A number of acid-base or electrolyte disorders are associated with decreased or increased HCO3- reabsorption in the renal tubules. The present study was to examine the alterations of expression and distribution of Carbonic anhydrase II in the kidneys of normal and potassium-depleted rats using Western blot analysis and immuno-histochemistry. Western blot analysis demonstrated that CA II protein, ~30 kDa at molecular mass, was abundantly expressed in normal group. All potassium-depleted groups showed slightly increased CA II protein compared to normal group. In control group, immunoreactivity of CA II protein was detected in the entire collecting duct. Signal intensity was prominent in the intercalated cells and weak in the principal cells of the cortical collecting ducts. In potassium-depleted groups, the pattern of cellular labeling of CA II protein was identical to that of normal group, but the signal intensity was decreased in cortical collecting duct, markedly increased in the inner stripe of outer medullary and inner medullary collecting ducts, and unchanged in the outer stripe of outer medullary collecting duct. These results suggest that chronic hypokalemia impact the expression pattern of CA II protein depending the portion of the collecting duct.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Carbon ; Carbonic Anhydrase II ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Hypokalemia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Rats

The carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II) is specifically expressed in oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for myelination in the central nervous system. However no direct evidence on relationship between myelin formation and CA-II immunoreactivity has been described. The aims of these studies are to investigate the relationship between CA-II and myelination during cerebellar development of mouse. Myelin staining was found on postnatal (P) 14, and its intensity increased in proportion to developmental age. CA-II positive oligodendrocytes were observed in the white matter of cerebellum on P 14 day. CA-II positive oligoden-drocytes also occured in the granular layer and Purkinje cell layers in the later stage of dvelopment. The parallel development in the CA-II expression and myelination during development suggests that CA-II in oligoendrocyte play a role to myelination.
Animals ; Carbon* ; Carbonic Anhydrase II* ; Carbonic Anhydrases* ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellum* ; Mice* ; Myelin Sheath ; Oligodendroglia

PURPOSE: The histiogenesis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular malignancy of childhood, has been investigated from the early times. But in spite of this effort, its origin has been controversial. This study was performed to investigated the cell of origin for retinoblastoma using enzyme histomchemistry for carbonic anhydrase. METHODS: We obtained enucleated eye that was diagnosed as retinoblastoma and its section was stained for hematoxylin-eosin for diagnosis of retinoblastoma. We used enzyme histomchemistry for carbonic anhydrase distinguishing Muller's cells, red-and green-sensistive cones from neuro-retinal cells. RESULTS: They were disagnosed as relatively well-differentiated retinoblastoma by hematoxylin-eosin staining and composed of tumor cells with numerous rosette. Neither numeric nor morphologic changes of Muller cells that are suspected of malignant features in enzyme histochemistry for carbonic anhydrase was found. CONCLUSIONS: The cells of retinoblastoma were originated from the two layers, inner nuclear and ganglion cell layer. The enzyme histochemistry for carbonic anhydrase is the one of the useful methods to investigate the origin of retinoblastoma although more cases is needed to assess.
Carbonic Anhydrase I ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Diagnosis ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Ganglion Cysts ; Retinoblastoma*

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a transmembrane protein that is specifically overexpressed on the surface of hypoxic tumor cells. With the function of regulating the acidity of tumor cells both inside and outside, CAIX is closely related to tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Therefore, CAIX is a promising target for tumor imaging and therapy. Herein, we summarized recent advances in CAIX-based tumor imaging, therapy and theranostics, and prospected future applications of using CAIX as an anti-tumor target.
Carbonic Anhydrase IX ; Carbonic Anhydrases/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of carbonic anhydrase II (CA2) in human testes and spermatozoa, and to compare the expressions of CA2 in ejaculated spermatozoa between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men.

METHODSThe localization of CA2 in human testes was observed by immunohistochemistry, and that in human sperm by immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CA2 in the semen samples obtained from 16 normozoospermic and 16 asthenozoospermic volunteers.

RESULTSThe CA2 protein was shown to be localized in the tail of elongating spermatids by immunohistochemistry and in the flagellum of human sperm by immunofluorescence. Western blot revealed an obviously increased expression of CA2 in the spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic patients, with statistically significant difference from the normozoospermic group (1.84 +/- 0.32 vs 1.41 +/- 0.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe CA2 protein is expressed in the spermatogenic stage of elongating spermatids in human testes and localized in the sperm tail. The expression of CA2 is significantly increased in the spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic men, which might be responsible for low sperm motility.

Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Carbonic Anhydrase II ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Testis ; metabolism

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the effects of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on the production and expression of nitric oxide in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC). METHODS: Primarily cultured HTMC were exposed to 0, 10, and 100 microM dorzolamide and brinzolamide using serum-deprived media for 3 days. Production of nitric oxide was assessed with Griess assay. Expressions of eNOS mRNA were assessed with RT-PCR. RESULTS: Both dorzolamide and brinzolamide increased the production of nitric oxide eNOS activity (p < 0.05). Dorzolamide had a more potent effect than brinzolamide on the production of nitric oxide and the expression of eNOS mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors increased the production of nitric oxide, which was accompanied by increased eNOS activity. Dorzolamide had a more potent effect than brinzolamide on the production of nitric oxide and expression of eNOS mRNA in HTMC. The increased production of nitric oxide by topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors involves mechanisms other than carbonic anhydrase inhibition.
Carbon* ; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors* ; Carbonic Anhydrases* ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide* ; RNA, Messenger ; Trabecular Meshwork*

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a tumor associated protein which is able to be a potent anticancer target, since it is highly expressed in a multitude of carcinomas, while it is present in a limited number of normal tissues. This review focuses on its role in tumor physiology, the most recent three dimensional structure features of this enzyme which has recently been elucidated. In addition, we present recent advances in the development of small inhibitors able to target CA IX for therapeutic applications.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Carbonic Anhydrase IX ; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology

The Mainz classification for renal cell tumors was introduced in 1986 and it's utility has been reported in several histogenetic and genetic studies of renal cell tumors. We present a study of 127 cases of renal cell tumors with clinicopathologic correlation, DNA content analysis, and histogenesis studied by histochemical and immunohistochemical staining. The 127 renal cell tumors classified by the Mainz classification were 87 clear cell, 17 chromophilic, 13 chromophobe and 3 sarcomatoid renal cell carcinomas, 5 oncocytomas and 2 adenomas. These subtypes showed significant correlation not with age, sex, Robson's stage, DNA ploidy or tumor recurrence but with nuclear grade (p=0.001) and tumor size (p=0.001). Hall's colloidal iron (p=0.002) and carbonic anhydrase II (p=0.013) stains, representing the origin of distal nephron especially of collecting duct, were significantly correlated with specific subtypes of renal cell tumors, especially chromophobe cell renal carcinoma. This study demonstrates that the Mainz classification suggests several morphologically different subtypes and variants of renal cell tumors and that some of them may have originated from the distal nephron, particularly from the collecting duct.
Adenoma ; Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; Carbonic Anhydrase II ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Classification* ; Colloids ; Coloring Agents ; DNA* ; Iron ; Nephrons ; Ploidies ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity and its mRNA expression in rats cochlea after noise exposure. METHOD: Twenty-four healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups including 1 control group without contact of noise and 3 experimental groups exposed to a narrowband white noise of 4 kHz, 110 dB SPL 4h/d for 1 day, 1 week and 3 weeks, respectively. ABR thresholds were tested for each group at the time points described above. An immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CA in the cochlea tissue. Differences in CAII mRNA expressions with and without noise exposure were examined using RT-PCR. RESULT: The thresholds of ABR in noise exposed cochlea were increased compared with the control cochlea (P < 0.01). CA activity and the CAII mRNA expression in noise exposed cochlea were decreased compared with the control cochlea (P < 0.01). The increase of ABR thresholds and decreases of CA activity and the CAII mRNA expression showed a time dependent pattern as the extension of duration exposed to noise. CONCLUSION Noise exposure could downregulate the CA activity and CAII mRNA expression in the cochlea. CA was proably involved in the pathogenesis of noise-induced hearing loss.
Animals ; Carbonic Anhydrase II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cochlea ; enzymology ; Female ; Male ; Noise ; adverse effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Methazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor commonly used for lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma and other ophthalmologic diseases. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are sulfonamide derivatives that are known to cause many adverse side effects, including dermatologic reactions. Recently, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) associated with methazolamide treatment has been reported in Japanese and Japanese Americans, and it suggested a relationship between genetic background and methazolamide-induced SJS. We report four cases of SJS induced by methazolamide. Methazolamide should be prescribed with caution in patients of Japanese or Korean descent.
Asian Americans ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Methazolamide* ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome*