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H Kiyohara

Publications and source records attributed to H Kiyohara.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of antigenic epitopes in anti-ulcer pectic polysaccharides from Bupleurum falcatum L. using several carbohydrases.

A polyclonal antibody (anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG) against the "ramified" region (PG-1) of an anti-ulcer pectic polysaccharide was prepared and its antigenic epitopes were analyzed by using several carbohydrases. Enzymatic removal of arabinosyl residues from PG-1 by endo-(1-->5)-alpha-L-arabinanase (from Aspergillus niger) did not reduce the binding ability of anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG to PG-1. When the endo-(1-->5)-alpha-L-arabinanase-resistant fraction (EA-1) was digested with rhamnogalacturonase A (rRGase A from A. aculeatus), a high-molecular-mass fragment fraction (RA-1) and an oligosaccharide fraction (RA-3) were obtained. RA-3 contained at least four kinds of oligosaccharides liberated from the rhamnogalacturonan core. This partial removal of the rhamnogalacturonan core in EA-1 also did not reduce the binding of the antibody to the polysaccharide. Further digestion of RA-1 with exo-(1-->3)-beta-D-galactanase (from Irpex lacteus), gave a high-molecular-mass fragment (EXG-1) and a trace of oligosaccharides (EXG-3). Methylation and FABMS analyses indicated that EXG-3 contained mono- and di-galactosyl oligosaccharides possessing terminal GlcA or GlcA4Me. Removal of the EXG-3 fraction from RA-1 by exo-(1-->3)-beta-D-galactanase significantly reduced the ability of the binding of the antibody to the polysaccharide. When PG-1 was digested with endo-(1-->6)-beta-D-galactanase (from Trichoderma viride) or beta-D-glucuronidase (from A. niger), the reactivities of both enzyme-resistant fractions to the antibody were decreased in comparison with that of PG-1. Both radish arabinogalactan (containing GlcA4Me) and beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-D-Galp were shown to inhibit the reactivity of PG-1 to the antibody by competitive ELISA. These results suggest that 6-linked galactosyl chains containing terminal GlcA or GlcA4Me attached to (1-->3)-beta-D-galactosyl chains, are important sugar residues in the antigenic epitopes of the "ramified" region of bupleuran 2IIc.

Bupleurum↗

Intestinal immune system modulating polysaccharides from rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea.

Hot water extract (ALR-0) of rhizomes of Atractylodes lanceo DC. was fractionated into MeOH-soluble fraction (ALR-1), supernatant fraction of EtOH precipitation (ALR-3 + 4), and crude polysaccharide fraction (ALR-5). Among these fractions, only ALR-5 showed potent stimulating activity for proliferation of bone marrow cells mediated by Peyer's patch cells. ALR-5 gave three potently active carbohydrate-rich fractions (ALR-5IIa, 5IIb, and 5IIc) by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, and three active polysaccharides (ALR-5IIa-1-1, ALR-5IIb-2-2, and ALR-5IIc-3-1) were further purified from the respective fractions. The order of activity was revealed to be ALR-5IIb-2-2 > or = ALR-5IIa-1-1 > ALR-5IIc-3-1, ALR-5IIa-1-1, 5IIb-2-2, and 5IIc-3-1 each was eluted as a single peak on HPLC and their molecular weights were estimated to be 74,000, 3,100, 16,000, respectively. ALR-5IIa-1-1 consisted mainly of Ara and Gal (molar ratio; 0.6: 1.0) in addition to a trace amount of uronic acid whereas ALR-5IIb-2-2 and ALR-5IIc-3-1 mainly comprised Ara, Gal, GlcA, and GalA (molar ratio; 0.2: 1.0: 0.2: 0.8, and 0.5: 1.0: 0.7: 1.5, respectively). Methylation analysis indicated that ALR-5IIa-1-1 consisted mainly of terminal Araf, 4- or 5-linked Ara, 3.4- or 3.5-branched Ara, and 3-linked, 4-linked, and 3,6-branched Gal. ALR-5IIb-2-2 and ALR-5IIc-3-1 were composed mainly of terminal Araf, 4- or 5-linked Ara, 4-linked Gal, 4-linked GalA, and terminal GlcA. In addition, ALR-5IIb-2-2 mainly comprised 4-linked Xyl whereas ALR-5IIc-3-1 consisted mainly of 2,4-branched Rha. Single radial gel diffusion indicated that ALR-5IIa-1-1 showed a strong reactivity with beta-glucosyl-Yariv antigen, whereas ALR-5IIb-2-2 and ALR-5IIc-3-1 did not show the reactivity with the antigen. Treatments of ALR-5IIa with NalO4, NaClO2 and pronase did not reduce the stimulating activity for Peyer's patch cells, however combination of exo-alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase and exo-beta-D-(1-->3)-galactanase digestions of ALR-5IIa-1-1 significantly decreased its activity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Successful preoperative interferon-alpha therapy of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava--case report].

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma in whom preoperative interferon-alpha therapy was successful in reducing the primary lesion and the tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava. A 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of his right renal mass. We made a diagnosis of a right renal tumor with tumor thrombus by imaging examinations. Because his performance status was 3, a radical operation was considered risky. So we started interferon-alpha therapy. Four months after the start of interferon-alpha therapy, the primary lesion and the tumor thrombus reduced in their size, and the clinical response was evaluated as partial response by the response criteria for urological cancer treatment. Because of improving the performance status and reducing the tumor size, radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy could be performed. Pathological examinations revealed that viable renal cell carcinomas were found only in some small parts of the primary lesion, but not in the tumor thrombus. Postoperatively, no recurrence and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma of the patient have been detected in these two and a half years.

Aged↗

Breast-Coserving Surgery for Primary Breast Cancer: Immediate Volume Replacement Using Lateral Tissue Flap.

We have developed a breast-conserving surgery consisting of quadrantectomy and regional lymph node dissection and immediate volume replacement using lateral tissue flap (LTF). The quadrantectomy was employed on the basis of segmental anatomy of the duct-lobular system in which breast carcinoma originates. Lateral skin incision was performed from the apex of mid-axillary line to the inframammary fold, without removing the skin overlying the tumor, In the early period of breast reconstruction embraced latissmus dorsi flap (LDF) for 10 patients(reconstruction was not performed on 35 patients), but in the late period we employed LTF for 56 patients. Four of the 101 patients developed ipsilateral breast cancer during a mean follow-up period of 48 months, but none died of breast cancer, Among the 56 patients with LTF replacement no patient developed ipsilateral breast cancer. Fairly good cosmetic outcome was obtained in the patients who underwent the immediate volume replacement. Breast-conserving surgeries are reviewed, and the surgical procedure using LTF for immediate volume replacement is described.

Journal Article↗

Isolation and identification of hematopoietic stem cell-stimulating substances from Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine, Juzen-taiho-to.

We have previously found that TJ-48 has the capacity to accelerate recovery from hematopoietic injury induced by radiation and the anti-cancer drug mitomycin C (MMC). The effects are found to be due to its stimulation of spleen colony-forming unit (CFU-S) counts on day 14. In the present study, we attempt to isolate and purify the active components in TJ-48 extracts using a new in vitro hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) assay method. n-Hexane extract from TJ-48 shows a significant stimulatory activity. The extract is further fractionated by silica gel chromatography and HPLC in order to identify its active components. 1H-NMR and GC-EI-MS indicate that the active fraction is composed of free fatty acids (oleic acid and linolenic acid). When 27 kinds of free fatty acids (commercially available) are tested using the HSC proliferating assay, oleic acid, elaidic acid, and linolenic acid are found to have potent activity. The administration of oleic acid to MMC-treated mice enhances CFU-S counts on days 8 and 14 to twice the control group. These findings strongly suggest that fatty acids contained in TJ-48 actively promote the proliferation of HSCs. Although many mechanisms seem to be involved in the stimulation of HSC proliferation, we speculate that at least one of the signals is mediated by stromal cells, rather than any direct interaction with the HSCs.

Animals↗

Rhamnogalacturonan II from the leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer as a macrophage Fc receptor expression-enhancing polysaccharide.

