BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus( SA) and scleroderma is occasionally difficult. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to attempt differentiation between the two diseases using imrnunohistochemical stain and lectins. MEHTODS: Paraffin-embeddred sections of 4 cases of LSA and 11 cases of scleroderma were evaluated for this study. Using lectins, such as peanut agglutinin(PNA), siybean agglutinin(SBA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I(UEA-I) and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin(DBA) and the avidin-biotin-peroxi-dase complex(ABC) technique, differential lectin binding patterns betv een the two diseases were examined. RESULTS: In the case of LSA, PNA and SBA stained the upper and lower spinous layer of the epidermis, and UEA I also stained the spinous layer of the epidermis weakly, but no DBA was stained. In the case of scleroderma, PNA stained not only the spinous layer but also the basal layer, SBA stained the upper half of the spinous layer but not the lower half of the pinous layer of epidermis. But UEA-I stained the vascular endothelial cells of dermis instead of epidermis, and DBA stained only the basal layer of epidermis. CONCLUSION: Staining of these 4 lectins on paraffin-embedded sectians using ABC teehnique could be helpful in differenting LSA and scleroderma.
Dermis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dolichos ; Endothelial Cells ; Epidermis ; Lectins* ; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus* ; Lichens* ; Ulex

Acquired progressive lymphangioma is a benign lymphatic proliferation characterized clinically by gradually enlarging erythematous patches and histopathologically by dermal vascular channels with "dissection of collagen" appearance. A 30-year-old woman presented a 6x4cm sized, erythematous patch on the right thigh, which had been gradually enlarging for 10 years since she had had a burn injury on the same site. Histopathologic findints of the lesion showed vascutar channels forming a network in the dermis with a "dissection of collagen" appearance. The cells lining the channels were stained with antibodies against muscle actin, factor VIII-related antigen, Ulex europaeus agglutinin I, CD34, and CD31. We made a diagnosis of acquired progressive lymphangioma and have been observing the course of the disease without specific treatment.
Actins ; Adult ; Antibodies ; Burns ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangioma* ; Thigh ; Ulex ; von Willebrand Factor

Histochemical patterns of lectin binding during development of the rat vomeronasal organ (VNO) were studied to determine whether glycoconjugates are differently expressed after birth. Three types of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), were studied histochemically in the rat VNO at various stages post-birth: postnatal days 1 and 7, the preweaning period (4 weeks after birth), and at sexual maturity (8 weeks after birth). The free border of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium was positive for both WGA and UEA-I in rats of all ages; whereas, VNO receptor cells and supporting cells were positive only for both WGA and UEA-I from 4 weeks after birth. DBA reactivity was detected in the free border but less so in receptor cells and supporting cells. WGA and UEA-I, but not DBA, showed similar patterns in various ages. In the Jacobson's gland, WGA, UEA-I and DBA were detected in some acini from 4 weeks after birth but not at postnatal days 1 or 7. Collectively, reactivity for three lectins, WGA, UEA-I and DBA, increased in receptor cells and gland acini during postnatal development, possibly contributing to the enhanced chemoreception in rats.
Animals ; Dolichos ; Epithelium ; Glycoconjugates ; Lectins ; Parturition ; Plant Lectins ; Rats ; Triticum ; Ulex ; Vomeronasal Organ

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the corelation between an expression of lectins and survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix. METHODS: The cell surface carbohydrate profile of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue section of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix was evaluated using ulex europaeus agglutinin(UEA-1), peanut agglutinin(PNA), dolichos biflorus agglutinin(DBA), soybean agglutinin(SBA) and lotus tetragonobus lectin(LTL) by the avidin-biotin complex method. Fifty-one cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 10 cases of normal squamous epithelium of the uterine cervix were selected from the file which were treated during Jan. 89 to 31 Dec. 1992 in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Hospital. RESULTS: UEA-1 and LTL were negative in normal cervix while positive in 76.5%, 47.1% of squamous cell carcinoma respectively, and useful markers for differential diagnosis between normal and squamous cell carcinoma. SBA and LTL were useful for differential diagnosis of keratinizing and non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. UEA-1 may play an important role in lymphovascular invasion of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation among clinical staging, patient's survival and lectins binding in squamous cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dolichos ; Epithelium ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Korea ; Lectins* ; Lotus ; Obstetrics ; Paraffin ; Soybeans ; Ulex

