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Biomedical subjects

Ichiro Mori

Publications and source records attributed to Ichiro Mori.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Photochemical behavior of azobenzene-conjugated CoII, CoIII, and FeII bis(terpyridine) complexes.

Azobenzene-conjugated mononuclear and dinuclear terpyridyl complexes of Co(II), Co(III), and Fe(II) were synthesized, and their photoisomerization behavior was investigated. Co(II) and Co(III) complexes, [tpyCo(tpy-AB)]X(n) and [(Cotpy)(2)(tpy-AB-tpy)]X(n) (tpy-AB = C(15)N(3)H(10)-C(6)H(4)-N=NC(6)H(5), tpy-AB-tpy = C(15)N(3)H(10)-C(6)H(4)-N=NC(6)H(4)-C(15)N(3)H(10), X = PF(6) or BPh(4)), exhibit trans-to-cis photoisomerization by irradiation at 366 nm, and this behavior is dependent on solvents and counterions. For the Co(II) complexes, BPh(4) salts undergo cis-to-trans isomerization in propylene carbonate by both photoirradiation with visible light (435 nm) and heat, indicating that reversible trans-cis isomerization has occurred. [Co(tpy-AB)(2)](BPh(4))(2) shows a two-step trans-to-cis isomerization process. The trans-cis isomerization behavior of Co(III) complexes was observed only in the solvents with a low donor number such as 1,2-dichloroethane. Fe(II) complexes, [tpyFe(tpy-AB)]X(n) (X = PF(6) or BPh(4)), exhibit slight trans-to-cis photoisomerization due to the energy transfer from the azobenzene moiety to Fe(tpy)(2) moieties.

Journal Article↗

Facilitated angiogenesis induced by heme oxygenase-1 gene transfer in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible form of heme oxygenase that catabolizes heme to carbon monoxide, biliverdin, and ferrous iron. We have investigated whether HO-1 can induce angiogenic effects in vivo. Rats were subjected to a bolus injection of either wild type adenovirus (ad-wt) or adenovirus encoding HO-1 (ad-HO-1) through the right femoral artery, which was then removed immediately. HO-1 gene transfer resulted in about a sixfold increase in HO-1 protein levels as compared to the non-treated animals. The increase in both blood flow and capillary density was significantly greater in the ischemic hindlimbs that had been injected with ad-HO-1 than in those injected with ad-wt. These angiogenic effects of ad-HO-1 infection could be completely abolished by treating the animals with the HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin, indicating that they were specifically due to the expression of HO-1. Thus, HO-1 gene transfer improves the blood flow in ischemic hindlimb, at least in part, via angiogenesis facilitated by the induction of this molecule.

Animals↗

Differentiation, proliferation and retinoid receptor status of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Messenger RNA expression of retinoic acid receptors (RARalpha, RARbeta and RARgamma) and retinoid X receptors (RXRalpha, RXRbeta and RXRgamma) was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 42 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). A loss of mRNA expression was observed in 18 cases of the 42 PTCs, including three cases for RARalpha, 14 cases for RARbeta, six cases for RXRalpha and five cases for RXRbeta. The expressions of RARgamma and RXRgamma were found in all 42 PTCs. Based on Ki 67/MIB1 labeling index (LI), the 42 PTCs were classified into Group A (20 cases; LI = 0-2%), Group B (17 cases; LI = 2-5%) and Group C (5 cases; LI > 5%). The PTCs of groups B and C showed solid, trabecular or scirrhous arrangements, infiltrative growth, loss of cellular polarity and cohesiveness more frequently, but capsulated growth pattern less frequently, when compared with PTCs of Group A. They also showed more frequent extrathyroidal extension than Group A. However, no significant differences were identified in sex, age, nodal status and tumor size. Loss of expression for one or more retinoid receptors frequently occurred in groups B and C. These results suggest that the loss of retinoid receptors might occur during the loss of differentiation and tumor progression of PTC.