A complex pectic polysaccharide (GL-4IIb2) has been isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, and shown to be a macrophage Fc receptor expression-enhancing polysaccharide. The primary structure of GL-4IIb2 was elucidated by composition. 1H NMR, methylation, and oligosaccharide analyses. GL-4IIb2 consisted of 15 different monosaccharides which included rarely observed sugars, such as 2-O-methylfucose, 2-O-methylxylose, apiose, 3-C-carboxy-5-deoxy-L-xylose (aceric acid, AceA), 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo), and 3-deoxy-D-lyxo-2-heptulosaric acid (Dha). Methylation analysis indicated that GL-4IIb2 comprised 34 different glycosyl linkages, such as 3,4-linked Fuc, 3- and 2,3,4-linked Rha, and 2-linked GlcA, which are characteristic of rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II). Sequential degradation using partial acid hydrolysis indicated that GL-4IIb2 contained alpha-Rhap-(1-->5)-Kdo and Araf-(1-->5) Dha structural elements, an AceA-containing oligosaccharide, and uronic acid-rich oligosaccharide chains in addition to an alpha-(1 -->4)-galacturono-oligosaccharide chain. FABMS and methylation analyses suggested that the AceA-containing oligosaccharide was a nonasaccharide in which terminal Rha was additionally attached to position 3 of 2-linked Arap of the octasaccharide chain observed in sycamore RG-II. Component sugar and methylation analyses assumed that the uronic acid-rich oligosaccharides possessed a similar structural feature as those in sycamore RG-II. GL-4IIb2 had a larger molecular mass (11,000) than sycamore RG-II (approximately 5000).

Animals↗

Fractionation and chemical properties of immunomodulating polysaccharides from roots of Dipsacus asperoides.

A crude polysaccharide fraction (DAP-1) was prepared from roots of Dipsacus asperoides by hot water extraction and EtOH precipitation, and tested for anti-complementary activity, mitogenic activity of lymphocytes, and effects on acid phosphatase and phagocytic activities of macrophages. DAP-1 showed not only anti-complementary activity but also a stimulating effect on the mitogenic activity of lymphocytes. DAP-1 also significantly suppressed the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Although DAP-1 directly stimulated the mitogenecity of lymphocytes, it had no effect on lipopolysaccharide- or concanavalin A-induced mitogenic activity of lymphocytes. Periodate oxidation and pronase digestion suggested that the polysaccharide moiety in DAP-1 contributed to the expression of its anti-complementary and mitogenic activities and that the protein moiety in DAP-1 was responsible for its effect on phagocytosis. DAP-1 gave three polysaccharide fractions (DAP-2, 3, and 4) by fractionation using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. All the fractions had potent anti-complementary activity, but showed different stimulating or suppressive effects on the proliferation of lymphocytes, phagocytosis, or acid phosphatase activity. Three potent anti-complementary polysaccharides (DAP-4I-1a, DAP-4I-1b, and DAP-4IIa-1) were purified from DAP-4 by anion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and HPLC. DAP-4I-1a, I-1b, and IIa-1 consisted of Ara, Rha, Xyl, Gal, Glc and GlcA in a molar ratio of 1.0:0.7:1.0:18.6:22.2:nil; 1.0:0.1:0.3:19.3:26.8:nil; and 3.7:trace:0.6:26.3:5.5:1.0; respectively. Among the polysaccharides, only DAP-4IIa-1 reacted with beta-glucosyl-Yariv antigen. Methylation analysis indicated that DAP-4I-1a mainly comprised 4-linked Gal and 3-, 4-, and 6-linked Glc, whereas DAP-4IIa-1 consisted mainly of terminal Araf, 3-linked Glc, and 3,6-branched Gal.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[A randomized study on intravesical pirarubicin (THP) chemoprophylaxis of recurrence after transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer].

A prospective randomized study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic intravesical instillation of tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) following complete transurethral resection (TUR) of superficial bladder cancer. A total of 80 patients were randomized into "THP" or "control" group. In the THP group, 20 mg of THP dissolved in 40 ml saline (or 5% dextrose) was administered intravesically once a week for 10 weeks, starting from about 7 days after TUR. In the control group, 40 ml saline was given with the same schedule. The patients were followed up by cystoscopy and urinary cytology every 3 months. The number of evaluable patients was 36 for the THP group and 37 for the control group. The non-recurrence rates in the THP group and control group were 79.4% versus 63.2% at 1 year and 69.8% versus 47.4% at 3 to 5 years, respectively. These figures were not statistically significant. However, THP instillation significantly reduced tumor recurrence rates for multiple tumors, and also tended to decrease recurrence rates for primary and pT1 tumors. Adverse effects were observed in 53.6% of the patients in the THP group, but they were tolerable. Our results suggest that intravesical THP instillation would not be effective for all patients with superficial bladder cancer. Further study is warranted in a selected group of patients.