In rodents, the circumvallate papilla (CVP), with its underlying minor salivary gland, the von Ebners' gland (VEG), is located on the dorsal surface of the posterior tongue. Detailed morphological processes to form the proper structure of CVP and VEG have not been properly elucidated. In particular, the specific localization patterns of taste buds in CVP and the branching formation of VEG have not yet been elucidated. To understand the developmental mechanisms underlying CVP and VEG formation, detailed histological observations of CVP and VEG were examined using a three-dimensional computer-aided reconstruction method with serial histological sections and pan-Cytokeratins immunostainings. In addition, to define the developmental processes in CVP and VEG formation, we examined nerve innervations and cell proliferation using microinjections of AM1-43 and immunostainings with various markers, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Ki-67, PGP9.5, and Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA1). Results revealed specific morphogenesis of CVP and VEG with nerve innervations patterns, evaluated by the coincided localization patterns of AM1-43 and UEA1. Based on these morphological and immunohistochemical results, we suggest that nerve innervations and cell proliferations play important roles in the positioning of taste buds in CVP and branching morphogenesis of VEG in tongue development.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice ; Microinjections ; Morphogenesis ; Rodentia ; Salivary Glands, Minor ; Taste Buds ; Tongue ; Ulex ; von Ebner Glands

OBJECTIVE: Lectins are cell-agglutinating and sugar specific proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that precipitate glycoconjugates having saccharides of appropriate complementarity. Because of these properties, plant lectins have been used to help characterize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in the zona pellucida (ZP) of several mammalian species including pigs. Treatment of oocytes with various lectins blocks sperm binding to the ZP in various mammalian species. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of sugar residues in the ZP of pig oocytes matured in vitro and the ability of spermatozoa to bind to ZP and in vitro penetration in oocytes treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lectins of Banderiaea simplicifolia (BS-II, bind to beta-D-Nacetylglucosamine), Canavalin ensiformis (Con A, bind to alpha-D-Mannose), Lens culinaris (LCA, bind to alpha-D-Mannose), Ricinus communis (RCA-I, bind to beta-D-Galactose) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I, bind to alpha-L-Fucose) were examined for spermatozoa penetration, binding capacity to ZP and distribution of lectins. RESULTS: The penetration rates were significantry (p<0.05) higher in control oocytes (63%) than those treated with all lectins, but penetration rates (40~49%) were simililar in group treated with lectins. The incidence of monospermy was similar in oocytes untreated and UEA-I, but it was higher in oocytes treated with BS-II, Con A, RCA-I and LCA. The porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h in TC-199 medium were freed from cumulus cells and treated for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled lectins. When examined under fluorescein illumination, higher (p<0.001) proportions of oocytes showed fluorescein of zona pellucida after treatment with Con A (93%), LCA (93%) and RCA-I (100%) than BS-II (37%) and UEA-I (50%). All of the oocytes treated with RCA-I exhibited strong fluorescein in the outer region of the zona pellucida while those treated with LCA exhibited strong fluorescein throughout the zona pellucida. BS-II bounded mainly to the outer region and UEA-I bounded mainly to the inner region of the zona pellucida, with either strong or weak fluorescein. At 120 min after insemination in vitro, fewer spermatozoa were bound to the zona pellucida of the oocytes treated with BS-II, Con-A and RCA-I. Of the lectins, Con A most inhibited sperm binding. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that beta-D-Galactose residues in the porcine zona pellucida may act as primary sperm receptors and inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction and these sugar residues may be involved in the block to polyspermy.
Acrosome Reaction ; Cumulus Cells ; Fluorescein ; Glycoconjugates ; Glycoproteins ; Herpes Zoster* ; Incidence ; Insemination ; Lectins* ; Lens Plant ; Lighting ; Oocytes ; Plant Lectins ; Ricinus ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Spermatozoa ; Swine ; Ulex ; Zona Pellucida*

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) plays an important role in reproduction and social activities in ruminants including goats. A morphological study on the structure of VNO and its epithelial cells was carried out in Korean black goats. Grossly, the VNO of Korean goats opens into mouth through incisive ducts. Microscopically, the epithelium of VNO consisted of medial sensory epithelium and lateral non-sensory epithelium. Several blood vessels and nerve bundles were observed in the lamina propria encased by vomeronasal cartilage. Immunohistochemical staining showed that protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 was immunostained in the receptor cells of the sensory epithelium and in some cells of the non-sensory epithelium. Galectin-3 was mainly observed in the supporting cells of sensory and non-sensory epithelium. Lectins including wheat germ agglutinin, Ulex europaeus agglutinin, Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin Isolectin B4, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and soybean agglutinin used in this study were bound in VNO sensory, non-sensory epithelia as well as in the lamina propria with varying intensity. Collectively, this is a first descriptive morphological study of VNO of Korean black goat with special reference to lectin histochemistry.
Blood Vessels ; Cartilage ; Dolichos ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Galectin 3 ; Goats ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lectins ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Plant Lectins ; Reproduction ; Ruminants ; Soybean Proteins ; Soybeans ; Triticum ; Ulex ; Vomeronasal Organ

