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Biomedical subjects

H Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to H Fujiwara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Adult coronary artery disease probably due to childhood Kawasaki disease.

We have surveyed adult survivors of childhood Kawasaki disease (KD) who had coronary artery disease that could be ascribed to KD. In response to questionnaires sent to cardiologists throughout Japan, 21 patients (17 men, 4 women, aged 20-63 years) with coronary lesions and a definite (2) or suspected (19) history of KD were reported. 5 patients had presented with acute myocardial infarction, 6 previous myocardial infarction, 9 angina pectoris, and 1 dilated cardiomyopathy. 16 patients had obstructions in two or more coronary arteries. 3 had died and 18 were alive with serious sequelae (mitral regurgitation, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure). Childhood KD should be included in the differential diagnosis of coronary artery disease in young adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Instability of assembled T-cell receptor complex that is associated with rapid degradation of zeta chains in immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes.

The intracellular fate of newly synthesized T-cell receptor (TCR) chains was compared in CD4+CD8+ (double positive; DP) thymocytes and in CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ (single positive; SP) thymocytes. Purified DP and SP thymocytes from normal adult mice were analyzed by pulse-chase metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation with specific anti-TCR antibodies. Biosynthesis of invariant chains (CD3 gamma, -delta, -epsilon, and zeta) was comparable between DP and SP thymocytes, whereas DP thymocytes synthesized TCR alpha and TCR beta chains at lower and higher levels than SP thymocytes, respectively. These newly synthesized TCR chains were degraded at different rates in SP thymocytes based on their sensitivities for degradation as previously reported: TCR alpha, TCR beta, CD3 gamma, and CD3 delta chains were rapidly degraded and CD3 epsilon and zeta chains were stable. Although the degradation rates of clonotypic and invariant CD3 chains were similar in DP and SP thymocytes, the zeta subunit was rapidly degraded in DP thymocytes (t1/2, approximately 1.5 hr). Degradation of zeta was inhibited by NH4Cl, implicating lysosomes as the site of degradation. Comparison of TCR subunit assembly in DP and SP thymocytes demonstrated that, despite the same relative rate of formation of TCR complexes in a pulse period (30 min), complete complexes were unstable and degraded during the subsequent 6 hr of chase in DP thymocytes. This contrasted with the stability and a progressive increase in the levels of completely assembled complexes in SP thymocytes. Thus, these results demonstrate that a unique posttranslational regulation operates in the formation of TCR complexes in DP thymocytes and that lack of stability of complete TCR complexes is a crucial mechanism that may account for the limited surface TCR expression on this thymocyte subset.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed1992

Particular types of tumor cells have the capacity to convert transforming growth factor beta from a latent to an active form.

We investigated the capacities of various tumor types to generate an active versus latent form of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in its culture supernatants (SNs). Tumor cell lines were divided into three types depending on the form and magnitude of TGF-beta detected in their culture SNs: some (2 of 7 lines) generated mostly an active form (Type A); others (4 of 7) generated exclusively a latent form (Type B); and the remaining line (1 of 7) produced only marginal levels of active/latent TGF-beta (Type C). When Type A tumor cells were cultured at lower numbers, cultures failed to generate active TGF-beta. However, the addition of Type B tumor cell culture SNs containing only a latent form of TGF-beta resulted in the generation of the potent activity of active TGF-beta. This capacity was observed for another Type A tumor but not for other types (Type B and Type C). An active form of TGF-beta was detected in culture SNs of Type A tumor cells as early as 3-6 h after the addition of Type B tumor culture SNs. The emergence of an active form of TGF-beta was also observed in cultures of Type A tumor cells, the protein synthesis of which was almost completely inhibited by pretreatment with cycloheximide. Moreover, the Type B tumor SN used for the induction of active TGF-beta activity was found to contain latent TGF-beta with an apparent molecular weight of about 200,000. Type A tumor cells were also capable of generating active TGF-beta by the addition of recombinant TGF-beta of latent form with a small molecular weight (about 60,000), although the generation of active TGF-beta was much weaker after the addition of small latent TGF-beta than after the addition of large latent TGF-beta. Taken collectively, these results indicate that particular types of tumor cells have the capacity to generate an active form of TGF-beta and that such capacity can be attributed to their potential to convert TGF-beta from a latent (mainly large type) to an active form.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Tumor-bearing mice exhibit a progressive increase in tumor antigen-presenting cell function and a reciprocal decrease in tumor antigen-responsive CD4+ T cell activity.

Splenic CD4+ T cells from BALB/c mice bearing a syngeneic tumor (CSA1M) 2 to 3 wk after the inoculation with CSA1M cells produced IL-2 and macrophage-activating factor upon in vitro cultures. This lymphokine production was achieved without stimulation of these T cells with exogenous stimulating tumor Ag. However, elimination of APC from spleen cells resulted in almost complete abrogation of the capacity of CD4+ T cells to produce IL-2/macrophage-activating factor. The lymphokine production was regained when APC from CSA1M-bearing mice were added back to cultures. APC from normal or another syngeneic tumor (Meth A)-bearing mice failed to regain the lymphokine production. These observations demonstrated that the lymphokines were produced by CD4+ T cells from CSA1M-bearing hosts through their collaboration with APC binding CSA1M tumor Ag in the tumor-bearing state. The lymphokine-producing capacity of whole spleen cells from tumor-bearing mice reached the maximal level around 2 to 3 wk after tumor implantation but gradually decreased with the progress of tumor-bearing stages. Importantly, tumor-bearing stage-related changes were observed in a different fashion in the capacities of anti-CSA1M CD4+ T cells vs CSA1M tumor Ag-binding APC. The capacity of APC increased with the progress of tumor-bearing stages as demonstrated by the stimulation of CSA1M-immunized T cells with APC from different CSA1M-bearing stages. In contrast, the reactivity of anti-CSA1M T cells to APC from a given CSA1M-bearing stage decreased with the tumor-bearing stage. These results demonstrate a stage-related increase tumor Ag-binding APC function, as well as a reciprocal reduction in tumor Ag-responsive CD4+ T cell activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Utility of liquid chromatography/fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/thermospray mass spectrometry for structure identification of metabolites of a fluorinated herbicide.

This study demonstrates a useful application of on-line microbore high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fast atom bombardment (FAB) and thermospray (TSP) mass spectrometry techniques for identification of metabolites from the in vitro metabolism of an experimental Monsanto herbicide: 2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl-N-[2-methyl-6- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]acetamide, 'chloroacetanilide'. The microbore HPLC FAB technique on a high-resolution sector mass spectrometer accelerated identification of polar metabolites from the in vitro metabolism study of the herbicide. It provided good chromatographic resolution and excellent FAB sensitivity with strong protonated molecular ions. Scanning high-resolution LC/FAB mass spectrometry also provided molecular formulae for structural elucidation of unknown metabolites. Sample purification and concentration were minimized. Identification of less polar metabolites was carried out using LC/TSP mass spectrometry with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. LC/TSP mass spectrometry provided useful structural information for both polar and less polar metabolites because their spectra showed more fragmentation than FAB spectra. Glutathione conjugation was the major reaction observed during in vitro incubation of the herbicide. Oxidation of the chloroacetanilide by rat liver enzymes was also a significant metabolic reaction. Seven metabolites were identified, of which four were glutathione conjugates.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1992

The basal interhemispheric approach for acute anterior communicating aneurysms.

We reviewed the surgical outcome in 85 patients with ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms, who were operated on within 72 hours of onset via a basal interhemispheric (BIH) approach (Group 1, N = 48), or an anterior interhemispheric (AIH) approach (Group 2, N = 37). The age, sex ratio and pre-operative grade (Gr) were similar for both groups. The outcome at the time of discharge was as follows for group 1: excellent or good 88%; fair, 6%; vegetative state, 2% and death 4%. For group 2, it was: excellent or good 78%; fair, 16%; vegetative state, 3%; and death, 3%. A significant correlation between admission grade and outcome was found in both groups. The outcome in group 1 was better than in group 2 for patients with a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) better than fair (p < 0.07). No patient in group 1 had postoperative anosmia, but nine patients in group 2 became anosmic. The total number of complications was also significantly less in group 1. Our overall mortality rate was 4%. In conclusion, the BIH approach was more beneficial for treating acute ACoA aneurysm.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Comparative studies of sulpiride and classical neuroleptics on induction of catalepsy, locomotor activity, and brain dopamine metabolism in mice.