Administration, Intravesical↗

Pectic polysaccharides from roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis: possible contribution of neutral oligosaccharides in the galacturonase-resistant region to anti-complementary and mitogenic activities.

Digestion with endo-alpha-(1-->4)-polygalacturonase liberated the enzyme-resistant region (PG-1c) as an active site of the anti-complementary and mitogenic pectic polysaccharide (GR-2IIc) from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Partial acid hydrolysis of PG-1c resulted in acidic oligosaccharides, and methylation analysis and GC-MS analysis of the acidic oligosaccharides suggested that PG-1c comprised a rhamnogalacturonan core such as -->2)-Rha-(1-->4)-GalA-(1-->2)-Rha-(1-->4)-GalA-(1-->-->4)-GalA-(1-->4) as the acidic moiety. Degradation of uronic acids by lithium decreased the anti-complementary and mitogenic activities of PG-1c. Although the products from PG-1c were still active, the methylglycoside of alpha-L-Rha-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GalA-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rha-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Gal A did not show both activities. The products obtained by the lithium degradation from PG-1c gave fractions containing various neutral oligosaccharide-alditols. Among these fractions the longest and the short oligosaccharide-alditol fractions had relatively potent anti-complementary activity, whereas all oligosaccharide-alditol fractions expressed weak but significant mitogenic activity. GC-MS analysis indicated that the short oligosaccharide-alditol fraction contained various kinds of di- to tetrasaccharide-alditols. However, malto-oligosaccharide-alditols, and malto-, isomalto-, and laminari-oligosaccharides did not show anti-complementary and/or mitogenic activities, and these results suggested that certain neutral carbohydrate chains in PG-1c were responsible for the expression of mitogenic activity as well as anti-complementary activity of PG-1c.

Animals↗

Detection and tissue distribution of anti-ulcer pectic polysaccharides from Bupleurum falcatum by polyclonal antibody.

Anti-sera against the "ramified" region (PG-1) of an anti-ulcer polysaccharide (bupleuran 2IIc), which was purified from the roots of Bupleurum falcatum L, were obtained by immunization of rabbits, and a polyclonal anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-antibody of the IgG class was purified by Protein G and "ramified" region (PG-1) immobilized affinity chromatographies. The antigenic specificity of anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG was examined by a two-site sandwich ELISA which was developed as an improved method for microanalysis of bupleuran 2IIc using a biotinylated antibody. Another pectin from B. falcatum and anti-complementary pectins from Angelica acutilaba and Glycyrrhiza uralensis also showed significant reactivity to anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG, although these reactivities were lower than that of bupleuran 2IIc. Other polysaccharides tested such as apple pectin, araban, yeast mannan, pullulan, etc., had negligible reactivity. The KDO-containing region and oligogalacturonides, which were obtained by endo-alpha-(1-->4)-polygalacturonase digestion of bupleuran 2IIc, were also not significantly recognized by anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG. When bupleuran 2IIc was administered to the mice i.v., the polysaccharide disappeared from the circulation within 24 h and was mainly detected in the liver by the two-site sandwich ELISA. However the clearance of bupleuran 2IIc from the circulation was delayed by pretreatment with iota-carrageenan. When the crude polysaccharide fraction (BR-2), containing mainly bupleurans 2IIb and 2IIc from B.falcatum, was administrated orally to the mice, the polysaccharides were detected in the liver and Peyer's patch.

Animals↗

Bacillus stearothermophilus cell shape determinant gene, mreC and mreD, and their stimulation of protease production in Bacillus subtilis.

