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Biomedical subjects

E Gohda

Publications and source records attributed to E Gohda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Induction of hepatocyte growth factor in human skin fibroblasts by epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for rat and human hepatocytes in primary culture and appears to be the physiological hepatotrophic factor that triggers or modulates liver regeneration. Regulation of HGF gene expression and the protein production in human skin fibroblasts was examined. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) to confluent cultures of the cells markedly stimulated HGF secretion from the cells. The stimulating effect of EGF, PDGF and bFGF was further investigated. The effect of all three growth factors was maximal at 3-30 ng/ml and was accompanied by an increase in HGF mRNA levels. The mRNA levels were not elevated at 5 h but were at 10 h or more after addition of EGF. The levels of HGF mRNA in fibroblasts treated with the optimal doses of EGF, PDGF, bFGF, aFGF and TGF-alpha for 24 h were 6, 4, 5, 4 and 5 times that of control cultures incubated in medium only, respectively. The growth factor-induced HGF mRNA expression and HGF secretion was inhibited by addition of TGF-beta 1 or dexamethasone. Pretreatment with a high dose of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which causes down-regulation in protein kinase C (PKC) activity and PMA-induced HGF secretion, did not reduce the effects of the growth factors on HGF mRNA expression and HGF secretion, but rather enhanced them.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blotting, Northern↗

Significant amount of hepatocyte growth factor detected in blood and bone marrow plasma of leukaemia patients.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been known as a versatile functional molecule, and as being involved in the colony formation of haemopoietic progenitor cells. Clinically, an elevated HGF level in the blood has been associated with liver diseases such as fulminant hepatic failure and acute hepatitis. We have found a high level of HGF in blood and bone marrow plasma from patients with various types of leukaemia and lymphoma. In particular, 21/31 acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) patients showed a significant level of HGF (> 0.40 ng/ml) in their blood or bone marrow plasma. The mean value of HGF in the plasma of AML patients was 2.03 ng/ml, which was higher than that in the serum of patients with acute hepatitis. This demonstrates, for the first time, evidence of frequent association of increased levels of HGF in non-lymphocytic leukaemias, though its significance in the disease remains unknown.

Bone Marrow↗

Enhancement by ascorbic acid 2-glucoside or repeated additions of ascorbate of mitogen-induced IgM and IgG productions by human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

In this study, the effect of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G), a stable derivative of ascorbic acid (AsA), or repeated additions of ascorbate on antibody productions by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was examined, and the physiological function of AsA was evaluated. When human PBLs were stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I or pokeweed mitogen, AA-2G remarkably increased the numbers of IgM- and IgG-secreting cells which were detected by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Although a single addition of ascorbate was without effect, the effect of AA-2G was remarkably inhibited by the addition of castanospermine, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor; and moreover, repeated additions of AsA to the culture medium during the culture period enhanced the response to the same level as did a single addition of AA-2G. These results indicate that AsA has the ability to stimulate the immunoglobulin productions by AA-2G. The phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferative response of PBLs was also stimulated by AA-2G. The intracellular AsA content in PBLs cultured with AA-2G was maintained at relatively high levels during the culture period, whereas the content with a single dose of AsA reached nearly zero by the end of the experiment. These in vitro findings suggest that AA-2G and AsA function as potent immunostimulators of antibody production in humans and that the intracellular AsA content is a key parameter for establishing the immune response of PBLs.

Antibody Formation↗

Stimulation of DNA synthesis in skin fibroblasts by human hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor.

The effect of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) on the proliferation of human skin fibroblasts was examined. At concentrations above 1.0 ng/ml, both native and recombinant human HGF/SF stimulated the DNA synthesis determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, which was completely inhibited by an anti-human HGF/SF monoclonal antibody. The maximal DNA synthesis in the treated cells was nearly twice that in untreated cells. HGF/SF also caused an increase in the labelling index, DNA content and cell number. The effect of HGF/SF was more than additive to the maximal effect of insulin and epidermal growth factor, other mitogens for the fibroblasts. These results indicate that human skin fibroblasts are sensitive to the mitogenic action of HGF/SF.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Effects of cisplatin, carboplatin, etoposide and human hepatocyte growth factor on the colony formation of four human liver cancer cell lines].

