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H Kumada

Publications and source records attributed to H Kumada.

168 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The induction of polyclonal B-cell activation and interleukin-1 production by the 75-kDa cell surface protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis in mice.

The immunobiological activities of 75-kDa protein, fimbrial protein and lipopolysaccharide lipopolysaccharide prepared from whole cells of Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 were compared. The 75-kDa protein was mitogenic for BALB/c nu/nu, BALB/c and lipopolysaccharide-responsive C3H/HeN mouse spleen cells and for lipopolysaccharide-non-responsive C3H/HeJ mouse spleen cells. The response was significant in BALB/c mouse spleen cells incubated with 1-100 micrograms/ml of the 75-kDa protein. Furthermore, the 75-kDa protein exhibited polyclonal B-cell activation in murine spleen cells, which was similar to the lipopolysaccharide of P. gingivalis. In contrast, fimbriae from P. gingivalis did not, or only weakly, activated murine spleen cells. C3H/HeN mouse macrophages exposed to 10 micrograms/ml of the 75-kDa protein released large amounts of interleukin-1 (IL-1), which were maximal for 48 h, whereas IL-6 activity in macrophage supernatants was not detected throughout the culture period. These results suggest that the 75-kDa protein is a potent polyclonal B-cell activator and that it stimulates IL-1 production from murine peritoneal macrophages as well as lipopolysaccharide, which may play an important part in the inflammatory response during the development of periodontal diseases.

Animals↗
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Intravenous leiomyomatosis of uterus: MR appearance.

We report a case with intravenous leiomyomatosis of uterus that showed characteristic appearances on MR. Magnetic resonance demonstrated a tangle of distended and folded tubular structures, well enhanced by Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid. It was confirmed by surgery that these tubular structures reflected the vessels markedly dilated by intravascular tumor.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors useful in predicting the response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

To determine how various factors influence the response to interferon (IFN) therapy, we retrospectively studied 157 consecutive Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C who received various treatment schedules of IFN. They were divided into two groups on the bases of outcome. One group was comprised of 65 patients who achieved a sustained normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels for at least 6 months after treatment, while the other group was comprised of 84 patients with persistent elevation of serum ALT levels, despite treatment. Genotyping of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with genotype specific primers, analysing the variations in nucleotide sequence within the NS 5 region of the HCV genome, namely genotypes PT, K1, K2a and K2b. We then used a multivariate analysis to determine the factors related to mode of treatment, patient characteristics and HCV genotype in relation to the response to IFN therapy. Of the 16 factors analysed, the HCV genotype (genotype K2a or K2b, P < 0.0008), treatment schedule (intermittent administration following a daily schedule, designated as combined schedule, P > 0.0014) and liver histology just before treatment (chronic persistent hepatitis or mild chronic aggressive hepatitis, P < 0.0324) were the most strongly correlated with a normalizing response to IFN therapy. These results suggest that not only are the IFN treatment schedule and patient profile significant, but the properties of the virus also influences the response. However, as the IFN treatment schedule is the only changeable factor, it should be designed to maximize the benefit of IFN therapy.

Adult↗