The effects of the peripheral administration of sulpiride on the induction of catalepsy, the vertical (VMA) and horizontal (HMA) locomotor activities, and on the dopamine metabolism in the limbic system, striatum, and nucleus accumbens were examined using mice up to 7.5 h after administration of drugs. These effects were compared to those of pimozide and haloperidol. Sulpiride (1.25-160 mg/kg, IP) clearly induced catalepsy similar to pimozide (0.0625-4 mg/kg, IP) and haloperidol (0.0375-0.3 mg/kg, IP). During the induction of catalepsy, the intensity was the strongest at 4.5 h after administration and the ED50 value showed 11.5 mg/kg at that time. However, a moderate dose of sulpiride at 10-20 mg/kg did not show the induction of a dose- and time-dependent catalepsy. During the locomotor activity, the VMA was significantly inhibited at 1.5 h and 6 h after administration of pimozide (0.25 mg/kg, IP) and haloperidol (0.075 mg/kg, IP) as compared to the control group, while the HMA was significantly inhibited at 1.5 h after administration of sulpiride (40 mg/kg, IP) and pimozide (0.25 mg/kg, IP). Subsequently, in the dopamine metabolism, sulpiride, pimozide, and haloperidol: 1) considerably accelerated the turnover in the dopamine metabolism in three distinct brain areas; 2) increased the levels of the DOPAC, HVA, and 3-MT even 6 h after administration, as well as at 1.5 h after administration; and 3) decreased the levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens at 1.5 h after administration. These results indicate that sulpiride displays a mode of action different from pimozide and haloperidol with regard to the induction of catalepsy, but not with regard to the locomotion and brain dopamine metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Hypoxia modulates mediator responses and neurotransmission in guinea-pig trachea in vitro.

To discover whether hypoxia affects mediator responses and neurotransmission in tracheal smooth muscle, we studied in vitro tracheal segments from guinea-pigs under isometric conditions. Hypoxia itself did not alter the basal tone. The maximum response to acetylcholine and histamine under hypoxia was less than that under oxygenated conditions. The logarithm of 50% effective concentration (log EC50) of the response to acetylcholine under hypoxia was not altered, but the log EC50 of the response to histamine decreased significantly. In contrast to the response to exogenous acetylcholine, the maximum contractile response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) under hypoxia was not different from that under oxygenated conditions, but the logarithm of 50% effective frequency of contractions caused by EFS under hypoxia decreased significantly. On the other hand, non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic relaxation caused by EFS was unaffected by hypoxia. These observations suggest that hypoxia can modulate the responses of tracheal smooth muscle to acetylcholine, histamine and nerve stimulation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

Pattern of the action of a suppressor factor produced by a human macrophage-like cell line, U937.

A U937 suppressor factor (U937SF) was purified from crude supernatant by sequential chromatography using fast protein liquid chromatography. The molecular weight and isoelectric point of U937SF were 69 kDa and 4.5, respectively. The U937SF preparation inhibited the proliferative response in human PBMC stimulated with an antigen tuberculin purified protein derivative, tetanus toxoid) or a mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin concanavalin-A). U937SF depressed both interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and IL-2 receptor (CD25) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with an antigen but not with a mitogen. Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-induced responses including a proliferative response, IL-2 production and CD25 expression were suppressed by U937SF. In contrast, U937SF did not affect monocyte functions such as antigen processing and IL-1 production. Neither did it modulate the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) or CD3 molecules on the surface of lymphocytes. Moreover it did not inhibit CD25 expression in PBMC stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate plus A23187. These results suggest that U937SF prevents both IL-2 production and CD25 expression in lymphocytes activated through the TCR/CD3, but not through the other receptors or molecules. In addition, U937SF does not block the early activation events following TCR-mediated stimulation, nor affect the pre-TCR activation steps.

CD3 Complex↗
PubMed1992

Effects of chronic oral administration of nifedipine and diltiazem on occlusive thrombus of small coronary arteries in (NZW x BXSB)F1 male mice.