Primary angiosarcoma of the female reproductive system is extremely rare, and its management is not well understood. We experienced a very rare case of angiosarcoma arising in the uterus of a 37-year-old woman who presented abdominal distension. At laparotomy, the uterus was observed to be enlarged and deformed by multilobulated hemorrhagic mass. Tumor deposits were present on both ovaries and the omentum. The operation consisted of total abdominal hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. Microscopic examination showed that the tumor consisted mostly of solid sheets of pleomorphic and spindle cells forming irregular, communicating cleft-like spaces. Well-formed vascular channels lined by atypical endothelial cells were seen in differentiated areas. Some vessels were partially lined by normal endothelial cells and partially by neoplastic endothelial cells. Papillary architecture composed of epithelioid tumor cells was noted in a focal area. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for factor VIII-related antigen, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1, CD31 and CD34. Weibel-Palade bodies were not seen in the tumor cells. She received adjuvant chemotherapy, but died 13 months after the diagnosis.
Adult ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Diagnosis ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparotomy ; Omentum ; Ovary ; Ulex ; Uterus* ; von Willebrand Factor ; Weibel-Palade Bodies

Inflammation is the characteristics of scar formation which is abscent in fetal wound healing. The adhesion molecules such as selectin groups are believed to have key roles for migration of inflammatory cells through the microvascular endothelial cells to the wound 77re purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of E-selectin on the cultured human fetal and neonate dermal microvascular endothelial cells. The back skin of spontaneously delivered dead fetus (IUP 18-22 wks) and circumcised prepuce skin of neonate were used Human fetal dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HFDMEC) were isolated by extracting microvascular segment pom trypsin treated fetal and neonate skin tissue and isolated by sieving with nylon mesh and then by 35% Perocoll gradient centrifugation. Further purification was done with the Ulex europaeus I coated magnetic dynabead To confirm the fetal and neonatal endothelial cells, expression of factor VIII antigen on cell surface and uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein were checked Expression of E-selectin on cultured fetal and neonatal endothelial cells in response to IL-1alpha TNF-alpha INF-gamma was examined by ELISA. And the expression of E-selectin on fetal and neonatal dermal microvascular endothelial cells was examined by immunohistochemical study using monoclonal 3B7 anti E-selectin antibody in cultured fetal and neonatal skin. The expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells was not significantly digerent between fetal and neonatal endothelial cells. This expression was augmented 10 times more by IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma. Augmented endothelial E-selectin expression by IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma showed peak level 4 hours after stimulation and return to baseline level after 48 hrs. This time course was similar in both fetal and neonatal endothelial cells. Immunohistochemically, the expression of E-selectin molecule of unstimulated fetal and neonatal tissue was not observed However, on both fetal and neonatal tissue cultured for 4 hours after stimulation by 100 u/ml of IL-1 and 100 u/ml of TNF, expression of E-selectin molecule in microvasculature of upper dermis was observed and this expression persisted for up to 16 hours of culture. Also after culturing for 48hrs with 500 qlml of IFN, expression of E-selectin was observed in the microvessels of upper dermis. In conclusion, we could not find any digerences between the fetal and neonate skin in the expression of E-selectin on the endothelial cells spontaneously or stimulated by IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha or INF-gamma in vivo and vitro which means the expression of E-selectin vny not be an important mechanism of scarless wound healing in fetus.
Centrifugation ; Cicatrix ; Dermis ; E-Selectin* ; Endothelial Cells* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Factor VIII ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1 ; Lipoproteins ; Microvessels ; Nylons ; Skin* ; Trypsin ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Ulex ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

AIMTo investigate the enhancing effect on insulin absorption through GI. tract in mice by using the Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA1) modified liposomes as the carrier.

METHODSUEA1 modified phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was prepared by conjugating method of 1-ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC), then the modified compound (PE-UEA1) was incorporated into the conventional liposomes of insulin to obtain UEA1 modified liposomes. The agglutination test was performed to examine the UEA1 biological activities after synthesis and modification. When liposomes were applied to healthy mice or diabetic mice at insulin dose of 350 u x kg(-1) orally, the hypoglycemic effect was investigated according to the blood glucose level determination.

RESULTSThe blood glucose levels of the healthy mice reduced by UEA1 modified liposomes were (84 +/- 15)% at 4 h, (78 +/- 11)% at 8 h and (90 +/- 12)% at 12 h after oral administration. The conventional liposomes and saline showed no effect. The blood glucose levels of the diabetic mice reduced by UEA1 modified liposomes were (73 +/- 7)% at 4 h, (74 +/- 9)% at 8 h, (86 +/- 9)% at 12 h after oral administration.

CONCLUSIONThe UEA1 modified liposomes promote the oral absorption of insulin due to the specific-site combination on M cell membrane.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Liposomes ; Mice ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; chemistry ; Plant Lectins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Ulex ; chemistry