In order to study the role of cytoskeletons on histamine release from mast cells, the effects of cytoskeleton-inhibiting agents were investigated. Since neither colchicine, vinblastine nor cytochalasin D was effective in inhibiting the IP3 formation, it is possible that neither microtubules nor microfilaments of rat peritoneal mast cells participate in the initial membrane events of the histamine release. However, both colchicine and vinblastine, but not cytochalasin D, were effective in inhibiting Ca2+ release from the intracellular Ca store. It was accordingly suggested that the microtubules, rather than microfilaments, are intimately related to the Ca2+ releasing process from the endoplasmic reticulum. The fluorescence intensity of the mast cells stained with FITC-labeled anti-tubulin antibody reflects the amount of tubulin polymers inside the cell, and colchicine treatment decreased the fluorescence intensity, indicating that colchicine is effective in depolymerizing the microtubules of rat mast cells. By contrast, the amount of tubulin polymer in the mast cells increased by compound 48/80, indicating that the rearrangement of microtubules took place in the mast cells, leading to histamine release. When permeabilized mast cells were exposed to potassium antimonate solution, microtubules attached themselves to the endoplasmic reticulum and many Ca antimonate dots were observed. From the present results, it was concluded that microtubules play an important role in the processes leading to Ca2+ release from the intracellular Ca store and subsequent histamine release.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combustion of brominated flame retardants and behavior of its byproducts.

The substance flow rate of PBDDs/DFs into flue gas and incineration residues from incineration of three types of waste samples containing brominated flame retardants were examined. The samples used consisted of PBDEs (a typical retardant), used TV casing materials (actual waste materials), and waste printed circuit boards. PBDDs/DFs concentrations in the experimental samples of PBDEs/PE, waste TV casing materials and printed circuit boards ranged between 3000 and 130,000 ng/g. These values are very high when compared to other investigations. The increase of chlorine concentration in input sample reduced the ratio of PBDDs/DFs in flue gas and raised the ratio of PCDDs/DFs. With adequate combustion control and flue gas treatment, the amount of PBDDs/DFs released from the incineration of resin containing brominated flame retardants was lower than the input amount. The presence of PBDDs/DFs in incineration residues dominated the total amount of dioxins released. When PBDDs/DFs, PCDDs/DFs and PXDDs/DFs were considered as a total, the total amount released was lower than the total amount input.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Subcellular localization of PP5/TFPI-2 in human placenta: a possible role of PP5/TFPI-2 as an anti-coagulant on the surface of syncytiotrophoblasts.

Placental protein 5 (PP5)/tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2), a serine proteinase inhibitor, is homologous to tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and commonly found in peripheral blood of pregnant woman. Although TFPI is well known to be synthesized primarily in endothelium and to play an important role in regulation of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation, the function of PP5/TFPI-2 remains unclear. Our previous report demonstrated that PP5/TFPI-2 expression is ubiquitous and extremely high in growing placental tissue. Using newly generated polyclonal anti-PP5/TFPI-2 antibody, and by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectromicroscopy, we examined precise localization of PP5/TFPI-2 in placenta especially in syncytiotrophoblasts, which had been shown to produce PP5/TFPI-2 mRNA by our previous study using in situ hybridization. Immunoelectromicroscopy revealed PP5/TFPI-2 localizing on the surface of the microvilli and the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum of syncytiotrophoblasts. To confirm the cell surface association of PP5/TFPI-2, placental villi were incubated with heparin and resultant soluble fraction was analysed by Western blotting. Heparin liberating PP5/TFPI-2 from villi suggested that PP5/TFPI-2 might be retained on the microvilli surface through the binding to membrane-anchored proteoglycans such as glypican and/or syndecan family members. We also examined the relationship between the presence of cell layer of syncytiotrophoblasts and the coagulation using clinical specimens, and revealed that the fibrin depositions were specifically observed on the regions lacking syncytiotrophoblasts cell layer in placental villi. Therefore, it is likely that during pregnancy PP5/TFPI-2 may be retained on the surface of placental villi via proteoglycans, and may play an important role to maintain intervillous blood flow and the patency of microvasculature in feto-maternal blood system mediated by the inhibition of serine proteinases involved in the blood coagulation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stimulation of motility of human renal cell carcinoma by SPARC/Osteonectin/BM-40 associated with type IV collagen.