Adult↗

Thyroid nodular lesion: analysis of cancer risk based on Kuma Hospital experience.

It is a difficult question, whether it is malignant or not, when you follow up patients with thyroid nodular lesions. Cytological examination helps to solve this issue more accurately but a cancer risk still exists in patients with a negative cytology, non-diagnostic or suspicious follicular neoplasms. Analysis of cancer risk in patients with benign thyroid nodular lesions was carried out among 1044 cases who underwent thyroid surgery at Kuma Hospital, Kobe, Japan, in 2000. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of cancer risk in those patients in Japan. Among the 356 cases with benign nodular lesions, 99 cases of papillary carcinoma were found in the thyroid parenchyma. Seventy-nine of the 99 cases were clinical cancer and were found preoperatively by cytology, while 20 out of 277 (7.22%) cases were found postoperatively as incidental carcinoma. The incidence of follicular carcinoma of a minimally invasive type in the index nodule was 22 out of 279 (7.89%) cases in patients who were surgically treated.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Microwave cell death: Immunohistochemical and enzyme histochemical evaluation.

In Japan, microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) has been used for the management of primary and metastatic liver cancer. Needle biopsy examination from the lesion has frequently shown the presence of nucleated cancer cells in histopathological examinations, prompting the conclusion that cancer cells are not completely eliminated by microwave therapy, whereas computed tomography and ultrasonography examinations show tumor regression. To determine whether microwave-treated tissue contains functionally viable cells, an examination of the Na+-K+-ATPase protein and its activity using immunohistochemical and enzyme histochemical methods were carried out in microwave-treated rat liver. Four concentric, morphologically identifiable zones around the microwave probe needle appeared 2 days after treatment. Zone A, which was between the innermost spongy zone and the outer necrotic zone, contained only slight morphological alterations in the hepatocytes, which had slightly hyperchromatic nuclei and mildly eosinophilic cytoplasm. The hepatocytes in zone A were found to be positive for the Na+-K+-ATPase antigenicity but negative for enzyme activity, indicating that zone A was undergoing cell death, although morphologically this was not discernible. This type of cell death caused by microwave treatment is morphologically different from previously known types of cell death, either oncosis or apoptosis.

Animals↗

Significance of hormone receptor status and tumor vessels in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium.

The aims of this study were to identity the roles of tumor vessels and hormone receptor status in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium, and to explore their relationships with other prognostic factors of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Endometrial curettage specimens of proliferative phase and secretory phase endometrium, simple hyperplasia with or without atypia, complex hyperplasia with or without atypia, and grade 1 adenocarcinoma were examined for estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha), progesterone receptor (PgR), Ki-67 labeling index (LI), cyclin D1, microvessel density (MVD), and area of venules (AV) using an immunoperoxidase method. The results showed high levels of ER alpha in complex hyperplasia, and high levels of PgR in simple hyperplasia without atypia. Expression of ER alpha in the endometrium decreased in a stepwise manner from complex hyperplasia without atypia to grade 1 adenocarcinoma. Expression of PgR in the endometrium decreased in a stepwise manner from simple hyperplasia without atypia to grade 1 adenocarcinoma. In contrast, the expressions of Ki-67 LI, cyclin D1, MVD and AV in the endometrium increased in a stepwise manner from normal, simple or complex hyperplasia with or without atypia to grade 1 adenocarcinoma. These changes may become irreversible on progression from simple or complex hyperplasia to neoplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Microwave cell death: Enzyme histochemical evaluation for metastatic carcinoma of the liver.

