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Hidehisa Saeki

Publications and source records attributed to Hidehisa Saeki.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

IL-4, but not IL-13, modulates TARC (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine)/CCL17 and IP-10 (interferon-induced protein of 10kDA)/CXCL10 release by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in HaCaT cell line.

It is known that both interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 are produced by Th2-type cells and share similar biological functions with each other. However, recently accumulated evidences have revealed that IL-4 may be involved in the Th1-type response. Both thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), a ligand for CC chemokine receptor 4 that is mainly expressed on Th2-type cells, and interferon-induced protein of 10kDa (IP-10/CXCL10), a ligand for CXC chemokine receptor 3 that is mainly expressed on Th1-type cells, are produced by keratinocytes after the stimulation with the primary cytokines such as tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and/or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In this study, we investigated the regulation of TARC or IP-10 production from HaCaT cells, an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, after stimulation with TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and/or IL-13. Without stimulation, HaCaT cells did not produce TARC. When both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were added, they increased synergistically (P<0.003). In addition, when HaCaT cells were stimulated with IL-4, but not IL-13, in combination with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, the supernatant TARC levels significantly decreased compared to those with both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma (P<0.009). This inhibition was completely abolished with the addition of neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibody. The supernatant IP-10 levels also increased synergistically by stimulation with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma for 24h (P<0.001). When IL-4, but not IL-13, was added to the medium and the cells were co-cultured with these cytokines, the IP-10 levels significantly increased compared to those with both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma (P<0.04). Furthermore, the effects of IL-4 on TARC and IP-10 production in these cells were detected in a dose-dependent manner. These data strongly suggest that IL-4 may act not only as a mediator of Th1-type response but also as a down-regulator of Th2-type response in terms of the regulation of chemokine production by HaCaT cells.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

Eotaxin gene single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter and exon regions are not associated with susceptibility to atopic dermatitis, but two of them in the promoter region are associated with serum IgE levels in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Eotaxin is believed to play an important role in atopic dermatitis (AD) as a potent chemoattractant and activator of eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes. The eotaxin gene is located at chromosome 17q21.1-q21.2, and linkage findings of AD on chromosome 17 were reported. Recently we have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of eotaxin gene (-426C > T, -384A > G, 67G > A). To learn whether eotaxin gene SNPs are associated with susceptibility to AD or phenotypes of AD, we investigated the genotype frequencies at each SNP of the gene in AD patients and in controls. We examined 140 Japanese AD patients and 140 healthy Japanese individuals. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. No significant difference was observed in allele or genotype frequencies of any SNP between AD patients and controls. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly lower in CT and TT genotype than in CC (P = 0.038) in -426C > T SNP, and lower in GG than in AA and AG with borderline significance (P = 0.053) in -384A > G SNP in AD patients. Eotaxin gene SNPs in the promoter and exon regions are not associated with susceptibility to AD, but two of them in the promoter region are associated with phenotype of AD.

Adolescent↗

Interleukin-13 gene polymorphism G4257A is associated with atopic dermatitis in Japanese patients.

Interleukin (IL)-13 plays an important role in the induction of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated the allele and genotype frequencies of three IL-13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (A704C and C1103T in the promoter region and G4257A in exon 4) in Japanese patients with AD. For A704C and C1103T SNPs, there were no significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies between AD patients and controls. For G4257A SNP, A allele was significantly increased in AD patients (39.5%) compared with controls (29.4%) (P = 0.016). The same proportion of each genotype and allele was observed in the patient subgroup with and without asthma. Serum IgE levels and peripheral eosinophil counts were not significantly different among genotypes in G4257A SNP. There was also no significant difference in allele or genotype frequencies between AD patients with mild disease and those with severe disease, between those with family history of AD and those without it, or between those with family history of atopic disorders and those without it. This result suggests that 4257A allele is associated with susceptibility to AD and that it may function in the pathogenesis of AD itself, presumably by other mechanisms than inducing IgE production.

Adolescent↗

Interleukin-12 p40 gene (IL12B) 3'-untranslated region polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is believed to play an important role in inducing Th1-type cytokine profiles. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) are considered to be Th2 and Th1 type disease, respectively. The IL-12 p40 subunit gene (IL12B) is located at chromosome 5q31-33 and linkage findings of AD on 5q31 were reported. Recently single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (1188A/C) of IL12B has been reported. In function, it has been reported that this SNP is associated with IL12B mRNA expression levels. To learn whether this SNP is associated with susceptibility to AD or PsV, we investigated the genotype and allele frequencies of the SNP in AD patients, in PsV patients and in controls, examining 164 AD patients, 143 PsV patients and 100 healthy individuals in Japanese population. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The A allele was decreased in AD patients (40.9%, p = 0.031) and increased in PsV patients (60.1%, p = 0.035) compared with controls (50.5%). This suggests that IL12B SNP is associated with susceptibility to AD and PsV, presumably by affecting the Th1/Th2 balance.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene in Japanese patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

