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Biomedical subjects

H Fuji

Publications and source records attributed to H Fuji.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes-induced injury in hypoxic cardiac myocytes.

Growing evidence suggests that free radicals derived from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) play an important role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. To elucidate the cellular mechanism by which activated PMNs exacerbate ischemic myocardial damage, we investigated the extent of cell injury, assessed by the morphological deterioration, free radical generation, and lipid peroxidation in mouse embryo myocardial cells coincubated with activated PMNs. The generation of PMN-derived free radicals was related to the extent of myocardial cell injury. When myocardial cell sheets were subjected to hypoxia and glucose-free media, myocardial cells were injured (cristalysis in the mitochondria and disruption of the sarcolemma) after adding various PMN activators, and the injury extended to the adjacent cells. Chemiluminescent emission and production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the coincubated cells increased markedly compared with myocardial cells or PMNs alone. The augmented lipid peroxidation coincided with the progression of myocardial cell injury. Catalase inhibited the myocardial cell injury by 52%, the chemiluminescence by 46%, and lipid peroxidation by 50%, whereas superoxide dismutase exhibited less pronounced inhibition. These results indicate that a chain reaction of lipid peroxidation in myocardial cells induced by PMN-derived free radicals closely correlates with membrane damage and contributes to the propagation of irreversible myocardial cell damage.

Animals

Alternatively spliced MHC class I mRNAs show specific deletion of sequences encoding the extracellular polymorphic domains.

Analysis of structural diversity at the 5' end of H-2 class I mRNAs showed that a small fraction of Kd mRNA from L1210 lymphoma (approximately 10%) or from various normal tissue (2-3%) of DBA/2 mice carries a precise deletion of the sequences encoding the second extracellular domain. Nucleotide sequence of the coding region of the second domain-lacking Kd mRNA was found to be identical to the known sequence of the Kd gene from DBA/2 liver with the exception of the above deletion and a single nucleotide silent substitution at position 150, suggesting that the novel Kd RNA is a product of the functional Kd gene. In addition, various normal tissues that are known to express varying levels of Kd antigen did not show changes in the expression levels of the second domain-lacking Kd mRNA thus ruling out the possibility that synthesis of this RNA is coupled to control the expression levels of the canonical Kd mRNA, hence the Kd antigen. Analysis by polymerase chain reaction showed that all normal tissues including the testis and sperm express this RNA. Preliminary analysis of the Kb mRNA from the spleen and thymus of C57BL/6 mouse also showed the presence of second domain-lacking Kb mRNA in these mice. Furthermore, preliminary structural analysis of the Dd and Ld mRNAs has revealed additional polymorphic extracellular domain-lacking mRNA species including a first domain-lacking Dd mRNA and two Ld mRNAs that lack sequences encoding either the first extracellular domain or the second extracellular domain respectively. These results together show that H-2 mRNAs lacking sequences that specify individual extracellular polymorphic domains are a frequent feature of the structural diversity at the 5' ends of these mRNAs. Potential significance of these domain-lacking H-2 mRNAs is discussed, particularly with regard to the function of the putative encoded peptides as targets of natural killer cells.

Alternative Splicing

Radiation tolerance of the liver in relation to the preserved functional capacity.

The radiation tolerance of the liver was investigated in 12 patients, 11 of them with liver cirrhosis, treated for hepatocellular carcinoma by partial liver irradiation with doses between 50 and 77 Gy. The tolerance was assessed by the complication probability (Lyman's model), which concerned the injured tissue itself, and by a prediction score used for postsurgical liver failure, which concerned the preserved functional capacity, assuming that the > or = 30 Gy volume was equivalent to the resected volume. The prediction score corresponded better with the observed risk of fatal liver failure than the complication probability. The liver volume after radiotherapy correlated largely with the untreated volume and the low-dose volume. Thus the preserved functional capacity gives a better expression of the radiation tolerance than direct measures of the extent of injured tissue.

Aged

Brief myocardial ischemia affects free radical generating and scavenging systems in dogs.