We have reported that microwave cell death is a unique cell death preserving not only cell and nuclear shapes but also immunohistochemical antigenicity. However, their enzyme activity was lost, which indicated cell dysfunction and death. This peculiar observation implies that the microwave effect is likely an 'in situ' tissue fixation and that this type of cell death is morphologically different from cell death, by either oncosis or apoptosis, as previously known. To confirm whether this peculiar cell death was observed also in human tissue samples, we examined clinical samples from patients with metastatic liver cancer, which were treated with microwave irradiation. They were examined immunohistochemically for human Ki-67 antigen and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and enzyme histochemically for alkaline phosphatase, and the same morphological changes that were observed in microwave-treated rat liver were found. In conclusion, we believe that routine hematoxylin-eosin stain alone is not a suitable method to evaluate microwave treatment for cancer because microwave coagulation therapy-treated cells preserved their nuclei and cellular architectures, even after 3 months. For microwave-treated tumors, enzyme histochemistry is helpful to determine its effectiveness.

Aged↗

Clinicopathological significance of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in breast carcinoma with long-term follow-up.

Expression of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors by tumors may influence the route of metastatic spread. The angiogenic factor vascular growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is implicated in the development of lymphatic vessels and promotion of lymphatic metastasis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether VEGF-C correlates with lymph node metastasis or prognosis. We assessed VEGF-C expression using immunohistochemistry in 123 invasive breast carcinomas with long-term follow-up. The relationship between VEGF-C expression and lymph node status and other established clinicopathological parameters was assessed. Whether VEGF-C expression plays a prognostic role in breast cancer was also investigated. VEGF-C expression was identified in 103 cases (83.7%). Positive VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0131). Survival curves determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate analysis demonstrated that positive VEGF-C was associated with both disease-free survival (P = 0.0165) and overall survival (P = 0.0175). On the basis of our findings, VEGF-C plays a crucial role in lymph node metastasis and may be a significant prognostic factor for long-term survival in breast cancer.

Adult↗

Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor D in breast carcinoma with long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Expression of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors by tumors may influence the route of metastatic spread. The angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth D (VEGF-D) is implicated in the development of lymphatic vessels and promotion of lymphatic metastases. The purpose of this study is to determine whether VEGF-D correlates with lymph node metastasis or prognosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We assessed VEGF-D expression using immunohistochemistry in 105 invasive breast carcinomas with long-term follow-up. The relationship among VEGF-D expression, lymph node status, and other established clinicopathological parameters was assessed. Whether VEGF-D expression plays prognostic role in breast cancer was also investigated. RESULTS: VEGF-D expression was identified in 86 cases (81.9%). Positive VEGF-D was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0238) and high c-erbB-2 expression (P = 0.0211). Survival curves determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate analysis demonstrated that positive VEGF-D was associated with both disease-free survival (P = 0.0023) and overall survival (P = 0.0222). In multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model, positive emerged as an independent indicator for disease-free survival (P = 0.0452). CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-D expression is associated with lymph node metastasis and may be a novel prognostic factor in breast cancer. VEGF-D may be useful in the treatment of breast cancer as a decision-making biomarker for aggressive treatment after operation.

Adult↗

[Human papilloma virus infection in vaginal condyloma acuminatum].

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV) infection in vaginal papillomatous lesions diagnosed in Tsuji Ladies Clinic. From January, 2000 to February, 2001, 52 patients were diagnosed with condyloma acuminata in the Clinic. All the patients received a complete gynecologic examination including colposcopic evaluation, and HPV DNA was assayed for in cervicovaginal lavages using polymerase chain reaction. HPV was detected in 31 of the 52 (60%) patients, and high risk HPV was found in 23 patients(45%). The incidence of high risk HPV infection is very high in vaginal condyloma acuminata. Detection of high risk HPV-positive women suggests that they may also be at risk for developing carcinoma. Therefore, it is very important to follow-up patients with condyloma acuminata.

Adolescent↗

Photoluminescence switching of azobenzene-conjugated Pt(II) terpyridine complexes by trans-cis photoisomerization.