We examined polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in Japanese patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). We also studied the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and the response to vitamin D (VD) topical treatment in psoriatic patients. FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI genotypes were determined by restriction fragment patterns in patients (n = 115) and controls (n = 69). In addition, 54 psoriatic patients were divided into two groups in terms of their response to VD (tacalcitol) topical treatment: non-responsive (n = 30) and responsive (n = 24) patients. The frequencies of B allele and t allele were lower in patients than in controls (9 vs. 19%: p < 0.01, 7 vs. 14%: p < 0.05, respectively). In regard to response to VD treatment, F allele was lower in non-responsive patients than in controls (47 vs. 64%, p < 0.05). We show that polymorphisms of VDR gene are associated with Japanese patients with PsV. Allelic variance in the VDR gene or other genes in linkage disequilibrium with this gene might predispose to the development of PsV.

Adult↗

A keratin 9 Gene mutation (Asn160Ser) in a Japanese patient with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma.

We described a 5-year-old Japanese girl with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma and examined her for a keratin 9 gene mutation. Physical examination disclosed diffuse yellowish hyperkeratosis with an erythematous border limited strictly to the palms and soles. Histological examination revealed hyperkeratosis with vacuolar degeneration in the spinous and granular layers of the epidermis. Sequence analysis demonstrated an A to G transition at the middle position of codon 160 in the 1A domain of the keratin 9 gene. The amino acid at codon 160 was deduced to have changed from asparagine (Asn) to serine (Ser). This is the first case with an Asn160Ser mutation in a Japanese. The substitution of Ser for Asn at codon 160 of the keratin 9 gene is assumed to be fatal for keratin filament assembly regardless of race or ethnicity.

Asian People↗

A keratin 10 gene mutation (Arg156Cys) in a Japanese patient with bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma.

We described a 19-year old Japanese female with bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (BCIE) and examined the keratin gene mutation. Physical examination disclosed generalized erythema, ichthyosiform skin with scales, and erosions without palmoplantar keratoderma. Histological examination revealed hyperkeratosis with vacuolar degeneration in the granular layer of the epidermis. Sequence analysis demonstrated a C to G transition at the first position of codon 156 in the keratin 10 gene. The amino acid at codon 156 was deduced to have changed from arginine to cystine. Substitution from arginine to cysteine at codon 156 of the K 10 gene is assumed to be fatal for keratin filament assembly regardless of racial or ethnic difference.

Adult↗

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) produced by mouse epidermal Langerhans cells is upregulated by TNF-alpha and IL-4 and downregulated by IFN-gamma.

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) is a Th2-type chemokine and its receptor CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is preferentially expressed on Th2 cells. Langerhans cells (LC) are immature dendritic cells (DC) in the epidermis of the skin and play vital roles in immune response. In this study, we investigated TARC expression by murine freshly isolated LC and 48 h cultured (mature) LC, and the regulation of TARC production in cultured LC by various cytokines. Murine LC was prepared using a panning method from BALB/c mice. RT-PCR was performed using fresh and cultured LC to evaluate TARC mRNA levels. ELISA was carried out using supernatant of cultured LC to calculate secreted TARC protein levels. TARC mRNA was strongly upregulated during maturation of murine LC. TARC production by murine LC was upregulated by TNF-alpha and IL-4 and downregulated by IFN-gamma, dose-dependently. Th1 and Th2 cytokines reciprocally regulate the production of Th2-type chemokine TARC by murine LC. Th2 cytokine microenvironments in skin may increase TARC production by mature LC, providing attraction of Th2 cells in skin. This may be an amplification circuit in Th2-dominant inflammatory skin disease like atopic dermatitis.

Animals↗

Ultraviolet A irradiation inhibits thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) production by a human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line.

Ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation modulates the immunological functions of skin. We examined the effect of UVA irradiation on the basal and the IFN-gamma-and TNF-alpha-stimulation-induced production of thymus-and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) using HaCaT cells. UVA irradiation inhibited the basal levels of both TARC mRNA expression and TARC protein production. UVA irradiation also significantly inhibited TARC mRNA expression and TARC protein secretion that were induced by co-stimulation with IFN-y and TNF-alpha. A time course study showed that: the significant suppression of TARC mRNA expression was detected 8 hours after irradiation and continued for 36 hours; the strongest inhibition of TARC protein secretion occurred in the first 8 hours after UVA irradiation and continued for 36 hours. Our data provide the first evidence that UVA inhibits TARC mRNA expression and TARC protein production by keratinocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These results may suggest an explanation for the UV-induced therapeutic effect.

Cell Line↗

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma with massive mucin deposition.

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH) is a rare condition characterized histologically by an increased number of eccrine structures and numerous vascular elements. Although EAH sometimes shows mucinous stroma, the mucin is usually not abundant. In this report, we described a case of EAH that had massive mucin deposition, especially around the eccrine structures. Our case and a similar reported one indicate that EAH includes a rare variant with a large amount of mucin as one of the hamartoma components.

Adult↗