SPARC is known to be important in development and tissue remodelling. Here, we examined the effects of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine; osteonectin) derived from a rat osteosarcoma cell line on migration of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by a Boyden chamber assay. YCR RCC cells migrated through type IV collagen-coated filters without stimuli (basal level). SPARC in the lower compartment stimulated chemotactic activity to 120% of the basal level, whereas premixing of YCR with purified SPARC before inoculation reduced their migration to 72% of the basal level. Furthermore, SPARC mixed with type IV collagen more efficiently stimulated their migration in a concentration-dependent manner (up to 170% of the basal level). This suggests that SPARC bound to type IV collagen plays a role in tumor invasion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of responsive cells in tolerance by the oral administration of ovalbumin.

The induction of immune tolerance is the most common consequence of protein feeding, i.e., "oral tolerance". In this study we investigated the genetic basis of oral tolerance using various kinds of recombinant and congenic mice, and the cells involved in the development of this phenomenon in mice. The footpad swelling response to ovalbumin (OVA) was inhibited in mice that were orally fed OVA 7 days before sensitization. No effect of strain of mouse was seen in this inhibition. This inhibition could be transferred by Peyer's patch cells. The CD4-8+ T cells were responsible for the inhibition of footpad swelling. The number of CD4+ cells from OVA-fed tolerant mice decreased significantly, but CD8+ cells did not. The number of CD4-8+ T cells was increased in Peyer's patches of OVA-fed tolerant mice, and were involved in the development of oral tolerance.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic control of delayed type hypersensitivity to Mycobacterium leprae antigen.

The mechanism of genetic control of Mycobacterium leprae-specific delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice was investigated in terms of footpad swelling response. Studies with various congenic and recombinant inbred strains of mouse revealed that M. leprae-specific DTH was controlled by genes within the I-A subregion. The footpad swelling response showed an antigen-specific pattern, revealing that M. leprae antigen was not cross-reactive with M. tuberculosis antigen. Treatment of immune lymphoid cells with monoclonal antibodies plus complement revealed that the cells responsible for DTH transfer were Lyt-2-, L3T4+ T cells. Suppressor T cell activity was not detected in low-responder mice.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of knee movement with low-field MR equipment--a normal volunteer study.

This study was performed to make a normal standard by analyzing normal knee movement in detail. An open low-field unit was used for 23 healthy knee joints. With three-dimensional Fourier transformation (3DFT) gradient echo sequence, 50 sagittal slices of 4.5 mm in thickness were obtained at four flexion angles: 0, 30, 60, and 90 degrees (lateral position). Although the tension ratio of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL, PCL) increased during knee flexion, the change in the tension ratio was significantly different between the ACL and PCL. The femur-ACL angle and femur-PCL angle were parallel with the knee flexion angle, but the tibia-ACL angle and tibia PCL angle changed complexly. The lateral and medial condyles rolled and slid during knee flexion, and the medial side moved more than the lateral side, consistent with rotation of the lower thigh. The difference in backward movement distance on the tibia between the two condyles was significantly larger in females than in males. This might explain the dominance of knee osteoarthritis in women. Although the lateral position is not completely physiological, we could show initial cinematic data of up to 90 degrees of knee flexion using open-type MRI, which is impossible with high- and middle-field machines.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dermatomyositis and malignancy: case report and review of the Japanese literature.

The first reported association of dermatomyositis with malignancy was by Stertz in 1916, who described a patient with proximal muscle weakness, eyelid changes, and evidence of myositis on muscle biopsy as well as a coexisting gastric carcinoma. In the same year, Kankeleit described a patient with dermatomyositis and breast cancer--the seeds of a controversy were thus sewn. We report a female patient with multiple cancer who developed dermatomyositis and review the relevant Japanese literature. Our patient suffered from metachronous bilateral breast cancer and thyroid cancer. She underwent curative resection of all 3 tumors. Our experience suggests that clinicians should perform extensive screening of dermatomyositis patients to salvage those with occult cancer, although the issue of cost effectiveness also has to be considered.

Adolescent↗