Antitumor activity of cisplatin, carboplatin, etoposide, or human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), was compared by examining the colony formation ability of four liver cancer cell lines (PLC/PRF/5 and HuH-7, hepatocellular carcinoma; HuH-6 and HepG2, hepatoblastoma). Antitumor activity was evaluated from the drug concentration causing 50% cell death by a colony assay. PLC/PRF/5 cells were most effectively killed by cisplatin and etoposide, HuH-7 cells by cisplatin and carboplatin, HuH-6 cells by etoposide, and Hep G2 cells by cisplatin. These results indicate that among four liver cancer cell lines, the three were the most sensitive to cisplatin, the two were to etoposide and the only one cell line was to carboplatin. There was no significant relationship between each drug and types of liver cancer. Combined treatment with cisplatin (0.01-1.0 microgram/ml) and etoposide (0.1 microgram/ml) showed synergistic cytotoxic effects on the colony formation of PLC/PRF/5 cells, while combination of carboplatin (0.01-0.1 microgram/ml) and etoposide (0.1 microgram/ml) caused subadditive cytotoxic effects. hHGF stimulated the colony formation of HuH-6 cells, while it inhibited that of Hep G2 cells. The treatment of HuH-6 with cisplatin and hHGF showed a higher cell survival percentage compared with the treatment with cisplatin alone. On the other hand, cell survival of Hep G2 cells was remarkably decreased by the combined treatment with cisplatin and hHGF.

Carboplatin↗

The role of HGF-SF in animal and human hepatic physiology and pathology.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was first described as a hepatotrophic factor in partially hepatectomized rat plasma in the early 1980's and was purified from plasma of a patient with fulminant hepatic failure and from rat platelets in 1986-1987. Recent progress has revealed that HGF is the same protein as scatter factor and tumor cytotoxic factor, and is now known to be a broad-spectrum growth factor which stimulates cell growth not only of hepatocytes but also of many other types of epithelial and endothelial cells. In this review, however, we concentrate on the role of HGF, mainly human HGF, on liver regeneration after injury. In humans, plasma levels of hHGF increase to greater than 10 ng/ml during severe liver disease such as fulminant hepatic failure and decrease rapidly to normal levels when the patients recover from the disease. In less severe liver damage such as occurs in acute hepatitis, levels of hHGF in plasma increase to 0.5-1 ng/ml which is approaching the half maximal concentration for the stimulation of DNA synthesis in human hepatocytes in culture. Thus, HGF is believed to be involved in control of liver regeneration. Although the cell type(s) which produces HGF during liver disease is not yet identified, it is possible that circulating leukocytes or splenocytes are responsible. Synthesis of HGF is though to be regulated by a putative inducer(s) derived from damaged liver tissue. A control mechanism for HGF production during liver disease is proposed.

Animals↗

Phorbol ester-induced secretion of human hepatocyte growth factor by human skin fibroblasts and its inhibition by dexamethasone.

Human skin fibroblasts secreted a certain amount of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for hHGF. This hHGF secretion was remarkably stimulated by protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol esters, which was inhibited by the simultaneous addition of dexamethasone. Pretreatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) caused a down-regulation in hHGF secretion. hHGF secreted by the PMA-treated cells showed a potent hepatocyte growth-promoting activity which was neutralized by an anti-hHGF antiserum. These results indicate both that PMA-treated human skin fibroblasts produce biologically active hHGF and the possible involvement of PKC activation in this process.

Dexamethasone↗

Human hepatocyte growth factor stimulates the growth of HUH-6 clone 5 human hepatoblastoma cells.

The effects of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), a potent mitogen for rat and human hepatocytes in primary culture, on proliferation of human hepatoma and hepatoblastoma cells were examined. Out of five cell lines; HLE, HuH-6 clone 5, HuH-7, PLC/PRF/5, and Hep G2, only HuH-6 Clone 5 cells were stimulated by recombinant hHGF. Both native and recombinant hHGFs caused dose-dependent increases in cell number and DNA synthesis of cells. This stimulation was strongly inhibited by anti-hHGF monoclonal antibody.

Animals↗

TGF-beta is a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte growth factor secretion by human fibroblasts.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) inhibited secretion of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), which is also known as scatter factor or fibroblast-derived tumor cytotoxic factor, by MRC-5 cells. The effect was detectable at as little as 10 pg/ml and was more potent than that of dexamethasone. Complete inhibition was observed after 12 h in the presence of 5 ng/ml of TGF-beta 1. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced secretion of hHGF from human skin fibroblasts was also suppressed by TGF-beta 1. TGF-beta 2 inhibited hHGF secretion by MRC-5 cells to the same extent as TGF-beta 1, but other growth factors such as epidermal growth factor and acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors had only a slight or null inhibitory effect.

