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Biomedical subjects

H Nakashima

Publications and source records attributed to H Nakashima.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Involvement of oxidative stress in tumor cytotoxic activity of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor.

In this study, we show that N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione and an intracellular free radical scavenger, almost completely prevented hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-suppressed growth of Sarcoma 180 and Meth A cells, and HGF-induced apoptosis, assessed by DNA fragmentation, and increase in caspase-3 activity, in Sarcoma 180 cells. The reduced form of glutathione also prevented HGF-suppressed growth of the cells as effective as NAC. Ascorbic acid partially prevented the effect of HGF, but other antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and vitamin E, and the free radical spin traps N-t-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone and 3,3,5, 5-tetramethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide did not have protective effects. HGF caused morphological changes of the cells, many cells showing condensation and rounding, and enhanced the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) as judged by flow cytometric analysis using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. NAC completely prevented both HGF-induced morphological changes and the enhancement of ROS generation in the cells. However, NAC did not prevent the HGF-induced scattering of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report that HGF stimulates the production of ROS, and our results suggest the involvement of oxidative stress in the mechanism by which HGF induces growth suppression of tumor cells.

Acetylcysteine↗

Down-regulation of CXCR4 by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7.

Recent studies have demonstrated that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7 interact with HIV-1 and alter the expression of various surface molecules and functions of T lymphocytes. The present study was undertaken to clarify whether coreceptors for HIV-1, CXCR4 and CCR5, are necessary for HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection. Although CXCR4 and CCR5 appeared not to be the coreceptors for these viruses, marked down-regulation of CXCR4, but not CCR5, was detected in HHV-6 variant A (HHV-6A)-, HHV-6 variant B (HHV-6B)-, and HHV-7-infected cells. Down-regulation of CXCR4 resulted in impairment of chemotaxis and a decreased level of elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in response to stromal cell-derived factor-1. Northern blot analysis of mRNAs extracted from HHV-6A-, HHV-6B-, and HHV-7-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes demonstrated a markedly decreased level of CXCR4 gene transcription, but the posttranscriptional stability of CXCR4 mRNA was not significantly altered. These data demonstrate that unlike HIV-1, HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections do not require expression of CXCR4 or CCR5, whereas marked down-regulation of CXCR4 is induced by these viruses, suggesting that HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections may render CD4+ T lymphocytes resistant to T lymphocyte-tropic HIV-1 infection.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Marked increase in anti-HIV activity, as well as inhibitory activity against HIV entry mediated by CXCR4, linked to enhancement of the binding ability of tachyplesin analogs to CXCR4.

T22 ([Tyr5,12, Lys7]-polyphemusin II) is a strong anti-HIV compound. Six analogs of T22 and two natural forms were synthesized. Of them, all downsized peptides (14 residues; TW70, T131, T134, and T140) showed a higher selectivity index than did other, 17- or 18-residue peptides. In particular, T134 and T140 showed both lower cytotoxicity and higher antiviral activity than did T22 against HIV infection of MT-4 cells, an HTLV-I-bearing T cell line. To clarify the inhibitory mode of T22 and its analogs, we used a single-round replication assay (luciferase assay), in which different envelope-bearing pseudotypes were used to infect CXCR4- or CCR5-bearing U87 cells via CD4. All of the analogs inhibited T cell line-tropic strain HXB-2 (X4) and dual-tropic strain 89.6 (R5X4) HIV infections mediated by CXCR4, but had no effect on macrophage-tropic strain ADA (R5) or 89.6 HIV infections mediated by CCR5. The inhibition by T134 (IC50 of 2.70 nM) and T140 (IC50 of 0.432 nM) was also stronger than that by T22 (IC50 of 5.05 nM). The binding of anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibody 12G5 to lymphoma-derived T cell line Sup-T1 was more efficiently blocked by T134 and T140 than by T22. Taken together, T22 and its analogs T134 and T140 exerted their inhibition by specific binding to CXCR4. The marked increase in the anti-HIV activity of T134 and T140 was ascribed to an enhancement in their ability to bind to CXCR4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis of sulfated oligosaccharide glycosides having high anti-HIV activity and the relationship between activity and chemical structure.

