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Biomedical subjects

A Ohira

Publications and source records attributed to A Ohira.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

TNP-470 (a fungus-derived inhibitor of angiogenesis) reduces proliferation of cultured fibroblasts isolated from primary pterygia: a possible drug therapy for pterygia.

PURPOSE: To study drug therapy for pterygium, especially the effect of a fumagillin analog, TNP-470, a potent anti-angiogenic compound, on the growth of cultured fibroblasts obtained from primary pterygia and normal human conjunctiva. METHODS: Cultured pterygium fibroblasts (PF) were exposed to different concentrations of TNP-470 every other day for 7 days (Treatment A) and to a single dose before 4 days of culture (Treatment B). Human normal conjunctival fibroblasts (HCF) were treated with TNP-470 every other day for 7 days. The cells were observed daily by phase contrast microscopy. Cell proliferation was assessed by counting cells with a hemocytometer. Trypan blue uptake was used to determine cell viability at harvest. RESULTS: TNP-470 induced a significant inhibition of PF and HCF proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P < .0001). At the lowest dose of TNP-470 (100 pg/ml), the cumulative inhibitory effect of TNP-470 was more potent than the sustained inhibitory effect observed by treatment B in one high dose. Nevertheless, the cytotoxic effect was dose-dependent and more marked after treatment A than after treatment B. After washing out of the drug, partial reversibility was observed at doses lower than 5 mg/ml with a significant increase of viability. HCF were less sensitive to TNP-470 and doses less than 5 mg/ml were not cytotoxic. CONCLUSIONS: TNP-470 appears to have a marked inhibitory effect on PF proliferation, and it may be of considerable value in the prevention of pterygium growth and recurrence.

Aged↗

Superoxide dismutases in retinal degeneration of WBN/Kob rat.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between retinal degeneration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the degenerative retina of the WBN/Kob rat. METHODS: The retinas of 4-week-old and 10-month-old WBN/ Kob rats were examined with immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Wistar Kyoto rats were used as controls. RESULTS: Retinal degeneration began 4 weeks after birth. Four-week-old WBN/Kob rats showed no manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) immunoreactivity in the photoreceptor inner segments or copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) immunoreactivity in the outer nuclear layer or photoreceptor inner segments. Control 4-week-old Wistar Kyoto rats showed positive immunoreactivities at these sites. CONCLUSIONS: The retinal degeneration of WBN/Kob rats begins in the outer retina. The lack of SODs in the outer retina may contribute to retinal degeneration in the WBN/Kob rats.

Animals↗

Choroidal coloboma in two members of a family.

A family with choroidal coloboma is reported. A 43-year-old Japanese woman with choroidal coloboma including the optic disk and extending to the inferior half of the fundus in both eyes had horizontal nystagmus, microcornea and mild cortical cataract in both eyes. Her 40-year-old younger sister had choroidal colobomas in both eyes and also a horizontal nystagmus, microcornea in both eyes and a mature cataract in the left eye. They had no systemic abnormalities. Their parents and 2 younger sisters showed neither ocular nor systemic abnormalities. Choroidal coloboma with iris coloboma has been reported frequently, but familial choroidal coloboma without involvement of the iris and with no systemic abnormalities is rare.

Adult↗

Induction of human thioredoxin in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells through cyclic AMP-dependent pathway; involvement in the cytoprotective activity of prostaglandin E1.

Human thioredoxin is one of the oxidative stress-inducible proteins and has a protective function against oxidant-induced injury. To evaluate the possible involvement of thioredoxin in the cytoprotective function of prostaglandin E1, we analysed the effect of prostaglandin E1 on cellular injury by hydrogen peroxide and intracellular thioredoxin induction. Cellular survival of human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, established from normal retinal pigment epithelial cells, following exposure to hydrogen peroxide was markedly improved by pretreatment of 1 microm prostaglandin E1. Thioredoxin expression was augmented in a dose-dependent manner when retinal pigment epithelial cells were pretreated with 10 nm-1 microm prostaglandin E1 1 hr before the exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Intracellular cyclic AMP level was elevated by Prostaglandin E1 when the cells were simultaneously exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and dibutylyl cAMP, a cyclic AMP analog, could also induce thioredoxin and extend survival of retinal pigment epithelial cells. On the other hand, thioredoxin induction and cellular protection by prostaglandin E1 was blocked by Rp diastereoisomer of cyclic adenosine 3', 5', monophosphorothioate, a competitive inhibitor of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase. Thioredoxin induction was augmented significantly by pretreatment with prostaglandin I2, a stimulator of cyclic AMP dependent signal pathway, while treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha, a stimulator of inositol phosphate-dependent signal pathway, failed to enhance thioredoxin. These findings indicate that prostaglandin E1 has a cytoprotective activity against oxidative injury, partly through thioredoxin induction via cyclic AMP dependent pathway.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutases in the developing rat retina.