OBJECTIVE: (NZWxBXSB)F1 male mice were used as a model to study the effects of chronic administration of nifedipine and diltiazem on small coronary artery disease and mortality. METHODS: 16 week old (NZWxBXSB)F1 male mice were given either nifedipine (n = 29) at 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 orally or diltiazem (n = 28) at 100 mg.kg-1.d-1 orally in two divided doses until they were 24 weeks old (ie, for 60 d). Age matched control mice were given an equivalent volume of vehicle (n = 30). Mice that died received immediate necropsy. After 60 d, all surviving mice were killed and hearts and kidneys were examined histologically. RESULTS: The survival rate at 24 weeks was significantly higher in mice given nifedipine than in the controls (71% and 47%, respectively, p less than 0.05). The number of mice with myocardial necrosis, scar formation, or both, the percentage of areas of the ventricular wall with myocardial necrosis and scar formation, and the number of mice with small intramyocardial arteries showing greater than or equal to 75% stenosis were all significantly lower in the mice given nifedipine than in the controls. In the mice given diltiazem, there were no such differences from the controls. There was no evidence of significant stenosis or thrombosis in the extramyocardial coronary arteries in any of the mice. Systolic blood pressure and the rate-pressure product at 24 weeks of age, as well as the histological score for glomerulonephritis changes, were significantly lower in mice given nifedipine or diltiazem than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an equivalent improvement of systolic blood pressure, the double product, and renal disease in nifedipine treated and diltiazem treated mice, only nifedipine prevented small coronary artery disease and increased the survival of (NZWxBXSB)F1 male mice, suggesting that nifedipine prevents occlusive thrombi of small coronary arteries better than diltiazem.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Interactions between interferon gamma, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1 in modulating progesterone and oestradiol production by human luteinized granulosa cells in culture.

We have reported that the cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and interferon (IFN) alpha, beta, and gamma modulate the steroidogenic function of human luteinized granulosa cells in culture. In the present study we examined the interactions between these cytokines in modulating progesterone and oestradiol production by these cells. Neither IL-1 nor TNF alpha had significant effects on human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-stimulated progesterone production, whereas IFN gamma (1-10 ng/ml) significantly reduced HCG-stimulated progesterone production by 26-37%. Concomitant treatment with IL-1 (1 ng/ml) did not further enhance the inhibitory effect of IFN gamma on HCG-stimulated progesterone production. In contrast, the combination of TNF alpha (1 ng/ml) and IFN gamma (10 ng/ml) acted synergistically to markedly inhibit HCG-stimulated progesterone production by 81%. In addition, IL-1 and TNF alpha, neither of which was effective alone, acted synergistically to reduce significantly HCG-stimulated progesterone production by 30%. The combination of TNF alpha and IFN gamma also markedly inhibited follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated oestradiol production by 97%, a significantly greater inhibition than that obtained with either cytokine alone. These results suggest that the cytokines may interact to modulate the steroidogenic function of luteal cells in the developing corpus luteum.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV as a differentiation marker of the human endometrial glandular cells.

To investigate the involvement of membrane-bound peptidases in the human endometrial function, we examined the expression of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV and its enzyme activity. Immunohistological studies revealed that DPP IV was detected on human endometrial glandular cells and endometrial surface epithelium, but not on endometrial stromal cells or decidual cells in the first trimester of pregnancy. DPP IV expression on glandular cells and surface epithelium was weak in the proliferative phase, began to increase gradually in the early secretory phase, and was strong in mid-to late secretory phase and in the first trimester of pregnancy. DPP IV enzyme activity was detected histochemically in glandular cells and surface epithelium in the mid-secretory phase, and became stronger in the late secretory phase, but was rarely detected in the proliferative phase and early secretory phase. During the first trimester of pregnancy DPP IV enzyme activity in glandular cells and surface epithelium was slightly weaker than in the late secretory phase. Endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells, however, had no detectable DPP IV enzyme activity at any time throughout the menstrual cycle or during the first trimester of pregnancy. These findings indicate that DPP IV is a differentiation marker for glandular cells and surface epithelium and that active DPP IV is present in both areas during the peri-implantation period and thereafter.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Expression of aminopeptidase N and neutral endopeptidase on the endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Indirect immunofluorescence staining revealed that endometrial stromal cells (ESC) in the ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis expressed aminopeptidase N/cluster of differentiation (CD) 13 antigen and neutral endopeptidase/CD10 antigen, both of which are expressed on ESC in the normal endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Thus, ESC in the ectopic endometrium resembled ESC in the normal endometrium not only morphologically but also antigenically. Both peptidase antigens may be useful markers for the histological diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Human endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells express cluster of differentiation (CD) 13 antigen/aminopeptidase N and CD10 antigen/neutral endopeptidase.

With specific monoclonal antibodies, we found that human endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells express two function-related surface antigens. Indirect immunofluorescence staining revealed that both endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells during the first trimester of pregnancy expressed cluster of differentiation (CD) 13 antigen and CD10 antigen, which are identical to aminopeptidase N and neutral endopeptidase, respectively. By flow cytometric analysis, CD13 antigen was detected on 82-93% of the examined cells, and CD10 antigen was detected on 75-93% of the examined cells in endometrial stromal cell-enriched preparations. Furthermore, peptidase activity was detected in these cell preparations by an assay based on the hydrolysis of alanine-p-nitroanilide into p-nitroaniline and alanine.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of interferon on the steroidogenic functions and proliferation of immature porcine granulosa cells in culture.

