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We have developed TransChromo (TC) technology, which enables the introduction of megabase-sized segments of DNA into cells. We have used this approach to derive mice that carry megabases of human DNA by the use of a human chromosome fragment (HCF) as a vector. TC technology has been applied to the construction of the TC Mouse,™ which incorporates entire human immunoglobulin (hIg) loci. TC Mouse™ expresses a fully diverse repertoire of hIgs, including all the subclasses of IgGs (IgG1-G4). Immunization of the TC Mouse™ with various human antigens produced antibody responses comprised of human antibodies. Furthermore, it was possible to obtain hybridoma clones expressing fully human antibodies specific for the target human antigen. However, because of the instability of the Igκ locus-bearing HCF2, the efficiency of hybridoma production was less than one-tenth of that observed in normal mice. An instant solution to this problem was to cross-breed the Kirin TC Mouse™ carrying the HCF14, which was stable in mouse cells, with the Medarex YAC-transgenic mouse carrying about 50% of the hIgVκ gene segments as a region that is stably integrated into the mouse genome. The resulting mouse, dubbed the KM Mouse™, performed as well as normal mice with regard to immune responsiveness and efficiency of hybridoma production. Another application of TC technology is the production of polyclonal antibodies in large animals such as chickens and cows. To test the efficacy of human polyclonal antibodies derived from TC animals, feasibility studies were performed using antisera and purified γ-globulin from TC mice immunized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The TC mouse-derived antisera and γ-globulin showed a much higher titer and efficacy in terms of the neutralizing activity of the pathogens in vitro and in vivo than either human serum or γ-globulin prepared from human blood.

Archaeosine is a novel derivative of 7-deazaguanosine found in transfer RNAs of most organisms exclusively in the archaeal phylogenetic lineage and is present in the D-loop at position 15. We show that this modification is formed by a posttranscriptional base replacement reaction, catalyzed by a new tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (TGT), which has been isolated fromHaloferax volcaniiand purified nearly to homogeneity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 78 kDa by SDS-gel electrophoresis. The enzyme can insert free 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine (preQ0base) in vitroat position 15 of anH. volcaniitRNA T7 transcript, replacing the guanine originally located at that position without breakage of the phosphodiester backbone. Since archaeosine base and 7-aminomethyl-7-deazaguanine (preQ1base) were not incorporated into tRNA by this enzyme, preQ0base appears to be the actual substrate for the TGT of H. volcanii, a conclusion supported by characterization of preQ0base in an acid-soluble extract of H. volcaniicells. Thus, this novel TGT in H. volcaniiis a key enzyme for the biosynthetic pathway leading to archaeosine in archaeal tRNAs.

•We report the case of NMOSD with severe orthostatic hypotension due to hypothalamic lesions.•Orthostatic hypotension can be a symptom of NMOSD with hypothalamic lesions.•Clinicians should pay attention to the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension in NMOSD patients.