To determine whether superoxide dismutases (SODs) may be connected with cellular differentiation in the retina, we studied these enzymes by immunolocalization and immunochemical quantitative analysis in developing rat retinas. Four days after birth, manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) immunoreactivities were observed in the neural retina but not in immature neuroblasts. In 9-day-old rats, Mn-SOD immunoreactivity was located in the ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, some cells of the inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, and photoreceptor inner segments differentiated from immature neuroblasts. CuZn-SOD immunoreactivity was found in the same sites except the photoreceptor inner segments. The immunohistochemical staining in 9-day-old rat retinas was the same as in adult retinas. Our quantitative analysis showed increased SODs when retinal cell differentiation ceased. Our results suggest that the concentration of SODs in retinal neuroblasts is too low that immunoreactivity of SODs cannot be visualized. When the differentiation of retinal neuroblasts progresses, SODs appear to be increased in mature retinal cells to protect them from oxidative stress induced by light exposure when the eyes are open.

Animals↗

Detached retina affects morphologic and biochemical changes in the retina adjacent to bullous retinal detachment in rabbits.

PURPOSE: Long-term results, more than 10 years after successful retinal detachment surgery, have shown gradually decreasing visual acuity in some cases. It is unclear if reduced functional recovery postoperatively is caused by anatomic changes or biochemical disorders. To determine the etiology of the reduced visual acuity, we cytochemically examined the changes in the cellular responses of the edges of retinal detachments. METHODS: We histochemically studied the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) and 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase) activity in the rabbit retina. Experimental rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was produced in a rabbit model after partial vitrectomy, followed by retinal tear formation. RESULTS: Although 5'-Nase activity gradually decreased during the period of detachment, activity was still detectable after 24 weeks. G6P activity increased in the region of the detached neural retina. Around the border of the detached retina, the decrease in 5'-Nase activity extended approximately 140 micrometers into the adjacent attached retina at 2 weeks after detachment and 270 micrometers at 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that some anatomical and biochemical damages may occur in the retina adjacent to bullous retinal detachment and may explain the reduction in postoperative vision in some clinical cases.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Parameter estimation and dosage adjustment in the treatment with vancomycin of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ocular infections.

The susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to vancomycin (VC) is excellent, but excessive dosing of VC leads to severe side effects. In this study, we present a way of administration planning for each patient based on personal data. To this end, we employed the Sawchuck-Zaske equation to calculate VC clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (Vd) on the basis of three different plasma concentrations of VC, and we used CL and Vd values as prior information before employing the parameter estimation and dosage adjustment program to treat a patient with postsurgical endophthalmitis caused by MRSA and a patient with acute dacryocystitis also caused by MRSA. They had good remissions without any severe side effects.

Acute Disease↗

Noninvasive detection of iliac artery disease and prediction of its severity from Doppler spectral analysis in common femoral artery.