Sulfated laminara-oligosaccharide glycosides having high anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities were synthesized from laminara-tetraose, -pentaose and -hexaose. The oligosaccharide glycosides were synthesized by treating peracetylated beta-oligosaccharides with various alcohols and Lewis acid catalysts. The effects of the number of glucose residues and the alkyl chain-length on anti-HIV activity were examined. The anti-HIV activity of sulfated dodecyl laminara-pentaosides and -hexaosides increased with increasing degree of sulfation (DS) and the pentaoside having an almost fully-sulfated saccharide portion had the highest activity, whereas for the hexaoside a somewhat lower DS manifested the highest activity. Sulfated laminara-oligosaccharide glycosides having fluoroalkyl-containing aglycons of high hydrophobicity showed potent inhibitory effects against HIV infection. In contrast, hydrophilic substituents containing oligo(ethyleneoxy) groups as aglycons in the sulfated oligosaccharides did not show high anti-HIV activity.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral T helper cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral Th cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The Th1:Th2 ratio was analyzed in 3 groups: SLE without proteinuria (group I; n = 23), SLE with proteinuria (group II; n = 31), and normal controls (group III; n = 24). Group II patients who had undergone renal biopsy were classified into 3 subgroups based on their renal histopathologic findings. The intracellular cytokine detection method with flow cytometry was used to quantitate Th1 and Th2 cells. RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean Th1:Th2 ratio between SLE patients (groups I and II) and healthy controls (group III). However, the mean value in group II was significantly higher than those in groups I and III. Moreover, within group II, the mean value in SLE patients who had diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (World Health Organization class IV) was especially high. CONCLUSION: Although SLE has been considered to be a disease in which Th2 cells predominate, the Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral Th cells in SLE patients in the present study did not show a predominance of these cells. In contrast, among SLE patients with WHO class IV lupus nephritis, there was a strong predominance of Th1.

Adult↗

Differential effects of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 on nitric oxide production by murine macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 on nitric oxide (NO) production by macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Elicited or resident peritoneal macrophages (PMO) and a macrophage cell line Raw264.7 were primed by IL-4 or IL-10 for 6 hours, and were further incubated in the presence of interferon (IFN)-gamma and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 48 hours. NO2- accumulation in the supernatant of cultured cells was used as an indicator of NO production and was determined by the standard Griess reaction adapted for microplates. The amount of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the culture supernatants was determined with a commercially available ELISA kit. The absorbance was measured at 450 nm with a microplate photometer. RESULTS: IL-4 inhibited NO production by murine macrophages of different sources and the macrophage cell line Raw264.7. In contrast, different macrophage populations showed differential responses to IL-10. After stimulation with LPS or IFN-gamma, IL-10 suppressed NO production by elicited PMO but enhanced NO production by resident PMO or by Raw264.7. Both IL-4 and IL-10 inhibited the production of TNF-alpha, which has been shown to play a crucial role in NO production. In the presence or the absence of blocking antibody to TNF-alpha, IL-10 always enhanced NO production by resident PMO. This result suggests that the inhibition of TNF-alpha production and the enhancement of NO production by resident PMO stimulated with IL-10 are independent, coexisting events. CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than TNF-alpha have been suspected to influence NO production by macrophages, and this study indicates that IL-10 may be a candidate cytokine for resident PMO.

Animals↗

Association of the interferon-gamma receptor variant (Val14Met) with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Genetic factors seem to play a significant role in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the amino acid polymorphism (Val14Met) found within the IFN-gamma receptor gene (IFNGR1) plays a prominent role in susceptibility to SLE. We found Val14Met located at the COOH terminal of the signal peptide of the IFN-gamma receptor. There was a significant difference in this polymorphism frequency between SLE patients and healthy populations. To clarify whether this amino acid substitution resulted in the alteration of the receptor function, we evaluated the induction of HLA-DR antigen expression on B cells by IFN-gamma stimulation. There was also a significant difference in the induction of HLA-DR by IFN-gamma stimulation between B cells. Furthermore, an intracellular cytokine assay indicated that the Th1/Th2 balance of Th cells bearing the variant receptor shifted to Th2. The genetic polymorphism found within the IFN-gamma receptor gene (Val14Met) may result in a shift to Th2, and this shift may increase susceptibility to SLE.

Adolescent↗

Experimental study of intracisternal administration of tissue-type plasminogen activator followed by cerebrospinal fluid drainage in the ultra-early stage of subarachnoid haemorrhage.

This experimental study evaluated the effect of intrathecal injection of tissue-type plasminogen activator followed by cisternal drainage in the ultra-early stage of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage to prevent vasospasm. Twenty Japanese white rabbits were divided into five groups. Either tPA (groups A, B, and E) or saline (groups C and D) was injected intrathecally 1 hour (groups A, B, C, and D) or 21 hours (group E) after the intrathecal injection of blood. Cerebrospinal fluid was drained 2, 4, and 6 hours after the intrathecal injection of blood (groups A, C, and E). On day 4, the angiographic caliber of the basilar artery in each group was as follows (mean +/- SD): A, 85.9 +/- 5.0%; B, 74.6 +/- 5.3%; C, 69.1 +/- 2.7%; D, 64.0 +/- 4.9%; E, 80.2 +/- 2.7% (compared with baseline). In the two groups in which CSF was drained (groups A and C), fibrinolysis with tPA significantly suppressed vasospasm. In the two groups treated with tPA (groups A and B), cisternal drainage significantly suppressed vasospasm. In the two groups treated with saline (groups C and D), however, cisternal drainage did not suppress vasospasm. Examination of the series of CSF samples (groups A and C) showed that fibrinolysis with tPA effectively cleared clots early. In the two groups treated with tPA and CSF drainage (groups A and E), early removal of subarachnoid clots reduced the degree of vasospasm. Early fibrinolysis with tPA and early removal of subarachnoid clots by drainage is effective for preventing vasospasm.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Inhibition of M-tropic HIV-1 infection by the fd phage-gene 3 protein with MIP-1alpha-binding activity.