Protease production stimulating genes were isolated from a soybean protein degrading bacterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus HA19. The cloned fragment stimulated production of a 37-kDa protease in B. subtilis. The nucleotide sequence of the genes and their flanking regions were identical to the B. subtilis cell shape determinant genes mreC and mreD [J. Bacteriol., 176, 6729-6742 (1992); J. Bacteriol., 176, 6717-6728 (1992)]. The mreC and mreD genes in B. subtilis stimulate secretion of a neutral protease (37-kDa), and the protease activity in the culture medium reached 2500 U per ml (approximately 10 times higher than the host strain) after 24 h of cultivation in L broth, suggesting the mreCD genes regulate protease expression and the protease is related to the cell shape determination in Bacilli. The protease productions in B. subtilis carrying mreC or mreD deletion plasmids were not elevated, so the 37-kDa protease stimulation requires both mreC and mreD genes. The extracellular protease was purified, and the molecular mass of the enzyme was 37,000 Da by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 7.0 and 50 degrees C, respectively, and the enzyme was stable at pH 7-10. The enzyme was inactivated by EDTA, but not by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride and diisopropyl fluorophosphate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Infrared thermometry for rapid, noninvasive detection of reflux of spermatic vein in varicocele.

PURPOSE: We evaluated infrared thermometry for measurement of reflux of blood via the internal spermatic vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The change in scrotal temperature in patients with varicoceles and controls with different positions was measured with an infrared thermometer. RESULTS: Scrotal neck temperature in the patients increased during Valsalva's maneuver with upright position (mean plus or minus standard deviation 34.62 +/- 1.20 to 36.05 +/- 1.42C), while no statistically significant increase occurred in the controls (32.91 +/- 0.92 to 33.42 +/- 1.15C). Two weeks after high ligation of the internal spermatic vein the scrotal temperature in the patients decreased to the same level (0.59 +/- 0.84C) as in the controls. Using this method 2 subclinical varicoceles were also found on the right side in patients with a left varicocele. CONCLUSIONS: Infrared thermometry is noninvasive, rapid and simple for documenting varicoceles, including subclinical disease.

Adult↗

Detection of aberrations in androgen receptor gene by analysis of single-stranded conformation polymorphisms in polymerase chain reaction products.

Analysis of single-stranded conformation polymorphisms in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products (PCR-SSCP) is a sensitive method for detecting point mutations in genomic DNA. To investigate its utility in examining the androgen receptor gene, we analyzed data on a patient with the testicular feminization syndrome (TFS) with a known point mutation in exon C. We detected mobility shifts of fragments of the corresponding region. Since examination of the subject's brother (legally sister), who also has TFS, revealed an identical shift pattern, we sequenced the exon C of the sibling and detected a mutation identical to that in the former. We conclude that PCR-SSCP is available for screening mutations of the androgen receptor gene.

Adult↗

Preventive effect of taraxasteryl acetate from Inula britannica subsp. japonica on experimental hepatitis in vivo.

The survival rate for acute hepatic failure induced by Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was increased when a hot water extract from the flowers of Inula britannica L. subsp. japonica Kitam. was injected into the experimental hepatitis mice, and anti-hepatitis substances could be extracted with CHCl3. The CHCl3 extract from I.britannica was fractionated and anti-hepatitis fractions IB-3-2 and IB-3-3 were obtained. IB-3-3 had the most potent anti-hepatitis activity among the fractions but further purification of the active compound was not achieved because of the low yield. IB-3-2 contained only one substance which was identified to be taraxasteryl acetate by 1H- and 13C-NMR and MS. Taraxasteryl acetate showed potent preventive activity against acute hepatic failure induced by P.acnes and LPS in a dose-dependent manner, however deacetylation and modification of the olefinic bonds significantly decreased the anti-hepatitis activity of taraxasteryl acetate. Taraxasteryl acetate also inhibited the increment of plasma transaminase on acute hepatic failure induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or D-galactosamine. From a histological study it appeared that degeneration and necrosis, which were observed in the liver from CCl4 mice, were not found in the liver cells from taraxasteryl acetate treated mice. These results indicates that taraxasteryl acetate shows preventive effects on experimental hepatitis caused by either immunologically induced injuries or hepatotoxic chemicals.

Animals↗

Effect of oral administration of a pectic polysaccharide fraction from a kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine "juzen-taiho-to" on antibody response of mice.