The direct interrogation of iliac artery disease (IAD) with color-coded duplex scanning is limited by the presence of intestinal gas or obesity. The purposes of this study were to examine the diagnostic accuracy of duplex ultrasound (DUS) analysis of spectral waves in common femoral artery (CFA) for detection of IAD and to predict its severity. DUS and arteriography were performed in 107 lower extremities in this study. The following were calculated from the CFA spectral waves obtained by DUS: peak systolic velocity (PSV), acceleration (PSV/pulse rise time), and deceleration (PSV/pulse decay time). In patients with isolated IAD, the treadmill exercise test was also performed to evaluate the ischemic severity expressed as recovery rate of ankle pressure index five minutes after exercise (RR-API). Forty-six lower extremities with IAD and 61 without IAD were diagnosed by arteriography. PSV was significantly reduced in lower extremities with IAD (109.5 +/- 32.7 vs 59.8 +/- 32.9 cm/s, P < 0.05). The deceleration detected IAD with a greater specificity and sensitivity vs acceleration (100.0 vs 82.0% and 97.8 vs 82.6%, respectively). Moreover, the acceleration and deceleration significantly correlated with the RR-API (r = 0.589, P < 0.05 and r = 0.779, P < 0.01, n = 14, respectively). The present evaluation is a simple and accurate technique to augment other examinations for detection of IAD and to assess its ischemic severity.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Analysis of localization of adult T-cell leukemia-derived factor in the transient ischemic rat retina after treatment with OP-1206 alpha-CD, a prostaglandin E1 analogue.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is commonly used in therapy for obstructive diseases, including ischemic retinopathy, in which pathogenetic reactive oxygen intermediates are responsible. However, the mechanism(s) of PGE1 in reducing tissue damage is still unclear. Adult T-cell leukemia-derived factor/human thioredoxin (ADF) is induced by oxidative stresses and has protective activity against oxidative cellular injury. To evaluate the possible involvement of ADF in the tissue-protective effect of PGE1, we analyzed ADF expression immunohistochemically using a rat transient retinal ischemia model. Rats were treated orally with 300 micrograms/kg/day OP-1206 alpha-cyclodextrin clathrate (OP-1206), a stable PGE1 analogue, for 14 days after photodynamic retinal vascular thrombosis by rose Bengal. Rats without any OP-1206 treatment were used as controls. In the OP-1206-treated rats, minimal retinal atrophy due to ischemia/reperfusion was observed histologically up to 14 days, whereas in the non-treated rats the inner layer of the retina became markedly atrophic. In parallel with the histological change, after 14 days following thrombosis ADF immunoreactivity was preserved on retinal pigment epithelial cells in the OP-1206-treated rats, whereas it was diminished in the non-treated rats. These findings suggest an important role for ADF in the OP-1206-dependent suppression of retinal tissue damage caused by oxidative insult.

Alprostadil↗

Immunohistochemical distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor in experimental retinal ischaemia and reperfusion in the rat.

It has been proposed that basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF) mediates the neovascular response in a variety of conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and branch retinal vein occlusion. To test the hypothesis that basic FGF was released from retinal stores as a result of retinal ischaemia, transient retinal ischaemia was induced, followed by 48 h of reperfusion, in the rat by combined central retinal vasculature and optic nerve ligation. The immunolocalization of basic FGF was studied in the retina. We found that basic FGF in the normal retina is present around the deeper retinal vessels and in the neuronal tissue of the outer plexiform layer. In the eyes that had ischaemia followed by reperfusion, there was moderate cellular oedema with retinal swelling, and mitoses in the inner nuclear and plexiform layers. There were no changes evident at the immunohistochemical level either in the intensity or distribution of stores of basic FGF. We conclude from these data that stores of basic FGF are not altered dramatically under the conditions of transient experimental ischaemia and reperfusion in the rat, despite the presence of cellular proliferation.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the pterygium.

Some fibroangiogenic factors have recently been shown to play potential roles in fibrovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to examine whether there is any relationship between growth factors and pterygium genesis. Twenty-three primary pterygia and 4 normal conjunctiva specimens were analyzed by indirect immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Positive immunostaining of these growth factors was located in the epithelial cells, endothelial cells of vessels, basement membranes of vessels and epithelium, fibroblasts and infiltrating inflammatory cells in the pterygium. In the normal conjunctiva, positive immunolabeling for TGF-beta and PDGF was much weaker than in the pterygium. We conclude that growth factors may interact directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of pterygium although proof of this awaits further studies.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Localization and possible gene expression of proteoglycan decorin in the trabecular meshwork.

It is known that trabecular meshwork cells produce proteoglycans and that local production may be associated with aqueous outflow resistance. In an attempt to identify intraocular production of proteoglycan decorin in the anterior chamber angle of mammalian eyes, we conducted a Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemical studies. Northern blot analysis suggested gene expression of proteoglycan decorin in trabecular meshwork cells. Also, immunohistochemical studies using anti-decorin antibody demonstrated decorin-like immunoreactivity in the trabecular meshwork and around the Schlemm's canal. Our data demonstrate the presence of proteoglycan decorin in the outflow pathway, suggesting that decorin is a component of extracellular matrices in these regions and may be associated with outflow resistance.