This study examined whether brief repeated myocardial ischemia altered free radical generating and scavenging activity in a dog model. In dogs preconditioned with four 5-min left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusions and reperfusions, we examined transcardiac changes in both the function of neutrophils, cells which are major free radical generators, and in myocardial antioxidant enzyme activity, as an indication of free radical scavenging. Neutrophil function was assessed by determining luminol-enhanced whole blood chemiluminescence (CL) induced by zymosan. Blood was taken simultaneously from the carotid artery and the cardiac vein running along the occluded LAD. Preconditioning with sublethal ischemia significantly reduced whole blood CL in the cardiac vein compared with the carotid artery after the first and fourth 5-min reperfusions, while there was no difference in neutrophil count between these sampling sites. Immediately after brief repeated ischemia and reperfusion, manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly enhanced, and glutathione reductase activity was markedly reduced in the ischemic, compared with the non-ischemic, myocardium. There were no differences in the myocardial activities of copper, zinc-SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase between the ischemic and non-ischemic regions. Also, no difference was observed between the reduced myocardial glutathione levels in these regions, although the oxidized glutathione level was significantly higher in the ischemic regions of the subepicardial and subendocardial areas. We demonstrated that brief repeated ischemia affects free radical generating and scavenging systems in the ischemic myocardium.

Animals

Tumorigenicity of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-cDNA-transfected L1210 lymphoma and its in vivo variants is modulated by changes in IL-2 expression; potential therapeutic implications.

To study parameters that affect the tumorigenicity of L1210 lymphoma we have analyzed the structure of MHC class I antigens of this tumor. In addition this tumor was transfected with interleukin-2 (IL-2) cDNA in order to determine the effects of high concentrations of IL-2 within the tumor environment. The nucleotide sequence of the class I Kd, Dd and Ld mRNAs from this tumor showed that the encoded amino acid sequence of the corresponding antigens is normal, thus suggesting that the tumorigenicity of L1210 lymphoma is not due to defective antigen presentation to tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells. In contrast, induction of IL-2 expression by cDNA transfection led to loss of tumorigenicity of the IL-2-secreting tumor cells. However, a fraction of long-term-surviving mice developed progressively growing variant tumors that showed substantial decrease or loss of IL-2 expression. These results suggest that IL-2 secretion by tumors is suicidal but, because of tumor heterogeneity, IL-2-loss-variant tumors may arise that are able to escape the immune defenses of the host. The observed consistent loss of IL-2 expression in variant tumors implies that specific targeting of large quantities of IL-2 to tumor cells may be a valuable approach to immunotherapy of cancer. In addition we find that under specific gamma ray irradiation IL-2-secreting tumor cells lose their ability to multiply yet continue to secrete IL-2 at levels equivalent to those secreted by unirradiated cells. Such IL-2-secreting irradiated tumor cells were found to be superior immunogens in comparison to the irradiated parental tumor cells, suggesting their use as tumor vaccines.

Animals

Transcardiac alteration of neutrophil function before and after coronary thrombolysis in human myocardial infarction.

We examined function of isolated neutrophils taken from aorta and coronary sinus before and after thrombolytic reperfusion in 17 patients whose infarct-related coronary arteries were totally occluded. Before reperfusion in left coronary artery disease, free radical generation by activated neutrophils in coronary sinus, assessed by ferricytochrome c reduction (phorbol myristate acetate, 10 ng/ml) and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (A23187, 2 microM), was reduced by 20% (P less than 0.05) and 30% (P less than 0.05), respectively, compared with those in aorta. Neutrophil aggregation (A23187, 10 microM) and chemotactic activity (formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, 5 microM) were also reduced in coronary sinus by 21% and 20%. After reperfusion the extent of such neutrophil function in coronary sinus recovered and was similar to that in aorta. There were no significant differences between neutrophil counts in aorta and coronary sinus before and after reperfusion. In right coronary artery disease, no significant changes were seen in these functions of neutrophils of aorta and coronary sinus before and after reperfusion. These results indicate that function of neutrophils passing through coronary circulation fluctuated significantly in association with reperfusion, suggesting (1) factor(s) that depress neutrophil function are produced in coronary circulation during myocardial ischemia and their effects are overcome after reperfusion or (2) activated neutrophils, trapped in the ischemic coronary bed, are washed out to coronary sinus after reperfusion.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte

Neutrophil-induced myocardial cell damage and active oxygen metabolites.