Cell Division↗

Purification and characterization of a mouse hepatocyte growth-stimulating factor from the liver of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice.

Mouse hepatocyte growth-stimulating factor (mHGSF), which increased markedly in the liver of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice, was purified 275,000-fold with 21% yield from extracts of the injured liver. The purification involves ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography on Affi-Gel Blue, heparin-Sepharose, and S-Sepharose. The purified factor migrated as a major band of 76,000 daltons under nonreducing conditions and two bands of 62,000 and 31,000 daltons under reduced conditions. A dose-response of this growth factor for stimulation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes and its maximal effects were similar to those of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), which we previously purified from the plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (E. Gohda et al., J. Clin. Invest., 81, 414-419 (1988)). The effect of mHGSF was additive to the maximal effect of epidermal growth factor and was synergistic with that of insulin or acidic fibroblast growth factor, but was neither additive nor synergistic with the maximal effect of hHGF. mHGSF, like hHGF, was sensitive to heat and trypsin treatments and to reduction by dithiothreitol. This factor did not react with an anti-hHGF antiserum. These results indicate that mHGSF is a hHGF-like factor, but it is immunologically different from hHGF.

Animals↗

Characterization of a mouse hepatocyte growth-stimulating factor in serum of mice treated with carbon tetrachloride.

The physicochemical and biological properties of a mouse hepatocyte growth-stimulating factor (mHGSF), whose amount in mouse serum increased markedly 24 h after carbon tetrachloride administration (E. Gohda et al., Life Sci. 46, 1801 (1990)), were examined. This factor was a heat-labile protein with a molecular weight of 75000. Its activity was sensitive to disulfide reduction. Maximal stimulation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes by this factor was greater than that by acidic fibroblast growth factor (acidic FGF) or mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) and was comparable to maximal stimulation by human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), a heterodimer with a molecular weight of about 85000. The effect of mHGSF was additive to the maximal effects of acidic FGF and EGF and was synergistic with the maximal effect of insulin, but was neither additive nor synergistic with the maximal effect of hHGF. The mHGSF activity was not inhibited by a neutralizing anti-hHGF antiserum, which recognizes nonreduced hHGF but not reduced heavy and light chains of hHGF. mHGSF did not show any cross-reactivity to anti-hHGF monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for hHGF. These results suggest that mHGSF is a hHGF-like factor with some structural difference from hHGF.

Animals↗

Identification of the N-terminal residue of the heavy chain of both native and recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor.

The N-terminal amino acid of the heavy chain of native (purified from human plasma) and recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) was determined by analyses of amino acid composition and sequence of peptide fragments derived by enzymatic cleavage, peptide mapping, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that the N-terminal amino acid of the heavy chain of hHGF, both native and recombinant, is pyroglutamate, derived from glutamine at the 32nd residue from the initiation methionine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human hepatocyte growth factor in blood of patients with fulminant hepatic failure. I. Clinical aspects.

The levels of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) in sera obtained from patients with various liver diseases were determined using adult rat hepatocytes maintained in primary culture. The mean hHGF activity for 22 patients with fulminant hepatic failure was about nine times greater than that found in normal human serum. The increase in serum hHGF activity seen in two patients with "acute-on-chronic" hepatitis was similar to that found in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. The serum level of hHGF from patients with acute hepatitis is related to the stage of their illness. The average value for 31 patients was about three times that of normal human serum. In some patients, the time course for the increase in serum hHGF activity was similar to that demonstrated for alpha-fetoprotein. The mean hHGF activity in serum for the 33 patients with chronic hepatitis and from 25 patients with liver cirrhosis was increased also compared with that of normal human serum. In addition, serum hHGF activity in three of seven patients studied after partial hepatectomy for a space-occupying lesion of the liver was increased. These data suggest that the increase in serum hHGF activity present in patients with various liver diseases reflects a self-defense mechanism that is involved in the process of liver cell regeneration.

Growth Substances↗

Human hepatocyte growth factor in blood of patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Basic aspects.

Human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) was purified from the plasma of six patients with fulminant hepatic failure due to hepatitis B in two and non-A, non-B hepatitis in four. The purified hHGF from each patient contained two major protein bands having molecular weights of 79,000 and 86,000 and several minor bands having molecular weights between 76,000 and 92,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis performed under nonreduced conditions. After reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, three major bands having molecular weights of 58,000, 34,500, and 31,500 were evident. In addition, a band having a molecular weight of 21,000 was detected. hHGF activity was destroyed by its reduction. The hHGF purified from patients demonstrated a dose response in terms of an increase in DNA synthesis using cultured hepatocytes. The hHGF concentration in the plasma of the patients with grade III-IV hepatic coma was calculated to be in the range of 1.8-3.0 nM. Finally the heavy chain of hHGF was not recognized by an anti-human albumin antibody, indicating that hHGF is not biliprotein, an albumin-bilirubin complex, that has been reported to be a putative liver growth factor.

