (3.5 years old), both of which had been kept under dry and dark conditions. The stability of mRNA beyond our supposition may play an important role in developing new techniques for body fluid identification.

Identification of Human Cytochrome P450 Isozymes Involved in Diphenhydramine N-Demethylation

Diphenhydramine is widely used as an over-the-counter antihistamine. However, the specific human cytochrome P450 (P450) isozymes that mediate the metabolism of diphenhydramine in the range of clinically relevant concentrations (0.14–0.77 μM) remain unclear. Therefore, P450 isozymes involved in N-demethylation, a main metabolic pathway of diphenhydramine, were identified by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method developed in our laboratory. Among 14 recombinant P450 isozymes, CYP2D6 showed the highest activity of diphenhydramine N-demethylation (0.69 pmol/min/pmol P450) at 0.5 μM. CYP2D6 catalyzed diphenhydramine N-demethylation as a high-affinity P450 isozyme, the Km value of which was 1.12 ± 0.21 μM. In addition, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 were identified as low-affinity components. In human liver microsomes, involvement of CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 in diphenhydramine N-demethylation was confirmed by using P450 isozyme-specific inhibitors. In addition, contributions of these P450 isozymes estimated by the relative activity factor were in good agreement with the results of inhibition studies. Although an inhibitory effect of diphenhydramine on the metabolic activity of CYP2D6 has been reported previously, the results of the present study suggest that it is not only a potent inhibitor but also a high-affinity substrate of CYP2D6. Therefore, it is worth mentioning that the sedative effect of diphenhydramine might be caused by coadministration of CYP2D6 substrate(s)/inhibitor(s). In addition, large differences in the metabolic activities of CYP2D6 and those of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 could cause the individual differences in anti-allergic efficacy and the sedative effect of diphenhydramine.

Expression of statherin mRNA and protein in nasal and vaginal secretions.

Nasal secretion has been regarded as one of the most difficult body fluids to identify and is especially difficult to discriminate from vaginal secretions and saliva. At present, few specific markers are known for nasal secretions. The aim of this study is to find a new approach for the identification of nasal secretions. We examined expression levels of statherin and histatin, peptides which are commonly found in saliva, in nasal and vaginal secretions by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA assays. Statherin mRNA was highly expressed in all nasal samples (dCt value=-1.49±1.10, n=8) and was detected even in 1-day-old 0.1-μL stains. However, the stability of mRNA in nasal stains was significantly (P<0.01) lower than in saliva. Low levels of statherin mRNA were detected in 4 of the 17 vaginal samples (dCt value=11.65-14.72). Histatin mRNA was not detected in any nasal or vaginal samples, although it was highly expressed in all saliva samples. ELISA assays with anti-statherin goat polyclonal antibody showed that statherin peptide was detected in all nasal and saliva samples even after dilution of more than 1000-fold. The statherin peptide was not detected in any vaginal samples, including samples that expressed low levels of statherin mRNA. The amount of statherin peptide in vaginal samples might be less than the limit of detection of this assay. In the present study, statherin was highly expressed in nasal secretions, but histatin was not. These markers may be useful for discriminating nasal secretions from vaginal secretions and saliva. However, the usefulness of these markers in practical forensic case samples has not yet been examined. Therefore, further research is required to establish the utility of these assays for identification of nasal secretions.

Detection of dermcidin for sweat identification by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.

