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Biomedical subjects

Hideoki Ogawa

Publications and source records attributed to Hideoki Ogawa.

136 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Preferential expression of T(h)2-type chemokine and its receptor in atopic dermatitis.

Lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is histologically characterized by hypertrophy of the skin, and the infiltration of a large number of eosinophils and T cells into the dermis. Recent studies have indicated that Th2 cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD skin. Chemokines and their receptors are implicated in the development of symptoms of various skin diseases such as AD and psoriasis vulgaris (psoriasis). We have examined the in situ expression of a typical Th2-type chemokine, thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and its receptor (CCR4) using immunohistochemical techniques. TARC was found to be highly expressed in the basal epidermis of the lesional skin of AD patients and only slightly in the non-lesional skin. On the other hand, no positive cells were seen in the lesional skin of psoriasis. Consistently, CCR4+ cells were present predominantly in the lesional skin of AD patients, but not in the non-lesional skin. In contrast, in the lesional skin of psoriasis patients, cells positive for CCR5, which is expressed on Th1 cells, were abundantly present. Interestingly, psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy reduced the number of CCR4+ cells in the AD skin lesions. These results suggest that Th2-type cytokines such as TARC are involved in the pathogenesis of skin lesions in AD patients through the preferential recruitment of Th2 cells.

Adolescent↗

Chronic graft-versus-host autoimmune disease in Fc receptor gamma chain-deficient mice results in lipoprotein glomerulopathy.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a unique renal disease characterized by intraglomerular lipoprotein thrombi associated with severe proteinuria and frequent progression to renal failure. The histologic hallmark of LPG is the presence of laminated thrombi, consisting of lipid droplet, within the lumina of dilated glomerular capillaries. The findings of thrombi consisting of lipoproteins raised the possibilities that LPG might be related to a primary abnormality in lipid metabolism. However, the precise pathogenic basis of LPG remains unresolved. It was herein found that chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) induced by the transfer of Ia-incompatible spleen cells from B6.C-H2(bm12) into coisogenic C57BL/6 mice with deficiency of Fc receptor gamma chain (FcRgamma) resulted in glomerulopathy that resembled LPG. The uptake of acetylated LDL was partially decreased in peritoneal macrophages isolated from FcRgamma-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice, suggesting that partial impairment of modified LDL uptake might contribute to the development of LPG associated with chronic GVHD in FcRgamma-deficient mice. LPG has been suggested to be a disorder of primary abnormality in lipid metabolism; these findings would therefore provide novel insight into the disease process.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of cathepsin L and cystatin A in normal skin and skin tumors.

Cathepsin L, a cysteine proteinase, and cystatin A, an inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, are thought to regulate the invasion and metastasis of malignant cells. In this study, the expression of cathepsin L and cystatin A in skin tumors was investigated immunohistochemically in order to examine the relationship between these two enzymes in the pathophysiology of malignant cells. Formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded specimens from normal skin, seborrheic keratoses, and squamous cell carcinomas were reacted with polyclonal antibodies against rat cathepsin L or cystatin a which cross-react to human cathepsin L and cystatin A, respectively. The consequent immunostaining of these enzymes was observed to be strong in normal skin (4 cases) and seborrheic keratosis (6 cases). In well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (9 cases), staining for cathepsin L and cystatin A was moderately positive in differentiated tumor cells and negative in undifferentiated SCC (5 cases). The degree of staining of these enzymes was inversely correlated with the differentiation of the malignant cells. These results suggest that the immunohistochemical analysis of cathepsin L and cystatin A is a useful indicator for an aspect of malignancy in human epidermal keratinocytes.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Efficacy of oral minocycline and hyperthermic treatment in a case of atypical mycobacterial skin infection by Mycobacterium marinum.

We report a case of atypical mycobacterial dermal infection caused by M. marinum, which was effectively treated with oral administration of minocycline and local hyperthermic treatment using chemical pocket warmers. A daily oral dose of 200 mg of minocycline was given, and local hyperthermic treatment was applied every evening for 5-6 hours with a disposable chemical pocket warmer. After 2.5 months of therapy, the lesion healed completely with scar formation. At 24 months after the completion of treatments, there is no sign of recurrence.