Free radicals derived from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have been suggested to play an important role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. To define the mechanism by which activated PMN exacerbate ischemic myocardial damage, we investigated the extent of cell injury, free radical generation and lipid peroxidation in embryo mouse myocardial cells co-incubated with activated PMN. The generation of free radicals derived from PMN correlated with the extent of myocardial cell injury. Among the cell sheets preconditioned with hypoxic and glucose free medium, PMN-adhered myocardial cells were initially injured after adding PMN activator, extending to adjacent cells. Chemiluminescence emission and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the co-incubated cells were markedly increased and sustained compared with those in each cell monoincubation. The augmented lipid peroxidation was related to the progression of myocardial cell injury. These results indicate that PMN-derived free radicals cause membrane disruption, contributing to the progression of myocardial injury.

Animals

Detection of oxygen-derived free radical generation in the canine postischemic heart during late phase of reperfusion.

To define the relation between oxygen-derived free radical (oxy-radical) generation in the reperfused ischemic myocardium and the progression of myocardial damage, we measured oxy-radical generation in the ischemic myocardium and the propagating infarct size in a model of canine coronary occlusion (90 minutes) and reperfusion. We used electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping techniques (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide [DMPO]) to detect oxy-radicals in the rapidly frozen myocardial samples taken by needle biopsy. There was no detectable generation of DMPO adducts in the normal myocardium before or after reperfusion. In the reperfused ischemic myocardium, electron paramagnetic resonance signals of DMPO-OOH (superoxide anion) and DMPO-OH (hydroxyl radical) were detected, with peak concentrations at 1 hour after reperfusion for DMPO-OOH and at 3 hours after reperfusion for DMPO-OH, respectively. These DMPO adducts were also detected during the early phase (15 seconds) of reperfusion, but the concentrations of these signals were much less than those during the late phase of reperfusion. Treatment with human recombinant superoxide dismutase (2.5 mg/kg/hr) and catalase (2.5 mg/kg/hr) during the course of experiments abolished DMPO-OOH formation but had little effect on DMPO-OH formation. Infarct size (percent of risk area infarcted), quantified by a dual staining method with Evans blue dye and triphenyltetrazolium chloride, was 18.3 +/- 4.8% (mean +/- SEM) at 90 minutes of occlusion. After 5 hours of reperfusion, infarct size increased to 43.6 +/- 7.2%. These results indicate that a greater magnitude of oxy-radical generation was sustained in the ischemic myocardial tissue during the late phase (1-3 hours) of reperfusion, associated with the progression of myocardial infarction. The concurrent appearance of oxy-radicals and progressive infarction may support the view that a chain reaction of oxy-radicals contributes to the propagation of myocardial cell damage in the postischemic heart.

Animals

Role of free radicals and neutrophils in canine myocardial reperfusion injury: myocardial salvage by a novel free radical scavenger, 2-octadecylascorbic acid.

To define the role of oxygen free radicals and neutrophil involvement in evolving myocardial reperfusion injury, we evaluated the effect of 2-octadecylascorbic acid (CV-3611), a novel free radical scavenger, on neutrophil function and the extent of myocardial damage resulting from 90 min of ischaemia followed by 5 h of reperfusion in an experimental model of myocardial infarction. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive CV-3611 (5 mg.kg-1.[5 min]-1, intravenously) just before the onset of reperfusion. Infarct size, as a percent of area at risk, was reduced by 60% in CV-3611 treated group as compared with control, at 16.7(SEM 3.1)% v 41.5(4.5)%, p less than 0.01. Administration of CV-3611 markedly reduced function of neutrophils isolated from peripheral circulation during reperfusion ex vivo as estimated by free radical generation (ferricytochrome c reduction and luminol enhanced chemiluminescence), chemotactic activity, and aggregation induced by A23187. Under these conditions, the enhancement in neutrophil infiltration and free radical generation (luminol enhanced chemiluminescence) in myocardium within area at risk, especially in the border zone between viable and irreversible injured myocardium, was markedly reduced. Haemodynamic profiles were similar between control and CV-3611 treated group. These results suggest that activated neutrophils, especially their generation of oxygen free radicals, contribute to reperfusion induced myocardial injury.

Animals

[An autopsy case of primary cutaneous plasmacytoma].