We evaluated the performance of real-time RT-PCR and ELISA assays for detection of dermcidin (DCD) in sweat and body-fluid stains. DCD, a small antibiotic peptide secreted into human sweat, was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 7-day-old stains containing as small as 10 microL of sweat, and the assay showed high specificity when testing 7-day-old stains containing 30 microL of other body-fluid. ELISA using anti-human dermcidin mouse monoclonal antibody detected DCD sweat diluted up to approximately 10,000-fold and could specifically detect DCD in 10 microL of body-fluid stains. The performance of the two assays was tested during winter on samples that simulated forensic case samples: an undershirt and a sock worn for 20 h, a handkerchief used to wipe the brow several times within 12h, a cap and a cotton glove worn for 4h, and a white robe worn at intervals for 2 years. The result showed that the former assay detected DCD in all sites of the undershirt examined (armpit, back, and breast), and the latter gave a relatively high OD value in the armpit among the three sites. For the socks, although the latter assay gave very high OD values in both the center and toe of the foot sole, the former could not detect DCD in both of them. These results indicate that highly damp conditions, such as inside a shoe, might promote the degradation of mRNA in samples such as socks. In the other case samples, sweat was adequately detected by both assays. This study is the first demonstration of the use of real-time RT-PCR to sensitively identify sweat among body-fluid stains, and it confirmed that dermcidin was an excellent marker for sweat identification. In addition, the usefulness of ELISA was also verified. Positive sweat identification using these assays is expected to assist forensic practice.

Detection of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes for forensic identification of vaginal fluid

To preliminarily evaluate the applicability of bacterial DNA as a marker for the forensic identification of vaginal fluid, we developed and performed PCR-based detection of 16S ribosomal RNA genes of Lactobacillus spp. dominating the vagina and of bacterial vaginosis-related bacteria from DNA extracted from body fluids and stains. As a result, 16S ribosomal RNA genes of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii and Atopobium vaginae were specifically detected in vaginal fluid and female urine samples. Bacterial genes detected in female urine might have originated from contaminated vaginal fluid. In addition, those of Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus gasseri and Gardnerella vaginalis were also detected in non-vaginal body fluids such as semen. Because bacterial genes were successfully amplified in DNA samples extracted by using the general procedure for animal tissues without any optional treatments, DNA samples prepared for the identification of vaginal fluid can also be used for personal identification. In conclusion, 16S ribosomal RNA genes of L. crispatus, L. jensenii and A. vaginae could be effective markers for forensic identification of vaginal fluid.

Roles of adriamycin and adriamycin dimer in antitumor activity of the polymeric micelle carrier system

Abstract Adriamycin (ADR) dimer was prepared and its antitumor activity was evaluated with mouse colon adenocarcinoma 26 (C 26). As compared with original ADR, the dimer did not show significant antitumor activity, either in vitro or in vivo. Furthermore, polymeric micelles containing varied ratios of the dimer to the original ADR were prepared. Polymeric micelles with a higher dimer/ADR ratio (9.7) showed significant antitumor activity, but the effective dose shifted higher. Effective doses were found to largely depend on the concentration of the original ADR, rather than that of the dimer at the tumor sites. Therefore, it was presumed that the original ADR played a major role in antitumor activity, and the dimer played a supplementary role to contribute selective delivery of ADR to the tumor sites.

Evaluation of Tamm-Horsfall Protein and Uroplakin III for Forensic Identification of Urine

Abstract:  In this study, Tamm‐Horsfall protein (THP), a major component of urinary protein, and uroplakin III (UPIII), a transmembrane protein widely regarded as a urothelium‐specific marker, were evaluated for forensic identification of urine by ELISA and/or immunohistochemistry. THP was detected in urine, but not in plasma, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, or sweat by the simple ELISA method developed in this study. In addition, most aged urine stains showed positive results. The urine specificity of THP was confirmed by gene expression analysis. Therefore, as reported previously, ELISA detection of THP can be used as a presumptive test for urine identification. UPIII was specific for immunohistochemical staining of cells in centrifuged precipitate of urine. However, ELISA and RT‐PCR for UPIII were not specific for urine. UPIII may be applicable for forensic urine identification by immunohistochemistry.