CCR5 is a chemokine receptor with seven transmembrane-domains. It is expressed on T cells and macrophages and functions as the principal co-receptor for macrophage (M)-tropic strains of HIV-1. The anti-CCR5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2D7 inhibits the binding and chemotaxis of the three natural beta-chemokine ligands of CCR5, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES, to CCR5(+) cells. The mAb also efficiently blocks the infectivity of several M-tropic and dual-tropic HIV-1 strains in vitro. In this study, we attempted to determine the peptide motif recognized with the 2D7 mAb. We isolated phage clones by panning a phage display library using 2D7 and identified three peptide motifs. One of these phage clones (M23) showed a marked inhibitory activity on HIV-1 infection. The unique sequence of 15 amino acids with an internal disulfide bond was inserted in the g3p of the M23 phage clone (M23-g3p). The M23-g3p was purified by fast-performance liquid chromatography (FPLC). We show here that (1) M23-g3p was specifically recognized with anti-CCR5 mAb; (2) M23-g3p showed inhibitory activity on the infectivity of M-tropic but not T-tropic HIV-1 strains; (3) M23-g3p bound to MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES but not MCP-1. These results suggested that the M23-g3p might mimic the CCR5-binding domain shared by beta-chemokines, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES as well as the HIV-1 infection.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Two polymorphisms within interleukin-3 (hIL3) gene detected by mismatch PCR/RFLP.

Two alleles of IL-3 have been reported to GenBank (GenBank M14743, M20137). The sequence difference between these two alleles is at the first nucleotide of the 27th codon (the 131st nucleotide from the initiation site): thymine and cytosine, and leading the amino acid difference: proline and serine (Pro27Ser). The other allelism, thymine and cytosine, was also observed at position -16 of the IL-3 upstream promotor region (GenBank L10616, M60870). We clarified that these substitutions were frequent polymorphisms in the Japanese population by using the mismatch-PCR (polymerase chain reaction)/RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method.

Alleles↗

Selective DNA-binding activity of interleukin-10-stimulated STAT molecules in human monocytes.

It has been demonstrated that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) have various reverse effects on macrophages; however, the molecular mechanism of this difference has not been fully understood. In this study, we analyzed the binding activity of IL-10- and IFN-gamma-activated STAT molecules to two kinds of GAS-motif sequences. IL-10-activated STAT1 could bind to the GAS-motif sequence in the promoter region of the Fcgamma receptor, but not to that in the promoter region of the COX-2 gene, whereas IFN-gamma-activated STAT1 and STAT5 could bind to both sequences. IL-10 inhibited IFN-gamma-induced STAT activation without newly synthesized protein. We further demonstrated that aspirin, but not dexamethasone, suppressed IFN-gamma-induced STAT activation. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-10-activated STAT1 has a specificity in binding to the GAS-motif sequences, whereas IFN-gamma-activated STAT1 and STAT5 have a broader spectrum in binding to the GAS-motif sequences. This may explain the difference between IL-10 and IFN-gamma in biological activity, and the inhibitory effect of IL-10 on IFN-gamma activities.

Aspirin↗

Polymorphisms within the interleukin-10 receptor cDNA gene (IL10R) in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between polymorphisms within the interleukin-10 receptor cDNA gene (IL10R) and systemic erythematosus (SLE) in Japanese people. METHOD: We examined the IL-10 receptor genotype of 109 SLE patients and 102 healthy subjects by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RT-PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: There was no difference in the IL10R genotype frequencies of these two groups. CONCLUSION: The IL10R genotype does not determine susceptibility to SLE in Japanese people.

Adolescent↗

Embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with cellulose acetate polymer: a clinical, radiological, and histological study.