Animals↗

Egress route of emulsified 20 centistokes silicone oil from anterior chamber of rabbit.

Silicone oil is used in recent clinical practice, however, it may cause adverse reactions in the eyes. When the high viscosity silicone oil is contaminated with low molecular weight silicone oil, the contamination may cause ocular toxicity or elevation of the intraocular pressure. To obtain information on the distribution of this preparation, emulsified 20 centistokes silicone oil was injected into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes. The silicone oil droplets were visualized by light and electron microscopy by using oil soluble phthalocyanine blue. This copper containing dye remains in the tissue after removal of the silicone oil by organic solvents. Two and 4 weeks after an injection, the silicone emulsion was observed as numerous small vacuoles with blue precipitate at the margin of vacuoles within elongated trabecular endothelial cells, fibroblasts along the route of uveoscleral outflow and cells of the iris. Three hours after the injection, only a few vacuoles were present in these cells. These results demonstrated that the emulsified silicone oil leaves the anterior chamber through the conventional and unconventional routes. Phagocytosis by the trabecular endothelial cells and fibroblasts along the uveoscleral route caused an accumulation of the emulsified silicone oil in these cells. With chronic exposure to emulsified silicone oil, changes in the trabecular meshwork may lead to a reduction in the outflow of aqueous humor and cause glaucoma.

Animals↗

Glial-, neuronal- and photoreceptor-specific cell markers in rosettes of retinoblastoma and retinal dysplasia.

Previous studies have shown that a rosette formation represents an attempt to form embryonic retinal tissue, primarily rods and cones. To test the theories as to the origin and characteristics of retinoblastoma cells, we compared the characteristics of tumor rosettes with those of dysplastic rosettes seen in retinal dysplasia using the glial, neuronal and photoreceptor markers. Forty-four retinoblastoma and one retinal dysplasia specimens were analyzed by indirect immunohistochemistry, using specific antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, myelin basic protein, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament, retinal S-antigen and retinal pigment epithelial antigen. In human retinoblastoma, all the glial, neuronal, retinal pigment epithelial, and photoreceptor cell markers, except for the neurofilament, were present in parts of rosette-forming tumor cells. However, their localization was different for each antigen and it was not clear whether each tumor cell possesses several antigens. These immuno-positive tumor cells were cytologically indistinguishable from other rosette-forming cells at the light microscopic level. In retinal dysplasia, neuron specific enolase and retinal S-antigen were diffusely expressed in the dysplastic rosettes, however, other antigen were not seen in those rosettes. The staining pattern by immunocytochemistry is totally different in tumor rosettes from dysplastic ones. We found varying localizations of different immunoreactivities within tumor rosettes. These results led us to suggest that tumor cells in the rosettes of retinoblastoma may have the ability to differentiate into neural and glial cells. To prove the theory that retinoblastoma cells may have originated from a primitive neuroectodermal cell capable of multipotentiality, further investigation is needed.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Oxidative stress induces adult T cell leukemia derived factor/thioredoxin in the rat retina.

BACKGROUND: Adult T cell leukemia derived factor (ADF), originally defined as an interleukin-2 receptor inducer, is a human thioredoxin homolog. ADF/thioredoxin has several biologic functions, such as defense against cellular damage, activity to scavenge oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide radicals and cytokine-like properties. We hypothesized that under certain conditions, ischemia followed by reperfusion and/or light exposure, ADF may be induced in the retina. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To test this hypothesis, we prepared experimental animal models in which oxidative stress could be applied to the retina. In the present study, we examined ADF expression in the rat retina using temporary ischemia and reperfusion, and photodynamic retinal vascular thrombosis by immunohistochemical and Western blotting methods. RESULTS: ADF expression was strongly induced in the retinal pigment epithelial cells after 2 hours of ischemia followed by 2, 24, or 48 hours of reperfusion. ADF was also expressed in retinal pigment epithelial cells as early as 3 hours after light exposure followed by rose bengal injection, and this expression increased with time. Western blotting data showed that ADF expression increased in the retinal pigment epithelial cells in the experimental group, as compared with the control group. These results indicate that ADF is actively induced in retinal pigment epithelial cells upon oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: ADF induction in retinal pigment epithelial cells may be involved in the defense mechanism against cellular damage caused by active oxygen species generated during oxygen stress to the retina.

Animals↗