Molecular and embryological characterization of a new transgene-induced null allele of mouse Brachyury locus.
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Alleles↗
Biomedical subjects
K Abe
Publications and source records attributed to K Abe.
Inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy associated with interstitial lung disease.
A 58-year-old woman presented with inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy accompanied by sensory and motor disturbance and interstitial lung disease. Corticosteroid therapy led to a marked amelioration of both the neuropathy and the lung disease. We suggest that a demyelinating neuropathy is associated with an interstitial lung disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
In situ localization of C3 synthesis in experimental acute renal allograft rejection.
Recent evidence has implicated complement in renal transplant injury and identified the kidney as a source of complement components. We therefore investigated the local gene expression of complement component C3, pivotal to complement activation pathways and a mediator of inflammatory injury, in a rat renal transplant model. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the expression of C3 mRNA increased in two phases. The first phase coincided with post-ischemic injury over 2 days post-transplantation and was localized by in situ hybridization to vessels and glomerular mesangial cells in allogeneic and syngeneic (control) kidney transplants. In allografts only, a second phase was found in tubular epithelial cells, glomerular parietal cells, vessel walls and some infiltrating cells, which peaked on day 4 together with rapid influx of leukocytes, tubule cell damage, the induction of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma mRNA, and the up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta mRNA in the graft. In vitro studies showed that interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma up-regulate C3 production in renal tubule cells. We conclude that post-ischemic injury led to transient up-regulation of glomerular expression of C3 mRNA. Subsequent cellular rejection was associated with tubulointerstitial/glomerular parietal cell expression of C3 mRNA. This differential expression of local C3, immediately post-transplant or associated with acute rejection, may have implications for putative therapeutic complement inhibition in clinical transplantation.
Acute Disease↗
Deep circumflex iliac artery as a free arterial graft for myocardial revascularization.
When complete revascularization cannot be obtained with the internal thoracic artery and the other arterial grafts, the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) may be an excellent alternative conduit. The deep circumflex iliac artery was used as a free graft for direct myocardial revascularization in 4 patients from January to July 1999. We describe our experience with this arterial conduit, review the anatomy of the artery, and present our harvesting technique.
Coronary Angiography↗
Expression of adrenomedullin in the human corpus luteum.
OBJECTIVE: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent hypotensive peptide found in human pheochromocytoma tissue. In the present study, the expression of AM mRNA in the human ovary was examined. DESIGN: Ovarian mRNA was analyzed in the follicle, the corpus luteum of mid-luteal phase, and early pregnancy. SETTING: Gunma University School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan. PATIENT(S): Premenopausal women with histologically normal ovary who were undergoing salpingoophorectomy. INTERVENTION(S): The dominant follicle and corpora lutea were isolated and total RNA was extracted from these tissues. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Northern blot analysis of AM, receptor activity-modifying protein 2 (RAMP2), and LH/hCG receptor mRNA in human samples. RESULT(S): An AM mRNA transcript of 1.6 kilobases (kb) was detected in corpus luteum tissue; this transcript was identical to that which has been detected in placenta and fetal membrane. The AM and LH/hCG receptor mRNA levels were low in the mature follicle but increased in the corpus luteum of the mid-luteal phase and were maintained during early pregnancy. A single transcript of 0.8 kb for RAMP2 was also seen in the follicle and corpus luteum, the level of RAMP2 mRNA was relatively high in the preovulatory follicle and RAMP2 was present in the corpus luteum. CONCLUSION(S): The expression of AM, its receptor, and LH/hCG receptor may be an important component in the process of development and differentiation of the corpus luteum.
Adrenomedullin↗
Superoxide enhances interleukin 1beta-mediated transcription of the hepatocyte-inducible nitric oxide synthase gene.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Exposure to oxidative stress, as in states of shock, ischemia-reperfusion injury, or sepsis, commonly initiates a complex cellular cascade of interlocking redox modulatory systems that detoxify electrophiles. In interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta)-treated rat hepatocytes, we have previously demonstrated that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression, steady-state iNOS messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, and NO synthesis are increased by oxidative stress induced by superoxide. The effect of hepatocellular redox state upon iNOS gene transcription has not been previously studied. METHODS: Using rat hepatocytes in primary culture, iNOS gene transcription was induced by IL-1beta. Oxidative stress was mediated by 1,2,3-benzenetriol (BZT), an autocatalytic source of superoxide. Nuclear run-on assays and transient transfection assays using the rat hepatocyte iNOS full-length promoter and deletion constructs were designed to isolate a cis-acting regulatory element. Specificity was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. Gel shift analysis determined the presence of a corresponding trans-acting regulatory factor. RESULTS: In IL-1beta-treated cells, BZT increased iNOS gene transcription without altering mRNA half-life. An antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) was found in the iNOS promoter at base pair -1347, which conferred redox sensitivity. Gel shift analysis identified a corresponding nuclear protein capable of binding to ARE in IL-1beta- and BZT-treated rat hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: An ARE in the rat hepatocyte iNOS promoter confers redox sensitivity and augments IL-1beta-mediated iNOS gene and protein expression in the setting of superoxide treatment.