Animals↗

Levels of the human hepatocyte growth factor in serum of patients with various liver diseases determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

We have found a hepatotrophic factor in plasma or sera of patients with fulminant hepatic failure and have purified human hepatocyte growth factor from plasma of these patients. In this study we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with high specificity and sensitivity for human hepatocyte growth factor in human serum. This assay for serum human hepatocyte growth factor is a sandwich method consisting of three steps. The standard curve for human hepatocyte growth factor appeared to be linear in the range of 0.20 to 12.50 ng purified human hepatocyte growth factor/ml (2.35 to 147 pmol/L). The assay took about 4 hr. Serum human hepatocyte growth factor values in patients with fulminant hepatic failure measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a strong positive correlation with that by bioassay using rat hepatocytes in primary culture. The mean value of serum human hepatocyte growth factor for 30 normal subjects was 0.24 +/- 0.12 (S.D.) ng/ml; that for 23 patients with fulminant hepatic failure was 8.06 +/- 1.76 (S.E.M.) ng/ml- greater than 30 times greater than the mean value for normal subjects. Serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were found to be slightly higher than those in normal subjects, but only the increase in serum human hepatocyte growth factor of acute hepatitis patients was statistically significant. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum human hepatocyte growth factor should prove useful for serum human hepatocyte growth factor level measurement in patients with various liver diseases.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗

Dibutyrylcytidine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate stimulates neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma PC12.

Dibutyrylcytidine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Bt2cCMP) stimulated neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner at the dose range from 0.5 mM to 6 mM. About 25% of the cells had neurites in response to 6 mM Bt2cCMP. In contrast with the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) which increased the percentage of cells with neurites gradually during a 6-day culture period, the stimulating effect of Bt2cCMP reached a plateau 2 days after plating. Staurosporine inhibited the neurite outgrowth induced by NGF, but not that by Bt2cCMP. These results suggest that Bt2cCMP stimulates neuronal differentiation by a mechanism different from that by NGF.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Biological and immunological properties of human hepatocyte growth factor from plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure.

We have recently purified human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), a heterodimer with molecular weight of about 83,000, from plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (Gohda, E. et al., J. Clin. Invest. 81, 414-419, 1988). Biological and immunological properties of hHGF were examined. Out of the well-known growth factors tested, only epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) stimulated DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture. hHGF enhanced the DNA synthesis at less than one-tenth of the molar concentrations of EGF and TGF-alpha. Half-maximal stimulations by hHGF, EGF and TGF-alpha were observed at 30, 400 and 900 pM, respectively. Maximal stimulation by TGF-alpha, however, was greater than those caused by hHGF and EGF. The effect of hHGF was additive with the maximal effects of EGF and TGF-alpha. Anti-hHGF antiserum was prepared in a rabbit by injecting with purified hHGF. This antiserum recognized nonreduced hHGF, but not reduced hHGF. The antiserum for hHGF did not inhibit growth-promoting activity of EGF, that was neutralized by incubation with anti-EGF antiserum. The activity of hHGF was completely inhibited by anti-hHGF antiserum, but not by anti-EGF antiserum. hHGF did not show any cross-reactivity to anti-EGF antiserum as measured by enzyme immunoassay for EGF. Thus, biological and immunological properties of hHGF are different from those of EGF and TGF-alpha.

Animals↗

Hepatotrophic growth factor in blood of mice treated with carbon tetrachloride.

The presence of a human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF)-like DNA-synthesis promoter in platelet-poor serum of mice with liver injury was examined. Activity of the serum for stimulating DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes was low in untreated or vehicle-treated mice, but markedly increased 24 h after carbon tetrachloride administration and then dropped to normal levels prior to the peak of liver DNA synthesis. The effect of the serum was additive with the maximal effects of mouse and human epidermal growth factors, but not with that of hHGF. The growth-stimulating factor in the mouse serum, like hHGF, had affinity for heparin and was heat-labile. These results indicate that the level of a serum hHGF-like hepatocyte growth factor increased in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride prior to liver regeneration.

Alanine Transaminase↗