Identification of nasal blood by real-time RT-PCR

A new approach for the identification of body fluid stains by comparing specific mRNA expression levels has been extensively studied in recent years. Here, we examine whether nasal blood, which is regarded as one of the most difficult types of blood to identify, can be identified by comparing mRNA expression levels of target genes specific to saliva, nasal secretion, and blood. The saliva-specific statherin gene (STATH) was found to be expressed at high levels in not only saliva (dCt value: 1.32±1.39, n=5), but also nasal secretions (dCt value: 0.90±1.14, n=5), while the histatin gene (HTN3) was only expressed at high levels in saliva (dCt value: 1.08±2.35, n=5). We also confirmed that the hemoglobin-beta gene (HBB) showed high expression levels in blood (dCt value: -9.51±0.40, n=5). Four nasal blood stains were found to highly express STATH (dCt value: 5.65±3.98) and HBB (dCt value: -8.79±1.67) but not HTN3, suggesting that the stain samples contained both nasal secretions and blood and can therefore be identified as nasal blood stains. Although menstrual blood showed the same expression pattern as nasal blood, the menstrual blood-specific protein matrix metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7) was not expressed in all nasal blood stain samples. Therefore, its expression levels could be used to discriminate between nasal and menstrual blood. In conclusion, real-time RT-PCR was able to identify nasal blood, although the stability of gene expression in nasal blood stains was low over time, suggesting that this assay may not be effective for older stains. Future work should examine the usefulness of this assay under various environmental conditions.

Applicability of ELISA detection of statherin for forensic identification of saliva

Statherin is a low molecular-weight phosphoprotein secreted from the parotid gland. Statherin mRNA was previously reported to be a useful marker for mRNA-based saliva identification. In this study, applicability of ELISA detection of statherin for forensic identification of saliva was investigated. The specificity and sensitivity of ELISA for detection of statherin were compared with those of ELISA for α-amylase and the Phadebas® amylase test. Statherin was specifically detected in saliva but not in other body fluids. In addition, statherin was successfully detected in aged saliva stains, mixed body fluids–saliva stains, and simulated casework samples. On the other hand, although ELISA for α-amylase showed higher sensitivity than ELISA for statherin, it was not specific enough to identify saliva. The Phadebas® amylase test also showed positive results in other body fluids that are known to have α-amylase activity; however, it is easy to use for screening forensic casework samples. In conclusion, ELISA for detection of statherin developed in this study could be an effective tool for the forensic identification of saliva because of its specificity for saliva among other body fluids. Forensic casework samples should be tested by ELISA detection or mRNA-based analysis for statherin, depending on the condition of the sample, to supplement presumptive tests for α-amylase, such as the Phadebas® amylase test.

Comparison of automated and manual purification of total RNA for mRNA-based identification of body fluids

Silica column-based RNA purification procedures have widespread use in mRNA profiling for body fluid identification in forensic samples. Also, automated RNA purification systems employing magnetic bead technology have recently become available. In this preliminary study, to ascertain which RNA purification technology is more suitable for the identification of body fluids by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), comparative analyses of the yield and quality of total RNA were performed between automated purification using an EZ1 Advanced Instrument and manual purification using an RNeasy Mini Kit. The yield and size distribution of total RNA were compared by gene expression analysis of two different sized fragments of the β-actin gene. In addition, the relative amounts of several target genes were compared between the purification methods, and the integrity of total RNA was determined by chip-based electrophoresis. The results of this study suggest that RNeasy can purify higher-quality RNA as compared with automated purification using EZ1. The sensitivity of the RT-PCR analysis, however, was higher in the EZ1-purified samples, likely due to the relative efficiency of EZ1 in extracting short-length RNA from degraded samples. We also show that the quantification of relative levels of body fluid-specific genes could be influenced by the purification procedure. Our results indicate that although use of high-quality RNA is generally required for reproducible results in gene expression analysis, the forensic relevance of short RNA fragments in highly degraded samples cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, our results suggest that automated purification procedures as well as silica column-based manual purification procedures can be used for mRNA-based body fluid identification in forensic samples.