Pt(II) complexes with a terpyridylazobenzene ligand (tpyAB) were newly synthesized, and their photoluminescence properties by trans-cis isomerization of the azo moiety were investigated. In these complexes, upon excitation with 366-nm light in polar solvents such as DMF, DMSO, and propylene carbonate, trans-to-cis isomerization with significant UV-vis spectral changes occurred almost completely. Cis-to-trans isomerization was observed both by irradiation with visible light and by heat. The reduction peaks due to the terpyridine and the azo group in the cyclic voltammograms of the Pt complexes were shifted in the positive direction by trans-to-cis isomerization. Emission spectral changes due to trans-cis isomerization were observed for both the tpyAB and the Pt complexes. The significant differences in the emission properties of the complex compared to tpyAB include the observation that both the excitation and emission wavelengths were shifted to lower energy, located in the visible region. Moreover, the change in emission intensity between the trans and cis forms was more significant upon excitation with UV light, because the trans form of the complexes showed absolutely no emission. Accordingly, the azobenzene-conjugated Pt(II) terpyridine complexes promise to be doubly photofunctional materials, showing complete off-on switching of emission linked to the trans-cis conformation change.

Journal Article↗

Iron overload augments angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis and promotes neointima formation.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal iron deposition may cause oxidant-induced damage in various organs. We have previously reported that continuous administration of angiotensin II to rats results in an overt iron deposition in the renal tubular epithelial cells, which may have a role in angiotensin II-induced renal damage. In the present study, we investigated the role of iron in the development of cardiac injury induced by angiotensin II. METHODS AND RESULTS: Angiotensin II was continuously infused to rats at a dose of 0.7 mg/kg per day for 7 consecutive days. No iron deposits were observed in the hearts of untreated rats, whereas iron deposition was seen in the cells in the subepicardial and granulation regions after angiotensin II infusion. Concomitant administration of deferoxamine, an iron chelator, significantly reduced the extent of cardiac fibrosis, which suggests that iron deposition aggravates the cardiac fibrosis induced by angiotensin II. Iron overload caused by the administration of iron-dextran resulted in an augmentation of cardiac fibrosis and the generation of neointimal cells in the coronary artery in angiotensin II-infused rats. By contrast, neointima was not formed in the cardiac vessels in norepinephrine-infused rats with iron overload. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac iron deposition may be involved in the development of cardiac fibrosis induced by angiotensin II. In addition, iron overload may enhance the formation of neointima under conditions of increased circulating angiotensin II but not catecholamines.

Angiotensin II↗

Induction of uPA but not NF-IL3A by calcitonin is dependent on Erk1/2 phosphorylation in porcine renal cell line LLC-PK1.

Calcitonin (CT) is a polypeptide hormone and has a variety of functions including regulation of urinary calcium excretion. By using a cDNA subtraction hybridization method, we identified that NF-IL3A and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) genes were up-regulated by CT in porcine renal cell line LLC-PK1. CT-mediated induction of these genes was not inhibited by cycloheximide. These data suggest that these up-regulations are not induced by increased synthesis of regulating proteins; therefore, they are immediately response early (IE). We also found that CT treatment led to the phosphorylation of Erk1/2. We demonstrated that PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, inhibited CT-induced mRNA expressions of uPA, but had no obvious influence on the NF-IL3A induction. These results demonstrated the inductions of uPA by CT involve Erk1/2 phosphorylation. We provide the first evidence that NF-IL3A expression is up-regulated by CT. The present findings suggest that the transcriptions of the NF-IL3A and uPA could be induced by CT and might be important mediators of CT function in renal cells.

Animals↗

Prognostic value of thymidine phosphorylase expression in breast carcinoma.

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), also known as platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible dephosphorylation of thymidine, deoxyuridine and their analogs. TP has also angiogenic properties, although the precise mechanism by which it promotes angiogenesis is not known. We examined TP expression using immunohistochemistry (654-1 Mab) in 182 invasive breast carcinomas (67 N0 and 115 N1/2; median follow-up 78 months [range, 3-177]; 51 patients treated with adjuvant systemic cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil [CMF] chemotherapy and 82 with tamoxifen). High TP expression was found in 142 cases (78%) and correlated with lower histologic grade and low p53 expression. No correlation was found between TP expression and vascular density. TP-positive tumors had a significant increase in both disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.0025) and overall survival (OS; p = 0.0070) in the total cohort of patients and in the subgroups of node-positive patients and patients treated with CMF adjuvant therapy; no significant difference in either DFS or OS was observed in patients without CMF treatment. Our findings suggest that TP has little effect on tumor angiogenesis of breast carcinoma, whereas it could represent an interesting marker that could predict response to CMF chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Immunolocalization of glucose transporter 1 and 3 in the placenta: application to cytodiagnosis of Papanicolaou smear.