An autopsy case of primary cutaneous plasmacytoma with very unusual extensive skin involvement resulting in death 9 months later, was reported. A 75-year-old female was admitted to our hospital in November, 1985 because of an enlarging skin nodule on the right neck of 5 month's duration. The nodule was a 5 x 7 x 4-cm, firm and mobile mass. Light- and electron-microscopic studies of its biopsy specimen revealed a cutaneous plasmacytoma which was composed of dense aggregates of plasma cells. Cytogenic study on the biopsy specimen revealed hypotetraploid and structural abnormalities such as 7q+, 11q+ and 20q+. After radiotherapy, the right neck nodule became smaller, but subcutaneous indurations with erosions extended to the surrounding skin. The biopsy specimen of these skin lesions microscopically revealed massive infiltrations of plasma cells in the dermis. The PAP method revealed a definite evidence of monoclonal kappa light chain production by these cells. 3H-thymidine were incorporated in 5.6% of the plasma cells. The skin lesions were refractory to chemotherapy and gradually extended. The clinical course showed a progressive one leading to persistent deterioration and she died in August, 1986. Repeated examinations including immunoelectrophoresis of serum and concentrated urine, bone marrow aspirations and skeletal x-ray films, excluded the diagnosis of myeloma. At autopsy, massive infiltrations of plasma cells in the skin of chest wall and neck, small metastatic tumors in the liver and bilateral axillary lymph nodes were found, but there was no evidence of bone marrow involvement.

Aged

Identification of an alternatively spliced Kd and the Qa-6d mRNAs by using amplified cDNA.

We have employed the primer chain reaction method for direct sequencing of H-2 mRNAs. This approach is highly sensitive and permits quantitation and sequencing of the canonical as well as alternatively spliced mRNAs that may be expressed at 5-10% level in comparison to the major H-2 species. Using this technique, we have identified a novel species of alternatively spliced Kd mRNA expressed in L1210 lymphoma and in the spleen and liver of DBA/2 mice. Similarly, we found a previously described alternatively spliced species of H-2Dd mRNA to be expressed in L1210 lymphoma and have determined the sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of Ld mRNA. In addition, we have identified a Class I MHC transcript presumably encoded by a gene allelic to Q6 gene of BALB/c mice.

Animals

Tumor-specific idiotype vaccines. II. Analysis of the tumor-related network response induced by the tumor and by internal image antigens (Ab2 beta).

In this study the tumor-specific immuneresponse induced by irradiated tumor cells (L1210/GZL) and by anti-idiotype antibodies was analyzed. The anti-idiotype antibodies (Ab2) were made against the paratope of a monoclonal antitumor antibody (11C1) that recognizes a tumor-associated antigen which cross-reacts with the mouse mammary tumor virus-encoded envelope glycoprotein 52. Two Ab2, 2F10 and 3A4, induced idiotypes expressed by the monoclonal antitumor antibodies 11C1 and 2B2. Cytotoxic T cells, generated by immunization with irradiated tumor cells, lyse 2F10 and 3A4 hybridoma cells. Furthermore, immunization with Ab2 induces tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The frequency of tumor-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocyte was found to be similar in mice immunized with Ab2 or irradiated tumor cells when examined at the precursor level. However, only 2F10 induces protective immunity against the growth of L1210/GZL tumor cells. The depletion of a L3T4+ T cell population from 2F10 immune mice was found to increase the effectiveness of transferred T cells to induce inhibition of tumor growth. The inability of 3A4 to induce antitumor immunity could be correlated with the presence of a population of Lyt2+ regulatory T cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate the existence of a regulatory network controlling the expression of effective tumor immunity. Our results demonstrate that selection of binding site-related Ab2 may not be a sufficient criteria for the development of an idiotype vaccine. A better understanding of the regulatory interactions induced by anti-idiotypes is needed for the design of effective antitumor immunotherapy.

Animals

Analysis of the expression of H-2K, D and L locus mRNAs by use of an oligonucleotide primer.

By employing an oligonucleotide-dependent cDNA synthesis/HaeIII digestion procedure followed by gel electrophoretic separation of HaeIII digested cDNAs, we have developed a method for analyzing the expression of H-2 mRNAs encoding the K, D and L locus histocompatibility antigens. This method provides unambiguous data as the individual K, D or L specific cDNA bands can be isolated from the gel and partially sequenced. The method is readily applicable to analyzing the relative expression of K, D and L locus mRNAs in normal mouse tissues and their tumors.

Animals