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Monoamine neurotransmitters are released by specialized neurons that regulate behavioral and cognitive functions. Although localization of monoaminergic neurons in the brain is well known, the distribution, concentration, and kinetics of monoamines remain unclear. We used mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for simultaneous and quantitative imaging of endogenous monoamines to generate a murine brain atlas of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) levels. We observed several nuclei rich in both 5-HT and a catecholamine (DA or NE). Additionally, we analyzed de novo monoamine synthesis or fluctuations in those nuclei. We propose that MSI is a useful tool to gain deeper understanding of associations among the localization, levels, and turnover of monoamines in different brain areas and their role in inducing behavioral changes.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) regulates both glucose and bone mass. PPARgamma activation has been shown to affect bone through an increased in bone marrow adiposity and decreased in osteoblastogenesis, resulting in reduced bone formation. In fact, clinical studies have reported that PPARgamma agonists may cause increased risk of bone fractures and decreased bone mineral density. On the other hand, PPARgamma agonists may have protective effect on inflammatory bone resorption through inhibition of RANKL- or TNFalpha-induced osteoclastogenesis. In this report, we review recent studies showing pleiotropic effects of PPARgamma agonists on bone formation and inflammatory bone resorption observed at joints in rheumatoid arthritis.

A 23-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of dry cough and lacrimal gland swelling. Laboratory findings showed hypergammaglobulinemia (4859 mg/dl), hypocomplementemia (CH50 13 U/ml), and hyperamylasemia. CT revealed a marked swelling of the bilateral lacrimal glands, diffuse patchy infiltration in the bilateral lung fields, and enlargement of the whole pancreas. Gallium citrate scintigraphy showed abnormal accumulation in the bilateral lacrimal glands, submandibular glands, and both lung fields. Biopsy specimens from the salivary gland revealed dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells. Furthermore, open lung biopsy showed a marked peribronchial lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltration with IgG4-positive plasma cells. These findings fulfilled the criteria of Mikulicz's disease and autoimmune pancreatitis, and support the recently proposed concept of IgG4-related systemic disease.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) , which is induced by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in rheumatoid synovium, degrades a number of extracellular matrix components of cartilage, and plays central roles in rheumatoid joint destruction. In addition, serum MMP-3 level is a clinically useful maker for predicting joint destruction and for disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) . In this review, I summarized the role of MMP-3 in rheumatoid joint destruction, and clinical usefulness of serum MMP-3 level as a laboratory marker in RA.