A positive immunostaining for glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) was exclusively localized in microvilli on the free surface of syncytiotrophoblasts in the placenta. An enhanced immunoreaction for glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) was elicited in the cell membrane of intermediate trophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. Neither GLUT1 nor GLUT3 was positive in decidual cells and epithelial components from cervical dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Cervicovaginal smears from six pregnant women containing atypical cells of unknown origin were subjected to immunocytochemical testing with antibodies against GLUT1 and GLUT3. Atypical cells in smears from two pregnant women were found to be positive for GLUT3 while no specific immunoreaction for GLUT1 was elicited, indicating their origin from either intermediate trophoblasts or cytotrophoblasts. Through the use of antibodies against vimentin and cytokeratin 17, GLUT3-negative atypical cells were further sorted into decidual cells and epithelial components from cervical dysplasia, respectively.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: are they of cajal cell origin?

Recently some reports have suggested that gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) might originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal or differentiate into them because they express c-kit and/or CD34 and indicated that the majority of previously diagnosed smooth muscle tumors (SMT) actually belong to GIST, but are not true SMT. We, therefore, detected c-kit, CD34, SMA, and S-100 in 106 Chinese cases of gastrointestinal tumors, which were histopathologically diagnosed as smooth muscle tumors originally, to demonstrate the immunophenotypes of these tumors. The results showed that 73 cases had immunoreaction with c-kit and/or CD34, of which 48 cases showed coexpression with either SMA or S-100 or with both. A correlation between the immunophenotypes and known histopathological parameters was also shown here based on follow-up data. We suggest that the concept of GIST should not be used as an umbrella to cover all gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors, but be defined in a narrow term as differing from true smooth muscle tumors.

Actins↗

Thymidine phosphorylase is regulated by tamoxifen in T47D breast cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND: Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) has diverse functions within cells, including increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and methotrexate. However, the regulators of TP still remains largely unknown. METHOD: In this study, we examined whether tamoxifen has specific effects on TP expression in the T47D breast cancer cell line. We studied the TP expression in the T47D cell line before and after tamoxifen treatment using Western blot analysis and ELISA. RESULTS: We found that TP expression is significantly up-regulated in tamoxifen-treated cells compared with control. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that tamoxifen may increase chemotherapy sensitivity through TP up-regulation for treatment regimens including doxifluridine, capecitabine, and/or methotrexate.

Blotting, Western↗

p63 expression in normal, hyperplastic and malignant breast tissues.

BACKGROUND: p63 is a homologue of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and its protein is selectively expressed in the basal cells of a variety of epithelial tissues. It has recently been confirmed that p63 is expressed in the basal cells of normal prostate glands but not in prostatic carcinomas. Whether expression of p63 in breast correlates with tumor progression is the focus of this study. METHODS: Forty cases, which all contained normal breast tissue, ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma in the same patient were included in this investigation using an indirect immunohistochemical method and double staining. RESULTS: p63 was exclusively expressed in the myoepithelial cells of normal breast, partially expressed in ductal hyperplasia, rarely expressed in carcinoma in situ and not expressed in invasive carcinomas. CONCLUSION: The results suggest an association between loss of p63 expression and progression of breast ductal carcinoma. p63 immunostaining might be of assistance for distinguishing invasive ductal carcinoma from ductal carcinoma in situ or rare questionable ductal hyperplastic lesions, leading to correct therapy clinically.

Biopsy, Needle↗