Administration, Oral↗

New yeast species, Malassezia dermatis, isolated from patients with atopic dermatitis.

Malassezia species are considered to be one of the exacerbating factors in atopic dermatitis (AD). During examination of the cutaneous colonization of Malassezia species in AD patients, we found a new species on the surface of the patients' skin. Analysis of ribosomal DNA sequences suggested that the isolates belonged to the genus MALASSEZIA: They did not grow in Sabouraud dextrose agar but utilized specific concentrations of Tween 20, 40, 60, and 80 as a lipid source. Thus, we concluded that our isolates were new members of the genus Malassezia and propose the name Malassezia dermatis sp. nov. for these isolates.

DNA, Ribosomal↗

Differential responses of mast cell Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in allergy and innate immunity.

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 play important roles in the early innate immune response to microbial challenge. To clarify the functional roles of TLRs 2 and 4 in mast cells, we examined bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) from TLR2 or TLR4 gene-targeted mice. Peptidoglycan (PGN) from Staphylococcus aureus stimulated mast cells in a TLR2-dependent manner to produce TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-13, but not IL-1beta. In contrast, LPS from Escherichia coli stimulated mast cells in a TLR4-dependent manner to produce TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-13, but not IL-4 nor IL-5. Furthermore, TLR2- but not TLR4-dependent mast cell stimulation resulted in mast cell degranulation and Ca2+ mobilization. In a mast cell-dependent model of acute sepsis, TLR4 deficiency of BMMCs in mice resulted in significantly higher mortality because of defective neutrophil recruitment and production of proinflammatory cytokines in the peritoneal cavity. Intradermal injection of PGN led to increased vasodilatation and inflammation through TLR2-dependent activation of mast cells in the skin. Taken together, these results suggest that direct activation of mast cells via TLR2 or TLR4 by respective microligands contributes to innate and allergic immune responses.

Animals↗

[Identification and viability assessment of dermatophytes infecting nail based on quantitative PCR of dermatophyte actin (ACT) mRNA].

The diagnosis and choice of treatment for dermatophytoses are usually based on the result of microscopic observation of hyphal elements and culture. However, false negative cultures have sometimes been encountered and appropriate timing of discontinuation of treatment has not been formulated. In this study, we attempted the identification and viability assessment of dermatophytes based on the quantitative measurement of dermatophyte actin (ACT) mRNA. An internal fragment of the ACT, 725 to 762 bp, was isolated by PCR from the genomic DNA of dermatophytes and sequenced. ACT intron-based primers were dermatophyte species-specific and primer pairs crossing the intron were dermatophyte genus-specific. The LightCycler (LC) instrument, employing the two-step RT-PCR/fluorescent hybridization system, was used to quantify the actin mRNA (ACT) of dermatophytes. A 669 bp ACT cDNA fragment was used as a quantification standard. Several mg of samples were collected from skin scales or nail plates before and after the treatment using oral terbinafine. The results indicated that quantification of ACT mRNA correlated with the results of culture and KOH examination and that copy numbers of dermatophyte ACT mRNA per mg sample decreased with progression of the therapy. This method comprises a sensitive (1 fg), specific, rapid (< 4 h) and quantitative assessment of the viability and identification of dermatophytes in skin tissue.

Actins↗

Multiple cutaneous rhabdomyomas in a child.

We recently encountered a 4 year-old male patient with congenital, multiple, corporeal, cutaneous rhabdomyomas. Pathological examination of the excised tumors showed lobular structures in the dermis. The tumor cells contained spherical and polygonal eosinophilic cytoplasm with peripherally dislocated nuclei, and were positive for myogloblin staining. Extra-cardiac rhabdomyoma is an extremely rare condition, and our case might be considered the first of its kind in Japan.

Child, Preschool↗