A dried decoction of a kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine, Juzen-Taiho-To (TJ-48), has been fractionated into five fractions and tested for their effects on antibody response of mice. An intraperitoneal injection (300 mg/kg) of TJ-48 stimulated anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody response of normal Balb/c mice, but only the polysaccharide fraction (F-5, 300 mg/kg) enhanced the antibody response among the fractions from TJ-48. When F-5 (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg/day) was orally administered to normal Balb/c mice (7-weeks-old) from 7 days before to 4 days after immunization with SRBC, the number of anti-SRBC-IgM-PFC in spleen and the titer of anti-SRBC-IgM in plasma were increased significantly. However, a lower dose (0.1 g/kg/day) of F-5 did not show a significant stimulative activity on the anti-SRBC-response. Although aged Balb/c mice (6-months-old) produced a lower level of anti-SRBC-IgG in comparison with young Balb/c mice (8-weeks-old), the anti-SRBC-IgG response of the aged mice was stimulated significantly when F-5 (0.13 g/kg/day) or TJ-48 (1.0 g/kg/day) was orally administered to the aged mice from 6 days before immunization. Intraperitoneal injections of i-carrageenan (2.5 mg/kg/day) at 3 and 1 days before the immunization with SRBC increased the level of anti-SRBC antibody response compared with normal mice. Oral administrations of TJ-48 (1.0 g/kg/day) or F-5 (0.5 g/kg/day) to the i-carageenan-treated mice reduced the level of the anti-SRBC-antibody response near to that of normal mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Protective effect of oral administration of a pectic polysaccharide fraction from a Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine "Juzen-Taiho-To" on adverse effects of cis-diaminedichloroplatinum.

A dried decoction of a kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine, Juzen-Taiho-To (TJ-48) has been fractionated into five fractions, which have each been tested for their protective effects on the lethal and renal toxicities of cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) in mice. The survival rate of CDDP-treated ICR mice was increased by oral administration of the pectic polysaccharide fraction (F-5), whereas the mortality of the CDDP-treated mice was not changed by the oral administration of methanol-soluble fraction (F-1). When methanol-soluble substances were removed from TJ-48, it showed a similar protective activity on the lethal toxicity of CDDP. Oral administrations of F-5 (130 mg/kg/day) as well as TJ-48 (1 g/kg/day) decreased the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in plasma of CDDP-treated Balb/c mice. All other fractions of TJ-48 also decreased the level of BUN. Although F-5 has been fractionated into the acidic (F-5-2) and neutral polysaccharide fractions (F-5-5), oral administration of only F-5-2 (at dose of 100 mg/kg/day) decreased the level of BUN in the CDDP-treated mice.

Administration, Oral↗

Membrane cofactor protein (CD46) in seminal plasma is a prostasome-bound form with complement regulatory activity and measles virus neutralizing activity.

Human seminal plasma contains 0.55 microgram/ml of membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) of 60,000 MW. By ultracentrifugation, gel filtration and immunoelectron microscope methods, we found that the MCP in seminal plasma was associated with prostasomes. The functional properties of the prostasome-bound MCP were assessed in comparison with a recombinant soluble form, gamma MCP1, which is composed of four short consensus repeats (SCR), type C of the serine/threonine-rich domain (STC), and unknown significance (UK). The MCP in seminal plasma, although demonstrably bound to prostasomes, behaved more like the soluble form of MCP. In the absence of detergent it, together with factor I, degraded the fluid-phase ligand, methylamine-treated C3 [C3(MA)], which is insensitive under no-detergent conditions to the membrane form of MCP and factor I. Moreover, C3dg fragment was generated as a final product instead of C3bi during the incubation, indicating that the prostasomal MCP and proteases may be responsible for the C3dg generation. The prostasomes neutralized measles virus (MV) infectivity, while gamma MCP1, for the most part, did not. These results, taken together with the CD59 concentration on the prostasomes, suggest that the prostasomes are potential immunomodulators for complement activation, providing the C3- and C9-step inhibitors. The present report also reinforces the idea that there are two different forms of MCP in semen. One is located in the inner acrosomal membrane of spermatozoa, which appears through acrosomal reaction and spermatoon-egg interaction. The other is a prostasome-bound form maintaining activities sufficient to regulate complement activation and, probably, MV infection.

Antigens, CD↗