Animals↗
Expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in rat granulosa cells.
Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is a vital mitochondrial protein that is indispensable for the synthesis of steroids. To study the mechanisms of regulation of StAR in rat granulosa cells, we used granulosa cells obtained from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats. Northern blot analysis revealed two major transcripts of about 3.6 kb and 1.6 kb of rat StAR mRNA. Rat StAR mRNA had strongly increased within 2 h due to the treatment of FSH or 8-Br-cAMP in this culture, a parallel increase of transcripts of both sizes was observed. Compared to the control, StAR mRNA levels increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of increasing concentrations of FSH (1-100 ng/ ml) and 8-Br-cAMP (0.25-5 mM). Although co-treatment of rat granulosa cells with FSH and TGF-beta did not change FSH-induced StAR mRNA levels, these levels in granulosa cells were markedly increased by pretreatment with TGF-beta before being acutely (2 h) stimulated with an effective dose of FSH. The stimulatory effect of TGF-beta was time- and concentration-dependent (1-30 ng/ml).
8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
Structural analysis of hyperacute rejection in cardiac xenotransplantation: comparison of two different donor-recipient species combinations.
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Animals↗
Simple therapy for cardiac concordant xenotransplantation: only 1 week of DSG administration with suppression of t-cell reactions.
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Animals↗
Analyses of transforming activity of Rho family activators.
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3T3 Cells↗
Depressive episodes of bipolar disorder in early teenage years: changes with increasing age and the significance of IQ.
BACKGROUND: Depressive (or depression-like) episodes are the most common manifestations of bipolar affective disorder in early teenage years. The present paper analyses the clinical features and their changes over time in these episodes. METHODS: By a prospective study on children who had their first affective or psychotic episodes between the ages of ten and fifteen, those who eventually met the ICD 10 diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder were selected and followed up. RESULTS: There were three boys and nine girls. Their early depressive episodes were characterised by psychotic features and clinging to the mother in most cases, and in some by brief episodes and/or a good response to sulpiride. However, these characteristics tended to disappear with increasing age. Five children (42%) had an IQ of 61-75. LIMITATIONS: Generalisability of the results is limited because of the small number of patients and the lack of control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar disorder in early teenage years may show clinical features and a drug response that are different from those in adulthood. Low IQ may expedite the onset of bipolar disorder.
Adolescent↗
Effects of repeated methyl levodopa administration on apomorphine sensitivity of rotational behavior and striatal Fos expression of rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions.
This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism to develop levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease. For this purpose, we administered methyl levodopa repeatedly to a rat model of Parkinson's disease with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced lesion of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway. After a washout period, we measured apomorphine sensitivity of contralateral rotation and made parallel determination of Fos expression in the caudate-putamen and globus pallidus of the same animal. Once daily, i.p. injection of methyl levodopa plus benserazide for 10 days increased the number of rotations over time. A challenge dose of apomorphine showed enhanced rotational response in rats pretreated with methyl levodopa. Repeated administration of methyl levodopa resulted in diminished apomorphine sensitivity of Fos expression in the dopamine depleted caudate-putamen and in enhanced sensitivity in the globus pallidus of the same side. Present results may add evidence to the idea that repeated administration of levodopa develops dopaminergic sensitization mediated by augmented activation of pallidal neurons involved in D2-responsive pallidal output pathway.
Animals↗
Measurement of cellular 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction activity and lactate dehydrogenase release using MTT.
3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay have been widely used for evaluating cell viability in culture. MTT reduction assay measures the redox activity of living cells, while LDH assay measures the activity of LDH released into the medium from dead cells. In this paper, we introduce a quick and simple method of measuring cellular MTT reduction and LDH release with the same dye, MTT. The substrate mixture for measuring LDH activity contained lactate, beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, 1-methoxyphenazine methosulfate, MTT and Triton X-100. When the medium containing LDH was mixed with the substrates, MTT was converted into MTT formazan in proportion to LDH activity. This method was successfully applied for evaluating t-butyl hydroperoxide toxicity in cultured rat cortical astrocytes and glutamate toxicity in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Our method is economical and convenient especially for measuring cellular MTT reduction and LDH release in the same culture.