Recent studies suggest the relevance of several cytokines to the growth and differentiation of granulosa cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of interferon (IFN) on the steroidogenic functions and proliferation of immature porcine granulosa cells. Human IFN-alpha inhibited FSH-induced progesterone secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of IFN-alpha was significant at a concentration as low as 10 pg/ml. Maximal inhibitory concentrations (10-50 ng/ml) of IFN-alpha reduced FSH-induced progesterone secretion by 70%. In contrast, estradiol secretion induced by FSH was significantly enhanced by relatively high concentrations (1-50 ng/ml) of IFN-alpha. IFN-alpha (0.1-10 ng/ml) reduced cAMP generation in response to FSH by as much as 80%, although its effect was not concentration-dependent. The proliferation of cultured granulosa cells was inhibited by IFN-alpha in a concentration-dependent manner. Human IFN-gamma did not affect granulosa cell functions. The stimulation of estradiol secretion and the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by IFN-alpha in cultured porcine granulosa cells in this study are in contrast with the effects of IL-1, which, as we reported previously, inhibited both progesterone and estradiol secretion and stimulated cell growth in these cell cultures. Such differences in the mode of action of cytokines may contribute to the regulation of granulosa cell functions under physiological or pathological conditions.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Comparative effects of diltiazem, nifedipine, and verapamil on large and small coronary artery constriction induced by intracoronary acetylcholine in pigs.

The in vivo protective effects of diltiazem, nifedipine, and verapamil on large and small coronary artery constriction induced by intracoronary injection of acetylcholine were compared by coronary arteriography in pigs. The percent narrowing of the epicardial major right coronary artery was used as an indicator of large coronary artery constriction, and the time required for contrast medium to reach the posterior descending coronary artery from the ostium of the right coronary artery was used as an indicator of small coronary artery constriction. Doses of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 micrograms of acetylcholine were administered into the right coronary artery under left ventricular pacing to keep the systemic hemodynamics constant. Marked prolongation of the flow time of contrast medium to greater than or equal to 8.1 s (control of less than or equal to 1.8 s) with mild narrowing of the epicardial major right coronary artery (less than or equal to 35%) was observed at doses of 12.5-50 micrograms of acetylcholine and was accompanied by myocardial ischemia. Over 50% narrowing of the epicardial major coronary artery plus markedly slow flow of contrast medium were induced in 12 of the 15 pigs by 100-200 micrograms of acetylcholine. Narrowing of the epicardial major coronary artery and the delay time of contrast medium flow induced by acetylcholine were both significantly reduced to 12-33% (control: 36-81%) and to 4.3-16.8 s (control: 16.2-37.7 s) after intracoronary injection of 100 micrograms of diltiazem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

Tumor-specific T cell lines: capacity to proliferate and produce interleukin 2 in response to various forms of tumor antigens.

Anti-tumor proliferative T cell lines were established from cultures of lymph node cells from BALB/c mice immunized to syngeneic CSA1M fibrosarcoma with the CSA1M tumor cell membrane. The cultures were maintained throughout in the absence of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL2). Cell surface phenotypes of all T cell lines established were Thy-1+, Ig-, L3T4+ and Lyt-2-. Their proliferation was induced in a tumor antigen dose-dependent fashion and a tumor antigen-specific way. Such proliferative responses were inhibited by the addition to cultures of anti-class II H-2d (anti-I-Ad) or anti-L3T4 but not of anti-class I H-2d or anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody. None of the T cell lines exhibited any cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity but they all produced IL2 upon stimulation with CSA1M tumor antigens, indicating that they represent helper-type T cell (Th) lines. The activation of these tumor-specific Th lines was induced with either CSA1M tumor cells themselves, or their membrane or detergent-solubilized fraction depending on the presence of antigen-presenting cells (APC). Most importantly, activation was also inducible by membranous tumor antigen-pulsed APC, which were capable of producing potent anti-tumor protective immunity when administered in vivo into syngeneic BALB/c mice. These results indicate that the tumor-specific Th lines established here can be activated with various forms of tumor antigens for their expression of helper function. Since Th lines of this type have not been described previously, our Th lines provide an intriguing tool for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which tumor-specific Th recognize tumor antigens.

Animals↗