OBJECTIVE: A cellulose acetate polymer (CAP) solution was hypothesized to be useful for the embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). To investigate this possibility, we analyzed the clinical, radiological, and histological results of patients with AVMs embolized by using a CAP solution. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 11 patients with AVMs treated by embolization before surgical resection. We used two types of CAP solutions, CAP-M and CAP-L, which are mixtures of 250 mg of solid CAP and 1800 or 2250 mg of bismuth trioxide dissolved in 5.5 or 7.0 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. After the embolization procedure, percent reduction of the nidus volume was measured, and thereafter, the clinical course and computed tomographic scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans were evaluated. All patients underwent surgical resection 1 to 51 days after embolization. Resected specimens were stained for light microscopic examination. RESULTS: Thirty-nine feeding vessels were embolized. The reduction rate of the nidus volume ranged from 20% to nearly 100%. Transient and persistent ischemic deficits occurred in three patients and one patient, respectively, and there were no hemorrhagic complications. All AVMs but one were completely resected by surgery. The embolized AVMs were soft enough to be easily cut and retracted. The histological examinations disclosed no or mild inflammatory reactions within 2 weeks after embolization. The internal elastic lamina was preserved in every case. Recanalization through the cast of the CAP mass was not observed until 51 days after embolization. CONCLUSION: CAP solution is a safe and useful embolic agent for AVMs.

Adult↗

T134, a small-molecule CXCR4 inhibitor, has no cross-drug resistance with AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist with a different structure.

T22, an analog of polyphemusin II (18 amino acid residues), was found to block T-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into target cells as a CXCR4 inhibitor. We synthesized T134, a small analog (14 amino acid residues) of T22 with reduced positive charges. T134 exhibited highly potent activity and significantly less cytotoxicity in comparison to that of T22. T134 prevents the anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibody from binding to peripheral blood mononuclear cells but has no effect on the binding of anti-CCR5 monoclonal antibodies. Since T134 inhibits the binding of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) to MT-4 cells, it seems that T134 prevents HIV-1 entry by binding to CXCR4. The bicyclam AMD3100 has also been shown to block HIV-1 entry via CXCR4 but not via CCR5. Both T134 and AMD3100 are CXCR4 antagonists and low-molecular-weight compounds but have different structures. Our results indicate that T134 is active against wild-type T-tropic HIV-1 strains and against AMD3100-resistant strains.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Immunohistochemical study of angiogenic factors in endometrium and endometriosis.

The proliferative activity and angiogenic factors of pelvic endometriosis and uterine endometrium and their correlation with different pigmented lesions are important throughout the menstrual cycle. The proliferative activity and/or expression of angiogenic factors appears to be different between endometrium and endometriosis, and also different in each pigmented lesion. Immunohistochemical studies using computerized image analysis have shown that in normal endometrium, the PCNA index shows cyclic variation, but no cyclic change is observed in endometriosis. In the pelvic peritoneum, the PCNA index is higher in red lesions compared to black and white lesions. There is no difference in VEGF expression among different pigmented lesions. However, a cyclic variation of VEGF concentration was found in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. As a newly determined angiogenic factor, the number of endoglin-positive cells and the mean endothelial area were higher in red lesions than in black or white lesions. These results suggest that the pathogenesis and activity of endometriosis possibly depends on internal angiogenesis. The cellular activity of endometriotic lesions may not necessarily coincide with the regulation of angiogenesis, and may not be synchronized in each pigmented pelvic lesion of endometriosis. Copyrightz1999S.KargerAG, Basel

Adult↗

In vitro anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of polysaccharide from Rhizophora mucronata Poir.

A polysaccharide was extracted with 1% sodium carbonate from the bark of Rhizophora mucronata and its antiviral activities against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were assessed by an in vitro cell culture system. The anti-HIV activity of the alkaline extract was mainly recovered in the 25-75% ethanol-precipitated fraction. Rhizophora mucronata polysaccharide (RMP) protected MT-4 cells from the HIV-induced cytopathogenicity and blocked the expression of HIV antigens. RMP completely inhibited the viral binding to the cell and the formation of syncytium upon cocultivation of MOLT-4/HIV-1IIIB cells and MOLT-4 cells. These results suggest that RMP inhibited early steps of the virus life cycle especially virus adsorption to the cell.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

[A case of systemic sclerosis with crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with perinuclear-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA)].

A 50-year-old female with systemic sclerosis (SSc) developed rapidly progressive renal insufficiency. Laboratory findings showed rapid elevation of serum creatinine level (3.8 mg/dl) and a high titer of perinuclear-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) (504 EU/ml). Renal pathology revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) without mucoid intimal proliferation of the interlobal arteries and fibrinoid necrosis of the afferent arterioles, Immunofluorescent micrography showed focal segmental granular deposition of IgG and C 3 in the mesangium and along the capillary loop and was in agreement with pauci-immune type. Recently, a subtype of renal involvement in SSc that is associated exclusively with normotensive renal failure and recognizable by p-ANCA is suggested. On the other hand, SSc with p-ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis as this case can be considered to be overlap syndrome of SSc and microscopic polyangitis nodosa (microscopic PN) because in microscopic PN, p-ANCA is detected at the range of 50% to 80% and renal pathology reveals necrotizing glomerulonephritis. In this point, we may describe this case as a suggestive one about p-ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