Animals↗
The p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is involved in the induction and maintenance of astrocyte stellation mediated by protein kinase C.
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is known to be involved in the differentiation of various types of cells. To understand the role of p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) in astrocyte differentiation, we investigated the effects of U0126 and PD98059, specific inhibitors of the MAPK-activating enzyme MEK, on astrocyte morphology in culture. Cultured rat cortical astrocytes exhibited flattened, polygonal morphology in the absence of stimulation, but differentiated into process-bearing stellate cells in response to the membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBcAMP) or the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). dBcAMP-induced astrocyte stellation was not affected by MEK inhibitors, while PMA-induced astrocyte stellation was significantly blocked by U0126 (0.1-10 microM) and PD98059 (10-30 microM). Western blot analysis with an antibody specific for phosphorylated ERK1/2 revealed that PMA, but not dBcAMP, induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The PMA-induced astrocyte stellation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were blocked by specific PKC inhibitors, GF-109203X (0.01-1 microM) and calphostin C (1 microM). In addition, when U0126 or PD98059 was added after treatment with PMA, stellate astrocytes returned to polygonal. These results suggest that the MEK/ERK cascade is involved in the induction and maintenance of astrocyte stellation mediated by PKC, but not by cyclic AMP signaling.
Animals↗
Comparing microscopic with macroscopic elastic properties of polymer gel
Measurements of the local elastic modulus of agar gels obtained with atomic force microscope (AFM) force mapping were compared with values obtained by the tensile creep method. The observed spatial distributions of the local elastic modulus over the gel surface in AFM elastic images clearly corresponded to the network structure of agar fibers observed both in AFM topographic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Both peak and average values of distribution functions in the histograms of local elastic modulus increase monotonically with the agar concentration. Values obtained by AFM force mapping were found to be proportional to values obtained from creep experiments.
Journal Article↗
Three-dimensional characterization of interior structures of exocytotic apertures of nerve cells using atomic force microscopy.
We examined the interior structure of exocytotic apertures in synaptic vesicles of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells using atomic force microscopy. The atomic force microscopy detected apertures of 50-100nm in diameter at various depths within the varicosities of these cells. We were also able to image a regular radial pattern on the wall and lump-like structures at the bottom of these apertures. In contrast, scanning electron microscopy could only detect the apertures but not the fine details of their interior. The cells examined here exhibited the same electrophysiological properties and expression of synaptophysin and syntaxin 1 as presynaptic terminals, as studied by various electrophysiological and imaging techniques. Our results indicate that atomic force microscopy allows three-dimensional viewing of the fine structures located inside exocytotic apertures in nerve cells.
Calcium↗
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of patients with parkinsonism.
We studied cerebral metabolism in 82 patients with nonfamilial parkinsonism, including Parkinson's disease (PD; n = 23), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP; n = 12), corticobasal degeneration (CBD; n = 19), multiple systemic atrophy (MSA; n = 18) and vascular parkinsonism (VP; n = 10) by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS), which allowed noninvasive measurement of signal intensities from N-acetylasparate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (CHO) and creatine plus phosphocreatine (CRE). As compared to normal controls, patients with PSP, CBD, MSA and VP, but not PD, had significant reduction of the NAA/CRE ratio in the frontal cortex, whereas patients with PSP, CBD, MSA and PD, but not VP, had significant reduction of the NAA/CRE ratio in the putamen. Patients with CBD had significant reduction of the NAA/CRE ratio in the frontal cortex and putamen as compared to patients with PD, MSA and VP. Patients with PSP showed a significant reduction of the NAA/CRE ratio in the putamen as compared with patients with PD and MSA. Patients with CBD showed clear asymmetry in the putamen as compared to controls and other patients. The reduction of the NAA/CRE ratio in the putamen correlated well with the severity of parkinsonism. (1)H-MRS may be useful in monitoring patients with various types of parkinsonism.
Aged↗
Microcapsulated parathyroid tissue in vitro.
Ideally, microcapsules will make it possible to transplant parathyroid tissue for allo- and xenotransplantation in hypoparathyroid patients. In this study, parathyroid tissues capsulated by polyelectrolyte complex were evaluated in vitro. Hormone secretion ability was significantly (P < 0.001) greater in sediment than in supernatant. There was no difference in hormone secretion ability between the parathyroid tissue thawed at room temperature and the tissue thawed in a bath at 37 degrees C. Both non-capsulated and capsulated parathyroid tissues were incubated for three weeks. The ability of capsulated parathyroid to secrete hormones in vitro was reduced gradually and disappeared within three weeks. There are still several problems to be solved before the clinical application of parathyroid allotransplantation using microcapsulation.
Cryopreservation↗